Messages posted by : Dave Mac
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I too disagree with the first answer. This is a couple of degrees further down the line.
I like the idea, and practice it, of muscle memory exercises, but, ~ you need to be very clear of what you are doing, and why you are doing it. I do not rush from snow plough to parallel. I have skied for many years, and while I have heard one particular regular on J2 dismissing snow plough, I use have used snow plough on a daily basis for almost 50 years. It is an essential part of skiing. It should be taught well. Many people assume a linear progession in skiing. I never have. My belief is that is strongly beneficial to teach an earlier technique technical move, move it forwards, return and re-teach the same method on a slightly steeper slope. Then go back to the easier slope, with the improved technique. At an opportune time, break the runs, stop, and do a few drills. The student will not necessarily follow the logic of the progression, but by moving forwards/backwards/forwards, there is gradual, but much more solid progression with an average student. OK, there are always exceptions, and I have had three beginners who won the top level ski school race, but you generally find they are an exception. (One was Dutch champion skater) There is one progression area that I suggest is really important. That is to be cautious about moving too quickly to more steeper slopes. Some ski areas do have gradual gradient change, but most do not. In my view, this is the single cause of many people giving up skiing early, where, if slope change was taken more cautiously, there would be a greater percentage of upgrade skiers. There are routines to deal with this. |
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Young Andy, I have reached the age where confusion is the norm. Except when I am skiing. However, it is a neighbouring area, so maybe I will get away with it.... |
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Top skiing, Ranchero!
5 hours hoofing the hill!!! No way. I still dream about skinning the Marbachjoch, but every year gets a little older.... |
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J2Ski Holiday 30th January 2016 - Alpe d'Huez
Started by User in Find a Ski Buddy / Group Trips, 149 Replies |
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I guess that many of the J2skiers were waiting for their flights as we arrived at Grenoble.
We had one and a half days reasonable visibility from the whole week, with the remaining days offering really poor visibility. Frau Mac and I chose to ski the Sarenne on the sunny day. However it was one of those rare days where organising our small group was like herding cockroaches, and so it was afternoon before we managed to start skiing the Sarenne. Given there was a lot of fresh snow, there was a big difference between the early and later conditions. The late start adversely transformed the skiing conditions. If you are tackling the Sarenne with fresh snow, go early. It was unfortunate that with the bad viz on the other days, I didn't get to ski the tunnel. I was looking forward to the run out. We had fresh snow every day. I found the best way to deal with the bad viz was to ski it directly, and just accept that on occasions, I would make the odd Klammer turn, ie one ski trying to be alongside my helmet..... but always hanging on. No falls for me or Frau Mac. I was sad not to get any painting done. This is not Tirol, so no old Stubles or Jochalms set against mountain backdrops. I guess I just have to accept this in France. Lord knows what paintings might be possible in Colorado.... |
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It seems that the lifts that remain open are low level, and free to use. I guess that will alleviate some of the claims.
However, should you have planned to ski the Sarenne...... |
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I ventured into FD in AlpD'Huez last week. Not impressed.
Even in my twentys, and ever since, I have preferred playing guitar alongside harp, in Austria, playing Tirol songs. Also, teaching my Austrian friends the rude words to the rugby songs.... |
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Great news about Vail, will be headed there in March. Snow has been falling heavily here in Alp D'Huez.
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Glad to be of help, Denise, and that it all worked out well.
The power of J2ski! |
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