J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by caron-a

DaveW wrote:

only thing i can add to such a technical discussion is that my left pole came in very useful when i was sliding down a mountain head first on my back unable to stop -)
caron

[Boy(girl?) are you right about that! I,ve checked out some of these posters' blogs etc such as Ise's...we're getting the very best of advice here on this topic.
With trepidation I suggest the pole goes-in when the next turn requires to be started. Then the body transitions (CofG) across the skis such that the skis turn on one radius but the mass of the body continues (more or less) down the slope is straighter line?

Yeah I know it's old shool but I've still got the old legs.

Seriously, Corona, your emergency use of the pole in a runnaway slide will work in some situations only.

Mountaineering technique by Greene is much more reliable. Worst case scenario on your back, head-first and heading down the slope:

1 Immediately swing legs hard into down-hill position
2 Flip over on to your torso-front
3 Spread legs and dig boot toes in hard
4 GENTLY, pushup with arms extended to raise body.
5 By now on frozen/steep slopes you are likely to be accelerating rapidly, Hold that until coming to a stop

NB The reason for gentle arms extension is that on severe slopes(or hard ice) you can catapult yourself into space as the boot toes grip or hit ridges. If that happens, you're a gonner.

Practice this on short slopes until it becomes instinctive.

All of this follows first trying to retain Ski(s) as a brake and playing the stay-in the centre of the ski game.
Chances are the skis release early anyway!