J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by dixielad_915

Hi there,

I'm not very experienced in these matters as I have only been out skiing 5 times, however last year my girlfriend organised a group of 25 friends and family to go to Bulgaria. We were split up into different groups depending on our experience. This worked well as we were split up during the day but got to meet up after lessons were over and ski a few more runs together. You might prefer doing something like that, just so you are only concentrating on your own technique and not too busy worring about your family etc. Your family members might enjoy the experience of having lessons with new people and may meet new friends etc.

Don't let one bad experience put you off skiing as it is a sport that can cater for all levels of ability. Just ensure that you are placed in a group were you are of the same ability as everyone else. There is nothing worse than being the slowest member in the group as you feel under pressure all day to keep up. If you choose a destination with good quality instruction (other members of this site will be better placed to advise you on that) you will find the experience so much more enjoyable. Just ski to your level and don't worry about anybody else.

But most of all, have fun!

Maybe your old skis are just two left skis?!

I'm away on my last trip of the season on Saturday and want to really crack this problem with my technique and I know this is the place to ask.

Do you find when turning that one side is better than the other? Is it a left turn or is it a right turn? With me it is a left turn and I assume that it is due to me being right footed and hence my right foot is better and more co-ordinated. I find when turning right I cant really get on my edges, and only feel comfortable doing a heavy skid turn which kills all momentum. I know it is all down to practice but I was wondering what is the best exercises to correct this technical error?

Rossfra8 wrote:I have so much to say on this it's unreal. Drag your pole baskets (hands forward) by the arch of your foot. Once you have planted your pole, make sure it remains in contact with the snow after the turn and drag it once more. As for your outside pole, it should always drag along the ground aswell-for purposes of a beginner/intermediate skier which i'm assuming you are.

Thanks for that. I am a beginner heading towards intermediate level. I can go down a black but don't look pretty, that sort of level.
I don't think i was keeping the outside pole in contact with the snow, which made it look like I was flapping my poles around. A few exercises on my hands position should hopefully sort that one out. So many things to do and remember....

In fact if we all done the same thing, then we wouldn't be able to take the mickey out of each other! Friendly banter between mates is one thing, but people thining they are better than others, or have more right to be on the mountain than another is destructive and pretty ignorant also. The old snowboarder skier argument will never go away but the only place for it is over a pint in the bar after a day on the mountain!

I seem to have generated a bit of debate there with my initial question. As a relatively new skier, I can relate to what trencher is talking about. In fact when I was first taught to ski, my poles were taken off me after a day as they were just another thing to have to think about and were limiting my progress. I was then only reunited with my poles once I had learnt the feel of the skis when turning, the transition of weight etc. I will stand by that inital day or so of skiing without poles as I progressed more that day than any other single day since. Indeed I was even thinking about not using my poles on my last trip there, however it is all the little small points that everyone has brought up that make your poles so useful such as getting out of your skis etc. My problem which I will just have to work on, was what I did with my poles after one pole plant to the other. We were skiing in fresh snow which just turned to moguls after a few hours and I think I was just enjoying myself a bit too much and throwing my poles around!

Thanks for the advice pavel, I spent the last trip (between enjoying myself of course) on making sure I face down the mountain. No sooner had I ticked that off the list, then I have been given another problem to work on. That exercise with the open hand sounds just the ticket for me. I'm away to austria in a few weeks so I will make sure and focus on keeping a still upper body and keep those hands steady. Thanks again

haha, yes I did ignore them, but did not think of as good a reply as that one. mental note...