J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

Hi Ian,
What happened to ski-ing on Friday? It is Thursday today, isn't it?

Have fun,

Ally

Thanks Kate, I will have a go next time I'm on some snow (in the summer in a snow dome probably).

That's the problem with turns, they do get rather mixed up. I mean, my most recent instructor showed us how to carve and then went on about doing very tight carving turns - which I reckon is impossible unless you have skis with a tiny radius, or you introduce a skid or a foot turning pivot somewhere in the turn.

kateshaw wrote:I had a lesson when I was skiing in January, and my instructor told me to use the balls of my feet and turn almost by rolling on them, using my big toe - worked a bloody treat! I stopped thinking about my turns, and my husband said he could see the improvement in my skiing straight away. It did a lot for my confidence anyway!

Kate, that's great. I wish I could turn like that, on the balls of my feet. Were you doing the pivotty sort of turns, or the skiddy ones, or carving turns (if you know what I mean?).

Pablo, thanks, but I don't think I'll be needing to trim my big toe nail on my right foot for my new boots - it's only just hanging in there and I think the whole nail will fall off shortly :shock:

Ally

Pablo Escobar wrote:If it works to keep you centered it is a good way to think about it. Really easy to feel the balls of your feet although in poorly fitted boots I would imagine your control over the skis may be limited ;)

I have been told to imagine, whilst turning, that you are rolling a can (of beer) from underneath your toes to under the arch of your foot. Different things work for different people.

I'm not sure I can stand on a can of beer, even when I'm not wearing ski boots. I used to be quite good at walking on a barrel though, if it's anything the same as that.

It's okay Pablo, you can stop nagging me about my boots now :wink:

I'm off to Profeet in London to buy myself some new boots as soon as my broken, infected toe has healed. I am hoping they will still have some boots left in my size.

:D :D :D

Pablo Escobar wrote:Yep. Stand up and try to balance on the balls of your feet... you need to be pretty centered to do it.

Thanks Pablo,
Oh well, then, that would explain it. Maybe Wanderer had an English speaking instructor. I don't think any of my French ones knew how to say 'the balls of your feet'. I've been told endlessly about keeping a correct 'mid position' and staying centred etc.

Ally

Getjim,
Deepest Cornwall sounds a bit like deepest Pembrokeshire. We don't have any big fancy shops either, which is why I had to drive 50 miles to buy a ski helmet.

Do you work on the land as well, then?

Ally

Pablo,
Have you ever heard of being told to ski on the balls of your feet?

Wanderer,
I tend to crouch down as well, when I'm feeling nervous, but so far none of my instructors have told me to ski on the balls of my feet. They usually tell me to stand up straighter, keep my weight forwards, and lean downhill. Plus, they all seem to think that ski-ing with my shins against the front of my boots is a good idea.

I find the best way to fix this problem in myself, is to start telling, and listening to jokes, because when doing this I find myself leaning forwards to hear the next joke and I totally forget about the steepness of the slope and relax and ski much better. A really good joke will keep me ski-ing relaxed for several hours :lol:

Ally