J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by coops2

Scarlet Fez wrote:Its that time of year when like many I start looking forward to my skiing holiday in January in Soll. Thought I would bump this thread back to the top as I found it a very useful tool for a good intermediate skier.
[u]Request for Advice or a Drill

Last year for the first time I had a friend video as I came down and I was quite impressed with my technique apart from one aspect. Sticks!!
My mates gave up shouting to me about them a couple of years and I thought I had cracked it!! From the filming from behind it was quite apparent that although my stick holding position was correct my delivernce even in easy terrain was wrong.
Hard to decribe but hear goes, when I plant my pole I seem to use the hand and arm in a boxing hook action as opposed to a boxing jab and lean which causes me to use my shoulders far more than I should.
Get around most hazards but as u can imagine my poor pole technique is amplified the harder the terrain.
If anyone has any good drills to encourage me not to look at times as if I am skiing like a bar room brawler I will be very grateful.
From the help I got from Klaus' video I do believe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

SF

Although Pole planting technique isn't too important for carving, I'm sure you will have seen and done many exercises with poles. For carving, I think the one you want is where you balance your poles on top of your wrists while skiing a slope. If you top 'n' tail your poles and position your wrists just inboard of the handgrip, it should keep your hands in about the right position, and by having to balance the poles, it encourages an good upper body stance and really concentrates the mind.
Hope this helps, good luck. :thumbup:

Hi Snapzzz

Great to hear you've decided to take finally take the plunge, the enthusiasm with which you write tells me you're really excited about it. You'll regret not having done it sooner. I didn't start skiing until mid thirties and wish I'd started much sooner. Many of the comments are valid for beginners, and I agree with Pablo, you don't need the encumberance of a bag when having beginner lessons. Having said that, you probably will require a backpack when you've become competent. As your lessons will probably only be for a couple of hours, it's always worth taking extra kit for after lessons and many resorts have locker facilities somewhere on the mountain. Your instructor can advise. Good socks and gloves are a must and good quality base layers can always be rinsed out and dried in your apartment overnight if they start to get 'aromatic'. Compeed blisters are another good suggestion to provide early protection for blisters.
If you end up in a large group during lessons you may be standing around for a lot of the time waiting for your group to go through exercises one by one, this can sap your body heat. So while in lessons, I would suggest you consider being warm first off. Most decent quality jackets nowadays have ventilation zips somewhere under the arm so if you're starting to overheat you can simply ondo the zip. If you're hot on the first day you can adjust accordingly on later days. Depending on the weather, Ski glasses may be preferable to goggles. Get goggles that fit nicely, not just because they look cool. Hudmans suggestion about lessons before you go is a top tip, I wouldn't bother with a dry slope though, keep to the real stuff if poss. Even practicing putting your boots on and clipping into ski's is useful before you get into resort. Might sound silly but there's even right and wrong ways to tighten boots up. There's plenty more information you can glean on this site, and (i think)it's all from people who actually ski, so all good advice.

Happy skiing and perhaps you'll report back on your experiences. :D :thumbup:

mikei wrote:hi scarlet just to let you know we are a group of 20 adults and range in ages from 21-44 and have been to soll on 5 ocassasions and would highly recomend it.the waterholes you require are the salven stahl at the cross roads on the way down from the gondalla excellent music and great bar staff.the one nearest to where you will be staying is the whiskey muller again great bar staff but the salven has live music every day and a bbq every day as you can imagine beer and food a very good value.
hope this helps you,
enjoy your holiday. :-) :-) :-)

Yes, but have you managed to do any skiing?????? :P

Having spent my last 3 Autrian Ski hols in Scheffau, the next village down from Soll, I consider the skiwelt area more than adequate for a good ski trip. The Hohe Salve is a fantastic run off the top and skiwelt is an extensive area. Now the runs have been linked to westendorf no need to worry about having to bus it back. True, in Soll you have to travel to the gondola, bus or foot. As already stated, the piste maps leave a lot to be desired. Night skiing is available in Soll I think. As for negatives, are there really any where skiing is concerned, they're simply not as good positives. IMHO, any skiing is good skiing.

Beckiboo, as an avid skier, but with a less than avid better half, can I suggest a couple of points.
1. TA can take the hassle out of all the arrangements and will have resort reps for the inevitable snags. However, if you are an experienced traveller, then much can be done DIY. I have booked independently for last 4 seasons and can usually match TA prices. Get brochures from TA for ideas.
2. Try and find accomodation close to the slopes, failing that, near to ski bus stop. It can be a real pain trudging more than a couple of hundred yards weighed down with ski equipment.
3. Consider 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 lessons as opposed to mainstream group class. TA probably won't provide these type of lessons but you will certainly be able to book them in resort in Austria. These may seem expensive up front for 1 on 1 but usually a second or third person is quite cheap, and you progress much quicker than in a group. I speak from (my better halfs) bitter experience. After 4 seasons in group classes she was no more confident than she was on her very first day. After the last 2 seasons 1 on 1, she's comfy on reds. Whatever level, anybody can benefit from lessons. I favour Austria, instructors always have a good level of english, and after all, it is their national sport, they're born on skis.
4. Invest in some compeed plasters for the inevitable blisters which you may get with hire boots, no matter how well they get fitted in the shop.
5. When you've finally got the bug (after the first day) make your first investment the best pair of boots you can afford.
6. Enjoy!!!! 8)

Best heart warming story I've heard in ages.

hi Ronster

All comments are valid, especially the one about all credit for getting into clothes you had 10 years ago, but I would say that modern clothing technology ensures you won't be wet inside and dry outside. TK maxx has been mentioned but many other outlets also have reasonably priced good gear. Essential to consider base layers, mid weight fleece and breathable outer layer. It would be a shame to not enjoy your return to skiing by sweating like a pig, and for the sake of some new clothes. If your 10 year old stuff is nevica with pink and orange flashes on a predominantly black background...respect!!! but let it go. Have you also considered that the modern skiing style has also evolved somewhat over the past ten years. Have a great holiday!!

OOOOPPss, out of sequence

51 = 105
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53 = 107
54 = 108