J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by PCthug

I am already looking for some carver skis, so already got the bug. Shame its only a few weeks in the year (if we are lucky).
I will look out for the one near the Metro, as its got to be worth a lesson or 2.
I took the wife and dog with me (the wife can use the phone, the dog cant) in case something happened. The hill was also full of kids and their parents, so i am sure i wouldnt have boon stuck for long.

Thanks for your help to far people.

Well, had my second outing today.

Went to a slightly longer and steeper hill.

This had loads of fearless kids flinging them selves down it on sledges and anything that looked remotely slippy enough to use.
Then there was me, pidgeon toed (or ski'd), gingerly going down with arms flaily wildly whilst trying to regain balance until the inevitable happened. I looked dead cool and pro... not!
Still, was great fun. Didnt hurt myself at all. My skis unclipped once or twice, showing that they were set to break prior to my ankle.

I have learnt a little more, and felt quite comfortable. Still had trouble keeping the snow plough on, and stopping, but getting there.
The wife actually said i looked like an amature and not a learner (not sure what she meant, but sounded good).

Fell over into something brown, and i dont 'think' it was mud, but didnt dare investigate it more.

Well, i have been and done it.

I first went to a field behind my house with a very slight slope.
The snow was virgin and very deep and powdery. Needless to say, i didnt really move anywhere, as it was too thick, and not sloped enough. So i have now learnt something.

I then went to a path at the end of my road (cycle and foot, but no road near it). This was a little more compacted due to walkers and slightly more sloped than the field. It was only about 200yards long, but enough to get a feel for it. It leads straight down to a steep slope going into the woods, so was imperative that i stop prior to this.

I fell over a grand total of 2 times (on the flat, and just before this drop into the woods), and tried the snow plough to slow down a little, that appeared to work in a fashion (from 7mph to 3mph, lol).

I consider myself of being slightly above average fitness wise (for a 40 year old), as i go out jogging and mountain biking, but boy, after about 30 mins i was fit to drop, and dripping in sweat.

Its all a learning curve, and i have already learnt a little bit more than i knew an hour ago.

Cant wait for another go tomorrow...

BTW, my skis are fairly old (early/mid 90s), but have hardly been used. They only cost me £20 for the skis, boots and poles.

Here are some photos, you can laugh if you want.

Would i be better trying cross country style first, so mainly on the flat, until i learn the mechanics and balance?
If so, what would i need?

Scarlet Fez wrote:I am saying this tounge in cheek. As a traffic cop would you say that a kid who has never been behind the wheel of car before but just gets in one for a blast on a private road having had no tuition is a danger to himself or more importantly anyone else? Slight exaggeration I know but you must know the basics of how to drive the skis and how the car/skis work before going for a spin.

Hence me coming here for advice.

It would be better for a kid to do this, after gaing info off the internet, than going onto the open roads.

I am not going to just go to a hill and try and ski down it.
I want to know how to stop first. And i have heard that snow ploughing is the way to do it as a beginner, but first you need sharp skis to cut the ice and dig in.

I deal with many a kid that pinches cars and drives around public roads without EVER having a lesson. They do manage it, and rarely crash (although it does happen). They learn by doing this, but will never pass a test.

I dont intend to pose a risk to others, thats why i want to go to a very shallow bank in controlled conditons.

When i was 16 i bought my first motorbike, as most bikers do, and went onto the open road without so much as a single lesson. It was all self taught.

I am not saying that i will never take lessons, but just wanted to gain a little experience to try it first.

mick1583 wrote:Matt, you have your location as Durham. If you live in Durham there is a dry ski slope In Silksworth, Sunderland, as you are a fraffic cop you should find it no problem.That can't be 100 miles away.
I took lessons there when I first started skiing. I think it was about £100 for a week.

Ah, i didnt know about the one in Sunderland.
I did google Dry and indoor slopes, but didnt get anything that close.
I will look into it, thanks.

Thanks again guys (and gals).

I didnt see the other (removed) post on my thread, although i am now curious to what it said, lol.

I am quite accustomed to danger, and know my limitations. I am currently employed as a traffic cop, so regularly take risks (albeit controlled and pre-thought) at speeds. I also ride a motorbike for leisure and on track days, so again am well aware of my mortalilty.

I have broke my leg before (on bikes), and have NO intention of doing so again, cos it hurts.

Having said that, these have not been set up for me, but i thought of reducing the tension on them almost all the way, so that they do 'give', hopefully before i break my leg, lol.
I could break my leg using a sledge. Its just the luck of the draw.

Just joined today and thought it may be a freindy place to gather advice from more experienced skiers (and did get some BTW), but when i tried to reply, noticed my thread was locked without any indication as to why (that was a little rude to be honest)????

I was wanting to add that the skis i bought, although from ebay, were from a local (elderly) guy who had had them serviced (cleaned, re-waxed etc) prior to my collecting them, and that a (more experienced) friend i went with told me that they were good ones and nice and sharp.

The hill i am going to throw myself down is nothing more than a shallow very small hill, and i know that there are no rocks, branches or hidden nasties under the snow (i take my dog walking there all the time).

The closest dry slope or indoor slope is about 100 miles away from where i live, so will prove rather expensive and time consuming.

I would like to thank those who offered advice, and appologise if i have done something against forum rules.


MATT