J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

Cookies72 wrote:

ooooo, what about chair lift exits, do they need a handle welding on?

I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked by a liftie/instructor to help a small child off the lift at the top so it's obvioulsy just accpeted practice that people help out (no language barriers either).

If you do have any hassles with them then best bet is to ride up with a ski school as the lift people will know they're coming and slow it down accordingly. Better still is only use "detachable" chairs and then unloading is far less of an issue as speeds are much lower

Ian Wickham wrote:Think your self lucky as with a bit of practice you will get your skis closer together unlike me who has to ski with a wide stance due to the shape of one's legs :lol:

Thought you were a "racing snake" Wickers...... )

Far Queue wrote:Actually, the comment about pretending to be videod may be nearer the mark than you realise OA.

I find it amazing to watch myself doing various things, as I always spot something I need to change and improve within seconds. I find it works for Skiing, Golf and many other things.

Just take my Snow Dance video for example :shock: :oops: It took me just 3 seconds of watching that, to realise I should never, ever, ever post another video of me on the internet again :twisted:

Snigger

Though I do find that I can fix my golf swing a lot faster from 5 mins of video footage thatn from hours of lashing away at balls - the wife will be pleased to spend her holiday following me down runs with the camera - revenge for all the posh shops she'll want to go in no doubt!

Thanks Andy

I guess I know all of the above and, when I do concentrate, I can do it and look vaguely competent.

Problems come when I'm out of my comfort zone and fall back into the bad habits in order to stay vertical when I should probably stick with the technique and accept a few falls as part of my development.

The trick of course is transferring that from the logical part of my brain that does analysis whilst I'm sat here at my desk to the bit that has to make split second decisions on a piste!

Still - I always comfort myself that Didier Cuche probably knows naff all about IT Consultancy......

Wise words Rat !

Though I still think some more "style and control" as Brylcreem adverts used to say would be handy if I'm to risk the Face this year in VDI

A month to go and I'm moving on from being excited to slight trepidation as I remember that I'm not very good at this skiing lark!

Been doing it for quite a while and am at the point where I can "get down" pretty much anything but with little style points. Dont get scared by much, though I'm not a real fan of moguls or ice, so really enjoy myself which is surely what its all about!

I'm fond of a "wide stance" so as to set me up with a platform to get by my poor technique - I have strong thighs so tend to rely on brute force rather than finesse as an instructor in Vermont once pointed out.

What are some good tips to get my feet closer together and to keep my weight forward to give me a little more finesse in those tricky moments?

Yes I know the answer is more lessons but just thought I'd see what ideas people have?

Thanks

Andy

I'd deffo echo Tony's point about the Medran lifts - huuuuuge queues and not very well controlled....

But once you're off then its a great area - I too loved the red down under the Jumbo cable car (though the bloke who shot past me tele-marking was a real blow to my self esteem)

Only point I'd add is that the home run (back to the Medran station) has a last drop thats steeper and narrower than it needs to be for a home run so if you have any beginners / nervous peeps in youir party then just be aware of this at the end of the day as it can get a little "hairy" - as can the prices in the bar at the bottom!

Enjoy it though - great area!

Ive got a pair of Bolle Variables that work in pretty much all conditions.

Years ago (when I was a sunglasses only kind of guy, sans H-word) in Andorra we got caught in really bad visibility with falling snow/fog etc so I have a pair of Cebe's that were only about £20 with VERY yellow lenses that are naff all use unless it's that bad but, having been caught out once, I always carry them just in case!