Messages posted by : OldAndy
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I've been through a similar transition to you AB.
Some years ago I realised that my youthful "brute strength and ignorance" technique developed through skiing for several whole seasons was no longer possible. What I have done and continue to do was/is ..... Some years ago I had a lesson where I asked to be taught to ski so I could continue for years. This was revelatory - it worked! I have had more lessons since, including last year, all with the goal of instilling techniques to make my skiing smoother and less energy intensive. This is working - to the extent that my 25yo niece who is superbly fit grumbles about how she is out of breath and aching but the old, bald, fat, nearly geriatric (only 54 though :lol: ) has beaten her down the slope and is not out of breath. The other part is equipment. Softer boots than I used to ski on (Lange Blaster with a flex of 100 now) and falling in love with modern all mountain skis. Started with Dynastar Sultan 85 which I found really effortless in spring conditions, then some more "usual" skis where I realised the difference (not as easy to ski). Then the best I have had recently - Salomon BBR 8.9 (@176cm, I am 177cm tall) which were a ski that felt to me like three skis in one. Something simple and polite for pootling around on, a pair of racers if I put them on edge and something controllable in lumpy, bumpy snow and moguls. Last hols I had some Movement Jam ER @173cm. Excellent ski but not as stable as either the Salomons or Dynastar at speed. No idea what is right for you, AB, but I have found what works for me - medium underfoot, and some rocker. I am certain that skiing takes less energy now than it used to due to better technique suitable for age and fitness level and a ski that complements the skiing I want to do. Hope you continue to enjoy decades more skiing. |
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Good survey!
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Thanks for the update Nelly.
I am pleased that DT have been looking after you, I have used them for years and sort of taken on trust that they are quite good. :) I will be interested to hear how it all pans out, and if you had to pay anyone in France anything up front. PS: Hope the knees are doing ok. :thumbup: |
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Respect Wickers !! Didn't realise you were a minimalist skier who eschewed the use of lifts to walk uphill. Personally I am far too lazy and unfit. :mrgreen: |
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I really would love to know what would class as a valid qualification in the eyes of the French Public Ministry and/or the ESF?
Would the host I had a great time with last year be classed as holding a valid qualification I wonder - he had BASI (not sure what level but more than the dry slope/snow dome one) |
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I think we will have to wait and see for any final "legality" on this - Le Ski are appealing to the Court in Chambery and it may then go further.
The PlanetSki report suggests that Crystal, for one, have stopped hosting already - have you asked Bonjour yet thinking about your next trip Ally?? I am saddened by this as I have really enjoyed joining hosting groups when on holiday as the only skier or on my own. I would love to know what the ESF actually mean by "fully qualified"? With EU rules this can no longer be solely French trained. But I wonder if they would fight the inclusion of BASSI instructors in the fully trained category? I hope that some of the big UK tour operators move their business to alternative ski schools as a result of this. My personal view is that the whole ESF position is misplaced protectionism and a lack of understanding of what the British skier is looking for with respect to hosting. |
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Oh Nelly - that is terrible :cry: I am so sorry for you - knowing how much you were looking forward to the holiday. I really hope that the damage isn't too bad and service is resumed fairly swiftly. Big hugs -) |
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Clarification please .... Was the flattening for the Italians or the Moguls? |
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