Messages posted by : verbier_ski_bum
Just read a thread on TGR on stem cell injections. Sounds like there will be a way soon for people to extend there skiing careers indefinitely |
|
There was a discussion on this topic here. The skis usually are all made the same without matching with some rare exceptions when skis of a given pair pre-made left and right. With some skis "left" and "right" is usually determined by graphics without the real diffrence, but some skis have slanted noses so there WILL be real difference between right and left skis and impossible to skis them put on wrong feet. But most skis become left and right after consistent use as wear patterns develop over time (over 100 ski days, so most recreational skiers will probably switch to a newer model before that actually happens and professionals will have more than one pair anyway), however wear patterns will be more or less symmetric if skis are randomly swapped from left foot to right - conclusion here was that it's largely a matter of personal preference. For brand new skis you can take two pairs of the same model and mix them up and then randomly take two skis to form a new pair and it should be absolutely the same as the remaining pair. I don't think there is any difference between left and right skis for Volkl unlimited series, so any pair will work for replacement of one ski. I am not sure though it's possible to buy just one ski but not because it's matched to the second ski of the set. Contacting Voelkl directly or their local reps is a good idea. They do replace broken or damaged skis still on the warranty. |
|
|
It's tough with skiing as you need to buy quite a lot of stuff before you even know if you like it or not. Gloves, goggles, jacket, pants, thermals, fleeces... But as others said it doesn't always cost a fortune and you don't need to buy a high-tech clothing that is only useful in the mountains. Pants are a tricky thing to buy. If you are really not sure if you are going to continue skiing beyond your first trip, get the cheapest pants you can, heavy insulated with some water resistance. Water proof stufff is usually more expensive and lighter non-insulated shells too. You can alsways invest on these later if you commit. With cheap pants if you don't like skiing you just give them away, discard or do whatever else people do with things they no longer need. Gloves - I am not sure about silk liners, but I would go for a proper waterproof ones, GTX or similar. You don't want to have cold hands, and if your gloves get wet and let water in you will have cold hands and it can realy affect your overall experience. Goggles - you only have one pair of eyes so take a good care of them. Generally you need one pair with interchangeable lenses - for bright sunshine and flat light. Or get one pair of goggles and a pair of mountain-graded sunglasses ("regular" sunglasses don't offer sufficient protection in the mountains). You can use this sunglasses on the beach or anywhere in the summer when it's sunny. There are of course goggles made for most conditions but as always there will be compromises - they are not as good in flat light as a flat-light goggles and don't offer as good protection as goggles made for bright light. Don't buy thick socks. Lightweight, thin merino. You will get better boot fit with thinner socks. Now the most tricky bit - boots. As a first timer you of course will be hiring. So take a good care to walk out of the rental shop with boots that fit you well. Or at least that you can exchange them and don't get stuck with them till the end of your trip if they don't fit. The biggest mistake many first time skiers make is that fully expecting boots being uncomfortable they grab the first pair they are given that doesn't seem tight and they end up with boots too big more often than not, which will affect their skiing and overall experience. You should have just enough room to wiggle your toes but your heels shouldn't be moving.
|
|
|
Because if you don't like the price your alternative is getting there after changing numerous public busses while carrying you luggage/skis/kids:) So after some consideration you decide that the price is okayish, and every one is the same and that's why the price is higher than elsewhere. so, in a way, they are milking you.
|
|
|
I think roof box is the way to go. There are also cheaper roof ski racks, but the amount of crap that sticks to skis is unbelievable, dead flies, birds' poo, road dust, grease, everything. OK to use it once if you need to, but that's about it. Roof boxes are more versatile and can be used to carry other stuff too.
|
|
|
It's either that skiing in Nort America is so much different from skiing in Europe or Pavel is trying to put new skiers off:) For the majority of recreation skiers these rules are excessive. Come on, no serious resort will expect from tourists to follow local politics. They can be 'rules' but only for those who come to spend a season in a resort or moved to new place - to be accepted as local one need to respect local politics. But to expect tourists to know where not to sit when no "reserved" signs are present? It's a clear arrogance and I haven't heard of it happening here. Establishments usually invest in a couple of signs and will be friendly to customers regardless of where they sit. Being polite and make an effort to greet locals in their local language and do not litter, care about the mountain, - this is enough. As for other etiquettte questions, when people go to ski to the same place and get to know locals, they will learn the etiquette in due course. For a novice skier who is going on his first ski holiday these rules are unnecessary. Unless he's moving to leave in a ski resort he'll never really need them.
|
|
And do what? If you're maintaining your speed and course, how else can you prepare for potential danger approaching? The truth is that there is very little you can do to change what's happening behind you. You avoid unnecessary manoeuvers in case you are being overtaken but even then it's the responsibility of the overtaking skier to leave you enough room for any manoeuver. Trying to do any more than that will literally require turning backwards which is way more dangerous. Ski fast! By that I don't mean be a speed demon or ski out of control but rather don't waste time and speed unnecessarily. Sometimes you get it so right that you basically ski on empty slopes on a busy day. |
|
|
I was told to maintain aggressive stance with hands forward where I can see them both and not to attempt recovery if falling. I read that ACL injuries are not related to high speed as they result from twisting falls that usually happen at lower speeds. I agree with what others are saying regarding general safety rules. My attitude to people listening to the music while skiing is mixed. I don't think they make their life easier by doing it. On the other hand, I understand that I am responsible for my navigation and avoiding others and while doing this I may act on the basis that every other skier is blind or deaf. Two days a week in Verbier there are days for blind skiers and one of them is Sunday when it's really busy. They CAN'T see me. I MUST see them. In a way skiers with headphones are not different from my perspective. The only time when I really need them to hear me is when I am right behind them but I shouldn't be skiing that close to people anyway. So, Rule #5 in Pavel's book:) Learning to avoid the others will make you largely independent of their actions.
|
|