J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Innsbrucker

"Binding ramp"? Interesting. I had never heard of that. My expensive Silvretta touring bindings have a reverse ramp, i.e when they are locked down for downhill skiing you are standing with the toes uphill of the heels, so they push your weight backwards. Makes getting down the piste without a fall challenging. The fitter in the best-respected local shop told me they are meant to be that way (for powder?), and said all he could do was move them forwards 5cm, which helps a bit.

Essentially the question is, "will boots which force the shin forward help me get my weight forward." I am not an instructor. but FWIW I doubt it. You have retrain the natural reflex to lean back by practicing better technique. If you instinctively want to lean back, boots which foce you forwards might make you more tense. Feeling relaxed helps. Those boots might help technique but I would not bank on it... Best be as comfortable as possible, skiing is supposed to be fun :-)

Yesterday I ended up in powder, blown up by the wind, far deeper and softer than I expected or could safely handle (at Stubai). I fell and lost a one of my old, narrow skis twice. Both times a ski sank without trace in the snow. It took a fair amount of digging to locate the lost ski. So if you plan to ski deep snow, maybe a wider ski than floats rather than sinks makes sense :x

For a charity run you should get or rent some touring skis and walk up! Those guys walking up the side of the piste are not there because they are too mean to buy a lift pass, they do it because it feels fantastic to earn that beer at the top and to earn that ski down. Three miles should do you, unless you are a very fit and experienced tourer.

Get a decent pair of ski pants and gloves, there are plenty of sales later in season in larger resorts and better still, nearby towns. If you want to save money, any old jacket or anorak will do for skiing in the Alps, just take an extra layer on a cold day. A lift pass pocket in your sleeve is useful. Beyond that, it is only about looking cool IMO. You don't even need proper ski pants and gloves if you are confident you are not going to fall in deep snow and get your clothes wet, I have certainly been touring in jeans and cloth gloves without problems. I guess for serious touring far from pistes, proper equipment is more of an issue. On piste, or in the bar, it is all about looking the part...

You can stay in Innsbruck and take free buses to many resorts. With a rented car there are even more options. Yesterday I took the bus to Stubai glacier, which stops en route at Schlick 2000. There are free buses to Kuhtai, Igls /Patscherkofl, etc. Also Muttereralm (small resort but great for touring, you can rent touring skis and everyone should try that once!). Albach is lovely but no free bus, and a taxi ride from the station. Seefeld is my favourite, no free bus but there is a train, with good lifts but also good for touring, and a major centre for cross-country skiing. There is a resort in Innsbruck itself mainly used by locals called Nordkette, rather small and with a very challenging route at the top. In case you are an advanced skiier who enjoys a challenge, here is an image of the top part of the Innsbruck ski area:

I did repost the video, thanks. Also made a new blog post about how much rollerblading improved my skiing http://skateinstructor.com/blogs/john/first-day-on-the-ski-piste-the-inline-skating-factor-pays-off

I would think if the teacher is any good most people get far more out of individual lessons. A good teacher will adjust teaching stye of course in an individual lesson. I have never had a formal ski lesson but have had many inline skate lessons and observed what is going on. (Though in the absence of ski lessons, I do like to follow the instructors down the slope and mimic

The idea that anyone will go from beginner to a highly skilled car driver on one week a year driving around, with possibly a few lessons, would be unrealistic for most of us. Driving a pair of skis fast, safely and correctly in all conditions is harder to pick up than driving a car. As Snowb4ndit implies, you probably need to spend a couple of full seasons on the slopes to get good. Starting skiing as a toddler would also be a good idea!

This is hard to hear for holiday skiiers who want to be good, but cannot give up the day job. Living and working near a ski resort and going up every weekend is a good idea, rather than packing all the skiing into a holiday. Beyond that you are not wholly out of options, you can exercise at home. This year my skiing took a leap forwards because I have had regular skate practice and numerous lessons with a top inline skate instructor in London. Not the same as skiing, but some of the skills are transferrable.