J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Marksman

Lizzie-B wrote:Must try to get over the fear - I do not use them correctly- too nervous to sit on them. Stand upright and hang on to pole with my arms. Must try better :oops:

Without meaning any disrespect you're doing it right already! Do not sit down. Just assume a skiing position and let the button pull/drag you along. Imagine a friend behind you giving you a push in the lower back with their arm. If you tried to sit down you'd fall, but if you just stand in a skiing position and accept the push then it will all come together. Does that make any sense?

Soon you can let go of the pole and much on a twix or some such.

Owen.

Missed one!

(7) Your first big crash. Ski bindings really work you know! Don't twist anything or smack into anything more solid than you are and chances are you'll be none the worse for wear. :oops:

Skiing epiphanies?

What has happened in your progression from a newbie skier to where you are now?

What have been the moments when something previously unnatural or unimagined just gelled in your head and became part of how you ski?

I'm still way nearer the newbie end of the spectrum than I'd like so am interested in what others have felt as they've improved.


So, some pretty basic stuff from me:-

(1) Leaning back won't help you... As soon as the front of your skis remain weighted (even in fear) then you can steer at will. This was a good moment! :D

(2) There's always a way off the mountain.

(3) Sliding your skis parallel to each other, perpendicular to the direction of travel and then digging the edges in will slow you down no matter how fast you're going. Hey presto, speed is fun and can be safely managed too... :twisted:

(4) After the agonizing first week of burning thighs and side stepping up a field it's time to let ski lifts do the hard work. Falling over and getting up by levering yourself up on poles uses a huge amount of energy. Just slide down the hill on your side and let gravity pull you up. 8)

(5) To quote Pavelski (sorry if I've got it a bit wrong) "Merely suggest to your skis where they might like to go next." Skiing is not roller skating! Let your edges do the work. As soon as this becomes clear skiing can be as tiring as you chose to make it. Suddenly cruising gentle runs becomes as physically demanding as standing up, and a chance to shake out muscles, relax and enjoy the scenery. Then you can deploy your reserves of energy when you want to. Skiing hard is then a choice and not a constant slog. :idea:

(6) Reaching a point of being able to handle a particular grade of run. Be it green, blue, red or black. Just having the confidence of not having to stop at the crest of every new bit of terrain and plan what to do next, but to "ski it as it comes to you". Much less stressful than wondering if the next new trail will have been miss-graded and you'll end up way out of your skill / comfort zone half way down a run.

What has fallen into place in your skiing subconscious as you've got to grips with our sport?

Cheers,

Owen.

Wow. (Not very original I know, but just wow.)

We don't really need jobs, houses, mortages and the like do we?

It must be possible to go to a place and just stay there...

Hmm, nice. Where can I get one of those?

Hmmm. As one of the Les Gets black runs is called the Yeti it might follow that several places might be named after it?

Iceman wrote:More like Avoriaz is the Yeti, but is certainly a great place :D

Erm, I stand my ground. The Yeti, Les Gets, top of the gondela on les chevannes?

Found this with a quick google

Skiing in Les Gets: The cuisine is cheesy but the French sure can do snow.

Up the mountain, our favourite was the Yeti, a self-service restaurant by the top of the Boule telecabin, fantastic value with giant hot dog baguettes and huge platefuls of chips for less than €10 (£9)and, despite its popularity, the queues moved quickly and we always found a table.

:P

Owen.

I found "The Yeti" in Les Gets to be good for the cheap and cheerful end of the market for a filling lunch. O.S.