Messages posted by : SwingBeep
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Placing shims under the binding toe or heel pieces alters a skiers fore / aft balance.
A ski boots forward lean angle doesn't change with size i.e. irrespective of size the Head Raptor has a forward lean angle of 17 degrees. This often forces taller / shorter skiers to adopt an inefficient stance in order to stay in balance. This skier's boots have the right amount of forward lean (knees under armpits). 
This skier's boots have too little forward lean (knees in front of armpits). 
This skier's boots have too much forward lean (knees behind armpits). 
Nearly all bindings slope from heel to toe; this difference in stand height can be as much as 9mm which might bring skier 2 into balance, but could put skier 1 out of balance and would probably cause skier 3 to pack it in and take up golf instead! Placing shims under the bindings is an effective way of correcting fore / aft balance, if the bindings are mounted flat or on a plate. If the bindings are mounted on a rail the only option is to fix a plate to the sole of the boot which is somewhat limiting when the time comes to replace the skis. It is possible to place shims on the boot board in order to change the ramp angle but the thickness is limited by the amount of space in the boot and doing it this way affects the way the foot is positioned in the boot. Although aimed at racers this article is worth reading http://hvst.org/files/Balance_-_Proper_Boot_Alignment_web_.pdf There is a lot of useful info in the Rexxam ski boot manual http://www.mountainsport.ch/pdf/rexxam_manual2011s.pdf The books Ultimate Skiing by Ron LeMaster and The All Mountain Skier by R. Mark Elling also have lots of useful information (preview via Google Books). |
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Skiing off-piste in Italy is not illegal, but under Italian law Nr. 363 Art. 17 it is mandatory to carry an avalanche beacon if there is an obvious avalanche risk (level 3 or above). In the province of Piemonte this has been superseded by a local law (Legge regionale 26 gennaio 2009, n. 2 Art. 30) which requires that an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel be carried at all times when skiing and snowboarding off-piste. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 250 Euro. There is a 'sticky' on Italian snow sport laws on this forum: http://www.skiforum.it/forum/discussioni-generali/9680-legislazione-sci.html
The ban on off-piste skiing at Livigno has been lifted. http://www.ilovelivigno.com/liv/2012/01/revoca-del-divieto-di-fuori-pista/ http://www.livigno.eu/it/inverno/news/regolamentazione-dello-sci-in-pista-e-fuoripista-sulle-aree-sciabili-del-comune-di-livigno |
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This video explains the basics: |
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Saas Fee doesn't offer a pedestrian lift pass, the prices for individual journeys are listed here: http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/page.cfm/skigebiet/tarife-bergbahnen-winter/tickets-nichtskifahrer a visitor's card (Gästekarte) entitles you to a discount of up to 10%, see page 6 of the winter brochure http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/services/prospekte
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I used to use bags filled with cherry stones which have been used as hot water bottle substitutes for centuries in the Alps. Then one Christmas Mrs SB bought me a heated boot bag http://www.solutions4feet.com/catalogue_item.php?catID=2365&prodID=12364 this is by far the best skiing accessory I've ever had. If you want to keep things cheap and simple, a hot water bottle does a pretty good job. Before breakfast fill it with almost boiling water and attach it to the boots using a Luggage Elastic, by the time your ready to go skiing they will be as warm as toast and much easier to put on.
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The tips seem to flap a lot.
I think the Dupraz D2 might be much better. |
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A couple of lengths (1.5-2m) of brightly coloured 3mm nylon cord will do the job just as well. Just tie a loop in one end and fasten them to the bindings using a cow hitch. To go up in a gondola just wrap them round the heel and toe pieces and tuck the lose end in.
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Probably Cervinia, the lifts are open until 06.05.12.
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