J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Awesome skiing by that Harlad Harb on old skis.

I think some of the logic on pulling on pulling ski back relates to that for average person, is much easier to stand on two skis and slide one back and forward, than some of the dual leg exercises (just watch how lot of people warm up, quick shuffle of legs ? as if we're going racing) . This is a much more natural than moving two legs together. The control of downhill leg and driving through of uphill/outside/downhill ski is much easier for most people to consciously do. Anyway great videos, I think important part it to understand what you are trying to achieve and then formulate a plan. Basically you need an instructor, with a camera and to see what works for you. If you progress to skiing moguls fast then actively moving feet under you becomes much more important. Shuffle techinique will give most people a much smoother turn on piste and solid platform to develop from.

Probe, my advise would be to have more lessons. Most Brits assuming you are one give these up far too early. Reality is they are actually pretty decent value for money and good fun.

Sounds like you have cracked this one anyway. However one drill I like to practice and will help this is actively pulling back the downhole ski when initiating the next turn. This prevents the "to be" uphill ski from getting ahead of you. When this happens you end up with no weight, no edge on new downhill ski and hence has a mind of its own. Basically you removed edge and pivot hence ski does nothing.

Need convincing stand on a slope, have both feet shoulder width apart and have someone pull on arm as if trying to tip you over sideways. Repeat with far foot 12" forward, far less stable position.

Haa watching that made we think only about rupturing ACL :-).See guy 3:30-4:40 infact almost everyone. Terrible sport, probably best attempted whilst drunk.

Humm I did Cervinia about 4 years ago. Although at time did not have a great desire to go back place does tick all the boxes. Snow sure, high so decent snow, South facing so not freezing cold, good food, good wine, ok apres ski (very decent live band in 1 bar), short transfer. For Christmas likely few better places, hence you had such a great time. More I think about it probably worth a re-visit.

No idea how to attach a picture but Chamonix this December was epic. Almost waist deep powder on VB and when risk was too high skiing in St Gervais was awesome! Nobody was skiing so not sure where reports from TP about crowding come from. All depends what you want from holiday but offers best skiing in world.

http://www.highmountainguides.com/index.php/eng/Gallery/Chamonix-Off-Piste-Skiing/Ski-St.-Gervais/Powder-Stormy-Weather-Trees-Great-Skiing-in-St.-Gervais

http://www.highmountainguides.com/index.php/eng/Gallery/Chamonix-Off-Piste-Skiing/Ski-Vallee-Blanche/Deep-Powder-in-the-Vallee-Blanche-Chamonix

My feedback to guide.
Rob, thanks for a great weeks skiing. As others were complaining "Chamonix, more like shambles" with lifts shut due to high winds, low visibility and avalanche risk you managed to give us a great week.

Day 1) Morzine (Chamonix shut due to weather and Avalanche risk) awful weather (even made Scottish friend invest in new gloves).
Day 2) Plan de l'Aiguille descent followed by awesome Vallee Blanche (almost waist deep powder).
Day 3) Grands Montets (30cm Fresh everywhere including piste and memorable face plant from Alistair)
Day 4) Italy (Avalanche risk was now at 5 in Chamonix), bit of Ski de Fonde followed by nice descent through trees.
Day 5) St Gervais, great little resort and some fun powder.

Weather was a real challenge but your flexibility (some days we were on plan C) and willingness to hunt out places in vicinity made for memorable week. Without you I fear might have been one of those complaining in bar about weather. Instead it was huge grins and groans about stiff legs.

One positive with Chamonix would be that no need to book now. Plenty of last minute accommodation available that time of year and there are always flights into Geneva from UK so unlikely you will make any significant saving booking early. Runs down to town will unlikely be open, but all main ski areas will be. They are pretty relaxed about snow making. I would wait until 2nd week of December and then see what forecast is saying.

Well if you were on any French glaciers last year after the hot dry summer and previously poor winter, human excrement and associated paper would have been top of list. Not pleasant!
You might also find a friends ski goggles under lift, POC do nice helmets but the goggle clip is not the best.

Does not surprise me. With carving skis and the quite extreme angles and direction change you can get, skiing has become more dangerous. People uphill seem oblivious that someone can do a high speed turn across width of a slope and then whilst having huge blind spot turn and cut back across. Even if you are doing consistent pattern some people still seem confused. Normally involves someone essentially doing a schuss with some limited affect skiddy non finished turns.