J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

I actually believe 100% carve would be fastest way but is unachievable as you are constrained by your skis shape. Whenever you want to turn sharper than ski radius you are forced to bring in an element of pivot or skid. This is why on a nice wide run a strong skier can 100% carve, picking up massive speed as they go. Unfortunately having to maintain maximum attainable speed and navigate gates requires compromise (unless you were to change skiis between gates) and different elements of steering. This is what makes watching racers so exciting, blend of massive power and commitment as they do their stuff.

On moguls you are predominantly using pivot as a means to turn as opposed to edges. When you want to turn "normally" using edging i.e. carving there is physically not enough space to have high edge angles and your feet next to each other. Put 2 hands on table next to each other, tilt them to 45 deg. One hand is now below other and you get the point :-).

That did make me chuckle, not great at the old self arrest :-). I don't think rental shops will go above 7 these days even if you were to request. They might give you screw driver to adjust yourself though.

When you had boots fitted did they access your flexibility?

I would say 80% sure that lack of flexibility in achilles is resulting in you straining the arch ligament (plantar fascia) in foot, which is being flattened to compensate for lack of flexibility in ankle. If you have high arches then you are more prone to this. Simply solved with cork inserts and you already have custom inserts.

If above assumption is correct, everyone take note. If boot fitter does not assess your flexibility they are not good boot fitters. Leave shop and find another one.

3 things stick out:-

When plenty of people were suffering from closed lifts, high bad weather and avalanche risk in January I was enjoying thigh deep powder. ALWAYS GET A GUIDE, THEY KNOW AREA BETTER THAN YOU (if you going to Chamonix can recommend a few).

Rupturing ACL hurts for about 30sec, followed by wave of disappointment at knowing season is over. Plan your run (ridiculous way to bust your knee)! I was off-piste skiing with 3 x others in a narrowing gully. Stopping on slight uphill on natural 1/2 pipe made very load pop in knee despite no wipe out. Am strangely motivated now for next season :-), operation in 3 weeks and then 8 months to get fit again :-). I think will pay more attention to flexibility in future.

Seeing others progress and having fun is really enjoyable. Going through crevasse rescue technique, packing lunches and organizing kit for those going out for day was not so bad. In 8 weeks GF has gone from complete beginner to ski bunny. I think her skinning speed genuinely scared those who had visited to get ready for Mt Blanc.

7.5/10 season,
+ve's Epic December and January.
+ve's New ski boots fit really good.
+ve's sun bathing weather in March when couldn't ski.
-ve's lost 3 days heli skiing and 2 weeks in Europe in March from ACL injury.
-ve's No ski touring up Mt Blanc. More of a deferral than a real -ve.

Almost feel guilty. Keep mine in cave, standing upright throughout year, never seen anything but superficial rust i.e. assume edges today are stainless steel. Certainly never been concerned about damage to skis. If they can stand 8hrs in the snow then am sure they can cope with additional 1hr for evaporation and or gravity to take hold and remove water. Normally get them serviced night before 1st day of skiing and every 7-14 days thereafter depending on what have been doing on them.

Chamonix Grand Montets. If you look at web cams and snow reports (www.chamonix.net), looking good. 1hr from Geneva. Am sure is spring conditions but definitely plenty left on ground.

Admin: The break healed really well, I had loads of physio but the Achilles tendon is slightly shorter, resulting in marginally less mobility.

Right there is your problem. When you had boots fitted they did not assess your flexibility (how to spot a good boot fitter or not). You need some cork wedges under your liners and 1/2 problem will be solved. You also really need to work on stretching this out before i.e. next 9 months and during ski holidays. I would still suggest seeing boot fitter.
My advice go to Chamonix next year, 2 x world class boot fitters. Try wedges first (if that is what they recommend) and if no success then we get some new ones. Really need to try any solutions on first day as once you have the irritation difficult to remove.