J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Hi,

So I am booked to ski Mt Blanc in early May. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on training for this. Unfortunately where I live/work has restrictive security so no hill walking.Have been running for a 1hr three times and week, doing 1 day a week of squats/lunges/power kleen/leg extensions etc. Will step the running up to 1 1/2-2hrs one session a week as gets closer but was wondering if there is anything else people recommend. Normally people who have trained in hills do better than gym monkies. Any top tips more than welcome.

They sound a little on the long side, piste skis now seem to be measuring up to the tip/middle of your nose and maybe middle of forehead for powder skis (rocker makes them effectively same size as your piste ski). You will grow into them but for sure will not help skiing whilst waiting for this. Rental might have been a better option.

What skis was he using out of interest.

I think VSB is correct. Who wants to ski beyond 4pm anyway? In Winter is dark and cold, especially in steeper valleys like Chamonix. In Spring best conditions are before lunch, wherever you are.

If people want value to money, first lift is key. Either fresh powder or nicely groomed slopes for carving on. Reality is that if you ski hard from 9-3, that is 5hrs more exercise than someone who goes to gym every day.

Have to say is a very British thing; (will excuse myself as am one) to rock up late skiing and moan about conditions. Even last year in late March there was good skiing to be had for 3 hrs or so in morning. As I was heading home for lunch, so many people just starting out, moaning about the glorious weather and soft snow ?. Few better things in world than having a demi bier, salad chevre chaud, looking up at Mountains and thinking of the Brits moaning about the snow and sun. Food is always better and cheaper in resort so win win win.

Confidence is key and this is directly related to technique. No avoiding this one, faster you go, steeper the slope, adverse snow always shows this up.

If you want to ski fast then carving is key and from 2A description you are no there yet. Skidding turns at high speed does not feel good, hence lack of confidence. Skidding/rotation is the way to control speed, reduce that and speed will naturally increase. What your doing is correct and you should not see as problem. However I would suggest (reading between lines) that lack of edge is probably what you need to work on now.

Book some lessons and practice GS or greater radius turns at higher speed, work on angulation of skis (if that is a word)and keeping upper body in vertical plane from slope (i.e. not leaning into slope). I think getting an instructor with camera would likely assist you here. This is normally the part of skiing that take people longest to grasp if ever. This is a modern ski thing, people find easier initially but to really make them work requires solid technique.

Remember that only racers can ski a steep red from top to bottom with zero rotation/skidding in their turns. 100% carve means massive speed in short amount of time. Hence for rest of us we need to master combining rotation, skid and edge mix. This takes time and discipline when skiing alone.

Not cheap but lessons lessons lessons is what is required.

Is not really a bad deal either way no?

Has anyone actually been heliskiing to see what probable standard will be. Adverts look like everyone is an expert but youtube tells mixed story. Anyway hope can keep up :-).

PM'd you friends in town.

Would recommend BASS and having 1/2 day ski lesson. I ski 5-6 weeks a year and awlays take time out for some instruction from them.

From what you are describing I would suspect your weight is too far back meaning not enough pressure over center of ski. This is likely combined with you leaning slightly into slope on steeper runs hence the un-weighted ski is getting lively.

Lessons and practice will cure that one.