You will never see me posting comments in a ski technique debate among "experts"!
Why?
Because there is not ONE ski technique. Not one way to ski!
There are some basic rules, techniques, moves that make for effective skiing but there is no one way to ski!
Let me explain.
The beauty of this sport is that you never stop learning how to ski better!
Every single day is different, because mother nature varies the conditions in which we ski.
Every single day I learn new moves, new approaches, new ways to ski better.
That is what every skier should aim for,,,,to become better ! Not to master the technique. That is impossible!
Rarely will I say a skier has mastered skiing",,,rather I will say he/she is effective within the skiing conditions!
That is the essence of skiing. To be able to adjust skiing technique based on what nature gives us! A great skier is a flexible skier who has a repetoire of skiing skills and knows when and how to change technique!
Let me illustrate.
The "IN" technique everyone seems to wanted to master is to carve. Yes with new ski design that is the effective way to ski in some specific ski conditions! !
In some other skiing conditions such as powder up to chest level,,,,forget carving! The key concept,,key technique is to float ! Think of snow as if it was water! The ski edges have little impact in +60 cm. of snow!
In short the sport of skiing is a constant learning curve! A life time of learning, adapting ,,applying!
Be patient and enjoy the road to "skiing nirvana"! It is long but very very pleasurable!
Hope this helps some of you accept the frustrations with the pleasures!
Mysteries of SKI TECHNIQUE
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Started by Pavelski in Ski Technique 06-Aug-2011 - 3 Replies
Pavelski posted Aug-2011
Dave Mac
reply to 'Mysteries of SKI TECHNIQUE ' posted Aug-2011
One time, a few years back, Trencher fooled me, about the one and only particular technique. He used a Smiley, but back then, I did not understand Smileys, And I indignantly replied, listing a minimum of ten different ski techniques. Then he told me about Smileys!
Somewhere in North America, there is an Austrian, and he is teaching ski instructors a particular, a downward unweight technique. He learned in Niederau! He then became the Tirol teacher! He can ski many ways, but is a specialist in this one method. I learned this way a long time back, but he is, by far, the best demonstrator.
Last season, I changed my method on some days, because the conditions were right for that. My ski buddy said ~ "Mac, you are skiing differently this year, you seem to be floating, why is that?" I told him I had studied all summer on a variation in technique, to push the feet out wider on each turn, but to keep the force on the ski the same as normal.
Each year, we can look to change and improve.
Somewhere in North America, there is an Austrian, and he is teaching ski instructors a particular, a downward unweight technique. He learned in Niederau! He then became the Tirol teacher! He can ski many ways, but is a specialist in this one method. I learned this way a long time back, but he is, by far, the best demonstrator.
Last season, I changed my method on some days, because the conditions were right for that. My ski buddy said ~ "Mac, you are skiing differently this year, you seem to be floating, why is that?" I told him I had studied all summer on a variation in technique, to push the feet out wider on each turn, but to keep the force on the ski the same as normal.
Each year, we can look to change and improve.
Pavelski
reply to 'Mysteries of SKI TECHNIQUE ' posted Aug-2011
Dave Mac,
Loved your comments since it made me remember some great great skiing moments from last winter!
A great women skier who had breast cancer,,with all the after effects came back to ski at our local resort. All the men at this resort paid her a one week ski holiday at a major USA ski resort and two men were selected to be her guides.
On the first day she was weak and had some near falls. Then on the second day she began to explore "other ways " to ski! She was a top level skier of the old school thus tended to keep skis together ( more elegant to her). On the third day..the other male guide and myself planned to ski just a little faster, just a little more aggressive with skis just a little more apart!
She took the challenge. By 2 Pm she was really really "carving" fast fast turns and loving it. Like you Dave Mac she explored new ways to ski and discovered stability, power and enjoyment! I saw men stop and just look at this women making great turns in the Spring sun! They had new idea that just a few months ago she was full of sores, with no hair and a PICC line directly into her heart since her blood vessels were damaged from all the chemicals!
She was just like you,,discovery a new stance, a new way to play with skis all with fun and no stress!
That is the beauty of skiing,,,always learning new better ways to enjoy the slopes!
Thanks for making me think of that week!
Pavel
Loved your comments since it made me remember some great great skiing moments from last winter!
A great women skier who had breast cancer,,with all the after effects came back to ski at our local resort. All the men at this resort paid her a one week ski holiday at a major USA ski resort and two men were selected to be her guides.
On the first day she was weak and had some near falls. Then on the second day she began to explore "other ways " to ski! She was a top level skier of the old school thus tended to keep skis together ( more elegant to her). On the third day..the other male guide and myself planned to ski just a little faster, just a little more aggressive with skis just a little more apart!
She took the challenge. By 2 Pm she was really really "carving" fast fast turns and loving it. Like you Dave Mac she explored new ways to ski and discovered stability, power and enjoyment! I saw men stop and just look at this women making great turns in the Spring sun! They had new idea that just a few months ago she was full of sores, with no hair and a PICC line directly into her heart since her blood vessels were damaged from all the chemicals!
She was just like you,,discovery a new stance, a new way to play with skis all with fun and no stress!
That is the beauty of skiing,,,always learning new better ways to enjoy the slopes!
Thanks for making me think of that week!
Pavel
Pavelski
reply to 'Mysteries of SKI TECHNIQUE ' posted Aug-2011
Another "mystery" about skiing for the general public,,,,, but not to most "sport participants" is that practice makes perfect! The more you do an activity,,,the more success you will have!
In short do not expect to learn to ski in one week!
Some of us have been doing this for well over 30 years and still learning ( and having fun doing so,,,)
Do understand that skiing is a constant "challenging" process,,but so much fun is generated while doing this learning!
Yes there is a "tough learning phase",,,,that is called "paying your dues",,that is why good skiers "respect" each other since they know you can not buy good technique. Good skiing comes to those that earn it !!!
You must earn it with dedication, comittement and practice. Once you have reached the soaring phase,,,,well you have the Icarus feeling! Priceless ! The heavens open to you!
Do not give up on the ice!!!
In short do not expect to learn to ski in one week!
Some of us have been doing this for well over 30 years and still learning ( and having fun doing so,,,)
Do understand that skiing is a constant "challenging" process,,but so much fun is generated while doing this learning!
Yes there is a "tough learning phase",,,,that is called "paying your dues",,that is why good skiers "respect" each other since they know you can not buy good technique. Good skiing comes to those that earn it !!!
You must earn it with dedication, comittement and practice. Once you have reached the soaring phase,,,,well you have the Icarus feeling! Priceless ! The heavens open to you!
Do not give up on the ice!!!
Topic last updated on 19-August-2011 at 11:46