Latest posts for the topic "Dry slopes"

Dry slopes

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 17:46:31 GMT

I had no plans to ever go to a dry slope, not impressed some 24years ago, but as luck would have it my boy joined Beavers (pre-Cub Scout group) and they have a session in two weeks for him to get his skiing badge.

Any tips to remember coming from snow to dry slopes? I seem to recall it being painful and muddy.

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:12:35 GMT

The one I use sometimes is at Swadlincote and I find it useful for getting a bit of time on skis before going skiing.
I learned to ski on a dry slope in the eighties and the new ones are much better.
Hard to compare to skiing on snow, it is different and the first time you go you will feel like you can't ski, after a while you get used to it and it is good for working on your technique. Wear gloves and a long sleeve top as it friction burns you if you fall over let us know how you get on. :wink:

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:38:47 GMT

Roger Mayne wrote:The one I use sometimes is at Swadlincote...

Where is it the rest of the time?

Sorry :oops:

Owen.

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 20:18:40 GMT

Gloves & long sleeves, cheers.

Re:Dry slopes

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:22:18 GMT

Got back an hour or so back.

Very weird! I was catching edges for no apparent reason and going over.

I actually nearly lost my balance forward which I thought was impossible on skis.

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Re:Dry slopes

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:24:24 GMT

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Sit in the bar and watch the boy :thumbup:

Re:Dry slopes

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:20:44 GMT

OldAndy wrote:

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Sit in the bar and watch the boy :thumbup:

I totally agree with OldAndy on this one. I reckon dry slopes are dangerous. They offered me a free hour on my local dry slope when I bought my helmet but I decided to give it a miss.

Our local dry slope has watering points all over it and some of them aren't working so you go whoosh! until you hit the dry section of the mat and nearly catapult over the front of your skis. And bits of the mat have come up so you're likely to get your skis trapped in the mat and go crash! Plus, the skis and boots they hire out are really in a pretty bad state.

Of course, your dry slope may not be as bad as our one.

But if you insist on going on the dry slope I'd advise you not to use your poles as that was how I broke my shoulder. And you go faster and get a smoother run if you do it when it's raining.

Ally

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:04:17 GMT

AllyG wrote:

OldAndy wrote:

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Sit in the bar and watch the boy :thumbup:

I totally agree with OldAndy on this one. I reckon dry slopes are dangerous. They offered me a free hour on my local dry slope when I bought my helmet but I decided to give it a miss.

Our local dry slope has watering points all over it and some of them aren't working so you go whoosh! until you hit the dry section of the mat and nearly catapult over the front of your skis. And bits of the mat have come up so you're likely to get your skis trapped in the mat and go crash! Plus, the skis and boots they hire out are really in a pretty bad state.

Of course, your dry slope may not be as bad as our one.

But if you insist on going on the dry slope I'd advise you not to use your poles as that was how I broke my shoulder. And you go faster and get a smoother run if you do it when it's raining.

Ally

That`s why they sold you the helmet first. )

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:04:07 GMT

OldAndy wrote:

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

(The boy loved it)

Sit in the bar and watch the boy :thumbup:

....is the correct answer

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:55:59 GMT

tin pot wrote:

Anybody got any tips for dry slope skiing?

Drive past - Went to our local one when kids were young - pointless - drag pulled my arm out of their sockets and one or two turns later you are back down. Maybe yours is better - But ours is nothing like skiing on snow.Probably only good for little ones toboagganing parties !!!

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:20:12 GMT

I had a nasty experience on the dry slope in Sunderland back in the 80's. The surface was in very poor condition and I caught my ski on a bare patch, went over head first and took all the skin off my face. I have to say, the slope is in much better condition now but I've avoided them ever since. I'd far rather drive down to Castleford and ski on the indoor slope.

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:28:06 GMT

Okeydoke, I get the 'it's terrible' message.

But is there a trick to it?

Is the fact I'm catching edges down to my poor technique, or the quality of the mat?

Am I better off with the hire skis?

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:49:03 GMT

tin pot wrote:Okeydoke, I get the 'it's terrible' message.

But is there a trick to it?

Is the fact I'm catching edges down to my poor technique, or the quality of the mat?

Am I better off with the hire skis?

You're not listening.

Stay in the car and drive somewhere else.

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:09:27 GMT

Definitely better off with hire skis.

As far as technique is concerned, you need to make more definite and pronounced movements - don't worry about a carved turn, skidding is the order of the day!

Lack of investment in slopes over the last few years has rendered skiing on them a riskier business. In their heyday in the 1970s, it was a much better (and extremely popular) experience.

Re:Dry slopes

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:52:49 GMT

The dry slope will show any problems with your skiing technique much more than snow would.
The trick is to get your skis on edge quickly, whether your carving or sliding your turns is not really relevant. What you need to do is make a smooth positive change of edges as you make the turn.
As you do it try to think about keeping your weight on your big toe on your lower ski and your little toe on your upper one.
Don't worry about catching an edge, the way the mats grab makes this almost inevitable, until you get into the habit of making smooth clean turns.
Try not to turn on the mat joints as they grab sometimes too.

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:06:15 GMT

I agree with OldAndy too - don't do it - there's no point without snow

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:51:58 GMT

Only one sensible post - from Roger.
Dry slopes will find out poor technique. They are great for practice, and perfecting your technique.

I'm sure some slopes are in better nick than others, but they are the only option for many, and far cheaper to ski on than indoor snow.

Maybe we're lucky, but Snowtrax at Hurn is really well run and have just replaced the matting on the main slope.

Re:Dry slopes

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:19:35 GMT

Dorset Boy wrote:Only one sensible post - from Roger.

That's a bit harsh, I'm sure he's done more than one. )

I'm with the "hate" camp. More realistic practice on the Wii with a balance board. Man, am I good at ski jumping or what.

Re:Dry slopes

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:02:11 GMT

Dorset Boy wrote:Only one sensible post - from Roger.

Poor Roger. I hope you haven't frightened him off now :lol:

Re:Dry slopes

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:40:50 GMT

The boy loved it, so I'm going back - nd if I'm there I'm going to ski.

Thanks for the advice; I'll get hire skis, work on my technique, and wear mitts to save myself from broken fingers.

:D

Re:Dry slopes

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:06:06 GMT

Don't listern to all these anti dry slope peps, there is nothing wrong with dry slope skiing just a slightly different approach which is needed...... as it is slower than snow you just need to point them downhill a touch more :thumbup:

Re:Dry slopes

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:09:26 GMT

tin pot wrote:

Thanks for the advice; I'll get hire skis, work on my technique, and wear mitts to save myself from broken fingers.

:D

I broke a thumb at Pontypool slope :mrgreen: