 Poster: A snowHead
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Well I've been offered lots of hints and tips over the last summer season, and have had plenty of help from rob@rar in particular so it's only fair that I post some footage.
I've tried to do this properly so there is some music (hope you like my choices), and I've tried to join the sections in the correct way (I'm new to this video editing and not the expert that fC is so you'll have to forgive the less pro. finish). I've also kept it to around 11 mins as I think it's wrong to expect anyone to want to watch much longer than that.
There is some from the start of the week, then a couple of short steeper sections, and I finish with some from Wednesday when I think I did my best skiing (it was snowing, so apologies for the smudges on the camera!!). Most of it isn't on the steep slopes, but I think I look more relaxed, constant and with higher speed and less 'gorilla like' than previously. I know all the footage is from behind and not so close (I am a bit paranoid about having someone close behind me, even my camera man!), but I am still pleased with the overall look of the skiing. For starters I think that my stance is a little wide and sometimes I still stem a little, but I do think it's best I have ever skied  The Minimums are also zooming around from time to time.
https://vimeo.com/87465599
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 4-05-14 19:45; edited 5 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Looking better.
Next thing to work on is to smooth your turns so you don't rush them. If you look at the video you'll see you make a really quick turn, then a bit of a straight line across the slope until you make another quick turn. Stop doing that  Be more patient with your skis, allow them to turn you rather than you turn them quite quickly. Counting your way around the turn can help: one, pause, two, pause, three, pause, etc. Try to get to get to at least three or four and always be turning smoothly. To do this you might want to think about standing a bit more cleanly on your outside ski at the start of each turn. At the moment you push your skis sideways a bit too much, but that's definitely getting much better than it was. Keep working on "tap, stand".
Conditions look good. Hope you had a nice holiday.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well done for posting (again!) MM.
I hope nobody was shouting dispiriting and rude things at you this time. This looks loads more composed than last time. Bit zig zaggy like Rob says. If anything I think you look better when being 'tested'. i.e. on the steeper bits, when it counts, you look at your best (I thought so anyway). When it's easier, without so much penalty for mistake, maybe a little old bad habit just creeping in.
*applause*
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Mr Pieholeo,
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I hope nobody was shouting dispiriting and rude things at you this time.
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On no more than just the rare odd occasion was any criticism offered which I think was very restrained. Mostly I just got on with what I was doing which was nice. I was very happy with a sort of pendulum action that I got going towards the end of the footage, I could feel the front of the skis engaging and was trying to steer the skis around. Did you see the near miss at 4 mins 30 secs?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think you're doing brilliantly. Fun is more important than technique by a factor of millions. Skiing alone perfectly, vs. hooting around with loved ones a bit shoddily? No contest.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Keep working on "tap, stand". |
Oooh! What does this mean please?
Thanks for posting this vid Megamum. You and I have very similar issues with our skiing (although you are clearly waaaaay more competent). I've been working really hard on my turn shape, and although I now finish my turns much better, I look at my vids, and I also see too much sharpness in my turns, although I feel that I am skiing in a much more confident and relaxed manner, I'm obviously still forcing the turn. 
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Fenfilly, yes, I am still forcing the turn, it is my current thing to work on, because if I don't force them around as quickly I'll get the C shape rather than a < shape. As rob@rar, knows I can just about get it right when I am concentrating indoors.
"Tap, stand" is a phrase that rob@rar, has come up with to try and help me with my timing, it's quick and easy for me to remember (except I was having so much fun that I didn't  ). Basically I should be doing a 'tap' (decent pole plant) then stand on the outside side (really commit to standing on it as early as I can) and then and only then I let the turn happen. When it does I should then steer the leg and attached foot around with the turn to really engage the front of the ski and feel it pull me around the turn. When I get it right it's brilliant and stops me pushing the heels out. I need to take a close look at my videos to see if I'm still shoving the heels around or not, I know I shouldn't do so and if I get the 'tap, stand' right I don't.
However, don't try and do the same thing as it is quite possible that you might need something completely different to help you, but if you nip over to HH and do a course with him I'm sure rob@rar, will be able to come up with something that would specifically help you.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Mr Pieholeo wrote: |
| I think you're doing brilliantly. Fun is more important than technique by a factor of millions. Skiing alone perfectly, vs. hooting around with loved ones a bit shoddily? No contest. |
+1
Much more fluid and composed than previous videos.
You can tell the cameraman his face doesn't need to point in the same direction as his skis though
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
we had a cold mountain top and a warm bottom
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that extra pair of long johns made all the difference.....
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You know it makes sense.
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pam w, 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Nice skiing Megamum
Much more fluid and relaxed than a few of your other videos. You are definitely improving! Keep it up!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Megamum, Bravissimo Young Lady!!!
For me the most obvious difference is that your skiing is FLOWING a lot more, your turns are now linked much more smoothly. Indicating that you are relaxed and enjoying the feeling of skiing the slope rather than individual turns. Therefore have more time to feel what's happening below the waist (not a lot in my case )
Re: the video. Well done Mr Cam Platform 
Good edit, whilst skiing I'd try listening to some music in earphones to help with timing, perhaps some soft rock ballads or something. I swear by it, IMHO music is definitely an overlooked tool 
Reaaaaally looking forward to the next vid instalment. You'll soon be getting requests off ALQ NO MJ !!! 
With regards skiing in a group....... Be the leader! play follow me and have fun with it, even hold a little Family ski-off.
As ALQ suggests, vary it as much as poss in order to feel at home on your planks in any situ.
Rob may correct me but,
As well as the Tap-Stand-Turn, I'd suggest using the "Stork Drill". I know that PamW will agree on it's effectiveness. It will transform your skiing IMHO. Although only if you're ready (I have padded shorts )
FWIW: I was completely unaware how bad my stem was until I saw my Tignes footage. I was sooo disappointed with myself, but it paid off, I knew what I had to work on.
Well done...roll on Sunday data allowance 
Any news on the Family Bash 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Megamum, well done you are skiing really well, all that effort has certainly paid off. videoing is such a good idea something we've not done for ages but think we should, I'd like to see just how cr@p I am so I can attempt to put it right
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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feefee,
It is amazing how much you become aware of once you can see yourself. With the raw evidence you are no longer conned by the rose tinted image you imagine of yourself (or at least I was). Once you get the realisation of what you are doing it is such an key to fixing it it's untrue!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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As a matter of interest it does look incredibly busy( and somewhat manic) on those slopes. Is that standard for the area or was this a weekend?
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p.kini, that was half-term week! You should have seen some of the lift queues that I haven't posted footage of! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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p.kini, BUSY! You should see the 3 Valleys at half term
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Well done (especially the cameraman) avoiding the crazy straight- liners!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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FraserP, don't forget it's all comparative!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Tip: Lift your hands up; don't leave them down by your side. To give an idea of where they should be, you should be able to see them in your peripheral vision at all times.
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You know it makes sense.
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Megamum, If you do take franzClammer's tip about music, then let me know; i have the perfect song in mind 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Megamum wrote: |
| I keep trying to do that nice flick, flick, 'walk the poles down the slope' thing ... |
Ah, sounds like you would benefit from the double-tap pole plant drill
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
the double-tap pole plant drill
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any video of that?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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pam w, I've not got any. It's deceptively simple - rather than tap the snow once with your pole when you pole plant, you tap it twice. Trick is to make the two taps so close together that it doesn't disturb your timing. Really good for arm carriage discipline and timing more generally.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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OK, will give that a go. I guess it stops you making too much of a meal of it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| pam w wrote: |
| OK, will give that a go. I guess it stops you making too much of a meal of it. |
Yes. It's quite tricky. Set it as a task for a chap I was teaching last month and he though I was winding him up as clearly it was an impossible task He stuck with it and it went a long way towards fixing his "elaborate" pole plant.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Megamum, really nice video, you look a lot more relaxed than in previous videos, glad to hear you were enjoying yourself as well, the snow looks pretty nice
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lynseyf, thank you. Yes, I had as much fun as I think I've had skiing so far. The snow was great as long as we kept above the melt line, below that, obviously, it was prone to slushy mounds, large sludgy crystals and leg breaking slush etc. However, I am well practised in spring skiing at VT so I am fairly well versed in finding a way through the slush in my own fashion.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| pam w wrote: |
| OK, will give that a go. I guess it stops you making too much of a meal of it. |
Yes. It's quite tricky. Set it as a task for a chap I was teaching last month and he though I was winding him up as clearly it was an impossible task He stuck with it and it went a long way towards fixing his "elaborate" pole plant. |
It worked pretty well for me too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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OK, it's Sunday and as promised Vimeo reset it's weekly limit so I can post the second video. Watch that small stem come and go. I think I've worked out when it appears - it's when I'm 'thinking'. It's almost as though it gives me a fraction of a second before I commit to doing something. You will see when I am negotiating the minor mounds at the end that I start off fine, then I get thinking and it appears, then I make it disappear again:
https://vimeo.com/87986414
N.B. It's damned ironic that I spent all the other week doing the thing that often worries me danger wise i.e. skiing, yet yesterday I knackered my left hand by having an argument with a scalding bowl of exploding soup from a microwave, and this morning I had an argument with a fence post and fell off a horse that was only walking and have entirely wrecked my right hand (agony still even after a large ibuprofen, several hours and strapping it up), wrenched my right arm and grazed my right knee. Given that I was bucked off a 17HH horse 3 weeks ago can someone please explain why I am still more worried about skiing
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Megamum, ouchy! No explanation. But that's lovely fluid skiing.
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FAQ
and you are quite right I don't think I was muttering "tap, stand" either.
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