In the style of Fox's thread on the ESA (actually, having typed this, it's turned into a bit of a waffle but still...), I thought I'd post a few thoughts on the Straightline camp I attended this weekend. Details here:
I'd fancied doing one of these for a while but had never quite been in the right place at the right time. Then fate cast its spell and I found myself in Salt Lake City for skiing this last weekend and a spot came free on the camp. I could only do two days but Gordy Peifer (the man in charge) said that was fine and I was all set.
I would say that these camps are prefect for people who are good skiers and who make posts on this forum complaining about people over-complicating things. There is some good technical stuff in there but it is done with a light touch. For example (and this is the first take away), the idea that you should have your hips forward through the turn was expressed thus (during the video analysis/beer drinking/p155 taking session after skiing):
f*** your turns don't s*** them
It's not just about turns - I now know proper hucking technique and am looking forward to working on my pop on my next trips
The format is that you ski with Gordy or one of his freeskiing/ski pornstar buddies during the morning, do some good skiing, get some tips on technique, get videoed and watch with awe as they straightline that chute you have just flailed your way down etc. Everyone meets for lunch, the groups swap around and you do much the same thing in the afternoon. I got to ski with Gordy, Chris Collins, Ben Wheeler and Brant Moles (can't find any footage of him). As well as being awesome skiers, they were all really great guys. I thought they might be a bit impatient given the level at which they ski themselves but actually, they were all really keen to share their knowledge and just have fun generally.
In the evenings, Gordy has a big condo rented out and you all go round there for beers, video analysis and then some sort of other entertainment/education with a skiing theme (on my camp we had avalanche education which I missed and a slide show from a local professional photographer whose photos you will probably have seen if you have bought a ski mag in the last few years.) The video analysis is informative but does involve quite a lot of mickey taking - people on the camp were a good laugh but if you're a shinking violet, this element might be bit intimidating. Had we been staying in town, I think this could have turned into quite a session but unfortunately we had to get back down to SLC.
All in all, this was a really great experience. I feel that my skiing has come on a lot - this is partly technical but more so down to attitude. I'm keen to give it a bit more welly next time I get out and this actually creates more enjoyment. I'd 100% recommend this to someone who is a decent skier already but wants to step it up and/or try something a bit different from the usual ski camp experience.
Finally, Gordy is most definitely the man - great skier, great organiser of ski camps and just a really fun guy
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Arno wrote:
f*** your turns don't s*** them
I was being taught a similar mantra by my BASI teachers about 15 years ago, only back then it was described as "Pork the dog". I was trying to explain it to JT last month. Perhaps you will be more successful.
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?
I had planned on taking loads of pics but the light was a bit flat and also the pace was pretty quick so I didn't really have time. Got one or two scenics from Snowbasin on Monday, which was also very fun but not part of the camp so that's a different story.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I think even I can remember that mantra. Want to see the hucking shots though
After all it is free
After all it is free
fatbob, so what's Gordy's recommended hucking technique?
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.
spyderjon,
No ides but "Tuck em & Huck em" has a certain ring to it
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
spyderjon, it was Ben Wheeler who took us through the huck. the most interesting bit for me was about the landing - you have your hands forward and try to plant both poles in front of you as you land. this creates 4 points of contact and so better balance in theory. having your hands well in front also means you are in a nice stable forward position when you land
knowing this inspires a bit of confidence to be a bit more aggressive in the pop and therefore get a bit more air. this element clearly needs a bit more work on my part. seeing the distance Ben could get off a similar bump at similar speed compared to me brought this home!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Arno, So can you use your Dukes yet?
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.
THe ESF boys say fornicate not deficate
although i am sure it is a great course sounds very american with lots of fist pumps, high fives and competition between the participants.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
skimottaret wrote:
although i am sure it is a great course sounds very american with lots of fist pumps, high fives and competition between the participants.
blimey, skimottaret, you're sounding like a right old stick in the mud! it's probably a bit more raucous than your average BASI course (for example) but not really competitive. i found people were actually pretty supportive and encouraging
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Arno, I am off again for another week of BASI abuse/pressure and am probably just jealous ... their website came across a bit like they were bigging up the coaches so that the punters could say i skied with X who did Y as opposed to what they were going to learn and experience.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
skimottaret, skiing with them is part of the experience - like I said it's a bit different and it's probably not aimed at people who are very happy with things that push the technical/instructional side harder. it's pretty inspiring to see first hand the way those guys ski. i'm sure there are some BASI, CSIA etc people who can do the same but they don't generally do so while giving lessons!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
... their website came across a bit like they were bigging up the coaches so that the punters could say i skied with X who did Y as opposed to what they were going to learn and experience.