 Poster: A snowHead
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We’re heading off on our annual family ski trip next month and I’m already getting the fear of the schuss! The only time I fall is on a schuss and last year I smacked the back of my head quite hard on the way to a mountain restaurant on a narrow churned up road by catching an edge, pirouetting and was flicked backwards. And yes, it was in view of the restaurant! As soon as I know I have to schuss - usually because there is an uphill section in the distance or a prolonged flat section - I start to panic (thank goodness goggles, helmet and neckies hide it from view!). If the section is really bad I take the weight completely off one ski to stop me catching an edge but that can be exhausting as I’m no ‘one ski Bode Millar’! I think it’s a back inside edge that I am catching. Any tips would be gratefully received - including what to do to stop the panic!
For context - we’re a family who will ski all over the mountain, I’m the mum of the group, my teenage children are both now better skiers than me!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Mbee71, in this case I think there is a strong argument for taking a morning with an instructor. From you description I’m guess you can improve your posture and balance and that will help you schuss without catching an edge.
They might also help desensitise you by choosing a slope with lots of run out and progressively working higher and schussing out. Obs from a very low point.
But posture and balance will pay most dividends.
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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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What they just said. The hack is to... always be on one edge or the other, to avoid accidentally catching either. But that's a work-around, and a better solution is to get your weight in the right place... hence the instruction, if you haven't figured it out already.
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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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Yeah, what phil and aat said, although I'm not sure I'd describe it as a workaround to always be ever so slightly on one edge or the other. In practice it's very rare that you really need to get both skis completely flat, and on most longer flatter sections it gives you the ability to actually accelerate slightly through a slight skating action, so is faster than a pure flat-ski schuss anyway. And safer, because you can instantly increase the edge and start describing more obvious turns, controlling your speed as you do so.
As with so many ski technique problems, from the description I would say the weight is too far back. My wife (also an instructor) and I would often joke about this, concluding with "It's always the weight too far back". It can also apply to a lot of apparently boot-related issues, like shin-banging and ankle chafing, which the skier has no idea are actually caused by the way they're skiing, so we sometimes used to save people loads of time and expense trying to get boots fitted or replaced just by fixing the weight issue. I say 'just' but of course it's not always so easy and needs actual observation on the mountain before any fix can be attempted.
But as a tip is being asked for, when you go into a squat position make sure your hands are well in front of you and try to get your elbows in front of or at least balanced on and pushing down through your knees. Something like this (although most mere mortals will not be able to hold it quite so low)
 
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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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I think the skating point is very valuable. If you practice skating any time it seems sensible - not just on flats, but when slightly uphill, or downhill, it gives you a good feel for the weight shift. I don't think I'd go so far as standing on one leg (though I did a lot of one leg exercises at various points of learning) but just shifting weight on both skis, to take a wavy path down the bill helps keep you relaxed. I used to ski a lot to music - and "dance" when the moment suggested. Going up draglifts, for example.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sometimes I wish there were signs saying "Schuss recommended in next 300m". My greatest fear about schusses is failing to recognise that a schuss is required, and ending up having to slog uphill...
A problem exacerbated in low vis conditions.
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@Chaletbeauroc, a thigh workout for sure, but very effective if you can do it. I had to do it today, but it's been a while and my legs were complaining no end. Trickier with a backpack on as well, and almost impossible with an airbag if you want to see where you're going, as they sit too high.
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(I'm not qualified to say, but in my experience people are generally too far back. It's weird when you know it, in that it ought to be simple to fix, once pointed out. And yet some people never get over it.)
| Crosbie wrote: |
| Sometimes I wish there were signs saying "Schuss recommended in next 300m". |
My eyes can see at least that far, and I can read a piste map, so I'd settle for signs suggesting that those who fail to do those things might please not obstruct the rest of us 
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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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| Scarlet wrote: |
| @Chaletbeauroc, a thigh workout for sure, but very effective if you can do it. I had to do it today, but it's been a while and my legs were complaining no end. Trickier with a backpack on as well, and almost impossible with an airbag if you want to see where you're going, as they sit too high. |
This is one of those areas where my Ski Mojo is like a magic trick - makes those long flat home run paths a doddle, as the spring take the strain rather that your thighs. I'm not sure why a rucksack large or small should make it more difficult, although to be sure it will change your weight distribution.
Edit: perhaps you mean it stops you being able to lift your head high enough to see forward? Never found that myself even with an avi air bag, sounds like you might need to readjust straps and stuff if it's really blocking your head like that.
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| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
| Edit: perhaps you mean it stops you being able to lift your head high enough to see forward? Never found that myself even with an avi air bag, sounds like you might need to readjust straps and stuff if it's really blocking your head like that. |
Yes, exactly. Bear in mind I'm not very tall, short of torso as it is, and backpacks are often designed for tall men. If I drop it lower, it will be around my backside!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Scarlet, Right, yes I suppose that might happen. I'm of normal height myself at around 185cm these days, so it's never happened to me.
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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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@Mbee71, Welcome to Snowheads!
I'm not understanding what you said, I can't imagine doing a schuss on one ski.
If you're managing to ski all over the mountain, then I can't understand why the schuss should be a problem.
Maybe a wider stance on the skis?
Is there an over sharpened edge at the tails of the skis?
No idea 
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Thanks for all the great comments! It’s made me realise I need to reset my stance. I’m booking a private lesson at the start of the holiday to hopefully set me off the right way. And I’ll certainly be keeping in mind all that you guys have said! I think years of lazy skiing with the kids has let me get into bad habits which are found out on the schuss, as well as narrow, churned-up sections. And I need to stop focusing on those sections of piste and think more about what I am doing all the rest of the time! So definitely time for a lesson, it’s been a long time ang you guys have given me the push to get it sorted!
Thanks again x
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You know it makes sense.
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You are sitting back with your elbows either on top of or beside your thighs. Adopt the position now, in normal shoes, you’ll probably fall backwards. You need to get your elbows in front of your knees. This keeps the fronts of the skis in control and you’ll follow the tips instead of pirouetting.
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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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Lessons are the way to go if you want to improve.
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