 Poster: A snowHead
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@skimottaret, glad it's held up for you this week! Last week was glorious. I was stunned at the conditions as I wasn't expecting much from the first week in November, but the fantastic snow, total lack of queues, wall-to-wall sunshine, and jjc_james doing his best to get me to ski well made for a great week on skis.
Your earlier question about skis was insightful, as it was clear than my current Head iTitans aren't quite the right tool for the job where GS is concerned. But nothing compared to my boots, which are waaaay too flexible: in a couple of the videos it looks like I'm skiing telemark as I can flex my boots so much. Ask James to show you if you want a laugh. I'll need to invest in some new gear.
I hope all those who had minor injuries last week have recovered and are back on the hill with you this week.
For anyone thinking of giving GS training a go, it's a lot of fun, though can be frustrating when you're not performing as well as you know you can.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@kieranm, new skis and boots, great stuff!! Get the video posted!!
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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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I don't have a copy of the video but there are a few still photos of the group, including me, on JJC Training's facebook page. Sadly that one doesn't show the comic boot flex.
I must confess that the new skis and boots idea slightly scares me, as they will be far less forgiving than my current ones (much stiffer, and much longer radius), and likely to be something of a reality check on my abilities. Plus the added speed isn't something I particular want right now. Having sufficient control on the steeper harder snow to be confident enough to go fast is my current hurdle. It was really interesting to be challenged in a different way and suddenly having to deal with things like the psychological thread that haven't really surfaced in any of my training so far.
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@kieranm, I know what you mean, I went to stiffer longer GS skis last year and actually enjoyed them, given you ski faster and better than me I think you'll be fine! There are less forgiving that the Titan though, if you get your weight back you know about it!
I went for a 2013 model Völkl Code Speedwall 178 cm for EUR 339.80 in April 2014...
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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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@kieranm, can you request the videos or does he have them public anywhere? Genuinely interested in what you did on the course...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@kitenski, those volkl's are a great ski for L3 or 4 tech duties but I don't think they are a GS ski... Are they the 19m radius hobbies? A few guys I know were on them last year and really rated them..
@kieranm, go for some stiffer boots, if you were over flexing them with your Titans bad things may happen if you try using them with proper SL or GS skis. I wouldn't be too concerned with buying skis at this point but getting use to a stiff boot will help your general skiing.
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Having sufficient control on the steeper harder snow
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been my problem for a while now and what you had last week was as good as snow gets to to train on, wait for loose snow over ice
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@skimottaret, fair enough...the blurb says
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| A brand new ski design from Volkl in 2013, the Code Series takes a race inspired carving ski and adds low profile tip and tail rocker for turns on a dime. With the tip and tail rocker reducing effective edge length, the flex of ski can be stiffened for added speed stability. The Code Series features a full wood core reinforced with two sheets of titanium and a Speedwall Sidewall. The Speedwall is constructed of the same material as the base, allowing it to be waxed for an extra boost of speed in high angle turns. Due to the rocker profile, Volkl recommends that these skis be skied 10cm longer than the typical carving ski. |
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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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@kitenski, dont get me wrong great skis and you will love em but not quite FIS GS skis which are a different kettle of fish to ski on...
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I am picking this thread up without having read all of the replies.
My advice for BASI 3 and onwards;
Following BASI 2 I skied with high level skiers who had attained or were on their way to attaining level 4. I had been in formal 'training' for level 1 and 2 on a gap course. Having come away from it feeling a bit underwhelmed I never attended any formal training again other than race training.
I trained in NZ for SL and passed the test technique when returning to the alps. My skiing progressed a lot.
Passing the TT meant that I could get a job at the local ESI in our village in France. I worked over 360hrs in my first season and over 400 for every season following that.
Before sitting level 3 I had over 300 teaching hours. I know the next person on my course has maybe 80 but the rest were of course signed off by directors of schools in a certain resort which sees a lot of trainees pass through. To be fair myself and the next most experienced teacher at 80 hours were the strongest in the group for teaching. I was amazed at level 3 on both tech and teach at the lack of knowledge from some (most to be honest) candidates
I would say it is important to have some experience but to be honest just being intelligent and sensible goes a long way. Actually reading the info studying video improving knowledge beyond the CT.
Within your own skiing you need to be objective and understand what strand to work in or what performance threads. Anyone who really understands skiing should not have to be continually trained. So if you understand what to do to improve someone else hopefully you can objectively analyse yourself and make the required changes.
In summary, I passed everything first time through the whole system (3 ET attempts before the pass being the exception) I did not come from a racing background but did not need constant 'BASI' training or otherwise, I find (and showed during my written project for lvl4) that these course are fairly ineffective. Most of my ski time was spent with friends on days off but generally working hard at the ski school and the same before level 4, I had no time to train as I was earning to pay for my exams. A lot of the success in the exams is absorbing what you can where/when you can. Take everything on board from other people.
A prime example was my level 3 mountain safety where only 2/6 passed. The 4 people who failed (other than for attitude) missed out due to avalanche knowledge, this really just comes from reading the course info doing maybe more of your own research on the internet, just taking some real interest! Pay attention to everything and fill the gaps in your knowledge.
Level 3 tech, when I did it most people would fail on bumps. Pass rate was around 50%. Best way I made big changes in bumps after level 2, following higher level and better skiers, with or without poles hands on shoulders or waist etc...3/4 long spring days with lots of crashes and I made a huge change.
As I read above somewhere, ski all conditions and learn to adapt your skiing to what the examiner wants to see.
Good luck with it all 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@R555MAC, thanks for the encouragement.
@skimottaret, boots before skis was my plan too, and I'm well aware that the conditions last week were very flattering so any impression I got of competence is a long way short of where I need to be.
@kitenski, it's that sort of not-quite-GS ski that I was thinking of. I think jumping straight to a full-on-GS ski would not be wise. James recommended these for example: http://www.dynastar.com/GB/GB/course-wc-premium-r21-wc_DAEDB01_product_.html Although the racing is fun I've got to keep in mind that the L3 tech is likely to come much sooner, so I need something that will suit that. My Titans might still do the job, and I favour them in some respects than the longer stiffer skis as bumps is where I know I'll need the most help.
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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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Two of the Ladies ripping it up yesterday in the course.. interesting side by side comparison, do you notice where they each make gains ??
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Steep versus flatter section. The one on the left gets a bit late on the gates mid way through the initial steeper section, but then skis much better and makes it all up as the course flattens out.
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Hi KieranM. It was good to ski with you last week, here at Saas-Fee. You were skiing well, I thought.
Regards D
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You know it makes sense.
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@kieranm, those dynastars are pretty butch skis but worth a try once you get your boots sorted. I have the same ski in a 185 for my ET ski. a lot of guys are using the shorter ones for Tech skis in a 170.
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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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| skimottaret wrote: |
| @kitenski, dont get me wrong great skis and you will love em but not quite FIS GS skis which are a different kettle of fish to ski on... |
Yeh I did 2 days in Glencoe with them in all sorts of interesting snow then a week in Stuben and definitely liked them!! Noticeably faster and more stable in longs
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Poster: A snowHead
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| kieranm wrote: |
@R555MAC, thanks for the encouragement.
@skimottaret, boots before skis was my plan too, and I'm well aware that the conditions last week were very flattering so any impression I got of competence is a long way short of where I need to be.
@kitenski, it's that sort of not-quite-GS ski that I was thinking of. I think jumping straight to a full-on-GS ski would not be wise. James recommended these for example: http://www.dynastar.com/GB/GB/course-wc-premium-r21-wc_DAEDB01_product_.html Although the racing is fun I've got to keep in mind that the L3 tech is likely to come much sooner, so I need something that will suit that. My Titans might still do the job, and I favour them in some respects than the longer stiffer skis as bumps is where I know I'll need the most help. |
I think touchguru raves about his Atomic Redster Doubledeck GS that are on the BASI deal, but I'd also say don't think of going back to the Titans for bumps as you'll not know what'll get thrown at you when doing the L3 tech...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My take on cumulative small things that can help maximise your chances of success:
Getting to resort early to acclimatise and understand the ground you are likely to be working on.
Important if you are UK based as I am.
Judge how hard you ski pre-course as it's a hard week.
Scope out recommendation for very reliable shop for a mid week ski service. Depending on conditions you'll need it, but a poor service could kill the week or loose you 1/2 a day.
Kit. I use Rossi GS8's (80 underfoot, R17) and Freeride boots. It's fair to say that the ski's were becoming a limiting factor by the end of the week in Longs. More appropriate boots would have given more precision but I didn't feel they held me back (so to speak!). We did discuss the current Hero Long Turn with metal as a way forward but I'm unconvinced how that would work with stands other than 'Longs'.
Be prepared to change and adapt your skiing on command*.
Question the trainer so that you fully understand their feedback and exactly how that might convert into your skiing*. What might you feel when it's 'right' ?
"Hang in" on every run. If you get knocked off line, get straight back on line and make the rest of the run as good as it can be.
Let rip, generally I found I was skiing to the limits of my comfort zone. Easier said than done, but have fun, it will show in your performance.
Eat well during the week.
A laptop (and good internet connection) means you can review and check you tube examples of some of the tasks to try and help clarify exactly what's required.
Practice 'visualisation', running the performance through your head to try an ingrain the movements required. Worth practising before hand as it effectively gives you 'free' runs and gives an opportunity to use uplift time should you need. Very valuable in a race setting.
* Probably the key elements.
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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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I like how Jon always states the equipment used in his videos and the quality of snow. I would say the shorts terrain wasn't quite steep enough for L4 but he did say it was icy so maybe ok. Not sure anyone would use fat skis on a tech exam though so not sure why he included those clips. He is a good coach, simple and on point.
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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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@skimottaret, yes I did like the fact he took fat skis out for the off piste section, but always nice to see some good video on varying terrain/snow
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@kitenski, how is your training going? any courses or exam weeks booked? I have had 5 weeks of GS training so far this year and going out for a tech training week next month.
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I have had 5 weeks of GS training so far this year and going out for a tech training week next month.
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Merry Christmas to you too!
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| skimottaret wrote: |
| @kitenski, how is your training going? any courses or exam weeks booked? I have had 5 weeks of GS training so far this year and going out for a tech training week next month. |
Sadly I've decided it's not going to work for me training for L3 when I have a perfectly good job at the moment, plus a family so it's all on hold, L2 will give me enough to teach in the UK if I ever manage to retire and want some part time work and the occasional European school holiday teaching week or two. I may still do the off piste course though.
I do miss technical training so may try and do some ad hoc stuff, meanwhile I have a week with the family at half term and a boys skinning/staying in huts trip planned for March
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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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Wouldn't that video be more representative on a single pair of skis's ? Most candidates will not be able to choose from a quiver on the hill.
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@AndAnotherThing.., I guess that is why he has entitled it Interpretation......
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@kitenski, Sorry to hear that it isn't for you but maybe take the odd BASI course instead of a refresher to keep your options open?
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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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@kitenski, on your Volkl code skis can you let me know what the Delta Angle (mm difference between toe height and heel height) is on them? I am considering a pair for all rounders but see they have a rail binding system.
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| skimottaret wrote: |
| @kitenski, on your Volkl code skis can you let me know what the Delta Angle (mm difference between toe height and heel height) is on them? I am considering a pair for all rounders but see they have a rail binding system. |
How the heck do I find that out/measure it?? Mine are the 2013 year
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You know it makes sense.
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If you click in a boot measure the distance from the base of ski up to the bottom of the boot at the ball of the foot area (where the boot sits on the AFD) and the heel. The delta is the difference between the toe and heel height in mm's. usually most bindings are 2-6mm heel high.
I like a zero delta mainly as I have long boots, long legs and am tall...
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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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| skimottaret wrote: |
If you click in a boot measure the distance from the base of ski up to the bottom of the boot at the ball of the foot area (where the boot sits on the AFD) and the heel. The delta is the difference between the toe and heel height in mm's. usually most bindings are 2-6mm heel high.
I like a zero delta mainly as I have long boots, long legs and am tall... |
I understand your preference for zero delta but not convinced about being tall as the main reasoning. I'm far from tall and also think I prefer no delta on bindings. I've skied on zero delta indoors for the last 18months but have just come back from the first trip where I've used zero delta on GS skis, and am sticking with it for the time being. I find it is noticeably easier to get carving reaction from the front of the skis (to match reaction from the mid-tail) but slightly harder to skate through slow turns at the start.
Any idea on the range of deltas on the footboard of boots?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hey Stu, I think most people I know who have had their for aft balance tested typically prefer zero binding delta. I mention height as it has a bigger impact if you are outside the norms (have long legs, long or short boots, height etc...) Most boots have a bit of internal delta 1-3 degree springs to mind but this only really sets the angle of you ankle joint and isn't as critical to balance as external delta..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@skimottaret, very interesting on the balance testing that most prefer flat, and agree that your height could magnify a discrepancy.
I've been out to check my old Atomic race skis from when I originally stopped ET'ing 12 years ago and the delta looks close to flat on those too. Been struggling the last few years to find form in GS, and now I have something other than my since acquired lardiness to blame
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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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@skimottaret, I think it's 2mm. I measured based of ski to bottom of boot at AFD at 44mm then bottom of ski to heel of boot at 46mm
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cheers that is good to know... I quite like the spec on the Blue version CODE SPEEDWALL S UVO which is 74 underfoot. I normally hate rail bindings as too much slop in the mechanisms but they look fairly solid and 2mm I can deal with...
might have to rent a pair and give em a whirl
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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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Unrelated to delta angles, but still relevant to L3 training, I've found this set of articles from stronglifts.com very useful recently. Although I've been taught to squat, deadlift, etc. with proper form in the past, and can get pointers from the trainers at the gym, I'm very keen to keep my technique spot on to keep it safe and avoid injury, so they serve as a useful reminder. A side benefit is that by making small corrections to technique the exercises themselves become easier and I'm able to lift more weight.
This is the one for squats, the others should be easy to navigate to: http://stronglifts.com/squat/
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@skimottaret, the s is the shorter slalom type version isn't it?
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Well I thought so but a mate was on them and turns out very similar to the Green ones just a touch narrower and turnier.. looks on paper to be the same construction and for me a better spec...
S version 180 18.1 122_74_104
L version 178 18.6 122_76_105
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@skimottaret, interesting!! The BASS guys in Morzine put me onto them as a good all rounder, that mid 70s waist is going to help for variables. Keep an eye on ebay, I got a cracking deal from Austria on an end of season model in early summer!!
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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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@kitenski, That's pretty impressive cat driving.
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FAQ
