 Poster: A snowHead
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BLADES? SHORT SKIS I know they can be seen as a swear word amongst proficient skiers but I am going to Mayerhofen in March and feel my last resort at getting down the mountain with my friends without a state of sheer panic is blades/short skis?
I'm a keen and able sportsperson across many fields but snow seems to be my nemesis- having tried boarding and skiing several times I just cant get back on the horse and last year spent more time on snow free ground than on snow on my holiday.
I've heard that using short skis or blades is a lot easier- akin to rollerblading on snow and although a lot more unstable and possibly slower I like the look of it- well from what I can see on you tube that is.
Im looking for some advice, I've done it all, lessons in uk, lessons abroad, private lessons, group lessons, intensive 1 day lessons, but put me on a mountain and I freak out at not being able to control the long planks attached to my feet?
Without stating the obvious like, keep persisting, have another lesson, give up, could I have some advice on whether I might actually find these blades fun and are they easily accessible to rent abroad??
Really appreciate any feedback- I want more to look forward to this holiday than just getting merry on jagermeister and its driving me mad being the only one that cant join in!!
Thanks
Alex
xx
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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No I haven't specifically asked for that type of instructor so again that's an option. When I went last year I was in a small group with friends which wasn't so bad but my frustration at myself more than anything got the better of me, I got the right hump and marched to the nearest bar. Im aware im my own worst enemy so I guess I was looking for a shortcut to quick results. My friends and I have discussed lessons on the first couple of mornings so perhaps we will seek out someone who will favour taking a bit more time with us!!
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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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trewsie, very brave….
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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elaborate ed123? 
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would suggest short skis (eg 123's or 125's) before blades. I think they ski a bit more like normal skis, but probably a bit easier. blades might give instant ability, but if you don't get a radical high speed, hand on the ground, carve then it'll just hide any bad technique/stance, IME. bonus of 125's is you don't look like a muppet either 
have a pair of 99cm blades - anyone is welcome to play on them for an afternoon, if they ever happen to be in the same resort as me, and they can experience the inside foot wobble syndrome (it's really quite strange).
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trewsie, make sure you get a set with release bindings (the sort you have on skis). That way the blade will come off when needed rather than potentially injure 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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anything over 1m will have release bindings.
most under 1m tend to come with release bindings these days, although they never used to. the ones I have, don't.
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I'd go with the consensus above. I have a couple of pairs of Decathlon's "Wedze" short skis and they are entirely different from blades, much more like skis though instructors don't approve of them. Unlike many people who pour scorn I have used blades but the short skis are much preferable.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Agreed, I've used both and short skis are fun, but blades are actually rather terrifying to my mind once you reach ANY speed/steepness at all.....
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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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andy, inside foot wobble syndrome 
I havn't taken you up on this offer so far - may do sometime ... the first/last time I felt weird inside foot wobble was when I did my ACL...remember that Elizabeth B ? I was thinking back to then today - was it you who called kindly the piste patrol for me?
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lampbus, oh yes, blades are incredibly foot-wobbling until you learn to get them on their edges. Disconcerting. 
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You know it makes sense.
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ronald and wigan were not impressed. the big foot skis on piste were even wobblier.
can stick them in the car for BB if you like (bearing in mind they are non-release bindings, and I take no responsibility if any knees become injured)
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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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trewsie, I am intrigued that you have had lessons and experience, but still fall over. It is rare (but possible) that you don't have the balance or something. Do you do other balance sports ?
We all have our fair share of falls, dramatic and prosaic (I still fall over in lift lines, among other places) so that isn't a good way of measuring your progress. Usually as I slide to a halt amid a yard sale of equipment, I am none the wiser as to the event that triggered the loss of balance / dignity.
Skiing is perhaps unlike other sports in that - as you have noticed - the things on your feet are large. I think of skis as a thing I ride which has it's own path, not like a skate that I can just plonk anywhere.
Could you give us more details of what you think goes wrong for you ? what makes you 'sheer panic' ?
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Poster: A snowHead
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trewsie, from the brief details you have provided, I'm not convinced that different equipment is the solution as you're likely to experience the same fears whatever is under your feet.
Have you considered a coach (a ski instructor who is also a coach)? It's someone who can identify the psychology behind your freak-outs and get you past them, as well as help you with your technique. Send a PM to AndAnotherThing.. — he was pretty instrumental in getting me past my own fear last season after a spinal injury (that occurred while skiing) turned me into a fearful skier where I lost years of technique and was skiing like a numpty. With his help, I was skiing even better than before the injury.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Blading is really fun, and in any resort you could get a lesson. It did make my feet hurt though - the balance is different from skiing so maybe for you that would be a good thing.
All beginners fall over a lot, skis. blades, board - anything. If you are good at most things it will be hard to accept that you can't do something as readily. Relax and have fun - accept that you will spend most of the time on your backside. I learnt to board one year and was soaked through decent kit from swimming in the snow.most of the time...yet I can ski fine. Maybe you are just putting too much pressure on yourself? Or maybe your boots are too big, that makes you fall over..or maybe you should just take a bit more water with it.... 
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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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trewsie, I know nothing about blading. However, I've been where you are and I sympathise. If it's any help I finally got over it (though it took years and all the lessons you mention). What finally fixed me was a skiing holiday with the mob that are Snowheads and a number of people (to whom I will be enternally grateful - they know who they are) that provided patience and encouragement above and beyond the call of duty rather than any change of gear. However, if you want to try blading, I'd go right ahead and do so and sod what anyone might think. No one above has laughed at you have they? And I am sure no-one will. At the end of day you just want to enjoy the snow and isn't that what we are all here for? You go for it! 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Just had another thought...why not get all your mates to go blading with you so that 1. it's a level playing field and 2. it's more fun and they too can spend time on their backsides? Then another day all go tobogganing, etc?
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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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Hey Trewsie,
I have been ski-ing on 120cm snowblades for a while, it's really not bad at all. In fact, it's mostly fun and quite stable. At high speed, it did wobble just a little bit, but not noticeably enough to affect my ski-ing or snowblading!
When are you heading out to the Alps? I'm happy to loan out my blades.
All the best.
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trewsie, try it. While not my thing, it is pretty fun and more immediately accessible than skiing/boarding.
And worrying how you look on piste is pointless - you will be among all sorts of snow sportists, from wobbly toddler beginners weaving around in front of their parents to old, leather-faced men in skin-tight salopettes skiing with their knees locked together. Normal people don't laugh at others for what manner of snow conveyance they are on. Those who do laugh are best ignored, as they most likely have their own issues, and are definitely in the minority. And the laughers are often not very good. I find that the boarder vs skier argument, for example, is propagated mainly by solid, plateauing intermediates who are buying into the image of the sport rather than the sport itself. Really good snow sports people are tolerant and helpful, generally. They love riding the snow; how you ride it is unimportant.
Good luck, and enjoy it. Have some patience too - rather than stomping of to a bar, head off on your own to an easy piste and practice, without the pressure of having to keep up with your group of chums.
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Judging you.... 
Sorry, like some people above have said I am not sure that blades or short skis will be the cure all you think it is. In my, limited, experience of them they seem to be most useful as a learning tool or for people who are full of confidence but can't be bothered with the time taken to become a decent skier, due to limited time on snow or whatever reason. Blades seem to help them get around steeper slopes faster and is probably one of the reasons they get such a bad name. I had no real opinion on skiing on blades but after spending a weeks holiday with a group of people on blades I can only say they looked like hard work and required tons of balance.
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