I'm thinking I should start some rando/touring. I'm getting out on the mountain pretty well every day but I need to do more for fitness as I'm only skiing for 1-2 hours and spending a large proportion of that on lifts....
Is technique very important for Rando? If so I'm thinking I should get a lesson so I don't build up any terrible habits to start with or is it just a question of 'as long as you get up the hill you're doing it right' in which case I'll just hire the kit for a day and give it a go.
FWIW I have a lesson every couple of weeks for skiing just to keep pushing myself, I'm not adverse to paying someone to tell me I'm pants.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Technique is important for steep, icy kick turns but otherwise and for 90% of the time not really that important. Most people gravitate towards a good stride with practice.
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?
There really is little to it.
Skinning up is much like walking but keeping the skis on the snow can help brush the snow off.
Kick turns take a bit of getting used to. There are plenty of videos about to give you the idea. 10 minutes practice and you'll have it cracked.
Thanks both, hadn't thought about kick turns....I'm not very flexible in my hips or, erm, coordinated. Perhaps I'll just start off going straight up.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
You'll soon discover that your skins have a very limited grip!
You'd need to be on very mellow ground not to need a kick turn at some point. You can start by shuffling the skis round like the hands on a clock but you'll be very limited if you stick to that technique.
altis, hmmmmnnn... I'll have a go in the back garden later then, at least the children will be amused.
Thanks again.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
You can practice your kick turns on the stairs - without your skis of course!
Stand with both feet on one step looking at the wall. Pick up your 'uphill' foot and place it on the next step but pointing the other way. Lots of hip rotation required! Finally, pick up the downhill foot, unwind and put it down next to the other. Repeat with new foot.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Altis, I'll amuse the kids on the stairs before heading outside to amuse them by turning into a 'snowmum' then.
Thanks so much for the help and tips, they're very much appreciated.
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.
altis, you know what people will be doing in the their front rooms now don't you? I always think it looks a useful skill, but having just tried your instructions on a flat floor and then envisaged the first action with a length of ski attached behind the foot I am quite convinced I'd fall base over apex if I tried it with skis on
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I'd say the thing people forget is that ski-touring requires some mountain craft as you're away from pistes. The ability to read and understand a weather forecast, read a map, naviagte and have a good knowledge of snow all make a bg difference.
The actual skining up hill is the easy bit (despite the amount of people who have poor technique, the skis will glide, there's no need to lift it off the snow).
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Quote:
and then envisaged the first action with a length of ski attached behind the foot I am quite convinced I'd fall base over apex if I tried it with skis on
It's actually quite simple (and easier with tech bindings than frame bindings). An elegent "kick" allows the ski to be pivoted easily.
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.
galpinos, I'm just going to be shooting* up the piste before first lift to start with as a way of getting exercise in during limited time before work but your point about mountain craft is well taken. I'm not going off piste this season without a well equipped local guide. I am slightly concerned about your introduction of the word 'elegant' though, I'll be happy (and slightly surprised) with functional
*yes, shooting, not half bent over and puffing madly. I'm sure of this.
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
galpinos wrote:
The actual skining up hill is the easy bit (despite the amount of people who have poor technique, the skis will glide, there's no need to lift it off the snow).
Have you seen the Dynafit videos on YouTube? A prime example of someone with poor technique. Donny Roth I think, a mountain guide too! Seems like the lack of oxygen has made him sounds like Donald Duck.
Just quickly then, what is good technique for skinning?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
MeMyselfandI, the technical issue in that vid is that he picks his feet up with each step, which is not efficient. you should slide your skis along the surface
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
MeMyselfandI,
Sliding the tips of the skis rather than lifting the whole ski off the snow. Putting in a track that is not so steep that it knackers you out in a short space of time. Aim to get into a relaxed rhythm at a pace that suits you.
Edit Arno beat me to it.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I have issue with the absense of any wind while they're wrestling with their skins.
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?
The one with the least glue on his Goretex jacket and the least body hair on his skins wins.
MeMyselfandI, I just started touring in the last 2 years and have only done a few days but my top tip would be to go a lot slower than you think, the first time we went out we set off at a reasonable pace then were absolutely knackered. The second time I went out with a group of experienced tourers and they set a much slower pace which i was able to keep up with, it took me much longer to get to the absolutely knackered stage
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
The question that causes endless confusion among stoners in a gondola: "I thought you were skinning up?!"
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I always think it looks a useful skill, but having just tried your instructions on a flat floor and then envisaged the first action with a length of ski attached behind the foot I am quite convinced I'd fall base over apex if I tried it with skis on 
