Hi,
I have been posting in the " Sir, Sir....Am I an Intermidiot yet???" thread but after some advice I am making my own thread
So a bit about me, I am 15 and have skiied 3 weeks- currently on my third in Les Gets. Ability wise I am confident on reds and blacks- generally I can ski the reds fast and in control and on the moguly/icier blacks slower mostly in control I am just starting to dable in off piste- I struggle a bit on the off piste- especially in the powder- I can get down it but have very little rhythm or control.
Here is a video of me on the dry slope before the holiday: http://youtube.com/v/eiQbW6oWuYc
And here is me yesterday on the red under the Chavannes chair: http://youtube.com/v/rqTwN4N67xI
I started to feel like I can carve my turns a bit more now- and my dad has said I look like I am doing it- but need my skis wider? How far apart is right?
Any tips from my videos on improvement would be really appreciated, as would anything on learning powder skiing and moguls.
Thanks in advance
Jack
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I also have this vid of me on the black at podrains- I didn't feel like I skied this run too well
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?
Hi JackSkier, nice vids - it all looks good to me but then I've only got a couple of weeks of skiing under my belt so I don't know anything! (Apart from the fact that I'd be happy to be skiing like that when I go later this season). They'll be plenty on here to offer you some great advice though
JackSkier, good for three weeks. I think the main weakness is what you do at the start of your turns. Rather than stand/get balanced on the outside ski as early as you can when you begin the turn, you push the skis sideways. This has two consequences: the ski doesn't give you much performance/control until late in the turn; and you are always skiing 'in the back seat'.
Focus on standing on your skis as you start the turn make an extension movement with your legs, which projects your body forwards and across your skis) and try to avoid the temptation to push them sideways as quick as you can. Be a little bit more patient with your skis at the start of the turn and you will get more performance from them.
Also, try to encourage your cameraman to hold their phone horizontally rather then vertically. Will give you better footage to see what's going on with your skiing
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Okay thanks for your tips rob So I should draw out my turns a bit more? I think part of my problem is skiing a bit like my dad who skis a bit like "an old frenchman" but very well! Do you think I am skiing with my skis too close? I was trying to ski a bit wider for the videos but generally my skis are very close and my knees nearly touching- especially in icier conditions. I got another video today from an easy blue under the swiss wall- which I skiied a bit later, didn't think it was that bad but apparently conditions on it where not too bad!
JackSkier, Can't give you any ski tips - rob@rar is the expert - but that looks a lovely run, very quiet and nice snow.
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Hi Pam- yes it was quite nice in places today- although lower down in the morning it was very icy. Towards Avoriaz and on the Swiss side it was a lot nicer
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JackSkier, that looks good to me, for 3 weeks (e.g. at 04 seconds) but I know nothing! Certainly looks like fun.
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Really enjoyed it great week. Really good mix of conditions
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Now I my holiday is over I was thinking of joining the race training at my local dry slope- do you think this would be beneficial to helping me progress? Also to keep up my skiing as I think I would miss it too much otherwise. Does anyone know how cheap a trip to scotland can be done if you where to camp and drive up? Eventually I would like to start touring with my dad- how far off do you think I am?
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.
rob@rar do you think it is worth me saving up for a clinic at the snowdome? I have seen some of your success stories and videos and they look really good. Which would you recommend if I was to do one?
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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
If you have easy access to the local dry slope, can get there every week, and the race club will take you, I think you'll find this a good way to improve even if you're not all that interested in actual racing.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
JackSkier, Looking at the first video --- that'll be Bowles then Our Race Club trains every Friday from 17:30 to 19:30 --- you'll be very welcome, and we're really friendly
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Will definitely try to make it as I have had some really good tips and as you say it is a really nice atmosphere- the only times I have been though are during the open slope and kids club. The only problem is it is at a difficult time for me so wouldn't be able to go every week Would that be okay?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
JackSkier,
Quote:
The only problem is it is at a difficult time for me so wouldn't be able to go every week Would that be okay?
Went to race training tonight, a lot harder than I thought it would be! But everyone was very friendly and they gave me some good tips and said they will work on me next session Some of the skiers there were awesome- really impressed!
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?
Start shopping around for poles with guards and shin guards also a helmet with chin guard if poss.
Well done
Thanks frazClammer Looking around it is a lot more expensive than I thought- but I definitely want to get into it- I can see that it will hopefully improve my skiing a lot and also I think that it will help me as I try more off piste- having to turn at certain points not just when I want to!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
JackSkier, You get away with using any old kit for now. It's just that getting thwacked by full size gates really seems to hamper ones technique strangely enough lol
Also without the hand guards on poles you won't be able to cross-block the gates.
It is expensive however if you look on skizog ( I think that's it) there's 2nd hand stuff. Don't buy new gear.
Race club is all about edges. It can actually hinder your other skiing technique if you ain't ready ( like I wasn't) for full on carving down the fall line. Let alone through gates. Do persevere and ask for drills from the coach.
I'm sure it will be great fun n you'll meet friends.
Hi franzClammer, thanks for tips. Skizog looks realty good, I think I may have to invest in a paid of boots soon. Every rental boots is too loose around my shin and and feet. I have shallow feet and calves, do you think I should go all out and get a proper fitted boot or get a cheap womens boot for the time being as I am unsure if my feet are still growing. The problem persists no matter what size boot- I dropped a whole size on Sunday and they where still too loose but short length wise. Felt like I skied better at the dry slope yesterday tips about widening stance helped me get a more consistent carving feeling and I feel that I have adjusted to plastic again!
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 11-03-14 8:29; edited 1 time in total
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hi franzClammer, thanks for tips. Skizog looks realty good, I think I may have to invest in a paid of boots soon. Every rental boots is too loose around my shin and and feet. I have shallow feet and calves, do you think I should go all out and get a proper fitted boot or get a cheap womens boot for the time being as I am unsure if my feet are still growing. The problem persists no matter what size boot- I dropped a whole size on Sunday and they where still too loose but short length wise. Felt like I skied better at the dry slope yesterday tips about widening stance helped me get a more consistent carving feeling and I feel that I have adjusted to plastic again!
After all it is free
After all it is free
JackSkier, I presumed you had your own boots
Boots are the first priority. I'd go with a cheap pair of Women's boots for now.
When you're sure that you're not gonna have any more growth spurts, then invest a pair of fitted boots.
My first boots were £25 off eBay. They were excellent.
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franzClammer, What kind of flex would you say would be right for me? Reasonably light. I wear about an eight shoe so was thinking of going for a 26 boot? My feet haven't grown in a while now so I am not 100%
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Send photo of feet!
Oh, and acurately measure the overall length of both feet in centimetres by, for example, standing with your heel against a wall.
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Okay so right foot length is I think 25.75 cm and left 25.5cm (that is with weight on it). Width is about 95-100mm hard to be sure
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.
altis, are you serious about a pic of my feet? I was thinking at probably something around 80-90 flex. The boots I hired where an 80 flex- but a mondopoint size of 27 because they had none in my size!
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
Many would say see a bootfitter but, it seems, you're not in that market yet. You said you have "shallow feet and calves" and I'm not sure what that means. If we can see your feet then we could have a stab at what sort of boot would likely fit.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I mean skinnier calves than most fully grown men and also narrow ankles - to the extent that I can't get reasonable tightness around the cuff of most boots. I am not sure what I mean by shallow feet but the toe buckle and also one above that don't do up very tight either. This is on pretty rubbish dry slope hire boots, and also these boots: http://www.levelninesports.com/Salomon-Quest-Access-770-Ski-Boots I tried with other boots but it is the same. I now realise they are quite a wide boot so could be the cause of the issues with the toe piece buckle. If I could get a boot like that to fit me well I think they would be ideal, as I could use them to start touring on as they have a walk mode and also for dry slope racing and piste stuff. Should I get a picture of the sole of my feet or the above section?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
JackSkier, At that sort of size you should still be able to get boots that are aimed at juniors - I would be tempted to look at those as they might be designed for a foot and lower leg size that is smaller in volume overall. My kids are in size 6 and 7 adult shoes, but still have ski boots designed for juniors. Maybe you could look at junior race boots?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
JackSkier, a pic or two at an angle of you standing on the floor just to show the shapes involved.
From your description, womens' boots are NOT what you need. These have more room in the calf not less.
BTW, where abouts are you?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 11-03-14 22:13; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
The last thing you need then is women's boots as suggested earlier, they tend to have lower bigger cuffs to accommodate women's calves. I would suggest youth's boots too. My daughter was in hers until shortly after her 16th birthday and her feet stopped growing a fair bit before then. She got some women's boots then for her BASI L1 (which she passed at 16) as she needed some tighter fitting stiffer boots to go with the stiff advanced piste skis we'd just bought. In fact Lockwoods advised us not to get adult boots too early as they can harm your feet, I think this is more the case for females. One of the resident boot experts may give better advice on that.
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?
JackSkier, Talk to us on Friday re boots and equipment... We'll point you in the right direction.😀
ski, sadly I can't make it this Friday as I am with my mum every other weekend and she lives about an hour away but should be able to on the following Friday and will ask you guys about it then thanks for your help everyone my only concern with getting junior race boots would be that they would be brilliant for dry slope but I was thinking they could be too stiff or unforgiving for ski holidays where I would be skiing off piste a bit and they may be a bit unforgiving? I am about 58kg if that had any effect? Really enjoyed last Friday and looking forward to the next one already! The good thing is that the junior race boots look to be half the price of men's boots altis, kent/Sussex area will sorta pic tomorrow evening
JackSkier, you might not need to go to race boots (though you seemed to be looking at a moderately high flex rating above for your weight, that was the only reason I suggested them), but I do think that the market for junior/youth boots will provide you with what you need - maybe you just need a shop with a wide choice - maybe there are places around that specialise in junior/teen boots the SH's might know. FWIW my kids are 11 and 14 come in at around 45Kg and still ski the whole mountain quite nicely in Salomon T3 performas on RC4 race style junior skis.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Wed 12-03-14 9:31; edited 1 time in total
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Do the race clubs organise a market in second-hand boots and other equipment? Would seem to make sense.
After all it is free
After all it is free
JackSkier, See you next week then... we can talk about boots face to facce. Junior boots are probably not the wey to go.
pam w,Yes we do !
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ski, sounds good thanks for your help everyone!
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Hi everyone, just a quick question. I have spotted some junior race boots in my size on ebay very cheap. The last is 97mm and my foot is 97 so that should be about right. Apparently they are low volume too. However they have a flex index of 80? do you think this would be too soft for me? I am 55kg and level 7/8 skier?
Thanks
Jack
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I am just starting to dable in off piste- I struggle a bit on the off piste- especially in the powder- I can get down it but have very little rhythm or control.
Our Race Club trains every Friday from 17:30 to 19:30 --- you'll be very welcome, and we're really friendly 
Would that be okay?
