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Looking for a particular type of teacher

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi everyone. I'm new here.

I'm looking to really try and go a bit further with my ski classes than just hopping into a ski school and taking whichever guy/gal they happen to have free. So I'm looking for recommendations of specific teachers.

I'm definitely interested in teacher recommendations around the Bourg Saint Maurice area but also Flaine/Samoens, the 3 valleys, and the French part of Portes du Soleil (I just so don't have enough money to pay a Swiss coach...) - Basically seeing I'm trying to find a rare pearl, I'm willing to keep the geographical catchment area wide.

So, what I'm looking for basically is someone who will give as much attention to making sure my equipment is right for me and set up rightly as to my technique. Yes I'm happy to spend some of my training time (and money) to go through canting, correct forward lean, heel lifts, dorsiflexion, the position of bindings, etc. I'm sure all aspects of my skiing technique can be improved but I'm also sure there's a lot I can tweak with the equipment to make it work better for me. Preferably the person would believe in working with video analysis, a great way imo to get to really see the mess of a skier that the teacher is seeing... And if by a miracle the person happens to also have bootfitting experience or works closely with a trusted bootfitter that would be tops.

So, is there anyone out there any of you have skied with who more or less fits this? Or am I just dreaming?
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Ganni, My theory - most top instructors have not needed to do this for themself so don't realize how much difference it makes.
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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?
@Ganni, welcome to snowHeads! Very Happy
I know of one instructor who is keen on technical set-up and that is skimottaret, who is a snowHead and also spends a lot of time in the 3V and might be able to point you in the direction of an instructor there. Just search for him and send him a private message. (He himself instructs - with video analysis - on trips organised under the auspices of Inside Out Skiing, and also at Hemel.)
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Skiing is an open sport with multiple variables. If you found an instructor who could set you up perfectly that set up would then be imperfect once they had helped you improve your technique. You would have more chance with snooker. Being adaptable is a big part of the process, but good luck with your search.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
rjs wrote:
@Ganni, My theory - most top instructors have not needed to do this for themself so don't realize how much difference it makes.
Well said. Its probably very much the case. I think if the person is by nature curious then that may lead them to looking into all angles of their profession. Basically I'm looking for the competent and curious person I guess.
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Ski lots wrote:
Skiing is an open sport with multiple variables. If you found an instructor who could set you up perfectly that set up would then be imperfect once they had helped you improve your technique. You would have more chance with snooker. Being adaptable is a big part of the process, but good luck with your search.
You have a point. But I think the idea is not to be set up perfectly but more to be sure that I am not with things which are ultimately wrong for me. For example, to what extent should my slight duck stance on one foot be addressed, should I be looking for a less upright boot considering my dorsiflexion range of movement and how I intend to mostly ski etc. The idea is not to be set up perfectly, which I agree may be perfect for that afternoon but not on other days.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hurtle wrote:
@Ganni, welcome to snowHeads! Very Happy
I know of one instructor who is keen on technical set-up and that is skimottaret, who is a snowHead and also spends a lot of time in the 3V and might be able to point you in the direction of an instructor there. Just search for him and send him a private message. (He himself instructs - with video analysis - on trips organised under the auspices of Inside Out Skiing, and also at Hemel.)
Thanks a lot!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Hi Ganni. I am an instructor based in Meribel. I also have an engineering degree and tend to fit my own boots and bindings. I have spent some time over the years experimenting with different equipment set ups. Feel free to get in touch if you think I might be able to help you. As others have said though there is no perfect set up for all conditions, what provides an advantage in some circumstances can be a disadvantage in others.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Ganni, welcome to Snowheads. @snowrider sounds like your perfect solution.

My tuppence worth from your (presumably not complete) list, is that while absolutely these will all influence your skiing, many of them are down to "comfort" (i.e. my current boots made me feel very back seat for 2 seasons, which was not performance enhancing, until I replaced the liners), or would normally be addressed by a good bootfitter ...
Quote:

canting (comfort unless you have a physio problem, => bootfitting), correct forward lean (not really a "correct" thing, only you can tell, or any instructor will notice if it's grossly wrong), heel lifts (bootfitting), dorsiflexion (bootfitting), the position of bindings (marketing puff, in the main, IMV), etc.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
snowrider wrote:
Hi Ganni. I am an instructor based in Meribel. I also have an engineering degree and tend to fit my own boots and bindings. I have spent some time over the years experimenting with different equipment set ups. Feel free to get in touch if you think I might be able to help you. As others have said though there is no perfect set up for all conditions, what provides an advantage in some circumstances can be a disadvantage in others.
Excellent. That sounds very promising. I'm looking to come down to the Alps some time in March, in the hopefully quieter period.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
under a new name wrote:
@Ganni, welcome to Snowheads. @snowrider sounds like your perfect solution.

My tuppence worth from your (presumably not complete) list, is that while absolutely these will all influence your skiing, many of them are down to "comfort" (i.e. my current boots made me feel very back seat for 2 seasons, which was not performance enhancing, until I replaced the liners), or would normally be addressed by a good bootfitter ...
Quote:

canting (comfort unless you have a physio problem, => bootfitting), correct forward lean (not really a "correct" thing, only you can tell, or any instructor will notice if it's grossly wrong), heel lifts (bootfitting), dorsiflexion (bootfitting), the position of bindings (marketing puff, in the main, IMV), etc.
Indeed a bootfitter will at some point be necessary probably. Thing is my level is relatively decent and I do have a feeling (call it a gut feeling based on being with myself when I ski Very Happy ) that there are some equipment tweaks that could be making it difficult to go to the next level. When I got the boots I have I went to a very decent bootfitter but I didn't know half what I know today and I wasn't at all as exigent on where I wished to be as I am today. There are a number of things he definitely got right when selecting which boot to sell to me. But in the end its perfectly natural that the guy ultimately wanted to sell me a pair of boots and the stock in most shops is fairly limited.
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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.
Not cheap, and limited to Verbier, but https://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/ would fit the bill too.

A whole team, with kit and biomechanics specialists - and they do use video feedback a lot.
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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
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
@fixx, a very good idea

@Ganni, a good bootfitter will sell you what's best for your feet, or sell you nothing at all if she doesn't stock it. And will stock (at least at the start of the season) a range adequate to fit +/- anything (with fitting).
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Ganni, it might help those responding to your query to know what kind of teacher you've used in the past, and where you felt they were lacking. Long ago when we had lessons with BASS in Les Gets my OH, who had all kinds of wonky legs, was biomechanically assessed by someone in the team one evening after ski time. He ended up with "handed" skis though I think that approach might be rather old hat.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
pam w wrote:
@Ganni, it might help those responding to your query to know what kind of teacher you've used in the past, and where you felt they were lacking. Long ago when we had lessons with BASS in Les Gets my OH, who had all kinds of wonky legs, was biomechanically assessed by someone in the team one evening after ski time. He ended up with "handed" skis though I think that approach might be rather old hat.
Till now I've always just signed up for private classes (with my wife first and then my now teenager) with the local ESF. We nearly always have been to a different ski station and I always just accepted whichever teacher the ESF gave us having no problem with French. They've all been pretty decent but in the end they give the run of the mill tips without really trying to dig down into why something isnt working too well - the approach is OK and works pretty well for my son who has leapt far ahead of me but for me I feel I'm getting stuck on the same problems (fore/aft balance, keeping the basic skier's position).

And BTW, what are 'handed' skis?
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
fixx wrote:
Not cheap, and limited to Verbier, but https://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/ would fit the bill too.

A whole team, with kit and biomechanics specialists - and they do use video feedback a lot.
Thanks. Had a quick look. For what's in the box its a pretty fair price I'd say. What will probably crucify me is the Swiss hotel costs (which I didnt check yet). But thanks in any case, its useful.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
under a new name wrote:
@fixx, a very good idea

@Ganni, a good bootfitter will sell you what's best for your feet, or sell you nothing at all if she doesn't stock it. And will stock (at least at the start of the season) a range adequate to fit +/- anything (with fitting).
I hope that's what happened with me. It was 4 or so years back when I had more or less started skiing so I just had total blind faith in the guy who was recommended to me by the ski instructor who I trusted and had good experience, even if his teaching style was a bit old school. As I said the boot is fine when run against most of the tests I've checked it against. But I'm still not very convinced on its forward lean angle for example. And then there's my left foot duck stance which may require setting the ski binding differently.
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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?
I do this for myself and have done it for my race trainees in a club. I start with getting a trainee to experiment off snow to find out how their own leg geometry works then think whether anything needs to be changed.

Bootfitting can interact with this. For my current boots, I needed a punch around the navicular bone to be able to get to the alignment that I wanted. The boots were comfortable without this, they were just not working in the right way for me yet.

I see several current World Cup racers that seem to be having problems after switching equipment manufacturer. I would have expected them to know what they needed to do to get their setup right, maybe they had been using the same brand since childhood and not needed to do anything before.
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Quote:

what are 'handed' skis?

He had a left hand ski and a right hand ski - some sort of shims under the bindings.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
pam w wrote:
Quote:

what are 'handed' skis?

He had a left hand ski and a right hand ski - some sort of shims under the bindings.
Ah I see. I think the idea is that of setting your bindings in duck stance. I've heard about some doing that and I've heard that Marker make specific riser plates with pre marked holes so you can set your bindings duck stance with the approval of the producer.
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this is not a recommendation, but I would say that almost any ski teacher who works in a ski school will be obliged to parrot the book of their country qualifications. It sounds as though the OP is looking for more, so just looking for independent ski teachers in the local tourist office website should provide some alternatives. As independents we/they are able to teach as they please, or what works without being restricted.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
fixx wrote:
Not cheap, and limited to Verbier, but https://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/ would fit the bill too.

A whole team, with kit and biomechanics specialists - and they do use video feedback a lot.


Definitely check these guys out. Their whole ethos is about the blend of technique, biomechanics and equipment. They also do courses in Cervinia which are more affordable than Verbier.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I think most instructors would not take the equipment seriously and would rather suggest getting on technique- unless you have some serious medical problems.

I would recommend contacting this guy, he is a very good instructor:

https://www.skilessonsmorzine.com/
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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.
@Ganni, I was mentioned in dispatches and may have an idea for you. I am running a technical piste performance course in Meribel 18-25 March https://www.insideoutskiing.com/holidays/fullonfive.html and have very good relations with the best boot fitter in the The Three Valleys. We could pre-book you in for an appointment with him during the midweek day off break we have during the ski coaching course. I have a Masters degree in robotics engineering, a strong understanding of biomechanics and how this relates to setting up skis, bindings and boots and would be more than happy to go through your set up and how it can improve your skiing. Our ski school is very adept at video review and analysis and we have over a decade of client video stored on our server.

What is your current standard of skiing ? have a look at our levels guide https://www.insideoutskiing.com/info/video.html and let me know. If the dates don't work for you I am sure we can help in London at the Snow Centre or give you some advice contact me at info at insideoutskiing dot com
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
skimottaret wrote:
@Ganni, I was mentioned in dispatches and may have an idea for you. I am running a technical piste performance course in Meribel 18-25 March https://www.insideoutskiing.com/holidays/fullonfive.html and have very good relations with the best boot fitter in the The Three Valleys. We could pre-book you in for an appointment with him during the midweek day off break we have during the ski coaching course. I have a Masters degree in robotics engineering, a strong understanding of biomechanics and how this relates to setting up skis, bindings and boots and would be more than happy to go through your set up and how it can improve your skiing. Our ski school is very adept at video review and analysis and we have over a decade of client video stored on our server.

What is your current standard of skiing ? have a look at our levels guide https://www.insideoutskiing.com/info/video.html and let me know. If the dates don't work for you I am sure we can help in London at the Snow Centre or give you some advice contact me at info at insideoutskiing dot com
Thanks for getting into this. This sounds really interesting. I'm however not a Level 8. I probably am level 7 with an occasional fleeting moment of 8 Very Happy . I'm assuming that at some point there would be groups of this level too, even if it is possibly not this season? Plus timing of the course may be tricky. Still to be seen with my work schedules.


Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Wed 1-02-23 11:44; edited 1 time in total
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@Ganni, you are in luck as during that week we are running a course in parallel to the performance course which would suit your level. Have a look on our site at the Perfect the Pistes corse. We will be in the same chalet and the PtP courses has only two booked on at the moment so you would get a lot of individual attention. This week is the only course we are running for L6 / 7 skiers this season. Any questions please ring me or email Smile
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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.
Quote:

I think the idea is that of setting your bindings in duck stance.

No - the bindings were straight fore and aft, but some sort of lateral shims corrected, or were supposed to correct, his stance. He'd got cross because when "schussing" I always went a bit faster than he did, although he was heavier and braver than me and always started further up the hill. Going up a draglift behind him it was very clear that he couldn't get the skis flat on the snow. He did get some funny looks when he threw the skis on the snow then swapped them round before clicking into the bindings. Laughing

Skimottaret's suggestion sounds ideal for you.
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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
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
@Ganni, I note that @skimottaret has a level 6+ course running in parallel with the one he mentioned above (https://www.insideoutskiing.com/holidays/perfect.html). I would recommend him too: I did one of his trips last month and he is very strong on the mechanics of skiing - I know he has spent a lot of time optimizing his own setup. (Caveat: I don't know how Scott divides himself between the two groups for those trips, but I'm sure he can advise on feasibility)
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
skimottaret wrote:
@Ganni, you are in luck as during that week we are running a course in parallel to the performance course which would suit your level. Have a look on our site at the Perfect the Pistes corse. We will be in the same chalet and the PtP courses has only two booked on at the moment so you would get a lot of individual attention. This week is the only course we are running for L6 / 7 skiers this season. Any questions please ring me or email Smile
OK will have a look. In the meantime I edited my previous reply to you because, having seen the videos you linked to and not only the description I would surely fit into level 7. But, anyway, I'd be more comfortable with a slightly lower level than being the one potentially keeping people back. Will have a closer look at the website.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Not sure if he’s still active but you might want to track down Andi McCann. He’s a BASI tutor (teaches instructors) and also works with boot alignment.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@altis, FYI the term is "trainer", not "tutor" wink
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Chaletbeauroc, it was too long ago Wink
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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?
@ShakiraShakira, Curious , who are you in the real world ? PM me or initials if you feel brave Wink

@altis, Andi is pretty much out of the game as is working full time for Rolls Royce..
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@skimottaret, I thought I was behind the curve:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120118174933/http://mccannix.com/
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@skimottaret, Paul O. Thanks for the massive file of videos and images from the off-piste course by the way!
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ahh okay, wasn't sure who you may have been as two courses last month Smile Some good photos of you in that batch and I put a couple on our site https://www.insideoutskiing.com/gallery/offpistefundamentals2023.html
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Some nice shots on there - and amazing conditions!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I do think it's sad that any skier has an experience that suggests that no 'instructors' (as opposed to coaches or trainers or teachers) would be interested in equipment. Of course it makes a difference. However, the correct everything will not help someone with poor technique to ski better. It will make it easier to learn though.
Having said that - group lessons in skischool are not conducive to individual help. If you're standing in front of 10 or 12 students, it's virtually impossible to give much individual feedback.
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