 Poster: A snowHead
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I went skiing in the last couple of days for the first time in over 7 years. Sunday was at Xscape and everything went fine. Last night was at Hillend and i found it a hell of a lot more difficult on the matt than i did on the fake snow. I had a quick word with an instructor who suggested i move my feet further apart. Tried this for the last few runs and it seemed to help with my turns. Thing is, i don't remember having to keep my feet so far apart when i used to ski regularly all those years ago. Is this new stance down to the new shape of skis. I used to be able to short swing without even having to think about it, but i'm pretty sure i had my feet closer together back then.
Apart from that, it felt good to be back on skis again and i'm slowly remembering all of those little things that come together to make good technique.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| shoogly wrote: |
| Thing is, i don't remember having to keep my feet so far apart when i used to ski regularly all those years ago. Is this new stance down to the new shape of skis. I used to be able to short swing without even having to think about it, but i'm pretty sure i had my feet closer together back then. |
Um, yes, kinda. New skis/new technique is about haveing a more neutral stance. Only a few instructors still teach skiing with your boots together (although even the greatest proponent of that has recently changed, and is now claiming he invented the idea of neutral stance).
Around about hip width apart is considered ok.
The analogy I like is "Peeing width" - i.e. when a man stands at a urinal, he wants to be comfortable and balanced, and without thinking, he is standing in a pretty neutral stance.
Other ways to try include:
1. Get someone to pick you up, and see how your legs dangle freely.
2. On your skis, on a flat surface, jump straight up, and see how you land. (although if you've been taught to keep your skis really close together, you may find you pull your legs under you as you land)
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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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Cheers for that. All makes sense. After the instructor had said that to me last night i was watching foot position on other skiers and they all had their feet further apart than me. I will need to make a bit of an effort i think. I don't think the new style looks as graceful as the old one though. I suppose it makes more sense from a balance point of view though.
One thing i did notice though was how lazy a lot of (clearly very good) skiers are with their upper bodies. They can obviously ski, but it's like they don't care about head, upper body and arm/hands position.
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shoogly, depends on what they were doing. I'm only a low intermediate skier, but I would try to get a "quiet upper body" - keep the movements flowing, and let the legs do the bigger moves. (hopefully one day I'll be a better skier, and will achieve that)
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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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shoogly,
I acho what WTFH says. You want the action going on below your waist with your head and shoulders quiet and level. Other threads have covered carving technique in some detail (you could try 'carving' in the search function). As this is somewhat different to what you did before, I'd also say it's best to get out on the slopes this winter with an instructor.
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"You want the action going on below your waist with your head and shoulders quiet and level."
That's what i was getting at in my post. When i said they were being lazy, i meant that they weren't really worrying about the amount of control in their upper body.
I think i'll definitely get an instructor even for a day when we get out to the resort to help me on my way.
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shoogly, what resort are you off to?
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going to Claviere, just across into Italy from Montgenevre. One of our crowd used to work out there so he knows the area well.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
1. Get someone to pick you up, and see how your legs dangle freely.
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Quite a tall (or heavy) order for some of us. Might need some mechanical equipment.
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lol, i'm 6'4" 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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shoogly, ok, maybe pee-width or jumping will have to do for you!
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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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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
it always seems to me that they spread their feet out a bit into a slightly triangular stance!
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yes, and with little ankle or knee bend, so maybe not a v good stance after all. And don't pick them up when they're peeing, either.
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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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pam w, But if you must, make sure they are facing away from you. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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FenlandSkier, pam w, 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, yeah but look how centred the stance is.
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OK, so how's us girls supposed to envisage 'peeing distance' 
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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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easiski, I don't think I've ever come across that style of skiing. So what are you supposed to do? Wiggle the hips and wave your arms around before and after every turn? In retrospect, the feet glued together style looks kinda ridiculous these days though doesn't it? I'm really not sure why it was ever thought to be good style in the first place. I've tried it a couple of times with carvers and always ended up catching an edge and wham on my face... Just doesn't work anymore.
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Just watch how good skiers go through gates and you can back off a bit with the arms so far forward unless you are trying to achieve those speeds. That would set the tone for me Aesthetically, I'd like a bit more movement in the arms for free-skiing....possibly..!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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shoogly, just make sure your feet aren't further apart than the length of your legs...
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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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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
Wiggle the hips and wave your arms around before and after every turn? In retrospect, the feet glued together style looks kinda ridiculous these days though doesn't it?
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Don't you believe it.
I occasionally when the mood takes me, perform some excellent "take the piss skiing, legs clamped together, lots of upright cathedral stance, hands wide open, wiggle at the hips, big pole plants. All the way down a groomed run. Like a graceful old school frenchie.
At the bottom, I either get my clients and/or random strangers saying how good/nice that was, and can I teach them to ski like that cos they want to ski like that. 
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| easiski wrote: |
| It is very strange how so many peeps think that old school skiing looks more elegant than modern technique. I find that a really good modern skier is far more graceful, with no extraneous movements to disturb the beautiful arcs they're making down the mountain - so much more flowing than old school |
I agree, although for sheer entertainment value nothing beats watching a legs-together, swing-the-shoulders type skier trying to get down a steep and icy piste 
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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 problem is that i've not skied since the old (style) was replaced with the new! I think my brain might take a bit of persuasion to get it to ski the new way.
Anyone know of any online guide to help me develop this new style?
)
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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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shoogly, to be honest,t he best thing is to get yourself a lesson or two. Perhaps a 1 hour private lesson would be a good place to start.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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skiben, yes, legs apart is best. When you say that it looks like your legs are together, is there a gap between your boots?
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according to my camcorder footage, there is a small gap between my boots. It's only small, but I don't remember my boots clicking together at any point
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Wed 8-11-06 14:03; edited 1 time in total
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skiben, I wouldn't worry too much then. Camcorders can lie - and baggy trousers can make legs seem closer together.
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| Quote: |
shoogly, ok, maybe pee-width or jumping will have to do for you!
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Be sure NOT to do these at the same time.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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ok, next question...
next time i go for a pee, should i wear my boots and make like i'm skiing?
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shoogly, if you do, try to avoid dragging your pole.
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