 Poster: A snowHead
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What's it all about then? Can mere mortals go or do we have to be super-duper skiers? How does it work - the instruction etc.?
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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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| erica2004 wrote: |
| What's it all about then? Can mere mortals go or do we have to be super-duper skiers? How does it work - the instruction etc.? |
Yes & no. Four full days of instruction from one of the US's top instructors in a small group (4-6) of well matched students. Plus video analysis, evening seminars, alignment analysis/boot balancing, last night dinner & plenty of hot tubbin' & beer swillin'. More expensive than a European course but the dollar was only 1.70 when I went in Jan 06 so now's the time to go. Had a brilliant time & I plan to do it again in the future. I'd recommended staying in the main lodge as that's were all the evening stuff is. And if you're going all that way it's worth staying for a second week to put all you've learnt into practice.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sat 15-09-07 16:44; edited 1 time in total
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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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erica2004, the ESA web site (http://esa.epicski.com/) answers this and many other questions in the FAQ. However, having been to the last three western ESAs and being a part of the EpicSki management team, I will tell you that the skills exhibited by those attending the ESA range from novice to professional. I believe that anyone can receive excellent coaching from an ESA event, but do to its more generalized nature, it may be even better for those who are more recreational than those who are more focused on a specialization such as avalanche-zone off-piste, racing, or cliff-drops. 
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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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ssh, any plans to go back to Snowbird/Alta?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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spyderjon, not that I've heard. There are business/financial considerations that will likely make that impractical. However, going back to Big Sky is a great opportunity, especially from those who must travel long distances, anyway. Given its late date, snow is virtually guaranteed, and you may find the skiing (if not the view!) more European.
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More expensive than a European course
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In searching for courses in Europe, I noticed many (if not all) courses have half day (3-4 hour) instruction and half day free skiing. Most courses in the US are typically full day (6 hour) instructions. So is ESA.
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abc, I tend to find that three hours is my limit for in-depth instruction, both physically and mentally.
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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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| rob@rar wrote: |
| abc, I tend to find that three hours is my limit for in-depth instruction, both physically and mentally. |
That's a different matter though.
If I were taking a week long course, I wouldn't want 6 full days of instruction. I'm not fit enough to last that long, nor could I obsorb that much instruction.
Or if I'm going to a new and vast resort for a week, I would also like to have some hours of free skiing in order to explore and enjoy the mountain.
But if I'm taking a 2-3 course at a mountain I regularly go to, with the exclusive purpose of improving my skiing to beyond what I'm at, I'd like to have the instruction to be full day. I could practice at a later date by returning to the same resort, and explore terrain I couldn't venture to before.
ESA is definitely the later more than the former. It's only 4 days, which leaves out the 3 days (in a typical 1 week holiday) after for both exploreing the mountain whilst praticing what the student just learn. One common complain of ESA is indeed from some student who're not fit enough to ski well past the 2nd day.
[EDIT]
There's also a second factor differ in the US vs. Europe. Most US resorts have much shorter verticle. So there's a fair chance of rest and recovery between drills. In my personal experience, I found short verticle mountains are simply not as tiring due to the frequent breaks.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Sat 15-09-07 18:43; edited 2 times in total
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Mmm.. interesting - so I could get my knock knees fitted to my boots and I could try lots of different skis? So, as an intermediate (the dreaded word) what will I be taught?
..and what's the SLC bear gathering the week after - where's that?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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..and what's the SLC bear gathering the week after - where's that?
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SLC = Salt Lake City, Utah.
The airport/hub for Alta, Snowbird, Part Park City, Deer Valley, just to name a few -- ones the Bears are planning to go up. 
(there're about 10 ski resort within an hour of SLC)
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You know it makes sense.
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| erica2004 wrote: |
Mmm.. interesting - so I could get my knock knees fitted to my boots and I could try lots of different skis? So, as an intermediate (the dreaded word) what will I be taught?
..and what's the SLC bear gathering the week after - where's that? |
Hi Erica,
Yes, you could get your alignment looked at - not just in a shop, but having a bootfitter ski with you. What you would be taught - well that's a big question. Almost impossible to answer, because it depends on so many things. I'd be tempted to say "you'll be taught how to enjoy skiing more of the mountain while using up less energy", there's also the evening sessions, the video analysis, etc.
It's worth it (but them I'm biased towards a website that I work alongside ssh on!)
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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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| Wear The Fox Hat wrote: |
| "you'll be taught how to enjoy skiing more of the mountain while using up less energy" |
That's a good phrase, I like that 
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Poster: A snowHead
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rob@rar, it's copyright me (if you like it). If not, I got it from someone else!
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FAQ
I'll be 45 
