It's only in the last 10-15 years or so that the combination of sidecut, length, flex and torque has enabled snowboards - then skis - to achieve the pure carving ability to reverse direction on a slope ... normally achieving a 180 to face uphill, followed maybe by a skidded rotation to swing the skis back into a downhill trajectory.
But what about a full carved 360 grooved into a slope?
Of course, substantial momentum is needed to initiate it (scientific analysis could no doubt determine the minimum speeds required), and this would normally be achieved on a steepish slope - thus presenting the counter-challenge of maintaining sufficient momentum back up the slope.
I recall the experience of doing a conventional skidded 360 for the first time (i.e. using upper-body rotation) and it was particularly easy on a monoski - but a carved 360 is something far more challenging. The skis have to be carved to face directly uphill - a challenge in itself - then cross the fall-line uphill and continue carving.
I'm not sure I've ever seen it done convincingly on video (can anyone point to some reference footage?) but legend has it that it's possible. Maybe the simplest arena is a steep pitch to gain the speed ... followed by really quite a flat area to carve the circle ... but that rather spoils the effect. The aesthetics somehow demand that the carve is performed on a significant uphill pitch.
I wonder what maximum gradients it can be achieved on?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I've tried, but never got right the way around........
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've done plenty of 360 turns on piste, but unfortunatley not the sort that you're describing - mine have usually included air time for the skis too
David Goldsmith, Pure speed and not steepness seem to do it for me. Even on quite a gently slope I find that getting enough speed up and then initiating the turn allows me to carve a nice(ish) circle. Not crop-circle quality but good enough
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
No, but I have plaitted fog on top of the Grande Motte . Far easier by comparison
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.
No, I can't, but one of the BASS instructors I skied with in Tignes did - quite frequently and impressively. We all tried, but failed consistently!
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
martski, That wants posting on the skiing on one leg thread!! What came through more than anything was how relaxed and confident he was through all that - it just seemed like a walk in the park (except when he fell).
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Kel wrote:
No, but I have plaitted fog on top of the Grande Motte . Far easier by comparison
I'll take that back then if I may
Still would like to see it done on a longer pair of skis though. I will see if I can do it on the wifes 120 short skis, but they are pink with flowers on them, maybe I should go on the "gay ski week"
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Mon 10-03-08 0:13; edited 1 time in total
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
martski, impressive. And as for the purple one piece Whatever happened to ski ballet? It somehow just vanished overnight
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
martski, Didn't that guy go on to be a porn star?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
David Goldsmith, a french instructor demoed it to me during my first ever lesson about 6 years ago. He was over 50 years old and managed a perfectly carved large radius 360 on a blue/red pitch with normal SL skis. awsome to watch, sadly no video but still sticks in my memory banks as it was so cool:-D .
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 is an instructor in Wengen that does it as his party piece, his name is Tino and I would recommend him highly to anyone on the MSB, he is the main guy in the private ski school there.
I suspect there is a trick to it involving a bit of pivoting..........
I regularly attempt it on my 32m radius skis. Don't quite get round.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
But Parlor....you did manage a couple of Megamum style 360 on saturday!!
"I've done plenty of 360 turns on piste, but unfortunatley not the sort that you're describing - mine have usually included air time for the skis too "
After all it is free
After all it is free
here's my attempt a few years back on pocket rockets - not the best carvers around...
may have to try again on my short carvers. I think the secret is finding the right terrain. Lots of speed coming on to a flat wide, quiet patch.
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.
David Goldsmith, it has taken me 4 years to realize whose style of writing yours reminds me of.
Sir, you are the LJK Setright of 's.
Please take this as a complement.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
chris, I'm truly amazed!
The late LJK Setright would - I fear - be appalled, as I don't bear comparison. But thanks - I remember reading a few of his brilliant pieces for Car magazine a long time ago.
I'm reading a very interesting 1960 biography of the brilliant railway pioneers George and Robert Stephenson by LTC Rolt, if you like good writers who make bold use of their initials!
parlor, theoretically if you carve a perfect 360 on 32m radius skis then I guess you're inscribing a 64m-diameter circle - which is a pretty substantial turn on a (necessarily) very wide piste.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
David Goldsmith, I know.
rungsp wrote:
But Parlor....you did manage a couple of Megamum style 360 on saturday!!
"I've done plenty of 360 turns on piste, but unfortunatley not the sort that you're describing - mine have usually included air time for the skis too "
Why yes. Thrice.
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.
This is an interesting thread that certainly adds weight to the notion that if you turn far enough you eventually shed plenty of speed - if only through the evidence in the videos.
I shall throw the cat amongst the pigeons now - it can clearly be done on a set of carving skis - could it be done on a snowboard?
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
I wonder if a figure 8 is possible?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
daehwons, Changing the ski half way through a la ice skating or not?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
swapping edge = yes. Spinning and skiing backwards = no
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Rainer Schoenfelder carved a pretty nice 360 in the finish area of the Chamonix super-combined slalom while giving high fives to supporters just behind the barriers.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Sideshow Bob, remember seeing that and thinking I must try it and will do when I am next on snow. Didnt seem to take to much out of him but I am sure the skis play a part in that I think he did 3 or 4 of them to
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?
Megamum wrote:
I shall throw the cat amongst the pigeons now - it can clearly be done on a set of carving skis - could it be done on a snowboard?
Yes it can, I have a friend that rides a piste board and he got into a bit of a race with an ESF guy also on a piste board. As they came into the main resort area at Meribel my mate placed his board sideways and came to a shuddering halt whilst the ESF guy just layed it down and carved a perfect 360, with just enough momentum so that he popped back up and gently slid off towards the lift. An acknowleging nod was enough to leave my mate grinning from ear to ear. I had the pleasure to witness all of this whilst trying to keep up with them...it is a truely awesome sight to witness a boarder on a piste board laying down proper carved turns, let alone 2 of them going at it
Did some of these on Sunshine mountain Was very impressed first time, the slope used was a steep section going onto a flatish piece near the terrain park. First time tried didnt have enough speed
It wasnt quite a circle tho, more of an elipse but once you get round past the 180 deg. and have sufficent speed, swop edges and carry on round
Its not quite as David Goldsmith, wants as theres got to be a transition period, be it quick and small so its not a true continual carve 360 but it will do for me. Gave some folk coming down a shock too.
All this with a dodgy knee
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
jbob wrote:
There is an instructor in Wengen that does it as his party piece, his name is Tino and I would recommend him highly to anyone on the MSB, he is the main guy in the private ski school there.
I suspect there is a trick to it involving a bit of pivoting..........
He is said to master a 720
which seems pretty awsome, since i haven't gotten elegantly past 270 yet ;(
I would go as far as to say it's fairly easy on a board as I can do it. In fact it was demonstrated to me by the instructor in one of the first lessons I had. None of the group succeeded and I thought it too hard to try again until the other day (many weeks boarding later) and managed it fine first go. It's easier on a flat after a steep when you've got a bit of speed and as Bones, says you have to swap edges coming back up the fall line otherwise you'll slam. It'd be interesting to get a load of speed and try to keep going, maybe something for the EoSB.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Bones, Swirly, I'd venture to say that if you're changing edges then you're not doing what DG is talking about. Irrelevant whether it's on a board or skis, but what's being talked about here is carving a full 360 as a single turn, i.e. staying on the same edge all the way through and describing a full circle, with your board/ski always travelling in the direction from from tail to tip and coming out of it essentially rejoining the path at the point you started the turn. What you are describing is a skidded/pivoted 360. And no I haven't managed to do one either (probably only managed about 260) - although the prospects of that are probably not helped by having 25m radius skis.
After all it is free
After all it is free
A snow-covered one of these would help:
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.
GrahamN, I doubt it would be possible on a board without changing edge, once you've gone past the fall-line you're on the downhill edge: on skis this is what makes it a difficult manoveur however get on the downhill edge on a board and you're instantly pitched in that direction either onto your face or your back bottom followed by your head.
However, it might just be doable by putting the trailing hand down to act as a pivot and stop the flip the speed would have to be spot on though otherwise it would result in a one-handed cartwheel... now I'm getting ideas
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Swirly, I think this may be what GrahamN is referring to?
Isn't that guy in the video doing a full 360 on one edge? it looked like it to me?
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Wed 19-03-08 15:01; edited 1 time in total
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Whatever happened to ski ballet? It somehow just vanished overnight 
's.
I had the pleasure to witness all of this whilst trying to keep up with them...it is a truely awesome sight to witness a boarder on a piste board laying down proper carved turns, let alone 2 of them going at it 
