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Beginners tip bible - share yours - Page 8

post #211 of 230
10/17/12 at 4:28pm

It really is different out west.  There's often NO LODGE.  Thus nowhere to just leave your stuff, as the case is in the north east.

 

The world is covered in nice white stuff everywhere.  You aren't walking on gravel or asphalt from the parking lot to the lodge; you're walking on snow.

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post #212 of 230
10/17/12 at 7:06pm

For your first run(s) of the day, warm up on easy terrain.

 

When you have progressed to regular green trails, warm up in the beginner areas.  When you have progressed to blue trails, warm up on the green ones.

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post #213 of 230
1/5/13 at 6:32pm

Put your poles on properly!

Put your hand UP through the loop. Then grab the ski pole handle. The strap should be between your hand and the pole so you hold both together. This way, when you fall or let go, the pole will fall away from your hand. 

 

Also dry = warm. 

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post #214 of 230
1/6/13 at 1:09am

Tip: find out how to ski often for less. beercheer.gif

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post #215 of 230
1/6/13 at 7:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkiE View Post

Put your poles on properly!

Put your hand UP through the loop. Then grab the ski pole handle. The strap should be between your hand and the pole so you hold both together. This way, when you fall or let go, the pole will fall away from your hand. 

 

Also dry = warm. 

This IS the proper way to wear pole straps.  However I don't wear the pole straps.  After more than a few decades of participation in the experimental program of the School of Hard Knocks,  I now consider it safer not to wear the pole straps.   There are certain falls where the pole would release from your grip at some point without the strap, but with the strap, even worn properly, you can get a nice lever action going and end up with a pretty nasty thumb injury.

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post #216 of 230
1/6/13 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by veteran View Post

Tip: find out how to ski often for less. beercheer.gif

 

Ha ha best tip yet posting in my little thread!!

 

2 ways I know of to do this....

 

1/ Get a job in a ski shop....comp comp comp

2/ As soon as you can make even the most basic parallel turn sign up for the ITC at your local ski hill (this was my pathway to multiple years of 100+ days on the snow for free)

 

Help the local ski school teach kids how to ski (which if fun btw) and ski free at that area and comp most other places....

 

Both of the above methods also help you secure top of the line new gear every year cheap too!!

 

I couldn't afford the pay as you go pathway to skiing well.....comp was the only way I was able to supercharge my skiing....comp and of course all the free tips and guidance I received in the past 6 years on epicski!!

 

Other ideas on embellishing this welcome of course!!

 

Nice chime in veteran!

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post #217 of 230
1/6/13 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hrstrat57 View Post

2/ As soon as you can make even the most basic parallel turn sign up for the ITC at your local ski hill (this was my pathway to multiple years of 100+ days on the snow for free)


In case others wonder what ITC is as I did, a Google search reveals that it is an "Instructor Training Course."  This is a thread for beginners, and I'd not run into this acronym in 50 years of skiing.

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post #218 of 230
1/6/13 at 10:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkiE View Post

Put your poles on properly!

Put your hand UP through the loop. Then grab the ski pole handle. The strap should be between your hand and the pole so you hold both together. This way, when you fall or let go, the pole will fall away from your hand.



Also dry = warm.

I've always wondered about that. It works if you fall down feet first, but if you do fall head/arm first it probably does more damage than the "improper" way.

I don't bother with them anymore, will do if I go out west in deep powder but around here just walk over and pick them up.
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post #219 of 230
1/7/13 at 4:00pm
Oh and when buying gloves, try to get a loose fit. Snug fit feels good in store but will be very difficult to put on with moist hands. Plus you have the option of adding a liner later on during really cold days. Goretex also does help your hands stay drier (not 100% effective however).
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post #220 of 230
1/7/13 at 6:12pm

Mittens are warmer than gloves.  If your hands are likely to get cold, but mittens, not gloves.  

Mittens allow you to put hand warmers inside.  These are the small tea-bag like things you buy for about $1.00 each pair.  If you ver have cold hands, this is the way to go.  Hands will no longer be cold.  I guarantee it.  

The best mittens are curved, to fit the natural curve of your hand as you hold the pole.  The best ski mittens are waterproof.  Cheap ski mittens are flat and not waterproof; good ski mittens are curved and waterproof.  Avoid leather and down, no matter how classy and expensive; they are not water-proof; they get cold and soggy when wet.  

Dry your mittens out at night, by placing them over a vent or in front of a fan.  

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post #221 of 230
1/7/13 at 8:07pm

Hestra uses leather (in part) on most of their gloves and they're both extremely popular and super warm.  I've worn mine on wet days and my hands were perfectly dry.

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post #222 of 230
1/8/13 at 4:45pm
Thread Starter 

I have had Reusch, Salomon and Invicta racing leather gloves, never once a problem with wet. Also have a pair of Swany patroller leather gloves same deal, perfect. I personally am not a big fan of mittens, probably because of my passion for leather racing gloves.

 

Again as pointed out above this a beginner thread and no beginner is going to buy a $125 pair of leather racing gloves.... so not real relevant to the thread. My comment about ITC is not relevant to true beginners either as pointed out above but a dedicated beginner who has stayed faithful to this thread from inception should at least be making open parallel turns by now ( especially if they took all the good stuff here and put it to work!!!) those are the folks I was directing my ITC (instructor training class) comments to. Helping youngsters and other beginners learn to enjoy our sport and get free stuff for the effort sure makes sense to me.

 

That the author of this glorious thread needs to be more careful is acknowledged!

 

Continue please with the tips!

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post #223 of 230
1/8/13 at 10:02pm
I think leather is fine as long as the glove is intended as ski gloves, all of mine are leather palm or full leather (no fancy racing gloves lol, all are $50 to $70) and they have superior grip. Just don't take your daily use leather glove to the hill and expect it to work.
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post #224 of 230
1/10/13 at 9:55am

Well, it seems my leather mittens that aren't waterproof are not the norm.  I must admit they are somewhat old.  Over the years I've sprayed them with leather waterproofing stuff that made big promises, and rubbed in similar products, all to no avail.  Just my personal experience, which is not similar to what others have posted.  

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post #225 of 230
1/10/13 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

I have recently come across new demonstration video courtesy of our Italian friends.

 

I will link my beginner friends to the lower level demonstrations below. Higher level demonstrations can be found on u tube via the same resource. Unlike when I started this thread free video resources are everywhere now view able via u tube. If you are a visual learner search and enjoy. Let this only be considered a fine example of what is out there. Free. (this thread is about free)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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post #226 of 230
1/10/13 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 

For my beginners attempting to equate the above images to a USA resort experience I would describe the above video 1 to be roughly equivalent to USA ski school level 3/4 video 2 equivalent to 4/5 and video 3 to approach USA open parallel level 6. My initial ITC (see lingo above) was 1989 and I am referring to PSIA Centerline and ATS American Teaching System standards or pathways.

 

Please carefully select the matching video to the title on top. (tho clicking on additional boxes brings you to other outstanding material that is not the intention here, tho it will help you in searching for additional material)  

 

I am retired over 10 years now from PSIA if any current instructors have an update please feel free. 

 

Let's try to keep the lingo to a minimum.....create another thread if discussion is necessary beyond edification.

 

Thank you.

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post #227 of 230
1/10/13 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 

These are the intended links discussed above  for further clarity.....if selecting the correct box above is troublesome for you.....(it is Italian after all cool.gif ) Clicky below if the u tube boxes confuse....

 

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZopGirAkmac

 

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4GdV3gdSEY

 

3, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGXa58o4Ckc

 

The level of skier demonstrated in video no 3 would be able to ski all blue terrain comfortably at any US area and would enjoy some easy open black groomed terrain as well. That skier is ready to launch to learning more techniques and tactics for tackling most of the mountain. I believe even the untrained eye that views these 3 videos carefully can see the pathway and progression of movements as the skill increases.

 

Again please any experienced skier comment should avoid lingo and jargon (and dogma)

 

My beginner friends, please enjoy!

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post #228 of 230
1/17/13 at 4:06pm

Don't stuff your snowpants/jeans/etc in your ski boot and try to buckle it.  A big no-no.

 

Wear a helmet.  Wear eye protection (sunglasses won't cut it).

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post #229 of 230
3/7/13 at 7:50pm
I don't know how common is it, but I've noticed it relatively often this year, people trying to wedge to stop in the area before lift (which is often a little down slope) when it's too crowded to wedge, and run into others or fall down.

You would instinctively use poles to help walk uphill, but remember they also work to slow down/stop on the way down as well. Stab your poles into the grounds before you and push on them (palm against top of handle), because when you lined up 4 by 4 there's really no space to use your skis to stop.




Also use a ski strap (or dollar store bungee cord!) to tie the tips of your ski together when you put them base to base and carry on your shoulder, so they don't slide apart. This is probably the easiest way to carry your skis with your boot bag on the same shoulder and poles in opposite hands, a lot better than struggling with one pole and one ski in each hand, which I see surprisingly often.
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post #230 of 230
3/16/13 at 12:34pm

In the U.S., most ski schools include instructors who are certified by one of the regional PSIA organizations, Professional Ski Instructors Assn.  For beginners, a lesson from any instructor is a good investment.  For intermediates or advanced skiers, who want to invest for their long term enjoyment by having private lessons, it's worth asking for a Level 2 or Level 3 instructor.

 

Here's an example of the difference a Level 3 instructor made for an intermediate/advancer skier who wanted to work less and enjoy bumps more.  Scroll down to Post #5 for details of his experience.

 

http://www.epicski.com/t/119140/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-lesson

 

I'm lucky that my little home mountain has 2-hour clinics taught by Level 2/3 instructors every week.

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