Month: December 2011

The Latuda tribe returns for more mayhem! Sunny and warm – perfect day for … BUMPS. Big ones, little ones, round, sharp, hard, soft, some with rocks, some with trees (small ones), some with logs, some with bodies scattered about. And then for good measure, ski the trees with bumps. Wish I could take credit for how well all are skiing – but I’m just the picture taker.

Emily … windy day… not too cold … one of the quickest learning level 1s I’ve had … almost a few parallel turns by noon … ball room dancer … quickly understood the power of femur rotation … disappeared at lunch without this web site … probably will never know her talent for skiing.

Desperados every one – the Latuda gang! Frank (the ring leader), Leanne (the brains), Andrew (the boy wonder), Arianna (the smoothest turns), Alexandria (the most improved). Year three with this unruly and dangerous mob – think I’m starting to fit in. They are now scattered all over the mountain – who in the world can keep up with them – I take a bit of pride in that!

Mature Tim, Jill, Young Tim and Dan – how many ways to turn a ski – how many ways for the inside ski to hang up – how many ways to ‘unhang’ it and steer and shape. A days effort in the transformations from level 5 to level 6 – well done Mates. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family for 6 hours – how memorable. Take care as the four of you travel the world. Happy New Year.

The South African ski team visits Breckenridge. Much more fun than the Aussies … they like whiskey instead of beer. Dick, Rudez, Nichole, Magda, Matt and Eric came to show us Americans a thing or two. Warm and sunny – a good day for Little Christmas Eve. Thank you for sharing a small piece of your lives – most enjoyable this brief time together.

Christa – level 3 going on expert all mountain. Lots of ‘get ride of the wedge’ stuff – last run was awesome! Was it ever cold today – warm up at 3:00pm just to thaw the parts for the last run. So fun, thank you for a great day – you are a most adaptive student.

Sheng, Yongzho,Byran, Aaron – all four sking down the mountain. Some power wedging, some direction change, some tense muscles, some apprehension, some elation, some laughs. Medals and commendations for all, much progress!

Barbara, Ernie, Tye, Steve, Lewis – level 7 (but some level 9 turns now and then) – team teach with Dirk. Started with Ernie’s goal of hand discipline and Barbara’s of ‘be comfortable’. From there is was: how to release, horizontal and vertical alignment of the complete body, core position and it’s function at turn initiation, ‘go through the window’, patience, turn shape, ‘a little more edgie’ on the the flats is appropriate, let the turn develop as the core moves inside and the skis continue along the curved arc. A most fun and safe day, thanks to all!