Month: January 2013

Babes! Carla, Judy, Donna, Joelle, Elsa, Becky, Barbara. Back to basics: wedge turns on the Poma, pressue the outside ski, early edge engagement, ‘wiggle’ turns (guess they really aren’t a turn, more of a down hill run, good for a grin), some video, best bump skiing I’ve seen in two years – you are starting to ‘get it’ ladies – good job!

Margot, Annette, Daron, Fernando – Australia and Mexico … this was a good mix – how can you not have fun with a group like this. Another bump day – lots  of them. A few drills in the morning to get the mind going (pole balance with shuffle turns a fun one – side slip on the up hill ski a challenging one). Afternoon putting the skills to use on Dukes, Crescendo and Upper 4 O’clock – discipling upper body, hand and arm position, stabilize the hips to free the lower body for tipping and steering, early edge engagement, tactics, keep both skis ‘grounded’, maintain ski/snow pressure, let the flex/extend come from the ankles/knees/hip joint, less bend at the waist. Hope everyone is tired tonight … I am!

Liam, North Carolna, level 8, eager student: bumps, upper body alignment, 360s, pole balance, short/medium/long radius turns, inside ski release, ski pressure throughout the turn, leg rotation to steer, mogal tactics – Hell’s Revenge, Devil’s Crotch, Inferno, Dukes and Crescendo bumps.

Was it ever cold today – Liam, you are tough and an eger student … a good day!

Upper level 7: Joelle, Carla, Donna, Meow, Angela, Ashley, John, Celia – as a 7 class will do, we head right for the bumps. 3 inches of new wind blow powder, good stuff to wake up the senses. Lots of thoughts on starting

the turn with the inside ski, no delay on edge change, load up the outside ski early and aggressively, let the femurs create a rotation force in the hip sockets to shape the turn, edge control with side slips, pressure the skis with leg extiontion, manage the turning forces at completion with ankle/knee flexion. Was it ever cold or what … only saving grace … we all had cold feet. I like those lines down the fall line with minimual ‘shopping’. Nice changes for all!

First Babe session of the season, a good one at that. Pam, Carla, Judy, Donna, Joelle, Nancy. Pressue management, feeling pressures on our feet, edge pressure, side slips, ealry edge change (this one the ‘biggie’ of the day), minimal ‘flat’ spot during transition, load up the new outside ski early (well before the fall line), more ski performance and less twisting. Some mighty nice turns ladies!

Dikla, New York City, level 3 AM, level 4 PM. Inside leg steering, opposing edges vs. simultaneous edge, skidding and shaping, tipping to flatten the ski, direction of travel to control speed. You rocked this afternoon, good job!

Nancy, Nichole, Pam, Greg, Glenna, Meow, Ronna : advanced level 7, carving and bumps.

Tipping, pivots, uphill carved arcs, skidded/semi-edged/edged turns, slips in bumps, pressure turns, flex/extend in bumps (now that was a challenge, huh), bump tactics. Moments of brilliance … moments of experimentation. Thanks for a great day!

Level 7, Intro to Bumps (well, everyone was already skiing bumps but that’s what we call it):Donna, Judy, Linda (our Aussie), Kathryn, Brian, Nancy and Pamella. Some drills (side slips, pivot turns, turns to a sideslip, pole balance, edge releases, garland skids with shape) – lots of bumps on Dukes, Upper 4 O’clock and Crescendo, anatomy of a bump, where to turn, flex/extend to manage pressure, use the skid to adjust line, maintain ski/snow contact and foot pressure, get a rhythm, come off the edge, patience. Progress for all, good job – this bump stuff is quite the journey … trip never over.