Month: March 2015

Rich, Beverly, Max – level 8. Sunny day, blue sky … explore the mountain, a little technique and tactics. Max, good luck with ski racing next year … was fun to ski bumps and off piste with you this afternoon.

Leanne, Alexandria, Andrew, Areana – what a mixed bag of skiing today … from working on keeping the upper body quiet and letting the legs and skis do the work (plus a pole touch) to hiking Peak 8 and exploring Snow White and Zoot Shoot. Snow cone snow on Snow White, winter snow on George’s Thumb. T-bar time and White Crown for Leanne (looking good in new helmet and goggles) and Alexandria. Thank you family for a great (and interesting) week of skiing … have a safe summer wherever it may take you, see you again in December (that is unless you just happen to be passing through Moab).

Early church with Frank and Andrew, a binding issue with Frank’s skis, that had to hurt. Alexandria in the morning working on more downhill knee flexion, shorter radius turns with smearing, keep the rhythm going, lots of T-bar action with off piste snow – good job Moose/Mouse, what a change for you this year, I’m impressed and surely you must feel excited about your skiing. Afternoon with all (Areana, Andrew, Alexandria and Mary) – hand position (not letting the uphill hand/arm drop back), staying aggressive and balanced, starting turn with inside ski and not ‘lifting’, early and aggressive edge engagement of both skis. All the Latudas now ‘upper mountain rats’ … what a journey.

LeAnne & Alexandria – starting to work the upper mountain, now entering the level 7 domain. Pole plants, engage new edges before steering, more ‘counter’ to keep from ‘closing’ the turn, no pause between turns (link um with some rhythm). All the ‘stuff’ we did on the lower mountain we now bring to steeper slopes and more off piste (not to worry,no trees and only ‘little’ bumps).

Sam, Sarah, Lena, Evan – levels 7&8 … now this was a fund day. Hard pack and frozen until about 11:00 … worked a few drills on the lower mountain then went high hunting for better snow … definitely some good snow and good for you snow. Horseshoe bowl, White Crown, Whales Tale, Inferno, Windows #3 … think we were all ‘whipped’ by 4:00pm … nothing like a cold beer on the patio after a 55 degree day of skiing, thank you.

Eric – last day! Focus: upper/lower body separation and how that whole process works. Slipmeister and Claimjumper … much mush by 1:00pm. It’s been a pleasure Eric, the first day now seems like weeks ago … hope I was wrong with the “might never see you and family again” … if the Vail instructors don’t treat you right, give me a call and I’ll come over and ski with the clan. Cheers.

Eric, Peak 9 all day … Bonanza, Columbia, Cashier .. all blues … now the skiing has really started. Increased speed, a bit more comfortable with crowds (or just tolerating), more flex in the downhill leg, still good skidding and shaping, still some upper body ‘swing’ but not bad, will address this tomorrow. Good job today!

Eric – Manhattan: some sun today, some blizzard snow, definitely feel of spring. Big event – now skiing blue runs (Pioneer and Angles Rest)…Peak 9 tomorrow. Turns shaping (no pun intended) up nicely, introduced upper/lower body separation and hand/arm position. Maybe race coarse tomorrow (don’t panic Eric, just kidding).