Month: February 2019

Elizabeth & Michael – Menlo Park. Started with bumps (why not) and proceeded to more bumps. After totally mastering those tried some off piste by riding the T-bar, questionable decision as the wind was in fine Breckenridge form (upper mountain eventually closed), did find some good snow after finding some bad snow, over to Peak 9 and more bumps, ended up on Rustler with steep bumps (best snow here). Soften the arms (less robotic) and keep them open (about beach ball wide), stable hips to provide platform for leg rotation, hips face outside the turn (can under do it, can over do it), release the new inside ski at turn initiation/feel the new edges/ steer and shape with leg rotation, keep some pressure (grip) on both skis ALWAYS, don’t give up at finish of turn – get the last 10% for speed control and set up the ‘platform’ for next turn, lots of slipping (on groomed and bumps), pressure turns, pivot turns. Ok, that should be enough to keep you busy until next year. Good seeing you both and catching up, good times this morning, THX.  P.S. – not one bad turn in Needles Eye !!

Gary & Cheryl – Ft. Lauderdale … pleasant day, some sun, not cold at all, little wind, snow getting slick, especially on Peak 10 (‘good for you snow’). Separation of upper and lower body, position of strength, face the zipper down the mountain, arms/hands out and wide, downhill hand lower and back, keep the hips facing more down the mountain, some pressure on the inside ski, outside of boots hip width, pole touch more down the mountain, rounder turns (especially at initiation) helps ski grip and speed control by staying ‘engaged’ for the complete turn. Fun day skiing with the two of you, thank you for the social time!

Tina, Annette, Amy, Catharine – Sunday Club (kind of), Breckenridge wind doing it’s thing, upper mountain closed (all of it), not too cold actually, started easy on Springmier, ended on Devil’s Crotch and Peerless. Continuing focus with shorter radius turns, inside leg steering (not just at initiation, all the way to completion), letting the inside ski lead around the turn, early pressure and grip with new outside ski, how counter relates and aligns with lead change, one ski pivot turns (for real, I had them take the other ski off – this was hard), javelin turns, lifting one ski in the traverse (all traverses can be put to good use), cowboy turns playing with inside ski steering, pulling the old inside foot back at initiation to rebalance and facilitate simultaneous leg steering. Lots of bumps (can there ever be too many – maybe don’t answer that question). Great day ladies, the four of you are skiing at a high level!

Brenda, Don, Linda, Sohpie – mix of Saturday Club and makeups … cold in the AM (at least I was – never underestimate the Breckenridge wind), afternoon delightful with some sun and less wind. Morning stayed low and worked on technique, PM explored Whales, Vertigo, CJs, Y Chute, hiked Peak 7, Whiskey River (some really nice ‘good for you’ wind blown struggie stuff), tried to find Lost Cabin – it’s still lost. How much counter is good, what’s the deal with ski tip lead change, pulling the inside foot back at initiation (feel the shin pressure) so feet are closer and easier to pivot/steer/rotate, pole plant more down hill on the steeps, get the feet away from the CM right away, thinking of turns from apex to apex, maintaining ski pressure (aka grip) through transition, bringing the skis right on around on the steeps (strong counter), skidding when it’s slick. Good day! AND, cookies for breakfast (that could be habit forming).

Ernie, Elaine, Paul, Violeta, Terry – Friday group, wonderful day, no wind, warmer, clear skies, great day to be up high. Whales, Vertigo, Debs, CJs – exploring steeper terrain all the time now. Pulling feet back, turning the inside ski, initiating with the inside ski, pivot turns, thinking about pivots with one ski off (not ready yet), javelin turns, using cat tracks, pole plants more down the mountain when steeper, keeping shin pressure on both skis, (don’t let the inside ski ‘run out’), maintaining ski pressure (grip) all the way through the turn (most important as initiation transitions into the upper part of the turn).