Author: bbooker99

Garrett – Austin, TX. One degree at noon, this was a cold one for sure. Skied all five mountains, found some new challenging snow (maybe the best Upper 4 O’clock or the Meadows), couple breaks, kept moving around the mountain so weather was ‘workable’. Pole touch with hips crossing over the feet, no delay onto the new edges, pressure the inside edge of the new outside ski right at initiation, more even pressure in off piste, position of strength, not letting the downhill outside hand thrust forward at finish, hips facing outside of turn, pivot turns, pivot slips, some bumps (lots more bumps tomorrow), grip – never lose grip (well, maybe 50 milliseconds at transition), shin pressure, where to pressure the foot (front of heel, aft of arch). Lots of turns Garrett, like to see you being aggressive with the shaping and pressure. Happy 50th !!

Tim, Jen, Molly, Shaela – Los Angles, CA. Mom and Dad L5, Molly & Shaela skied before but only once. Review wedge turns and using the wedge to slow, up to the Poma, where is the body in balance, shin to boot pressure, shoulder/knee/toe alignment, less bend at the waist, more shape and skid to the turns (this statement applies to almost everyone), matching the skis in traverse, tipping the new inside ski to aid in matching, not so downhill ski dominate (let the inside ski have some of the fun), speed control with friction and finishing the turn, more dynamic with arms and hands (not so close to the body). Afternoon was frigid but we skied until after 4:00pm, snow all day with maybe 3 inches new. Great progress for all – now put it to practice, practice, practice. Happy New Year.

 

Shelby, Jack – Redwood City, CA. Shelby first time skier, Jack already a level 4. So cold today, wow, somebody turned the heat off. Gliding wedge, wedge turns, starting to match, leg steering, tipping to release the new inside ski, skidding and shaping, closing the stance, don’t be too quick to twist skis at initiation, patience and more shaping. A good morning guys, have a great vacation, thank you for coming to ski school.

Camryn & Carleign – Harlan, IA. Getting out of the wedge, side slips, skidding with shaping, steering both feet together, shins touching front of boot (stay forward for balance), linking turns with rhythm, using turns to control direction and speed, it’s still ok to use the wedge when it gets steep (this will gradually go away). Colorado Super Chair (first piece of a blue run). The mouse ate part of someone’s hamburger for lunch, hmmm. Great day ladies, you are skiing terrific, more blues on Peak 9 next year.

Grant – Dallas. Remembering how to do the wedge thing then taking it into wedge turns and how to match. Sliding with both skis together, alignment with shoulders/hips/feet, being less edgy/more skiddy, tipping the knee to flatten the ski (getting off the inside edge), speed control with ski/snow friction and turn shaping, staying balanced, being patient with the turns. Good progress this afternoon Grant, hope you ski tomorrow and practice on skidding/slipping. Have fun with the family on this vacation!

Jacob – Tarpon Springs. In his mind the #1 mission was better hockey stops so he can spray his brother and sister … in my mind it was more of a focus on getting some angles in the legs, better balance, not having lazy hands … so, we combined the two – the hockey stops are better when flexing the ankles and knees. Hot dog for lunch with an amazing amount of ketchup – back in the day would probably have done the same thing. Fun day Jacob!!

Jeff & Cindy – Vernon Hills. Folks in ski school … boys in snowboard school … probably lots of tales to tell over dinner. Coming off the hard edge to control speed, more sliding, skidding and shaping, less upper body rotation, where is body alignment for strength, pole plant (this shows up every night on almost every lesson), keep hips open down the mountain (which means shoulders and arms also open), rounder more shaped turns, less ‘pop and twist’, be patient at turn initiation, hands on knees drill to emphasize a more flexed alignment. Merry Christmas to all!! See you next year.

 

Richard, Erin, Rachael, Joseph – Tarpon Springs. For living in Florida, this is one skiing family. Joseph is a live wire, probably needs to be in a race program. Alignment, position of strength, arm position, how to a pole plant and why, hockey stops, skidding, slipping, shaping, come off the hard edge, leg steering (both feet/skis together), releasing the skis with hip crossover, some trees(not many), more ankle/knee/hip flexion, stay open to the photographer. Good progress, good fun, see you on the 26th, Happy Christmas!