Breckenridge Ski Lesson Pictures And Some Food For Thought

Morning: John, Puerto Rico – level 7, hands/shoulder/hip alignment, pole balance on wrist, 360s, leg rotation with stable upper body, T-bar, Upper 4 O’clock, side slips, black run with speed control effected with direction of travel and friction. Much progress, loads of fun.

Afternoon: Roberto & Eve, Mexico City – level 1, magic carpet for gliding wedge, Rip’s Ride and up to the Poma, more gliding wedge with direction change to contol speed, ride the Poma, staying forward with shin pressure on front of boots and some knee angulation, hips over feet. Lots of work, everyone wanting Tequila … a good afternoon.

 

Christmas day as Christmas days should be … new snow … cold and crisp … crystals in the air … every kid’s dream. Level 1 in the morning with Ce, Yunging and Justin from Houston area … everyone on time, thank you. Ce caught on quick and making semi parallel turns by noon, Yunging and Justin (5 yrs old) feeling the altitude but with good progress in gliding wedge at Poma. Afternoon with Rachel and Jacob also from Houston area … level 3/4 working on matching skis and skiing parallel … early ski release, turn the inside ski, more ski bottom and less ski edge, shape with leg steering — making 70% parallel turns by 3:30pm. Rachel, you are better than your mind tells you, I liked

the last run in particular, good job!

Winter solstice – nothing but more sunshine from here (yea right). Two classes today, morning private with Lindsey, Cortney and Tyler from Ft. Worth and afternoon with Adam and Cortney (not same Cortney). Morning: level 1, fast progress, late start but onto Poma by 11:30, Lindsey/Cortney/Tyler (age 5) quick learners, Tyler doing great until wreck on Poma (that kind of did it), Lindsey and Cortney making turns and starting to match, skied down from Rip’s Ride. Adam and Cortney level 2.5 and working on inside leg steering and a more parallel turn – both skied down from Rip’s Ride at 3:20. Good day for all.

Level 3 to start, Level 5 when finished: Adam, Gloria, Shanelle, Shana. Main focus: get rid of the wedge! Start using both feet, initiate with the new inside ski, some pressure on both feet, less edge, more use of the ski bottom, leg rotation for early edge change and turn shaping, speed control with friction and direction of travel (aka turns). Cold early and late, mid day quite comfortable. Merry Christmas guys (generic term meaning gals also).

Level 7: Randy and Larry. Most cold! snow in AM, just cold in PM. Randy: edge release, tipping, flatter ski, skidded shaped turns, pivot turns, great progress, llight bulb day. Larry: upper body alignment, hand and arm positions, inside ski turns, pivot turns, pole swing. Video. Fun day, thank you.

Level  6, Randy. Snowy day, lots of wind, new snow a blessing. Randy on skis for first time in five years, ‘ya never forget’!. More commitment to both feet, it’s ok to skid and slide, techniques for speed control, skis are for going not stopping, upper body discipline. video, traverse on uphill ski, uphill garlands, shin/boot pressure, turn initiation with center of mass crossover. Good progress – earned two cold beers and sauna time.

Level 7: Ernie, Meow, Brian. Busy day, Bombers, Dew Tour, colder, some snow, spent day at Peak 9. More attention to hands and pole plants, pole balance exercise, static one turns, commitment at turn initiation, video. Progress: Ernie more dynamic turns and less upright at turn finish – Meow, feet closer together and a more lateral pole plant – Brian, hands more in field of vision and less ‘lift and step’ with better turn shape and less tail separation.

Level 7: Ernesto, Barbara, Jasmine and Meow. More pole discipline, staying relaxed, torso position, 360s, Javeline turns, one ski, leapers, skating,some video and mogals. Good day with some smiles and laughs.