Breckenridge Ski Lesson Pictures And Some Food For Thought

Annette, Paula, Kay, Don, Catharine, Lisa – Sunday Club (Tina missing today). A mellow day for first Club day, lots of chocolate (Don always has a pocket full, had some for breakfast – why not). Pole plant to initiate the hips crossing over – which – allows the edges to cleanly change (both together) – which – allows edge grip right from the transition – which – give a clean arc through the top 1/2 of the turn – which – gives a clean arc through the bottom 1/2 of the turn – which – controls speed – which – ‘is what it’s all about’. Static edge changes (these are kind of hard), using poles to help with arm/hand position, side slips, pivot slips, hop turns (something else that is not that easy), lifting one ski, railroad track, 360s, bumps, trees. I would say that was a good start to the season. Happy Holidays – eat some chocolate cake (this for Paula).

Brenda, Meow, Nick, Maria – Friday Club. Winter solstice (our maybe it was yesterday), days getting longer now – that means nothing in Breckenridge, there will be some cold weather coming our way. This was a good day for progress, focus: letting the hips cross over at transition, feel the float, tip of new outside ski engages right away, ski starts to arc/carve at top of new turn, skis never lose grip (well, maybe for 25 milliseconds right at transition). Happy Holidays. Brenda, do you guys eat deer for Christmas dinner, my guess yes, that or some kind of fish. Cheers to all!

Ernie, Phil, Bob, Kari, Terry, Terry- Friday Club group. Could have been a better weather day, ice fog in the morning, almost no wind, snow just the right grip, mid 20s on mountain in the afternoon. Rustler (not the best of shape, snow kind of punchy), Brill’s (sketchy getting into the lower part), Boundary Chutes, Meadows (twice), got separated at lunch (but chocolate was still to be had). Side slips, pivot turns, pivot turns (these are hard, don’t give up on the practice), hips aligned with outside of turn (confusing I know, it will make more sense with each passing day), early edge change, tip before rotate, keeping both skis on snow, open up the arms, pole touch to initiate the hips crossing over, how to manage pressure on the ski (lots of shin pressure, foot pressure just below the ankle), when to be edge and carve, when to be less edge with more skid to shape with some leg rotation, a few easy trees to work on the pivot turns, syncro skiing (always end the day with this). Happy Holidays, see you next year.

Laurel, Rebecca, Olive, Mitzi, Diane, Vicki, Deb … first day of Club … and it was fun. Good weather, some wind but not much, snow skiing well with some challenging cut up stuff up high. Leading with the inside hip, hips open to the outside of turn which begins at transition, outside leg extension through the belly of turn, flex at finish to allow the turn to complete and be in position for the edge change at transition, core/feet separation (get the feet away from the body to allow pressure management -especially important in off piste), uphill ski side slips, counterbalance with the upper body in conjunction with hip rotation, consistent pole plant, synchro skiing (Mitzi, your idea of figure 8 synchro could be deadly, but intriguing). Great stat to season!

Kyle & Elizabeth – McAllen, TX. Cold day, not much snow, good skiing, take a break every two runs. More skiing less talking … hands on knees, ski pole ‘window’ to stabilize upper body, skidding and shaping, ‘you’re a dancer’, fluid (not being static), stay flexed and forward as entering powder, enjoying the ‘quiet’ forest. ‘Windy Road’, Peak 9, lots of blue runs. Been a great two days – thank you.

Kyle & Elizabeth – South Texas (real south). Great storm, powder skiing, thx for bringing the snow. Alignment of shoulders/hips/knees/feet, goal to always be in balance with proper alignment, less reliance on inside ski (but it still needs some pressure to be a partner with the outside ski), ski release (tipping) at initiation, every turn has some skid and shaping, speed control with shaping and direction of travel, steering both feet together, how to skid with both skis simultaneously, more rounded turns, patience at initiation, patience a finish, flexion in ankles/knees/hip, the hip is an active player facing the outside of the turn. Peaks 7 & 8 … found a few spots with ‘significant’ powder, managing pressure on both skis all the way around the turn starts to make powder skiing fun (this statement will make sense someday). Great day, more greatness tomorrow.

Tyla & Lindsay – Capetown and Houston. Full moon tonight at 12:12AM – play with the numbers. Getting out of the wedge and high edge angle skis, keeping knee over boot, sliding on corresponding edges, shaping the turn, larger radius, initiate with tipping the new inside ski, shin/boot pressure, position of strength, hips more inside the turn, arms up and forward, leg steering both skis at same time, 60/40 pressure distribution, speed control with friction and turn shape, patience with a rounder turn. First blue slope (Springmeire), Colorado Super Chair. Terrific progress ladies, time to go play with the blue slopes on Peak 9.

Paola, Jose, Valery, Javier – Mexico City, Spain, Colombia. L1 to L3/4, wedge slides, wedge turns, matching in the traverse, more balance on outside ski, tipping inside ski to release, leg steering, bigger turns, don’t rush things, arms out for balance, look where you are going, turn to control speed, 5 runs down Rip’s Ride, lunch at the Living Room. Well done … from ‘never skied’ to skiing easy green with wedge turns and wedge christies. Enjoy your days in Breckenridge, come back some day!