Any other newbie downhill skiers out there?

[David Metsky]

I've thought about it, since it would bring my level back down closer to hers, but the non-release bindings make me nervous.

There are several types of releaseable bindings. I use the Voile CRB Hardwires myself. Don't let that hold you back.

 

[cbcbd]

tele

...And now you can find some awesome deals on tele boots:
http://www.ems.com/catalog/subcateg...T<>prd_id=845524442591321&bmUID=1202147693572

I am so close to jumping on some syner-gs and getting over the gear hump into tele.

Plus, you don't have to give up on alpine. You can do tele some days, alpine others - that's how my buddy is slowly getting into tele - on the days you stick to the groomers he goes tele, on the powder in the trees days he reverts to alpine, it's all good.

 

[TCD]

Free the heel and "something" will follow! (variably "the mind", "the butt", you name it)

On the tele topic (continuing the very mild hijack):

Look on ebay for your tele boots. I picked up my brand new T1s for $300.00.

I've been on tele exclusively for about 15 years now, patrolling at Gore. I get about 30 days a year (18 patrol, and then some other skiing). I haven't felt like I needed releasable bindings. I dabbled with them for a year or so at the start, but found them annoying. The technology was not nearly as good as the alpine release technology; it was more of the "Cubco Skidder" era technology. Lots of prerelease, plus they really cut down on the feel of the ski. Remember, you already have upward release at the heel; and the ability of the ski to rotate your leg is greatly reduced by the "one point" attachment. Caveat: YMMV, always ski carefully!

Back on topic:

Yes to lessons, at any level!

Also, I don't know if you have already bought gear, but it pays to rent until you know what you want for ski length, shape, etc. Also, it really does not pay to use cast off equipment. It's rarely right for you; and technology is improving fast. If using cast off alpine gear, make sure a shop can certify the bindings to be safe.

Have fun sliding!

TCD

 

[David Metsky]

Lots of prerelease, plus they really cut down on the feel of the ski.

They've gotten much better. I haven't had a single pre-release and they feel exactly the same as my non-releaseable hardwires. And when they have released I've been very happy.

 

[una_dogger]

I'd suggest, depending upon where you live, checking out Blue Hills, Nashoba, Ski Ward, or Bradford...they're tiny, but they're also rather affordable.

I live five minutes from Nashoba, but its really not cheap. Its the same price as Wachusett, which has way more runs. I am beyond the short runs at Nashoba, what are they, like 500 feet long? That's like the learning area at Wachusett, which I am beyond. Its really not worth the lift ticket and rental for me.


Dave, funny you should mention tele skiing -- that would be my ultimate goal. Actually, heli skiing down some amazing backcountry trail in Aspen would be fun...can you tell we have been watching ski porn? Hi Def, all fourty eight inches of it.....

Neil, so true! I am such an endurance junkie, I am not handling the pain that goes along with adjusting to an isometric/anaerobic sport like skiing! I am used to having plenty of O2 to carry that lactic acid away. I consider myself fairly athletic (cough) and I am really impressed with the amount of quad and hip flexor strength required in skiing downhill...I can't imagine the learning curve for a sedentary person!

In terms of lessons, I am all for them. But for right now, I am making nice turns, and skiing in control, not snowplowing. I need to focus on isometric strength -- once I can ski greens comfortably all day without having to take two or three lactic acid removal breaks on a run, I will take another lesson. But for right now, I do not think my lesson money will be well spent until I get beyond the cramping phase. I had an EXCELLENT private lesson at Wachusett that put me at level 4 on my beginners scorecard, that was my first time on down hill skiis. I had a group lesson at Waterville after that taught me some new skills for getting out of tricky spots without taking off the skiis and walking.

I am hoping that I am a natural like MichaelJ, and will advance fairly quickly. As someone who rode horses for many years -- good form is something that I am no stranger to. I do not want to develop bad habits and am acutely aware of my posture, body awareness, etc etc. Don't want to cement bad habits, so more lessons will be in my future.

So, this has been a great discussion! But ...I'm still looking for someone to cruise the greens with!!!

 

[DougPaul]

Drop the training heels and go telemark. You know you want to.

So easy, even this gimp can do it...

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

There are several types of releaseable bindings. I use the Voile CRB Hardwires myself. Don't let that hold you back.

I recently picked up a pair of CRB Hardwires too. No complaints so far (except that they are a bit heavy).

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

Nashoba is Westford is a great place to get in a few hours of weeknight (or weekday) skiing, for anyone living in the western 'burbs of Boston. It also has one of the better slopeside restaurants/bars, which overlooks most of the terrain - non-skiers actually go there. Both the restaurant and the slopes are zooey, however, on those kid race nights, so call ahead.

Just got back from Nashoba (a 15 min drive for me) less than an hour ago. (My 4th day of lift served Tele this year.) It was fine until the kids arrived in force ~3pm.

EDIT: the runs are short, but I accumulated ~10K vertical feet. Also good if you are out of shape--you can rest on the lift.

BTW, I like to hit the inexpensive local areas (Nashoba, Wachusett) or the 2fers (eg Sunapee) on weekdays, if anyone is interested in joining me.

Doug

 

[cushetunk]

If tele is the ultimate goal, why not just start learning tele now? That's what I did... I've never skied except with a free heel. Since you're spending a bunch of time and money learning now anyway, you might as well get all the falling done with at once, rather than in two learning stages.

And maybe the up-down motion will keep that lactic acid from building up.

 

[rocket21]

I live five minutes from Nashoba, but its really not cheap. Its the same price as Wachusett, which has way more runs. I am beyond the short runs at Nashoba, what are they, like 500 feet long? That's like the learning area at Wachusett, which I am beyond. Its really not worth the lift ticket and rental for me.

I think the rentals are the same price, but the night tickets are another story...
4hrs @ Wawa = $36
5hrs @ Nashoba = $27

There's just as much variety at Nashoba as at Wachusett...the runs are closer to maybe 1,500-2,500 feet long vs. Wachusett, where they go upwards of a mile long.

I live a few minutes from an area similar to Nashoba (actually, a bit smaller at night) - King Pine - it's great for doing laps at night to work on your skills.

 

[Amicus]

I live a few minutes from an area similar to Nashoba (actually, a bit smaller at night) - King Pine - it's great for doing laps at night to work on your skills.

E. Madison's KP rocks! It is the only downhill area I can ski to, on my garden-varierty waxless XCs, without ever having to take them off, and I've skied thousands of runs there since '89. Of course, that's not the same as thousands at Wildcat or even Wachusett, but small can be beautiful.

I gauge runs by vertical drop, and KP, at around 340', significantly exceeds Nashoba's c. 220'. ALso, KP has two legitimate Double Diamonds - Pitch Pine and Pine Brulee - that would challenge all but the truly expert. There is nothing remotely comparable at Nashoba. That said, I know of some really good skiers - possibly better even than MichaelJ - who don't disdain Nashoba, esp. for weeknights when it is the only real option for people who live in that vicinity. You can work on carving your turns, and once you're really doing that (which is not an easy skill for at least some of us to acquire), the stress on your quads will diminish a lot. If I had a whole day, though, I'd go with Wachusett, even though it's 30 minutes farther away.

 

[rocket21]

E. Madison's KP rocks! It is the only downhill area I can ski to, on my garden-varierty waxless XCs, without ever having to take them off, and I've skied thousands of runs there since '89. Of course, that's not the same as thousands at Wildcat or even Wachusett, but small can be beautiful.

I gauge runs by vertical drop, and KP, at around 340', significantly exceeds Nashoba's c. 220'. ALso, KP has two legitimate Double Diamonds - Pitch Pine and Pine Brulee - that would challenge all but the truly expert. There is nothing remotely comparable at Nashoba. That said, I know of some really good skiers - possibly better even than MichaelJ - who don't disdain Nashoba, esp. for weeknights when it is the only real option for people who live in that vicinity. You can work on carving your turns, and once you're really doing that (which is not an easy skill for at least some of us to acquire), the stress on your quads will diminish a lot. If I had a whole day, though, I'd go with Wachusett, even though it's 30 minutes farther away.

Agreed, I couldn't see skiing a full day at Nashoba (heck, the only time I skied Wawa, I left after 45 minutes due to boredom) - but if I end up in the Boston area some day, I could see giving it a try. Hit up Blue Hills last week - nice little area I could see doing after work as well. If you ever see me doing laps under the bigger triple some night, don't be afraid to throw a ski pole at me!

 

[una_dogger]

Ok, I shouldn't knock Nashoba too much, just a little more . Maybe I will give it a try next season when I own my own skiis. Just can't see renting and paying for a lift ticket for such a limited area-- definatley close, less than 5 miles away -- but when I look at the dwindling patches of snow in our backyard, I have to ask, how good can the snow be at Nashoba right now??

 

[DougPaul]

but when I look at the dwindling patches of snow in our backyard, I have to ask, how good can the snow be at Nashoba right now??

Actually, it wasn't too bad today considering that the temp reached 39F. An inch or two of heavyish corn over a hard/icy base. A number of the runs were fine earier in the day, but later some of them got a bit lumpy and picked up a few bare spots as the corn got pushed around. There is plenty of base depth.

Unlike your yard, they do have snowmaking and grooming...

Doug

 

[prino]

Free the Heels

Telemarking backwards

 

[MichaelJ]

Oh. Oh my. Oh my my my! Sweet, dude.

I watched a telemarker skiing backwards turns down the Bear side of Attitash a few years ago. It was remarkable. This video put even that to shame.

Still, I'm not freeing my heel yet. Later, but not yet. And clearly I need to get to Tremblant!

 

[Maddy]

I

Actually, heli skiing down some amazing backcountry trail in Aspen would be fun...can you tell we have been watching ski porn? Hi Def, all fourty eight inches of it.....

UD...I have one for you....
I used to ski with two tele skiers up North who would tele down any "extreme" slope they could find in the woods long before skiing off piste became "fashionable". (I was never in their league.)
Eventually they went heli and snowcat skiing in Banff. Someone (I think it was a guide) skied himself right into a grizzly den. No real excitement 'cause the bear didn't move much.
Ever onward...and upward!
One fine winter day, they found themselves here!
http://www.ultimate-ski.com/uk/Ski_Resorts/France/La_Grave/index.html


They skied with packs carrying all the gear. Ice axes, crampons, avalanche transceivers, ropes, etc. etc. etc.
And to think some of the male skiers didn't want Miss Liz in their group at Banff. From the description I received, everything else they had ever skied paled by comparison.
I bet in a few years and a little practice, you could tackle this one.
I very much look forward to the trip report. Perhaps some other VFTT skiers might be interested.
I hear the Haute Route is a great ski also on tele boards!
It all has to start somewhere.
Keep on "shredding"!

 

[AMF]

Telemarking backwards

Now THAT was something I'd never seen before... pretty amazing. Makes my knees hurt to watch it, though!

 

[DougPaul]

I've thought about it, since it would bring my level back down closer to hers, but the non-release bindings make me nervous.

The Telemark Sking Injury website http://faculty.washington.edu/mtuggy/telepag1.htm has some statistics on injury rates with and without releasable bindings:

Releasable bindings were used by 11.8% of the skiers, and these skiers had 11% knee injuries in the study groups. The survival analysis shows a definite trend to lower injury rates with the releasable bindings, though it is not statistically significant (but very close). It seems probable with a larger data set that it would be significant since this trend has been consistant.

So, while it appears that there is likely to be a safety advantage, it appears to be pretty small. (And there is still the question of whether the use of releasable bindings or not correlates with skier behavior.)

The entire study is worth a read for any Tele skiers. (For instance, the info on the mechanism of MCL/ACL injuries suggested to me that it would be safer skiing with the cant lock* on the boot turned off.)

* The cant lock forces the boot to lean slightly forward.

FWIW, my injury (broken femur) occurred with Rotefella Super Tele (3-pin) bindings on BC skis and Snowfield II (leather over-the-ankle) boots. I had always assumed that if you torqued a 3-pin binding hard, the boot would pull out--guess not this time.** Anyhow, switching to releasable Tele bindings seem prudent, post-accident.

** My best guess of the event sequence was:
1) a blowdown caused the ski tips to cross
2) the bottom ski tip is driven under the other ski, twisting the leg

Doug

 

[rocket21]

Ok, I shouldn't knock Nashoba too much, just a little more . Maybe I will give it a try next season when I own my own skiis. Just can't see renting and paying for a lift ticket for such a limited area-- definatley close, less than 5 miles away -- but when I look at the dwindling patches of snow in our backyard, I have to ask, how good can the snow be at Nashoba right now??

I know it's a certain phobia of sorts - I saw that type of thinking especially when I used to teach alpine skiing - but it's okay to ski a small ski area Nashoba's lifts (other than not having detachables), snowmaking, and grooming are comparable to Wachusett. You're really not getting a limited area - you're getting just as much variety, just in smaller bursts. It really works wonders, both in terms of development and savings, to practice and learn at smaller areas - then when you get to go up north, you can enjoy it that much more!