WP Prez wknd

[Barb]

Saturday the lift lines were insane because a lot of lifts were closed due to high winds. By my 4th run the line took 30 min. Sunday was much better crowd wise since most of the lifts were open again. But lines started to get long about 10:30ish.

 

I have a question that I am sure some of you can answer. I am sure my skiing form leaves a lot to be desired but my upper quads are getting sore way way too quickly. I wanted to stay out longer yesterdy but the legs were just fried. Any suggestions? Am I not leaning forward enough in my boots.

[Johnny Law]

Are you pressing the tongues ?

 

A natural reaction to feeling uncomfortable is to tail gun, everyone and their brother does this, shit WC racers will occasionally revert back to this coping technique but by simple physics it requires more effort then to get the tips around.

[Barb]

Gss is right (did I just say that), I know that is part of the problem. And johnnylaw I don't know what it means to tail gun. Explain.

[tarponhead]

Gss is right (did I just say that), I know that is part of the problem. And johnnylaw I don't know what it means to tail gun. Explain.

You may be in the backseat, meaning your not forward and pressuring the boot tongues with your shins. (I never saw u ski and I'm no pro so take it for what it's worth)

 

When standing still in your gear, try leaning forward and pressure the boot tongues for half a minute or so. Should feel easy and very little energy involved. Almost restful. Next, stand tall then lean back a little for the same amount of time. Quads should feel a little burn and notice it takes more "effort" to maintain the backseat position. Plus coupled with all the extra effort to turn skis from the backseat leads to getting tired quicker.

Edited February 18, 2014 by tarponhead

[indiggio]

Definitely what the guys are saying, you're still fighting the mountain. Fear of speed, steep, whatever is the biggest cause of this, with the lack of experience thrown in.

 

Learn to attack the mountain, don't react to it. See where you want to go and ignore what's under your feet (look further down the mountain).

Your brain will remember what you see up ahead. Don't be looking down at your ski tips, you shouldn't see them in your field of view at all.

 

Eventually, with more experience, your moves will become effortless, you'll surf the mountain and flow with the snow.

Skiing will become very effortless and you won't be near as wiped out after a day, unless you're skiing the bumps! :-)

 

When waiting in the lift lines, learn to lean on your boot tongues to get the feeling of leaning forward, then bend at the knees to put yourself into a stacked position.

Edited February 18, 2014 by indiggio

[Barb]

Thanks guys!

[Johnny Law]

The way to learn how to up your speed when your beyond about 10 years old is to ski the slow line fast.

 

So on every trail there is a fast line and a slow line. Let your inner beast out and ski that slow line with big ripping arcs, attack attack attack.

 

Skiing is a dance, the mountain always leads, the trail is the song, if you let go of the fear you can hear that song and the pace at which you ski the trail flows naturally.

 

That sounds all new age hippy bs but I swear it's true.

[Rex Goliath]

Barb, obviously fitness and strength are a big part of it as the guys say. Sitting back and being tense about the run you are on being over your ability can do it for sure. Everything said here is the truth--though I'm not so sure of the fast line/slow line theory!

 

One thing to consider though is that you may need an evaluation of your stance on the snow. This is especially important with the new shaped skis. If you don't have a flat ski on the snow when in the relaxed position the ski will naturally try to turn on its own. If you are bow legged or knock kneed you must use your quads ALL THE TIME to keep the ski flat on the snow just to go in a straight line. The muscles never get to relax and recover. A competent boot fitter can do this and help set you up properly. I'm sure there are plenty in the Denver/summit county/winter park area. Getting the skis tuned to the proper bevel angle for the ski to adjust the bite angle of the edges might help too.

 

Cheers!