Lucky Bums Ski Leashes

[vonski]

make your own

I took the straps off some ratchet straps then put the straps around his boots. By attaching to his boots you literally can steer them down the hill by putting some pressure on one boot or the other. With the shaped skis, it almost gets them parallel to start as he learned how the ski turns rather than doing the wedge. I saw on the site the system that attached to the boots. I was amazed at how well it worked with just the straps.

 

[drjeff]

Do you see ski instructor using a leash? Nope! Do you see parents trying to put their kids on terrain to advanced for them to early using these straps? Yes - 'nuff said

The only real "aid" you see instructors using with some regularity is an "edgie wedgie" (the short, rubber band like object that clamps on to the ski tips and helps form a wedge as the kids learn) Allowing a child to learn at a rate that is appropriate for them and on terrain that is appropriate for them (and not something more interesting for the parent) is paramount to their skill progression and enjoyment of a day on the slopes

 

[vonski]

Do you see ski instructor using a leash? Nope! Do you see parents trying to put their kids on terrain to advanced for them to early using these straps? Yes - 'nuff said

The only real "aid" you see instructors using with some regularity is an "edgie wedgie" (the short, rubber band like object that clamps on to the ski tips and helps form a wedge as the kids learn) Allowing a child to learn at a rate that is appropriate for them and on terrain that is appropriate for them (and not something more interesting for the parent) is paramount to their skill progression and enjoyment of a day on the slopes

So why do instructors still teach a wedge? The shaped skis don't like to wedge. And as I said by using the straps on my kids boots he skipped the wedge. He learned how the skis edged and quickly developed the muscle memory needed to do it on his own and hockey stop all at the age of 5. And this was all at Ski Sundown on the beginner side on Big Bend and Sensation. Enough Said! So, I said it. It works! He wasn't on advanced terrain for my pleasure! And instructors don't do it because there is not enough one on one lessons out there for 5 year olds. They just put them in groups unless you got a chunk of change to drop!

 

[ss20]

Do you see ski instructor using a leash? Nope! Do you see parents trying to put their kids on terrain to advanced for them to early using these straps? Yes - 'nuff said

The only real "aid" you see instructors using with some regularity is an "edgie wedgie" (the short, rubber band like object that clamps on to the ski tips and helps form a wedge as the kids learn) Allowing a child to learn at a rate that is appropriate for them and on terrain that is appropriate for them (and not something more interesting for the parent) is paramount to their skill progression and enjoyment of a day on the slopes

This is the most correct post in the history of AlpineZone. Well done sir!

 

[ss20]

So why do instructors still teach a wedge? The shaped skis don't like to wedge. And as I said by using the straps on my kids boots he skipped the wedge. He learned how the skis edged and quickly developed the muscle memory needed to do it on his own. And this was all at Ski Sundown on the beginner side on Big Bend and Sensation. Enough Said!

PSIA, and the "that's how I was taught" excuse.

 

[vonski]

PSIA, and the "that's how I was taught" excuse.

But technology has changed. Wedging is a pain. And this really did work! Like I said I was amazed at how he picked it up. and he is not some super athlete. Maybe PSIA should modernize.

 

[dlague]

I tethered my youngest at 2 and a half and he was doing pretty well at 3 and a half. It got him out there earlier than his brothers and today at his age seems to be doing better than they were at his age. I thinks after 3+ when they can take lessons, nor sure if it is needed IMO. Maybe help to lift onto the lift I guess.

 

[vonski]

I do agree that the harness on a kids back does nothing other than helping you lift them onto the lift, but the boot strap technique can help teach them the muscle memory needed.

 

[ss20]

But technology has changed. Wedging is a pain. And this really did work! Like I said I was amazed at how he picked it up. and he is not some super athlete. Maybe PSIA should modernize.

I'm with you. In my limited experience of teaching I've found that most 3 and some 4-year-olds don't have the strength to push out the rears of their skis to form the pizza...errrr...wedge. Edgie-Wedgies can't help that. If they can't wedge I'll get them turning, which 99% are able to do because it's easier.

 

[SnowDogWax]

Whatever gets them on the slopes... was a teacher for many years. Given the chance and the right instruction kids will amaze you.

 

[vonski]

I actually started him with a wedgie strap on the tips to form the wedge and the boot straps. It kinda worked, but by stroke of luck the wedgie fell off on the lift ride up. So, we had to try it with out the wedgie strap. And what do you know it made a world of difference. The skis edged and he was much happier. So we kept it off and he really took off after that. So trial and error!

 

[Savemeasammy]

Do you see ski instructor using a leash? Nope! Do you see parents trying to put their kids on terrain to advanced for them to early using these straps? Yes - 'nuff said

Skiing is more intuitive for some kids than others. My older boy was able to figure out how to turn almost immediately, but my younger struggled. The backpack leash thing worked well for him. It enabled him to ski the longer runs off the valley chair at pats - not difficult stuff, but certainly could be troublesome for someone without the ability to stop on command. It was important that he have fun so as to not give up. That was key. He was bored on the carpet, so having the leash allowed us to explore more terrain and keep him smiling.


Sent from my iPhone using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[dlague]

Do you see ski instructor using a leash? Nope! Do you see parents trying to put their kids on terrain to advanced for them to early using these straps? Yes - 'nuff said

The only real "aid" you see instructors using with some regularity is an "edgie wedgie" (the short, rubber band like object that clamps on to the ski tips and helps form a wedge as the kids learn) Allowing a child to learn at a rate that is appropriate for them and on terrain that is appropriate for them (and not something more interesting for the parent) is paramount to their skill progression and enjoyment of a day on the slopes

That is a pet peeve of mine! I hate seeing parents (generally dads) taking a kid down something super steep and the kid is freaking out and the two are becoming a human trail block. It is not so much that it is a pain in the ass for the other skiers (it is but), I get concerned for the safely of the child against someone who might be hard charging or even someone who may be out of control and hit the kid. I saw one where the kid was crying and the dad was telling him he could do this.

That wedge turn thing seems like it could create bad habits. I seem kids wedge turning all over Hurricane at Pats Peak.

 

[ss20]

That is a pet peeve of mine! I hate seeing parents (generally dads) taking a kid down something super steep and the kid is freaking out and the two are becoming a human trail block. It is not so much that it is a pain in the ass for the other skiers (it is but), I get concerned for the safely of the child against someone who might be hard charging or even someone who may be out of control and hit the kid. I saw one where the kid was crying and the dad was telling him he could do this.

That wedge turn thing seems like it could create bad habits. I seem kids wedge turning all over Hurricane at Pats Peak.

Kids wedge wayyyyy to much. After 5-8 days out its time to start teaching parallel skiing and weening them out of the wedge on the lower level trails. Or else you might find your son/daughter doing a God forsaken *shutters* power wedge *plays dramatic music*.

 

[Smellytele]

That is a pet peeve of mine! I hate seeing parents (generally dads) taking a kid down something super steep and the kid is freaking out and the two are becoming a human trail block. It is not so much that it is a pain in the ass for the other skiers (it is but), I get concerned for the safely of the child against someone who might be hard charging or even someone who may be out of control and hit the kid. I saw one where the kid was crying and the dad was telling him he could do this.

That wedge turn thing seems like it could create bad habits. I seem kids wedge turning all over Hurricane at Pats Peak.

Hurricane is where I see this a lot where dads are bringing kids down a trail that they shouldn't be on. With me it is the opposite my kids bring me down Hurricane!

 

[SkiFanE]

Kids wedge wayyyyy to much. After 5-8 days out its time to start teaching parallel skiing and weening them out of the wedge on the lower level trails. Or else you might find your son/daughter doing a God forsaken *shutters* power wedge *plays dramatic music*.

when I needed to "pizza" when teaching my kids - the stress on the knee was like nothing I've felt before. And I see SO many kids flying down steep trails in full out pizza wedge. Keeping up with family or Dad or whatever. All I think is "that's the future adult with major knee problems" - it has to be causing long term damage. It's usally not a real young kid - but 8-10yo. I wouldn't let my kids down steep trail until they could actually turn. These kids are a mess.

 

[ss20]

when I needed to "pizza" when teaching my kids - the stress on the knee was like nothing I've felt before. And I see SO many kids flying down steep trails in full out pizza wedge. Keeping up with family or Dad or whatever. All I think is "that's the future adult with major knee problems" - it has to be causing long term damage. It's usally not a real young kid - but 8-10yo. I wouldn't let my kids down steep trail until they could actually turn. These kids are a mess.

Yep- its hard to wedge. Forget about young kids, in instructor training it took me a few runs before I could really control the wedge shape I wanted.

 

[dlague]

when I needed to "pizza" when teaching my kids - the stress on the knee was like nothing I've felt before. And I see SO many kids flying down steep trails in full out pizza wedge. Keeping up with family or Dad or whatever. All I think is "that's the future adult with major knee problems" - it has to be causing long term damage. It's usally not a real young kid - but 8-10yo. I wouldn't let my kids down steep trail until they could actually turn. These kids are a mess.

and it is like a flailing wedge with ski moving all over the place at high speeds.

 

[steamboat1]

I still wedge frequently with a slow skier on a narrow trail in front of me. Basic skill.

 

[Smellytele]

I still wedge frequently with a slow skier on a narrow trail in front of me. Basic skill.

Same here - yes a needed skill