Skiing Technique / Photo Critique Thread

[Greg]

Let's use this thread to post photos of yourself skiing and allow other members the opportunity to critique your form and provide suggestions. There are a lot of members here like JimG. that have an instruction background, or simply many years of experience on the hill. I'm always up for a solid critique so I'll start:

Bumps at Loon






Fire away!

 

[dmc]

You need to be more stacked...

A problem i have in the bumps as well..

 

[Greg]

You need to be more stacked...

Explain...

 

[dmc]

You need to be more stacked...

Explain...

Hips and shoulders over the down hill foot..

 

[Greg]

Hips and shoulders over the down hill foot..

Gotcha. Staying forward is a constant battle for me. I probably improved in that regard more last season than any other though. I had a breakthrough point where it became more comfortable to 'throw' myself over my skis versus back seat driving, especially on the steeper stuff. I still float backwards though as I become tired.

 

[smootharc]

Back in '75 I told....

.....Suzi Chapstick she needed to be more stacked....and I got smacked.

Since then, I've learned to keep my comments to myself so I'm butting out here. But kudos for putting it on the line.

I'm getting some lessons this year for the first time since getting shaped skis....curious about the differences between who I THINK I am as a skier, and who I actually am. They can't be all that different, can they ? Uh-oh....

 

[JimG.]

You need to be more stacked...

Explain...

Hips and shoulders over the down hill foot..

Yup...keeping your hands held higher and in front of you will help that. Think about standing up tall and avoiding having your butt in the backseat.

My biggest weakness is letting my head drop which also leads to this problem. So, I have to think about keeping my chin up. I go so far as to put my goggles under my chin so that I CAN'T look down.

 

[dmc]

My biggest weakness is letting my head drop which also leads to this problem. So, I have to think about keeping my chin up. I go so far as to put my goggles under my chin so that I CAN'T look down.

Me too...
Bump skiing is so much easier when you look 5 or 6 bumps ahead..
It makes you more proactive and less reactive...

 

[Greg]

It makes you more proactive and less reactive...

Yeah, but in the same sense, you're "reacting" to the terrain as you ski it, based on the mental snapshot you took 4 turns before. I love that part of skiing bumps; it's as much mental as it is physical.

 

[Brettski]

5 or 6?

I was told 3....

1: the poll plant for right in front of you
2: Get the other poll ready to reach for the next one, and
3: Getting enough time to decide where to go when you're finished with #1.

I couldn't do 6

 

[dmc]

It makes you more proactive and less reactive...

Yeah, but in the same sense, you're "reacting" to the terrain as you ski it, based on the mental snapshot you took 4 turns before. I love that part of skiing bumps; it's as much mental as it is physical.

Difference is..
Your reacting to something you've seen... And not "Stevie Wonder" skiing...

Understanding where the line is going is important...
Helps you setup you turns in advance...

 

[JimG.]

5 or 6?

I was told 3....

1: the poll plant for right in front of you
2: Get the other poll ready to reach for the next one, and
3: Getting enough time to decide where to go when you're finished with #1.

I couldn't do 6

Yes you can...pro bumpers focus on a point at the BOTTOM of the run and normally see roughly 10 bumps in advance.

This really isn't a matter of numbers, it's the physical reality of keeping your chin up and looking down the fall line, not looking down at your tips.

So, think of it that way instead.

 

[Sky]

Re: Back in '75 I told....

I'm getting some lessons this year for the first time since getting shaped skis....curious about the differences between who I THINK I am as a skier, and who I actually am. They can't be all that different, can they ? Uh-oh....

*applause*

I didn't take a lesson last year for the first time in three years. Wachusett makes it very simple to take lessons. I buy a book of Group Lessons, 5 lessons for $59. No one at level 6 or higher (of 9 levels?) takes group lessons...so I get private lessons for a fraction of the price. I ALWAYS tip the instructor. I've had instructors hang with me after the lesson just to free ski a bit. What a confidence builder/ego trip.

Also...I bought and read (constantly re-read) "The All Mountain Skier" for tips on how to improve. Great tips, excellent drills to practice...a cheap way to enhance your understanding of the sport.

Too true about "what we think vs what we are".

Greg...gutsy move posting photos of your skiing. *more applause* Although this forum is certainly NOT the Adirondacks forum. *smirk* I'd like to see video of my skiing. Haven't won Megabucks yet to get that critique.

 

[Brettski]

That reminds me....I gotta fire up the old Sony 8mm

 

[bvibert]

Good thread idea Greg, if I'm daring enough I'll post a pic or two of me, maybe even some video, a little later...

 

[tree_skier]

you are too compact in the trough where you should be tall.

Think of a string from the top of the run to the bottom at head height. You want your head to be at string level the entire run. Thus extend into the trough and compact coming up the bump.

This is one area that most strugle with.

 

[skibum1321]

Going with what tree skier said, you can't absorb the bumps as well unless you straighten up in the troughs. Try to keep your upper body quiet except for your poles, which need to be more in front of you. I see your one pole dropping back. It looks like you're trying to turn too much rather than absorb the bumps.

 

[bvibert]

Let me preface this by saying that I know my form sucks, try not to be too harsh

I couldn't find too many action shots of me, I think I ski better than these two shots indicate, but probably not...


(Click for a larger version)


(Click for a larger version)

And here is a short video so you can really rip me apart...

http://bvibert.com/gallery/albums/Loon041005/P4100059.mov

 

[noski]

The only pic I have of me with skis is riding down (yes, down) the lift. If you think skiing takes guts, let me tell you that you have to be really secure in yourself as a person to do that!

 

[Greg]

Let me preface this by saying that I know my form sucks, try not to be too harsh

Not at all. I recall from skiing with you that you are actually very graceful. I'll let the "pros" reply based on the pics posted above though...

One pic that truly illustrates your gracefulness is this one which you seemed to have inadvertantly left out:



In fact, that display of super-human skill and incredible technique was shot shortly after the second pic you posted above. I still don't think that move could ever be replicated again... :beer: