What Is Your Worst Skiing Habit?

[snowmonster]

Spend some time at Killington again and we'll whip you into shape.

You're right. I miss the Institution. Last time I was there was on the last day of the season and there was an impromptu funeral at Killington Peak. You were there, right?

 

[Abubob]

I never pack a lunch and pay too much at the area. Then I pay $6 for a beer. Its awful.

 

[Bene288]

I sometimes let my poles wander to my sides.

Oh well

 

[crank]

Couple of guys mentioned dropping hands back in bumps...someone said dropping left hand back. My worst habit used to be dropping my left shoulder back, along with it's attached arm and hand, in bumps. Never even realized it until skiing with ski220 one day and he said to me, "you drop your left shoulder back in the bumps." I paid some attention to it, saw he was right, managed to fix it after a few years of trying. Now I ski bumps just fine but am so old that I can only manage like one bump run a day.

My current worst habit is banking in turns but I like doing it so will continue as long as it doesn't make me fall.

 

[Black Phantom]

You're right. I miss the Institution. Last time I was there was on the last day of the season and there was an impromptu funeral at Killington Peak. You were there, right?

Who wasn't?:flag:

 

[mister moose]

You were there, right?

<----------- See Avitar. Who's on the right?

 

[Philpug]

For the back seat skiers, it might have as much to do with equipment as it does with technique. Your boots could be too stiff for the flex in your ankles, the stance of the boot might have too ugh forward lean, the delta and ramp could be off. There are a lot of ways that your equipment could be contributing to your problem.

 

[St. Bear]

For the back seat skiers, it might have as much to do with equipment as it does with technique. Your boots could be too stiff for the flex in your ankles, the stance of the boot might have too ugh forward lean, the delta and ramp could be off. There are a lot of ways that your equipment could be contributing to your problem.

So if I buy new skiis and boots, I'll be a better skier?

What the hell have I been wasting my time practicing for? The answer is so simple.

 

[C-Rex]

Probably too many safety meetings

This. And letting "a beer at lunch" turn into 3 beers and a shot.

 

[hammer]

For the back seat skiers, it might have as much to do with equipment as it does with technique. Your boots could be too stiff for the flex in your ankles, the stance of the boot might have too ugh forward lean, the delta and ramp could be off. There are a lot of ways that your equipment could be contributing to your problem.

So if I buy new skiis and boots, I'll be a better skier?

What the hell have I been wasting my time practicing for? The answer is so simple.

I don't think that Philpug's post implied that getting better gear makes you better.

I'd have to agree that better gear for you can make it easier to improve.

From a person who is on new gear this season...the new boots have a more upright stance which allows me to ski taller and, if I make the effort, makes it easier for me to get out of the back seat. The new skis seem to have a smaller sweet spot which makes it more of a challenge to carve instead of skid, but once I carve they are more stable and better suited for my weight.

The biggest change I saw was when I first had boots fitted several years ago...with boots two sizes too big I was struggling for control (and had sore feet from cranking down the buckles).

 

[gmcunni]

i have many bad habits. the one that bugs me lately is overloading my outside ski and not using the inside one. i've had this problem for a very long time but recently been trying to work on it.

my other significant bad habit is living in CT with a wife who doesn't ski.

 

[Skimaine]

i have many bad habits. the one that bugs me lately is overloading my outside ski and not using the inside one. i've had this problem for a very long time but recently been trying to work on it.

This. Working hard to break this habit.

 

[Black Phantom]

So if I buy new skiis and boots, I'll be a better skier?

What the hell have I been wasting my time practicing for? The answer is so simple.

No. You need to actually go out and ski.

 

[St. Bear]

This. Working hard to break this habit.

Interesting. If anything, I think I'm the opposite, and have 99% of my weight on my inside leg.

 

[St. Bear]

No. You need to actually go out and ski.

Didn't you read the post?

 

[SIKSKIER]

My worst habit is wearing that much too short nuns outfit.

 

[bdfreetuna]

My worst habit is always pushing myself just slightly beyond my abilities. But I don't consider this a bad habit really, that's how you get better.. but then again this does have some bad consequences.

This has led to a dislocated shoulder so far this year... and also a helmet that has flown off my head with the goggles and like 1000 feet down the mountain into a ravine ($250 down the drain)

 

[MadMadWorld]

You know, while that may not be the answer for everything, it certainly was the problem in my case. I was skiing Risky Business at the River years back, and struggling on packed powder (real packed powder). Something had to be up, I knew I was a better skier. Doing my best to keep my shins against the front of the boot, proper stance, etc. Reviewing all the lessons, etc.... Nothing working. Frustrating. About that time, I read about Greg's trip to a boot fitter.

I went to Jeff Bokum, boot fitter, and instant improvement. I had boots that were 2 sizes too big for me, and old limber skis. Next year, new stiff skis, even more improvement. Accidentally broke my poles at a mid station, so I got new poles. Nah, no improvement there.....

This is 100% true. Your boots are the most important piece of equipment. I have done demos of lots of great skis but nothing improve your stance and balance like a well fitted boot. That doesn't even mean the most expensive (in fact the ones I use now are nowhere near top of the line). A boot should meet two requirements......1. Is the boot the right fit for your feet? Too often people buy boots based on shoe size (worst idea!), don't test the ski boot on both feet, or try on boots with socks you will never wear skiing. 2. Does the stiffness of your boot match your skiing style? A racing boot for someone that is going to ski bumps and trees is going to make skiing miserable. The point of this long winded rant is that, yes, equipment can be huge factor in someone skiing ability and their potential to improve.

 

[Black Phantom]

This is 100% true. Your boots are the most important piece of equipment. I have done demos of lots of great skis but nothing improve your stance and balance like a well fitted boot. That doesn't even mean the most expensive (in fact the ones I use now are nowhere near top of the line). A boot should meet two requirements......1. Is the boot the right fit for your feet? Too often people buy boots based on shoe size (worst idea!), don't test the ski boot on both feet, or try on boots with socks you will never wear skiing. 2. Does the stiffness of your boot match your skiing style? A racing boot for someone that is going to ski bumps and trees is going to make skiing miserable. The point of this long winded rant is that, yes, equipment can be huge factor in someone skiing ability and their potential to improve.

That is about as far off base as you could get.

 

[snowmonster]

<----------- See Avitar. Who's on the right?

Nice! You're making me miss the Big K. That was a fun day!

Great to know I've been bending too far at the waist even then.