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Will I die - old ski content

48 posts & 15 voices | Started 5 months ago by benz | Latest reply from Bunnyhop

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FunkyDunc - Member

"The newer skis need a different style of sking. The old straighter, longer skis were the type that you could 'jump' parallel turn, the newer parabolic type need to stay firmly on the ground, so are edged round, with both skis having contact on the snow. However on the steeps and deeps, I still jump them round slightly."

You used to ski very badly then, as it has always been possible to carve skis and you can only do that keeping them on the ground. You are also using the wrong technique off piste today, unless your talking about skiing slopes 50 degrees or so plus...

All that modern skis have done has made it easier for avergae skiers to carve turns, as the ski does most of the work for you. Older skis required you to drive the ski a bit more and think about it.

Posted 5 months ago #
bazzer - Member

You used to ski very badly then, as it has always been possible to carve skis and you can only do that keeping them on the ground. You are also using the wrong technique off piste today, unless your talking about skiing slopes 50 degrees or so plus...

You do have a way with words FD

But you are right basically these days if you put a modern ski on its edge and stand on it, it will turn. You don't really need to drive the ski so hard into reverse camber to make the ski form an arc, the sidecut provides the arc.

Edited to add

But this is a good thing as more people can have fun

Posted 5 months ago #
Gee-Jay - Member

All that modern skis have done has made it easier for avergae skiers to carve turns, as the ski does most of the work for you. Older skis required you to drive the ski a bit more and think about it.

Certainly agree with this bit, took me ages to learn to carve properly with old skiis, now everybody can do it... Oh well back to good I used to be

Posted 5 months ago #
vinnyeh - Member

Way back in the day we had the had the attitude that skis were penis extensions- the longer the better, even if you couldn't use them properly.

I've still got a set of 207cm Volkl P10 RS's with Derbyflex plates up in the loft, reminder of good times, but I reckon I'd be broken in a day if I had to ski them now.

Posted 5 months ago #
benz - Member

No, no, no.....the Volkl's I have are parabolics...just quite old (2004-ish) and not in the current slightly wider flavour.

However not as old at the 80's flouo Renntiger R's with S747 Equipe bindings which also nestle in the garage loft.....

The yellow Nevica one piece with pink and purple panels I believe is still in my parents loft. No wonder my mates called me 'Banana Man'...which was being very charitable.

Posted 5 months ago #
FunkyDunc - Member

"You do have a way with words FD"

Only offering some critical coaching advice . Apparently I am a very good ski instructor in the real world

Ok here goes a nicey nicey 'correct' technique explantion for off piste.

If its nice snow all you do is start by putting the skis on an edge turn almost like you do on piste, no leaning back, no leaning forward excessively just neutral, no heavy pressure etc.

After a couples of turns and a bit of momentum, you will naturaly start to bend the ski in to reverse camber through the turn and as you come out of the turn as you un weight naturally the ski will naturally return to the natural inverse camber. All this releases stored energy in the ski and you and unweights you making it easy to transfer your weight in to the next turn.

People watching this think that the person is 'jumping' up, they are not they are just using the energy in the ski. When you jump you have to exert pressure downwards and in powder all that does is push you deeper in the snow, uses more energy, and makes it difficult to switch from edge to edge...

Posted 5 months ago #
bazzer - Member

FD the rebound from the ski is how I feel when I ski on piste. The ski almost tells me its loaded up and its time to turn. I love that feeling of being popped into the next turn with the energy in the ski.

I find it harder to get that feeling off piste, it does come sometimes.

Are you teaching anywhere this year ?

Edited to ask what sort of width stance would you suggest when off piste ?

On piste I tend to be hip width, rather than old school ankles welded together. I have been trying to narrow my stance off piste is this correct ?

Posted 5 months ago #
gravity-slave - Member

Way back in the day we had the had the attitude that skis were penis extensions- the longer the better

Yup - use to stand my 205's on the toe of our boots in the cablecars to look badass!

It's funny - I ski a 179cm, 90mm underfoot. Riding the cable car up the Grand Montet it felt short and skinny - weeks later in Zermat they felt massive as everyone was on little piste twiddlers.

I have been trying to narrow my stance off piste is this correct?

I'd go hip width or wider, you've got more chance of tripping over yourself in deep powder, go for the planted approach more like below (face optional)

Posted 5 months ago #
FunkyDunc - Member

"On piste I tend to be hip width, rather than old school ankles welded together."

Old school was never ankles welded together, that was just an intermediates idea of what looked good. Hip width (what feels comfortable) is about right for on or off piste. Too close makes it difficult to distribute weight evenly and balance, too far apart and you will not be able to control the tips.

The biggest mistake a lot of people make skiing off piste is trying too hard. Try not to think about it too much and before you know it you are doing it naturally.

Posted 5 months ago #
CaptainFlashheart - Member

ankles welded together

Still love seeing les vieux Francais rocking that look as they barrel along in a faded onesy!

Posted 5 months ago #
Woody - Member

Only just swapped the bindings from my Salomon Force9 3s (1998 vintage) onto my new Scott Aztec Pro's. TBH if it's icy, or in the bumps, I think they would be hard to beat and I still miss my dear departed Force9 2s (bloody baggage handlers) which were fantastic everywhere.

I've also got a pair of Head S75 which I keep for Scotland and Weardale and they are nowhere near as stable at speed as the old planks. They are much easier to use though,

Posted 5 months ago #
higgo - Member

I've got some Salomon Axendo 9s in my past (and cellar).

They haven't been used in anger since 2002 but on a well-groomed piste they are fast as stink.

Posted 5 months ago #
Bunnyhop - Member

You used to ski very badly then,
Hee hee, you must have met me on the piste. Also still badly

Have had many, many lessons, so hopefully improved over the years.
Yes was talking about steep off piste for the jump turns. As CFH says ^^ I still see skiers with ankles glued together the French way.

Posted 5 months ago #

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