realskiers

I certainly didn't mean to belittle technique in my post.? Rather, I realized that my current SMIM and runner-up lay outside the area of technique.? Ron's comment resonated with my personal situation.

By best estimate, I put in over 200 hours on drills last season.? Thanks, Jbotti, for elsewhere emphasizing time and again how big that pays off.? At my last camp, I earned a "wicked angles" from Rich and two high fives from D., who's the most technically precise instructor I've ever met and who I'll be doing the privates with in February.? This week, it was finally cool and dry enough to get out carving on black snow which was a thrill, so I haven't forsaken technique.? I've just reached a point where I have to focus on other issues too, such as releasing on steeper terrain as willingly as I do when laying them over on moderate terrain ( fear, plain and simple. )

Following up on Jim's comment, my best turns by far last season were when I saw a nasty multi-party collision a few hundred yards ahead and my mind was focused entirely on getting down there to help.? I was really pleased with what my muscle memory auto-pilot accomplished? ? I'm looking forward to refreshing or topping off my muscle memory at a ski camp in December at A-Basin to start the season off with a bang ... even if it is a few months after those lucky guys, Ron and Gary, started their seasons.