OK...this thread took an unexpected, and somewhat unpleasant, turn.
Any hope that we can avoid the classic call outs that pervade these types of forums? The 'oh yeah, where's your video' and the 'come ski with me an I'll humiliate you and your whole teaching system' type taunts have wrecked so many other outlets of ski cyberdom. I like posting here because it's a small community--many of the folks here have skied together (not me, but I'd like to change that).
I'll put my cards on the table--I'm a half-way covenant PMTSer...I was was all in up to Expert Skier 2, but never quite got on board with the new 'Essential of Skiing' direction. And, what is more, I'm 'half-way' because I, too, like to ski the sort of terrain here in the Northeast that Bushwacka refers too (constantly).
I like that Josh pops in once in awhile to put up a perspective that counters the sometime over-dominant PMTS approach-I like that JB and Max are consistent, focused and knowledgeable about skiing, equipment, etc.
I know Jbotti-Max are good skiers, I know Bush is a good skier, but you know what, I bet you EVERYONE who posts here is a better than average skier at worst. So c'mon guys, argue with passion but not venom (I know I am hereby resolved to be the height of civility-it's a small pond over here, no need to splash the other swimmers!).
In truth, I posted up the Section 8 stuff because I think it sits somewhere between the Bushwacka and the PMTS model of expert skiing and reflects a model the rest of us can pursue. I really am impressed with the direction of skiing I've seen from recent level 4 CSIA videos (I'm going to start another thread in a few minutes)-I'm wondering who has had lessons or camps or experience with this level of CSIA instructor (or Tobin from Section

. What is the base line learning plan? Do they have a process that yields a JF Beaulieu-or, is their methodology somewhat divorced from what they purport is their end product.
Getting back on track!
Liam