Thanks, Jim.
Yeah Jbotti, I guess that's about right. And of course, for those who place how closely one's skiing reflects the style of skiing they prefer as the highest criteria, I wouldn't expect them to consider this 'solid skiing' either (unless, this is their preferred style!). But, most of the folks in this video aren't pursuing any model at all (I can't speak for the guy in PC as I don't know him), not consciously anyway. They are trying to ski varied terrain, and maintain decent speed, with control, and in the line of their choosing. They were taught this method (or they developed on their own over the years) and for their purposes it works well.
Also part of that style is the technique of staying forward and never getting aft on your skis (come hell or high water). People who ski this way hate being aft the way harald hates rotary--that heavy pressuring of the forward boot cuffs is very fundamental to this style of skiing. I'll say a few things about what this technique demands, what it delivers or not) in a future post. But for now, I'm just looking at what it is, how it's used and the form and the function it follows.
I will add one more thing now. I can say for this for that style of skiing, is that it is fairly easy to learn and put into practice. The woman in Video#3 (Kathy)-who shows up around minute 5:30 in video and is seen skiing the powder/ crud trail into the tree run for the next minute is a good example. She is actually younger than 60 (she is in her early 50's, mea culpa). She came on patrol about 10 years ago and she COULD NOT SKI, I mean, like a true never ever. Her kids were getting into racing so she wanted to be productive while being at the mountain all day and she joined patrol.
It took her about two seasons to get up to the level in the video---she was already pretty fit (she was, and is still a very competitive runner) and determined and had the time. But that style of skiing got her skiing trees, bumps, crud, ice etc with speed control (and the ability to ski pretty quickly) and balance in a relatively short time.
Again, though it isn't a style I pursue, it works well for Kathy and it has enabled her to be a very productive patroller and to enjoy the mountain to the fullest any day of the season. She can ski the whole mountain. So can everyone else in the videos. There are a number of people who come on Patrol with no, or very primitive skiing skills (but they have heaps of other valuable skills). Most end up competently working the mountain employing this style of skiing, and most acquire that ability in a season or two.
I am getting some videos for my next installment, but I'm going to let these videos stand alone for a bit.
Home
Login
Register