realskiers

Mike, just curious...have you spent much time playing with forward lean in your boots, or ramp angle changes such as heel lifts or toe shims? I browsed through this thread, but didn't find a mention of it. 

I'm no PhD of ski technique, but it seems to me that getting the hardware sorted out would be a good thing to do before you start working on technique stuff to correct a perceived problem.  In my mind, having gear that is adjusted/tuned/tweaked so that it does it's job well, is like money in the bank.  Then the gear simply fades into the background and lets you just ski.  Any work on technique then focuses purely on your skill, and is then no longer an adaptation for boots or skis that are not set up correctly.  Let's face it, if something is not set up right, then your technique must change to adapt to it, which is counterproductive.

Stop me if I'm preaching to the converted here....

As an example, in the context of fore-aft balance, I struggled for much of last season to get dialed in to my Progressor 9's, which I had bought midway through the 2010/11 season.  I also had a new(ish) pair of boots too, and it seemed as if I could never find the sweet spot on these skis, whereas with my old Lange boots I had no such problems.  I started playing with forward lean and ramp angle, as well as binding position, and ended the season feeling OK, but still not fully satisfied that I was where I needed to be.  Well, a couple of weeks ago, at the start of this season, and determined to get this right, I started again -- moved bindings forward; no-go, so moved them back again (this is a bit of work for bindings on a plate).  Then in frustration I jammed the forward lean shims all the way down to get the max lean, and "Hey! Presto!", suddenly there I was....I could do no wrong on those skis.  I now feel perfectly centered, and the sweet spot of the ski feels huge.  (just don't ask me if I'm in a back seat skier....I have no idea, but others tell me that I'm not of that ilk)

So, my point is, maybe you shouldn't beat yourself up over technique.  Maybe it IS the gear.      Well worth fussing over the small stuff.   I hope this makes sense....

BTW, I'm really curious to see if your new boots will change your perception of your fore-aft balance.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if you notice a significant change, brought about by different ramp angle or fwd. lean.  Do post back here about this....