Message #21452

[Liam]

Man, I missed a lot in a few days.

I am typing on an iPhone so forgive the typos.  First off, unless you've been banned no one has been driven away.  If someone chooses not to post, that is their decision.  No one makes them go. Individuals makes decisions and act them do to reasons that are entirely their own.

 Secondly, and this is at the crux of the matter, I don't believe there was a technique argument: no one was offering MA (And I'd never give any as I acknowledge I'm not really savvy about that sort of thing) and I don't think I've ever countered any of the 'experts' listed by Dan B. on that sort of ski analysis (it's their bag after all).

Obviously, when someone starts a thread they are soliciting a widely broadcasted response.  If someone only wants the ideas of any one person, send them a PM. Seems easy enough, right?

And then Sift through what comes in, engage it if that is your fancy or don't. 

Now,  thought on 'unassailable' expert hood. I don't believe that Daron Ralves or JP Auclair are regular contributors here.  Those guys are experts...but you know what? if they chose to participate on an Internet forum, I'd engage them directly, too, because dialectic is the real joy and benefit of an open global forum and uniform, one way pontificating is the ultimate dead end.

Oh, and it seems a video of me was posted (and pulled down).  I appreciate the moderators actions here, in that, yes, I am not interested in broad MA at this time--but, I don't really mind folks seeing videos of my skiing from the past (or present)-it's in the public domain, after all.

 I suspect it was this one from two years ago (the most recent one I got, I don't really do MA videos--just quick snippets when someone lends a camera:

   

Man watching that vid I think of two things: 1. I don't look half bad (it was a cold, firm, blue groomer with a good sunshine on my back..who doesn't like that?)-and it's fairly representative of how I was skiing that season, I was really into the whole 'stacked' and tall position then (still am, I suppose).  and 2. I've had a good two years of improvement since then..heck, I just watched some of the videos on my vimeo site that were made back in 2004-2005 (there's one from Red Mountain and an early one from Tahoe somewhere)-both good trips (I wish I had more video now)-and I'd love to ski those runs now.  I must admit, the last 8 years of skiing have been productive.  What a pleasant little trip down memory lane.

And, back to the actual topic of the thread:  Do you guys have preferences for the type of skis you like in Steeps??  I'm thinking, except in deep crud or powder, a narrower ski, medium flex with a softer tail (so I can feather and not augur in)--though, some say a stiffer, flat tail is better in true steeps...I admit, I don't really have enough experience to have a full-fledged opinion.  On a non-podwer day what is the Ideal Jackson/ Snowbird/ Taod ski (insert other steep mountains of your choice here, but these are the three I've been to!)?