HH Camps

[Ron]

Just curious, how many people are in each camp? The site shows no more than 6 per group, how many instructors? Are there any other costs for the lessons like allignement and such?

[jim-ratliff]

The one camp I went to was, indeed, six per group (i.e. six per instructor).? Mine was a blue/dark blue camp in December, and I think they had 6 or so instructors.? One of the first things they do is watch each person ski a bit and then break the groups up into like skiers so that the level of instruction and interaction is consistent in each group, and so that no one skier is way ahead of or way behind everyone else in the group.? Half way through the week, instructor's swap groups so that you get instruction and assessment from a different mouth (and so no one instructor had to put up with MY mouth for the whole week).

Harald floated from group to group because of some people that dropped out after the second day leaving a surplus of instructors, and in person he is completely different than his "web persona".? Easy to talk to, personable, knowledgeable and willing to share his knowledge (but doesn't like to be disagreed with).

An alignment assessment is included in the price.? I think they charge for making footbeds, but Maria went out of her way to "make my footbeds work".? She spent more time glueing and grinding material under the ball of the foot than it would have taken to create a new footbed.? Based on a couple of people I saw, they also went out of their way to make existing boots work (even in cases where it was obvious to me that new boots were needed).? Not a 'hard sell" for skis or boots at all.

Selected skis were available for demo (that's how Lynn was able to test the Every Thangs), but they recommend letting them know ahead of time if you are looking for skis, and it was clear that the focus was in helping the student to get the most out of the class and not really about selling skis.

[midwif]

Lynn Chiming in......(where's the bell icon when you need it?)

Ron, there can be significant costs associated with boot alignment. Ultimately, they are worth it, though a bit painful at the time.
When HH looked at my boots last year, commented that they had plenty of wear left in them. Made me feel good that the focus is not on selling new gear, but getting the right set-up.

Though, I will tell you a story in person, that I would not on a public forum. No big thing, but definitely about ego involvement. And being right/wrong.

Which camp you thinking of???
SSHHH, don't tell PHil. He's got a "time out" on the PMTS forum. The guys are at it again. Very entertaining reading.

[midwif]

Oy Vey, I could be wrong, but it seems like you have decided to join the entertaining reading. 
 
Fireworks are usually fun to watch.

In person, the guy is a whole 'nother animal. Easy going like a....cat.

[Ron]

Well I am banned!  Banned for simply pointing out he makes money on his site. There's more to the story that I will tell you about in December, suffice to say, there's more. I was a bit perturbed when he was openly promoting the blog that VS had creatd, Epicskisucks.com , this is no way professional and certainly not the right thing if you are claiming that you are the one being attacked. Anyway, my last post which was deleted was:

"thanks!, I am done posting, I wish you the best this season" that was it!

Read my post, I was not abusive, obnoxious or otherwise disrespectful. I think I just struck a nerve that he would rather not admit to or discuss. So much for being an open, free site. He has a great business that is very sucessful and he should be proud of it but don't pretend that you don't benefit from the banter.

[jim-ratliff]

Ron:

Can we assume, therefore, that you won't be attending a Harb ski camp this winter?? ?

Like you intimate, there must be more to the story, 'cause it appears to me that you and Phil were intentionally baiting the bear, hoping to elicit a reaction?? On the surface, it seems like getting banned was your primary objective??

I have to admit that I find the whole PMTS/PSIA thing kind of sad and funny at the same time.? Reminds me a lot of my two sons arguing about who had the better Transformer (or most any other toy).? Pretty insignificant in reality, and not at all crucial to whether or not we enjoy our time sliding around on the snow, but what else do skiers have to do in the summer time.? However, PMTS has definitely helped me to get better, something that wasn't happening with ski school lessons.

By the way, I am probably going to attend the February Blue/Dark Blue camp this year (see ya there).? When I took the December camp several yaers ago my legs weren't in ski shape (the reality is that none of me was in any kind of shape).? I've managed to lose a few pounds this summer and am feeling much better; and am just feeling the need to drink from the Kool-Aid again.

I don't know a lot of the skier elite, but I do find it interesting that many of the names that I recognize and associate with popular books and videos have a lot of PMTS movements.? Lito Tejada-Flores, Harald, John Clendenin, Jerry Berg, the DesLaurier brothers.? It is also interesting that Lito, Harald, and Jerry Berg were all instructors in Aspen at the same time.? I will also admit that several of the above, certainly John and the DesLauriers have a lot to offer over and above the core PMTS movements, while Lito was probably more of a bridge or transition between the PSIA and PMTS schools.

[Ron]

No I never intended on going but I also beleive its a great product that is very effective. My only issue is the way it's being handled. There is no "one-way" to ski and like you, I also really like Clendenons methods. especially for off-piste and bump skiing. That said, I think there is no better method for carving and on-piste, groomed conditions than PMTS. A shame. Anyway, I am glad to hear you are fired-up for the season and making some progress.? How's yor back doing? I seem to remember it was still in the healing process?

[jim-ratliff]

Wellll, I figured I had to get in a little bit better shape for RealSkiers III.? ? Not so embarassing to be left in the swirling snow by you and Gary and Michael; I expected that.? It was a bit more humbling to be unable to keep up with Midwif as well.? Going in I thought that she and I were about the same level of skier.? That is probably true on groomed runs (which is where I spend most of my time), but I was lost in the bumps and the trees.? Y'all gave me something to aspire to.

Also, the president of our company (he and I have been together 25 years now) had a heart attack early in the spring and had bypass surgery.? That was a bit of a shock, especially since he exercised pretty regularly; got me focused a bit more on my fitness level.? Found I had an emerging blood sugar problem, so adjusted diet (primarily Pepsi intake) and weight a bit and am trying to exercise more regularly.? Went for a 20 mile bike ride last Saturday without too much trouble, and that is a big change for me.?

Thanks for asking.? Back is fine, still haven't recovered all of the muscle in the right leg resulting from the nerve impairment, but getting better slowly.? Very much looking forward to winter.

[Ron]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!  Congrats!  EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can understand the leg issue, I still have damage in my calf follwoing my L5 S1 rupture and extrusion, It's much less developed than my right calf. It's a tough one. I give yo much credit and cheer you on though. Gotta cut that soda out dude. nasty stuff. Try going to propel or something else. How about some good coffee? Now, that doesn't include Coolada's though....

Please keep us posted on how you are doing on the fitness quest, it helps to inspire us all.

Trees and such, part of that will come easier when you are feeling more confident with your back and your skills. We all have much to learn.

[Glenn]

What did I miss? Banned from where? 

[Ron]

pmts site.

[Glenn]

That's that other forum you can access from here, right?

[Ron]

yup, PMTS is a skiing technique that is very effective and can help just about anyone. Check it out!