John Clendenin (The Aspen Method) Questions

[jim-ratliff]

Gary:

If you would please, when you have time away from GrandFather duties, comment on the similarities and differences in #4 below and basic PMTS movements.? Also, how firm is the scraping effort, what does he mean by "having the pressure of a squeegee on a windshield?



3. The skier makes several 'hockey stop' turns in each direction, ending centered on the uphill ski. How the skier does this is critical. Using a strong edge, especially on the big toe edge of the downhill ski, as most people do, will cause the ski to chatter. The goal is to do the exercise without causing skis to chatter by initiating the 'hockey stop' on a soft edge and progressively adding edge angle to the uphill edge of the uphill ski as it moves beneath center and becomes the weight-bearing balanced and centered ski.

This move?along with #5 below?hones ability to control speed in the bumps. Where some skiers go wrong is in attempting to "get on" the uphill ski rather than allowing the uphill ski to slide beneath center, a vital difference shown in exercises #1 and #2. In other words, they move to the ski. The move that needs to be incorporated into the turn mechanic is to allow the uphill ski to slide beneath center. This is the most important move in skiing.

4. The skier skis down the fall line on a groomed, green-level slope, with skis separated about the width of 2 fists?8"?as in fig. 1. While moving straight down at a moderate speed, the skier touches the pole and softly tips the inside ski. This tipping will initiate an effortless turn. As the skis begin to cross the fall line (fig. 2), the skier? continues scraping the tipping ski (as it becomes the uphill ski) towards the downhill ski ( fig 3). This scraping move should have the pressure of a squeege cleaning a windshild.? This technical sequence automatically creates passive turn initiation as the tipping ski progressively becomes the uphill, weight-bearing, balanced and centered ski (fig. 4). This drill cannot be overdone; skiers should practice the exercise over and over, in each direction until the move becomes natural. Continue the exercise on a higher level by linking turns on groomed, blue-level terrain.

5. Skiers link medium radius turns to develop awareness of where pressure sensations develop on the foot while making the transition from one little toe edge to the new little toe edge, in other words from uphill ski to uphill ski. The skier should feel pressure on the foot migrate from one little toe pad to the other little toe pad as the skis cross the fall line. Again, it is crucial to manage the change in pressure from the downhill ski to the uphill ski beginning just as the skis cross the fall line.

[Gary]

Hey Jim, I'm in the office waiting for my computer to process pictures of course of Hayden.

Ok..you've touched upon the primary principle for John and the part that is at odds with PMTS.

Going down the fall line as described, John uses the uphill baby toe edge to turn the skis and change direction by applying light pressure to that tipped skis outside edge. This is the UPHILL ski and tipping to the baby toe edge (the entire outside edge of your boot) moves the skis in that direction. Now both skis will be tipped together but the uphill ski baby toe edge is the engaged edge causing the new direction change.

If you have a rotary sander at home....fire that baby up. While running if you hold the sander flat on a hard surface, it stays straight. BUT if you tip that sander to the RIGHT outside edge, the sander WILL move to the right. This is the EXACT principal John teaches to control direction and speed in the bumps and broken snow. I have found this to be very effective in all mountain conditions.

Variations of this method is used in PMTS but only variations. John also uses principals of PMTS in his everyday skiing but this one technique to me is truly outstanding to use in better speed control in bumps.

Can't wait to take it on the snow again. Hope this makes it easier to understand. Now, go out and buy of rotary sander! 

Best,
Gary

[jim-ratliff]

Gary:

Pretty much what I thought, and this was a move you were explaing to me at SteamBoat last year, you just didn't give the origin.

1. I bought the rotary sander. When tipped to the right it did what you said.? However, when tipped to the left it behaved a whole lot different.? Is this because of the rotation of the sander? or is John's method only good for right turns.?

2. I have to think some to appreciate why you he feel this is really that much different.? Sounds much like phantom move tipping, but with some weight on the ski (what is the weight distribution?), and the ski still is allowed to slide/drift to maintain closeness to outside ski (not like an inside ski initiation where the skis separate)?

3. This progression through the bottom half of the turn is working towards a weighted release?? But also scrubbing some speed due to the soft edges and drifting?

Thanks very much.? Enjoy the baby pictures.

[Gary]

Jim..I see we're making progross....however, you probably purchased the Black and Decker Rotary Sander which is knowm for the pull to the right defect you described. Please go out and buy the Nokia Cordless Rotary Sander and that problem will disappear just like your cash.

Jim the key here is that you think nothing at all about the down hill ski....notta..nenda ...el zero....you softly...shhhh...so ftly.....shhhh...so ftly apply just enough pressure to get that ski followed by the other ski to move in that direction. No counter..the arms are out to their sides like pontoons on a catameran....should ers and upper torso moving in the SAME direction the skis are. Again, another difference with PMTS.? ?Both skis are parallel, tipped to the same side but the up hill ski is controlling the turn shape, or in this case, drifting.

The change in direction uses the float, or flattening of the ski with weight transition to the new uphill ski, with soft pressure applied to the baby toe edge of the boot. There are no hard movements at all...soft and relaxed does the job.

As in both methods use of the pole plant is essential. If you watch Johns video a few more times, doing this of course with your brand new rotary sander spinning away, you'll really start to get a "feel" for it. Please avoid placing the spinning sander to close to your zipper line.....and I don't mean the snow version!?

Hope this helps Jim....I know we will have loads of fun with this method at RS3!

G

[Philpug]

You guys are thinking way too much.   

[Gary]

Well Phil, when you start skiing at 36 and don't have the spring up from the ground you had when you were a teenager, and ya have to go the work on Monday, at least understanding the less damaging road to travel and the quickest way there....makes a whole lotta sense.

For me, thinking and learning about skiing has dramatically improved my ability to enjoy my time in the snow.

I for one hope to continue to learn, watch and listen....it's paid off with more terrain to explore and a ton more confidence ta boot!

For those of you who are naturally gifted.....I've never been that blessed......I had to bump and grind, pay for the lessons and really never looked back!

Now having exposed my natural shyness    ....I must add it's only during the learning that I have focused on such technical details......when I'm out playing on the mountain....I'm having so much fun, I put all the tools in my ski school bag to work....AND...... all that thinking is finally paying off!


Gary

[jim-ratliff]

You guys are thinking way too much.? ?

Surely you appreciate how potentially dangerous using a rotary sander can be, especially if you buy the wrong model or if you tip it the wrong way.?
I need to think ahead of time and keep my wits about me (and at 60 that can be a challenge in and of itself).?

[Philpug]

I have nothing against learning, I am all for expanding your ability. Skiing is art, not science. 

[Glenn]

A good way to learn about weighting and unweighting: Ski on one ski. We used to set up a few gates, hike up..and ditch one ski...then ski through the gates. It wasn't pretty at first, but it really gave you feel for getting on and off your edges. 

I actually still kinda do that...but with two skis on. I, at times, will lift up my uphill ski when turning. I do an exagerated version of it when I'm helping out my wife.

[Gary]

Glenn, Those drills are ones which we used learning PMTS skills as well.

This also included a variation of picking up the downhill ski using the uphill ski, uphill edge to drift as described above or in Harolds book.....a banana turn using the uphill edges of the skis to traverse the mountain.

I think for me what has come out of all my training is to feel the edges of your skis...use your feet and their fine motor skills to get the most out of the boards.

Man....I'm getting pumped each day now with cooler weather coming in all this talk about skiing and the days winding down to RS3.

G

[Glenn]

I forgot about lifting up the downhill ski when traversing the hill Gary; I remember doing that as well.

I should have mentioned the one ski method is probably a bit easier with two skis on. At least that way, if gravity really takes over, you can at least stabilize yourself with the other ski...

[Gary]

Yep Glenn...

I would concur rather than concuss! 

G

[Ron]

Glenn, Those drills are ones which we used learning PMTS skills as well.

This also included a variation of picking up the downhill ski using the uphill ski, uphill edge to drift as described above or in Harolds book.....a banana turn using the uphill edges of the skis to traverse the mountain.

I think for me what has come out of all my training is to feel the edges of your skis...use your feet and their fine motor skills to get the most out of the boards.

Man....I'm getting pumped each day now with cooler weather coming in all this talk about skiing and the days winding down to RS3.

G

this is so true, to me, if you don't have that feel, its much harder to apply the information. If you can train now and focus on balance, core and flexibility, you will be amazed how much your skiing will be improved. One thing that both gary and Phil have in skiing is fluency, this is when your body and mind are in auto drive mode, there is no thinking, it's like walking. that's where I want to be.

[Gary]

Well said Ron..."autodrive mode"...I must coin that phrase with your permission.

I know at least for me, I still have to think and feel what's happening to say focus especially at higher speeds. I've found if I get to relaxed or zen on my skis, a crash is imminent.

So start with a cup of technical skills,  add a 1/2 cup  of good balance, flexability, core body strength, skiing with smooth transitions, now add a pinch of green or orange....shake and bake....ya get silk and flowing turns.

Best,
Gary

[Glenn]

That's probably one thing I take for granted. Since I started when I was younger, it all seems so natural; like walking. At times, I feel like I can "skate" on my skis uphill faster than I could run in a pair of boots!