Speed Management in powder and bumps?

[Gary]

This was the Holy Grail, that which I seeked and had failed to find. Having started skiing when I was 36, I never garnered the ability to toss my self into a bump field and broken snow, it was too much work.

As time passed, I new if I wanted to ski the mountain and not have it ski me, I needed help. I found Harold Harb and attend numerous clinics that really shaped the way I ski today. Still.....I had gained good form and technique for most conditions but I still lacked the ability to control my speed in steep bumps. That was about to change.

Last year my wife and I took a private day clinic with John Clendenon, the Aspen Ski Doctor. I also purchased on line his manual that I studied, re-read and visualized last season and all through the summer months. I can say without a doubt, the Clendenon Method is by far the easiest way to learn how to control your speed in the bumps, powder, and broken snow period. It simply works and with a little dedication, easy to apply. No more stemming, or hopping, off balance, or wild pony rides....imagine skiing not just 2 bumps and stopping but a series of turns in a bump field in control.

I wanted to share this with you because most I know here have a great passion for skiing. Many like me, look to improve their skills to be able to enjoy more of the terrain todays ski resorts offer.

Treat yourself, it's the holidays...go to the Aspen Ski Doctor web site and download his PDF file, his manual....I think it's $15...

If you're looking for immediate control and improvement....it WILL BE the best $15 you spend this season.

Best,
Gary

[Philpug]

What is this word..."control"? 

[Gary]

I stand corrected Phil....John appropriately uses the words "Speed Managment"...certainly more applicable. Allowing you to use your edges Clendenin style to shape your turns and select where you want to turn....just spectacular!

I guess the word "control" was the emotion I felt as I learn more and more how to apply "speed management".

All in all.....I'm a happy camper!

Best,
G

[Philpug]

I stand corrected Phil....John appropriately uses the words "Speed Managment"...certainly more applicable. Allowing you to use your edges Clendenin style to shape your turns and select where you want to turn....just spectacular!

I guess the word "control" was the emotion I felt as I learn more and more how to apply "speed management".

All in all.....I'm a happy camper!

Best,
G

OK..what is management? 

[jim-ratliff]

I stand corrected Phil....John appropriately uses the words "Speed Managment"...certainly more applicable. Allowing you to use your edges Clendenin style to shape your turns and select where you want to turn....just spectacular!

I guess the word "control" was the emotion I felt as I learn more and more how to apply "speed management".

All in all.....I'm a happy camper!

Best,
G

OK..what is management??

I'm almost ashamed to play this game.

OK .....  what is speed? 

[jim-ratliff]

Gary:

If I download the $15 pdf is it printable or only viewable on the screen?

Jim

[Gary]

Jim for the $15....you get the product on your printer to your brain!

You'll love it!

G

Now as far as management and speed.....well .....pictures and easy to understand descriptions are worth 1000 good turns....get the download and be enlightened if you wish. 

[Ron]

Will I be able to control speed and manage speed only while reading the PDF?

[Liam]

About a year ago I downloaded the e-book..studied it, did his very straight-forward and easy drills-I love it-it's a great broken snow, bump-technique that looks and feels good.  It's actually a fun way to ski groomers as well with soft balanced finishes to turns.  I've been a narrow-stancer from the get-go so I adapted to his method pretty quickly.

Also, John's instructional and rhetorical style, serves up something new without being dogmatic or aggressively anti-every other approach to skiing (hmmm, now whom am I thinking of here ).

This time of year (warm, sunny, slower-paced, bump-filled, Spring skiing-my favorite, yes, even over Powder days...crazy I know) John's methods really shine and make great sense.

I'd love to take a lesson with him (or one of his main instructors like Chino), and I've thought about the camps (though they seem to be focused on lower level intermediate late baby-boomers struggling to get offpiste...anyone have a vastly different experience??).

Anyway-I'm a fan of the Clendinnen Method-yet another great optional way to turn a ski!

Liam

[Gary]

Liam....glad to hear you're finding more "keys to the kingdom". I can tell you from first hand experience with John, his teachings are not just for intermediates. He has such a great eye for watching a skier and determining the proper path of instruction. From small bumps to steep double blacks to skiing tree and glades....I've been there with him. I have great respect for not only what he teaches but how he teaches. His patience and perseverance are stellar and match his skill as an all mountain skier.

I must add that the buzz over on the PMTS site is how important it is to use the uphill baby toe edge in turn initiation....one of the primary focal points of Johns method. I would highly reccomend you spend a day with John. I've had 3 semi private sessions with him and my skiing truly elevated to a new level.

Glad to hear your experience with application of his ski tools has made your on snow experience more pleasureable....fin d the time to get together with him and soar!

Best,
G

[Ron]

Liam, the bread and butter customer of John is the same as that other guy! So that's who he markets to. As gary pointed out, John can teach to any level and ratchet it up to anything you can or want to handle! He is also a blast to just hang with. Very funny, very relaxed guy. Totally unpretentious. Did you see these pictures?

That said, it is very interesting that the use of the uphill ski has seemingly appeared as a new method or technique while John has been teaching this for many years. I can tell you that I am not a fan of drills and regimented techniques; John's method does not require regimentation or drills ad-nauseum. With a few simple and easy to learn techniques, it opens you to any terrain. Interestingly, you don't need to ski with a tight stance with John, just your normal stance. I also have found it to be useful on any terrain but most useful on bumps and off-piste stuff. Again, the use of the pole plant is essential with John.

Phil has a great one of me drinking out my ski boot with John!

[Gary]

Great couple of points Ron....stance and pole plants.....and although it looks like a beer in my hand...I'm sure it was the "innocuous" apple cider.?

As far as drills go for those that understand PMTS tipping, lifting, float....the absorption of Johns methodology is easy to follow and with repetition, easy to ingrain. Ron's appetite to learn along with knowledge of these tools as well as having skied with followers of Harold and John made the application of Johns ski skills much easier and what a huge improvement Ron recognized....oh yeahl....he's a happy camper!

As with stance, John does not want to see anything forced when it comes to stance width...it's where your feet naturally and most importantly when relaxed come together. Some primary tools that do require more significant muscle engagement are 1) pulling and holding the free foot back 2)lifting and tipping the free foot, and 3) engagement of the free foot with LTE pressure to manage speed and turn shape. Now add in the pole plants...you be rockn!

With application and practice, the beauty and relaxed nature of skiing all mountain terrain will make you a huge follower and keep you smiln'? all over the mountain!

G

[Ron]

Ahh you explain these things so much elequently! I do have a slight issue with the term "free" foot, to me it implies a foot going along for the ride and not the workhorse but in my mind with John, that uphill foot is very much active and important to the turning function. It should be beaering weight, it is used to modify turn radius, control speed and act a balance point. Maybe symantics but I don't want anyone to think it's just being tipped.

[jim-ratliff]

I assume that most understand the PMTS use of the term "free foot" so I will mini hijack to interject some humor that is almost on point.

A physical therapist once described walking to me as balancing on one foot, then falling forward and catching yourself in balance on the other foot.? The more I thought about it, the more I came to appreciate the falling forward analogy (but it's not a static balance, its a balance while maintaining momentum). And, for runners, the direction of momentum is very important, coaches spend a fair amount of time making sure this balancing act supports forward momentum and minimizes sideways motions (and the sideways motions are a reflection of bad balance).

So anyway, every stride that I take I have a stance foot and a free foot.? The stance foot is the one I'm currently balancing on, but if my free foot isn't active and is just along for the ride, then when I "fall forward" for my next step there isn't going to be anything in place to catch me.? ?? (and I think that would be called a real "face plant".)?

Hmmm - wonder if this will elicit a response from Dr. Perry

[Ron]

...and there in lies the reason why I don't like that term with Clendenin, the uphill foot is not intended to just be there to catch you or to only balance you. It's an active foot that varies from nearly no weight bearing to almost all depending on the conditions and need. It also is used to regulate turn radius and speed.