We all Need to Learn This Turn!!

[jbotti]

I was watching a ski movie on HBO (or some other movie channell) two days ago. It was a pretty mesmerizing story. The Film is called the "The Edge of Never". Maybe some have ssen it. It is mainly about Trevor Peterson who was a name extreme skier in the 80's and early 90's. He was killed on a crazy steep coluoir in Chamonix in 1994 (I think I have the year correct). The movie is first about him and the about his 15 year old son (he was 15 in 2005) who comes to Chamonix in 2005 to ski the same couloir that killed his father. I will refrain from making any comments about whether I think this was a good idea!!

The Movie shows the son Kye Peterson with Glen Plake and two legendary french mountaineer guides that knew his father teaching him how to ski couloirs and in glacial terrain in the Alps. Besides reccommending the film (for a ski enthusiast it's must), there is section where the teach the son Kye Peterson a bullet proof turn to be used in tight chutes. Many will use hop turns in this situation, but I have always felt that hop turns have risk. You lose contact with the snow for too long in my opinion and if your landing is off and your edges are not set properly, you can easily fall, which means death in a no fall zone. These great mountaineers obviosuly feel the same and they tell Ky several times not to jump or hop. The turn that they show him is one we all need to learn. I just ordered the dvd and I will have it in a few days. From what I saw it appears that they actually pick up the inside ski, start the turn by releasing the old stance ski (a weighted release which is not easy) and then engage the lifted ski which has just become the new stance ski as the turn progresses. Most importantly, they turn and stop in essentially 1-1.5 ski lengths. If you have this turn and have it down to perfection, you can ski anywhere and anything (if you have the nerve as well).

Once I get the dvd, I will watch it in slo mo and figure out exactly what they are doing. I am also going to show it to Harald Harb and Diana. I guarantee that I come back from MT with this turn!! Once I have it figured out I will post and walk though what I have learned.

Ron, go buy this dvd and learn this turn. With your aspirations, this turn is essential.

[SnowHot]

I've owned the book and the dvd of this for some time now.
Really an incredible story, and yes that turn is something that you should know if you're in a steep chute.  In fact I used it just last week in a chute coming off the top of the tram at Snowbasin.

[Gary]

Hey J...Gotta tell that Clendenin has a drill we were doing on some blue/black pitch where from a stand still coming off the uphill edge of the uphill ski, you tip to flatten the down hill ski therby releasing all edges,, committ the upper body seriousy to the fall line, and recenter on the upill edge using a firm edge set to stop. The instructor bet us we couldn't do it and stop immediately....took me a few trys but I could get it 1 out of 3...

It's tough to do but I can see it's value in steep terrain and chutes. I have used it since and and still practice it and hope to make it part of my ski skill quivver.

G

[jbotti]

Yeah, that is the turn. The key is releasing the downhill ski. It is similar to the releasing drills that Harald outlined in ACBAES 2, but with a harder edge set with the new stance ski. I especailly like the way they were doing it in the movie, where they were lifting the uphill ski, forcing themselves to do a weigthed release with the old stance ski, and freeing the uphill ski (as it becomes the new stance ski) to scrub speed as it comes in contact with snow again. It really is bullet proof!! Glad you have down the basics. I hope to have it down this week.

Headed to MT for 11 days on Wednesday!! Even looks like a storm is about to hit. Should be nice!! JB.

[Gary]

I can say for me it really works...been trying to use it and practice it....

Do have a great time and fantastic snow on your trip....regards to Harold and Diana from me.

I'm heading up to Whistler to ski with a bud the 19-25th...hoping the cold weather comes back for awhile with some fresh snow.

Best,
g

[hozel]

Gary

If you really want to cement the Ski doc's turn, try doing it on relatively flat terrain. It is just like doing other drills really slowly, any problems with technique come immediately to the surface.

[Gary]

You are absolutely spot on Joe...

I **** up so hard...laughing cause it really is tough doing them for the first time.

You'll see HH do the same drills, weighted and unweighted releases and it really does challenge your ability to "let your feet work their magic"~! It also forces you to commit your upper body to the new turn.

It certainly highlights flaws and weakness during transition. Great stuff to know and practice.

G