Lori_K
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
For those not familiar, self-arrest is the technique used to stop yourself from an uncontrollable slide down a hill. It is a technique I have read about, and knew the basic principles for, but had never needed or practiced. Until yesterday.
Yesterday we were at Taos, as we are most weekends. I was with my husband and another couple with whom we ski frequently. It was about 2 in the afternoon, and we were having a riot skiing all over the mountain. There had been no new snow in several days, but we managed to find some good conditions back in the trees.
We were at the top of Lorelei Trees, a double black run. The top is very steeply pitched, with moderately spaced trees. We had found a chute with good snow in it (not freshies, but packed/tracked pow) and were making our way down.
I had just come across the hill in a left hand turn, and was preparing for my next turn. I'm not exactly sure what happened next. I think I hit a pillow of snow harder than expected, and the next thing I know the heel on my right ski released. I twisted forward, spun around, and felt the back of my head hit something. (It was J, the other woman skiing with us. She was several feet below me and we clunked helmets together!) I then fell onto the snow, and started sliding quickly down the hill, headfirst, on my back!
I knew I needed to do something to slow my descent. At the same time I heard my husband call from nearby, "Dagger IN! DAGGER IN!!". That call triggered something in my brain, and I was able to twist onto my stomach, and dig my pole handles into the snow. I felt myself pivot around so that my remaining ski was below me, and I slowed down and came to a controlled stop, some 25-30 yards downhill of where I started. A good thing I stopped where I did, because there was a tree about 25 feet below me.
It all happened so quickly, I still have a hard time putting the sequence of events together.
My other ski was recovered back from where it released, and I managed to work my way down the rest of the trail, albeit slowly. I have slid on my back before, but NOT like this. The whole incident shook me up quite a bit.
I was unhurt, (aside from a crick in my neck), and we talked about doing another run. I thought about calling it a day, but we ended up going to another steep bump run, this one without trees.
It was a run I had been on only once before, and I thought I could get down it again (considering the recent fall). However, the bumps had grown considerably since the last time I was on it. I stood at the top, and just about lost it. My husband was right there, and had to coach me through my first couple turns. The pitch is much less after that first headwall, and I was able to make my way slowly, very slowly, down the rest of the hill. I skied up to the group and was greeted with a round of applause. Skiing a tough run like that after a fall was a major psychological barrier, but I had to get back on the horse that threw me, so to speak.
So, some things I learned yesterday:
I'm going to increase my DIN settings. I have had them set for Skier Type II for several years, and yesterday's fall may not have happened had I been set for Type III. That is one situation where I can't afford a pre-release, I know that now.
Thank goodness for helmets! I felt the sharp rap on the back of my helmet from hitting the other skier, but it didn't knock me out.
Know how to self-arrest. Even if you don't think you ski fast enough or on steep enough terrain to use it, at least understand the principle.
I truly believe that just having a helmet and being able to keep my wits and do the self-arrest saved me from severe injury.
I am feeling a bit beat up and sore this morning, but nothing a little Ibuprofen won't fix! :p
Yesterday we were at Taos, as we are most weekends. I was with my husband and another couple with whom we ski frequently. It was about 2 in the afternoon, and we were having a riot skiing all over the mountain. There had been no new snow in several days, but we managed to find some good conditions back in the trees.
We were at the top of Lorelei Trees, a double black run. The top is very steeply pitched, with moderately spaced trees. We had found a chute with good snow in it (not freshies, but packed/tracked pow) and were making our way down.
I had just come across the hill in a left hand turn, and was preparing for my next turn. I'm not exactly sure what happened next. I think I hit a pillow of snow harder than expected, and the next thing I know the heel on my right ski released. I twisted forward, spun around, and felt the back of my head hit something. (It was J, the other woman skiing with us. She was several feet below me and we clunked helmets together!) I then fell onto the snow, and started sliding quickly down the hill, headfirst, on my back!
I knew I needed to do something to slow my descent. At the same time I heard my husband call from nearby, "Dagger IN! DAGGER IN!!". That call triggered something in my brain, and I was able to twist onto my stomach, and dig my pole handles into the snow. I felt myself pivot around so that my remaining ski was below me, and I slowed down and came to a controlled stop, some 25-30 yards downhill of where I started. A good thing I stopped where I did, because there was a tree about 25 feet below me.
It all happened so quickly, I still have a hard time putting the sequence of events together.
My other ski was recovered back from where it released, and I managed to work my way down the rest of the trail, albeit slowly. I have slid on my back before, but NOT like this. The whole incident shook me up quite a bit.
I was unhurt, (aside from a crick in my neck), and we talked about doing another run. I thought about calling it a day, but we ended up going to another steep bump run, this one without trees.
It was a run I had been on only once before, and I thought I could get down it again (considering the recent fall). However, the bumps had grown considerably since the last time I was on it. I stood at the top, and just about lost it. My husband was right there, and had to coach me through my first couple turns. The pitch is much less after that first headwall, and I was able to make my way slowly, very slowly, down the rest of the hill. I skied up to the group and was greeted with a round of applause. Skiing a tough run like that after a fall was a major psychological barrier, but I had to get back on the horse that threw me, so to speak.
So, some things I learned yesterday:
I'm going to increase my DIN settings. I have had them set for Skier Type II for several years, and yesterday's fall may not have happened had I been set for Type III. That is one situation where I can't afford a pre-release, I know that now.
Thank goodness for helmets! I felt the sharp rap on the back of my helmet from hitting the other skier, but it didn't knock me out.
Know how to self-arrest. Even if you don't think you ski fast enough or on steep enough terrain to use it, at least understand the principle.
I truly believe that just having a helmet and being able to keep my wits and do the self-arrest saved me from severe injury.
I am feeling a bit beat up and sore this morning, but nothing a little Ibuprofen won't fix! :p