How did you learn to ski? What region do you ski in the most?I'm in my late 40s, and can't catch up to the kid... Can I train to help easily fatigued, sore knees, or is it too late? Are there magic skis that let you ski 9 to 4 with no pain? Anyone know? Can you go to a PT for that? I'm actually fine, except when I ski, LOL.
How did you learn to ski? What region do you ski in the most?
Sounds like you were a much better skier than I was when I stopped skiing for over 10 years after only spending two seasons skiing on straight skis. Ironically it made it easier for me to adjust to "shaped skis" back around 2000 because I never mastered parallel turns with boots together like my ski buddy Bill. It took him a couple seasons after the first few lessons we took together, but once he got the hang of the more efficient technique I could tell his bad knee hurt far less.With my parents and with lessons for 11, 12 years, 40 years ago. Then skip 20 years, except for 10 days or so. Now, lessons here and there. Ski Mt. Hood. Will ask for a sore knees lesson!
Do you do any exercises to strengthen hamstrings?
Some, half heartedly. I think I need to focus on fitness more in general, and maybe relax more when I ski. Kid says I look tense/stiff.
How wide are your skis?
Hmm, heavy is neither here nor there depending on what you mean. K2 skis are heavy in the sense of carrying in the parking lot, but they are far more forgiving than Volkl skis. I don't remember your stats, but demo'ing different skis may be worthwhile. I'm petite. When I started demo'ing about ten years ago, I was a confident advanced intermediate mostly skiing groomers. Didn't like any Volkl because they were too stiff. After improving my technique after the knee rehab, I still don't particularly like most Volkl skis although I can bend them for turns just fine. Much prefer brands that don't require so much work.90. Kenjas, which I like because they feel so secure, but they're pretty heavy.
@tinymoose didn't you also have knee pain when on the kenjas previously?
I vaguely remember having an instructor for a women's group lesson to do an exercise just standing around on a flat near the top of the lift. She asked everyone to lean as far forward as they could, with knees bent a bit. Then she said to lean back as far as possible. The question was which position felt more secure.I just did something interesting last week. After reading some posts on the other forum about how boots can support you I just did some carpet skiing where I layed out on the front of my boot like a ski jumper. Way cool.
I had no intention of skiing like that but it was interesting to realize that my equipment supported me and I didn't have to fear falling because I was too forward. I had a lot easier time getting forward when I realized I didn't necessarily have to fear pitching forward and crashing on my face. Just Sayin'
Darn. That's too bad. I had the patella tracking issue as well. While it was semi-painful at first, eventually the taping therapy worked for me. Sorry it didn't work for you.I was sent to PT where they tried to tape my knee caps back where they are supposed to be, but my knee caps weren't having any of it. Apparently they have been where they are for so long that they are not interested in moving; attempting to move them caused worse pain than what I was already experiencing. We decided to leave them be.