New Equipment and Lessons

[Jenny]

I've been skiing on Dynastar Max 6 skis that are about 8 years old (I think). They are just barely shaped - nothing like what's out there now.

I've just purchased new boots (Dalbello Raya 7) and skis (Elan Wave Magic) but don't get to use them until the 21st, when we go to Searchmont (just over the Michigan/Canadian border). Am I going to need a lesson to adjust to the shaped ski? Assuming I have a technique, will it need to change much?

I did rent a shaped pair earlier this year, on the first day out, and seemed to ski just fine, but I don't want to start out giving myself bad habits - and I like taking lessons anyway.

The boots were purchased before I found this forum, although I was already looking for something more comfortable and better fitting. Then I found this forum and read many, many posts/reviews on equipment and planned to do some demo-ing before buying skis. But I got impatient and when I found a good deal on the Elan I just bought 'em. Supplies in the area seemed to be running low, and I don't think Nub's has Elan anyway. Plus, the inner girly-girl in me came out and the skis match my boots nicely. I know I shouldn't care, but after having purple boots and orangey-red skis for the past 8 years or so, I did.

So, for good or bad, the skis are mine. Hope I like 'em!

 

[num]

Congratulations of the new gear and welcome to the board! The Wave Magics have been catching my eye as well, tons of positive reviews. I started skiing after shaped skis became the norm, so I can't offer anything about the transition from straight(er) to shaped, but taking a lesson or two to get used to them seems to be the way to go. Plus, like you said, lessons are just fun.

 

[Jilly]

If you've got the time and money, try a lesson. Especially if you haven't had one in years. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[greekpeakskier]

i suggest a lesson. i starting skiing again two seasons ago (a bit) and really skiing again last year, and i'm still trying to work out bad habits -- some that are just bad habits and some that come from first learning to ski before the skis changed -- pole plant, distance between skis, and "up and down" body motion are three that i have to keep working to unwire.

group lessons can be tedious and slow but the information they impart (if you get a good teacher) is the same as a private -- just ten to fifteen minutes attention to you vs. an hour w/ a private.

i do both. i show up for the earliest group lesson midweek and get good attention because often i will be the only one who wants a midweek ten AM private, then to make sure i'm not taking advantage of the instructors in the resort, i periodically pay for a private and ask specifically for the instructor who has been doing the group.


i'm not sure that tipping is allowed, but another way to compensate the instructor for a private lesson in a group slot if you are able to pull that off might be to tip (at my resort, group is 25. for two hours,, 120 for private... there is certainly room between the two for a tip).


this winter, i taught a class where i work this week that involved wages in America and ski instructor was listed as one of the 25 worst paid employments, so I have no qualms about building lesson costs into what i am doing (for example, i thought it would be smart to buy a used shell on ebay and use the money to take a private lesson, i was glad i did. my partner drew the line when i bid on used base layer, thinking i could take another private... she informed me that used underwear on ebay probably has a whole DIFFERENT community [fetish]... oh, ok).

so, if i were you, i would DEFINITELY take a lesson, makes all the difference. i'd call the resort ahead of time, say you want an upper immediate group lesson and ask when they are offered and when they are least well attended. find out the difference in cost between a group and a private and how many usually attend an upper immediate lesson. find out if you are allowed to tip the instructor.


in an ideal world, you could take two or three "group" private lessons during the week, ski all day to incorporate what you are learning, and really, really improve your skiing, and try to figure out a way to compensate the instructor so they aren't doing privates on minimum wage.

 

[greekpeakskier]

correction. i show up for a ten AM midweek GROUP, not ten AM midweek private.

 

[lucine]

I take lessons all the time I've had shaped skis for three years.
But, after skiing on my new skis on Saturday I'm going to be taking a lesson specifically to get the handle on the new sticks.

I feel like a Loreal commercial.

I am worth it.

 

[Jenny]

Thanks for the opinions - I'm probably going for it. The cost of a private lesson at Searchmont is only $40, which is well worth it in my book.

 

[Robyn]

Wow, at $40 a pop I think I'd be taking a private once a month just to continue to improve my technique! Go for it!

 

[SuperMoe]

Searchmont

Sorry to hijack the thread...but I wanna know how Searchmont is. I thought about meeting my (now Canadian) sister there for a weekend sometime as it's about 1/2 way for both of us.

 

[Jenny]

Personally, I like Searchmont best of any of the nearby ski areas. It's smaller in size than Boyne and Nub's, but has higher vertical. There's nothing fancy or resorty about it, but that's why I like it. No long hike from the parking lot either. (We were just at Boyne and I'm still annoyed at that!)

3 chairs
Mostly groomed
One or two ungroomed and through the woods - you couldn't pay me to try them! They're not like glade skiing - my husband says it's more like reckless cross country skiing at high speed.

I can be happy skiing the same run all day, but if you need variety you'll probably find it small. My favorites there are Goulais and Melville's Mile.

If you don't stay on site, then B&B's are the next closest, then hotels in the Sault. But it's about a 45 minute drive from town. A great B&B is Wabos Trail's End Lodge - the owners are very nice and the beds comfortable. We also liked Bellevue Valley B&B.

Le tme know if you want more info or some pictures.

 

[volklgirl]

Searchmont is by far my favorite place to ski in the midwest area (my second being Nub's Nob or BlackJack). There is no real easy run there, so be prepared. The atmosphere there is so laid back and mellow. It's very rustic and low key with lttle to no night life and only a rudimentary cafeteria on-site although the food is quite good.

The trails through the woods (used to be User Friendly and Hard Drive, but they went to animal names when they were bought by the guy in Chicago) are awesome! We love their out-west feel and varying challenges, but one of my friends had to hike out about a mile or 2 when she ripped the binding right out of her foam core ski .

 

[Jenny]

Just remembered - Searchmont also has International Women's Day on March 8th - women ski free.

 

[Jilly]

Wow, at $40 a pop I think I'd be taking a private once a month just to continue to improve my technique! Go for it!

It's not that big!! I'll check tomorrow as the business card is at the office. I may know someone there that is CSIA and Jennie Thoren certified. I'm not sure if she's Sault or Thunder Bay.

 

[Jenny]

It's not that big!! I'll check tomorrow as the business card is at the office. I may know someone there that is CSIA and Jennie Thoren certified. I'm not sure if she's Sault or Thunder Bay.

That would be great to have a specific person to ask for - thanks.

 

[num]

Women's day, free skiing? Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a diva day.

 

[Jenny]

Yep - We already have our unit booked!

 

[volklgirl]

I'll be asking for the day off!

 

[SuperMoe]

bummer

won't work for me...it's skating show weekend. otherwise, that would be fun to hook up with some other MI gals and learn to ski. LOL

 

[Jilly]

Sorry Jeanette's in Thunder Bay. All I could remember was it was way up north!! Haven't run into anyone else at CSIA courses from up that way.

 

[Jenny]

Sorry Jeanette's in Thunder Bay. All I could remember was it was way up north!! Haven't run into anyone else at CSIA courses from up that way.

Thanks for checking!