skidding as well as carving

[mountainxtc]

QTF

[Rant]
"Good skiing" is having a full range of techniques and being able to adapt those techniques to the current situation and conditions.

I couldn't agree more. I don't agree, though, that there is ever a situation where parking and riding is useful, practical, or as fun as working the ski through the turn. Just my opinion.

I also disagree that smearing/buttering a turn involves pushing the skis out from under you - it feels like releasing the edge, not pushing?

maybe you don't feel like you are actively pushing, but the result is that the skis move out from underneath the centre of mass, whether you are pushing or just releasing the edges and letting them drift. this is not conducive to good balance and puts you in a weak position from which to start the new turn. as for releasing the edge, you have to do that to move to the new turn no matter what is you are carving, steering or skidding.

I find the whole "cookie cutter" skiing image rampant in all the schools of thought (PSIA, CSIA, PMT, etc...) to be just a lot of bunk. Use whatever works whether it's "correct" or not!!!

It's true some ski instructors become obsessed and robotic looking, I am not advocating that. It's not about image, it's about performance. Use the tools that are practical given the situation. But use good tools!

Of course, when it's super steep, you want to ski slower or you get into trouble, use more pivot and less edge, that goes without saying! but do it in a way that you stay strong and set yourself up for a good next turn too. And I don't care whether it's "correct" or not, it just results in better skiing.

 

[CMCM]

I adore Lito and his videos. I have his two Breakthrough on Skis videos, and I've watched them a gazillion times, I think. Every time I watch, something new sinks in, and then when I'm skiing things come to mind that I've absorbed from his videos. I have learned an amazing amount from him, from the videos.

 

[Skisailor]

I adore Lito and his videos. I have his two Breakthrough on Skis videos, and I've watched them a gazillion times, I think. Every time I watch, something new sinks in, and then when I'm skiing things come to mind that I've absorbed from his videos. I have learned an amazing amount from him, from the videos.

I couldn't agree more. I love everything about Lito's videos, from the instruction to the videography to the scenery to the music to his overall approach to skiing. I also watch them frequently and it's true you really do pick up more details on subsequent viewings. He actually has 3 videos - the original Breakthrough on Skis, the update of that video for shaped ski technique and the Bumps and Powder video. Have you checked out that last one? Helped my bump skiing tremendously! (though I'm still progressing slowly on a long learning curve in the bumps)