Why didn't anyone tell me skiing was so much fun?

[dvmvail]

So, it was my first day on my new equipment. Salomon Instinct 9 boots and Elan Black Magic skis. Now please know that I am a TOTAL beginner...content to stay on the greens. I was concerned that my local ski shop had oversold me on equipment. But I"ve skied in my boots before and loved them (praise be to Riley at Bob Greenwood's the holy grail of bootfitters)...so I trusted them on the skis too.
So today I head up the mountain with 6 inches of fresh powder, hit my first run of the day and COULD NOT believe the difference good equipment made for me. The skis turn themselves, it took very little power! I could feel the difference when I would put my weight on the downhill ski vs. still hanging on a bit to the upper ski. I even could feel the "edge" of my ski! ....it was a miracle!! I had such a blast and our mountain is virtually empty during the week. Finally all the things that I've always heard about sking are starting to come together for me. I get how much fun it can be!!!
The only downside is that no one told me how important goggles are.....especially in a snowstorm. Needless to say we had an "equipment failure" with me trying to keep my perscription sunglasses from being covered with ice the entire time.............do I even need to mention that I NOW own a pair of goggles?
I'm looking forward to more lessons and I"m guessing just time on the mountain, practice, practice, practice. Housework is overrated anyway..........

 

[num]

Glad you had a great time. Doesn't skiing in your own equipment feel great? I'm glad you're liking the Black Magics. I'm a low intermediate and I've been interested in them and the Wave Magics, wish someone had them for demo around here! What length do you have?

 

[Robyn]

Housework is overrated anyway..........

Until last night my house was an obvious demonstration of that!

I'm so glad that you're starting to see how much fun skiing really can be. Before long the blues will feel like easy cruisers to you.

 

[dvmvail]

They are short, 152 (or 3 I can't remember exactly at the moment) I am only about 5'1" and 110 lbs. I was actually skiing on a 140 basic rental ski and really worried about going up in length. The tips on the black magics are actually shorter than on the rental ski and while the tails are longer, they don't get in the way. I had trouble dragging my tail on the uphill ski when making a turn to the right. My boot guy suggested we plane (?) my boot and it made a huge difference. I didn't drag that tail once today. The boot fit experiance was really interesting. THey were watching me flex and couldn't figure out what was going on with my knees...they asked all kinds of questions about my back ect...then I remembered that one leg is a bit shorter than the other......they made a few more adjustments and voila!
And while I don't know much technically about skis......I can tell you that these were lots of fun, easy to turn, don't require a ton of speed to get that turn going....a whole different ball game than a regular basic rental.

 

[Kano]

Oh heck, DVMVAIL, now I need a vacation, so I can mid-week ski! One winter, DH pulled a few weeks of swing shift, and we would go up in the mornings. As long as we got back by 2, he could get to work on time. Then one day he broke his hand, and somehow he still managed to get to work on time -- what a whiner on the way down the mountain though!

My daughters used to tease me -- "skiin' on Sunshi-ine" they'd sing/holler as they flew by me. Or worse: as they sailed up the Showcase lift as I took the track back to Morning Star, they'd REALLY holler at me!

I loved my green runs -- now I'm hooked on the blue ones, and sometimes I'll tackle a pretty black one! (not Tiger, though, never again Tiger!)


Now the goggle thing -- It wasn't long before I took up contact lenses for skiing. Inside the goggles, of course! DH has chosen clear goggles -- he has the Transition lenses in his glasses, and the clear seem to work with any light because his glasses change anyway! He battles fog, but won't spring for the ones with the little fan.

Welcome Home to Boise, by the way!

Kano

 

[Jilly]

Housework is overrated anyway..........

You bet, long as the dishes get down so there is something to eat on and clean clothes, who needs anything else.
Isn't having your own equipment great. The Black Magics are a great craving ski. True parabolic and from what you've been saying, the right choice for you. Go and enjoy!!