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Post by smackboy1 on Nov 19, 2013 20:02:58 GMT -7
Well it's good to be back after hibernating for the summer. I see there's been some remodeling and most of the old gang are still lounging around "the clubhouse".
So I'm going to be going to my first HSS Camp in a month. Anybody got any tips or advice or caveat emptors?
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Post by HighAngles on Nov 19, 2013 20:15:15 GMT -7
The most important preparation IMHO is to be thoroughly familiar with PMTS terminology and concepts. If you haven't digested the first 2 books and the Essentials book that's what I would be working on. It's also a good idea to try some of the drills if you have access to snow. If not, work through the slant board video series.
I have to say that nothing has transformed my skiing as much as following the PMTS program. It ain't cheap, but it is definitely fulfilling to see real progress and realize how much more confident I am on the mountain.
I'm excited for you, but you'll only get as much out of it as you put into it.
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Post by JimRatliff on Nov 19, 2013 21:22:07 GMT -7
Surrender Thy Ego.
Whatever you think you know about skiing, surrender it for a while and let them show and tell you their way. Harder than you may think. You'll get one drill down, and as soon as you move to the next topic your body reverts to old movement patterns.
I thought I was doing some of the movements pretty well. That was only my feelings, the video and the instructors told a different story.
Wearing light colored pants or a reflective stripe along the outside of the leg really facilitates seeing yourself on video. My gray pants show much better than black. I saw someone else putting white tape on their black pants. Keep the stripe straight along the leg.
The instructors are really focused on making your boots work and not on selling new stuff. If you are wanting their thoughts on new boots, you will have to initiate that conversation. This is the one area I most respect; I watched them working diligently with another camper's boots once that even I could tell were shot (and too large in the first place).
Your wide powder skis will be counter productive. Similarly, high-performance skis that require speed to come alive will be quite challenging with the low speed drills.
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Post by smackboy1 on Nov 20, 2013 7:30:51 GMT -7
I feel like I'm getting ready for my first day of university!
Packing List: Neon yellow ski pants ACBAES 1 & 2, Essentials & DVDs, Instr. Manual, PFS DVD Which skis should I bring? Head Icon TT 80 (118-66-102)? Or Movement Jam (136-85-117) and rent a narrower ski for camp?
Leave at home: Ego
Is it worth bringing a video camera (Contour)? If the conditions are favorable, I want to demo trad cambered wider powder skis (e.g. Head, Stockli). Any recommendations where to go?
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Post by gary on Nov 20, 2013 8:25:17 GMT -7
Remember to have fun and get it into your head that most of what you'll be learning may feel foreign even awkward and difficult to do..
DON'T GIVE UP.....when you get back to your mountain..keep working on the drills, the movements ....results will come but you have to commit to the movements so you own them.
DON'T BE EMBARRASED or SHY....you're paying for this...get your monies worth.
When I went to my first CAMP, I thought I was a decent skier and really got my eyes opened. When I came back to my local mountain...I felt like a fish out of water...I thought my skiing was disconnected, clunky and just felt weird. I had 3 different friends come up to me and ask "what did you do to your skiing"....I responded...."looks pretty bad huh"...and they all said..."You look so much more fluid"!
Enjoy, open your mind and be patient...it's truly fantastic training you'll come to appreciate! Best,
G
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Post by JimRatliff on Nov 20, 2013 9:21:51 GMT -7
I feel like I'm getting ready for my first day of university! Packing List: Neon yellow ski pants ACBAES 1 & 2, Essentials & DVDs, Instr. Manual, PFS DVD Which skis should I bring? Head Icon TT 80 (118-66-102)? Or Movement Jam (136-85-117) and rent a narrower ski for camp? Between the two I'd pick the TT80. You don't want to be fighting a bad tune or a bad narrow ski choice along with everthing else going on in camp. Maybe combine the wide ski rental with your demo requirements. Video camera probably not necessary, IMO. They video each day, and last camp I was at they posted the video on-line after camp was over so you could look at it after you got back. High Angles says that Christy's is the primary multi-outlet chain carrying a broad variety of Head Skis in Denver as well as Summit county. I like Precision Ski in Frisco (970-668-3095) for ski tune and in general (were recommended to Lynn by Diana). They also have rental skis, but not Head. They do a lot of local racer tuning and seem to be a bit higher quality than run-of-the-mill rental shop. They also sell Ski Logik (so you can admire some topsheets) and do a lot ski prep for the manufacturers for the annual spring SIA show in Denver.
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Post by gary on Nov 20, 2013 11:30:38 GMT -7
Icon TT 80 REAL SKIER REVIEW versatile icon 80 118/66/102 (13.4m) 152/158/164,170,176 In essence, the Chip 66 without the chip. To say that retail tester response to the new TT line was underwhelming hardly tells the tale. We received only a very few cards on this one model. For us to feel comfortable about a review, we like either to receive a good number of cards or in a few cases, fewer cards that are very consistent. That was the case with the 80. The Chip 66 was better received, but the 80 is be well worth a test drive. (Update 12/23/09: Harald Harb has developed substantial personal and client experience on the 80 and we are upgrading the review based on his extensive input. It is a much better ski than the paltry early returns suggested) groomedbumpsice expertsportstrong clean carve: 5 smooth soft edge: 5 accurate: 5 stability: 4 rebound: 5 quickness: 5 lightness: 5 relaxing: 4
The Icon TT80 should be the perfect ski for your camp...BUT...I'd bring the JAM in the event you get dumped on!
Narrower....Really??
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Post by HighAngles on Nov 20, 2013 12:07:12 GMT -7
Actually only some of the Christy's in the mountains have the Head skis. Down in Denver they're a no-show.
I agree on the recommendation to use the TT80 - that's definitely a preferred PMTS ski.
Oh, and I love Jim's post - "Surrender Thy Ego" - so true!
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Post by ToddW on Nov 20, 2013 16:44:07 GMT -7
- Relax. Learning to selectively relax muscles is a big part of PMTS. Most of us contract way too many muscles when we ski. This leads to the next point,
- Don't fight. Don't fight against your own muscles (you always lose), i.e. relax. Don't fight the mountain (it always wins), i.e. don't push off or extend in any way; instead absorb conflict with the mountain by flexing your legs. Don't fight your ski by twisting it (or you'll lose an exhilarating ride); politely request your ski to turn by tipping it on edge and gratefully accept the turn that it chooses to share with its passenger.
- If it doesn't feel totally weird and highly exaggerated, you're not doing it right or at least not doing it enough. Your most productive day will be the one where you feel you're an idiot who can't even ski down a bunny slope. It feels terrible to you because the new movements are unfamiliar and perhaps tentative. Just remember that it looks highly improved to the coaches who see the beginnings of big changes.
- Get aligned and get the footbeds unless they say you don't need them.
- Have fun. Go to the organized apres ski gathering(s). Find a group to go to dinner with the other nights. The camps draw a great group of people, so take the time to befriend some kindred spirits.
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Post by JimRatliff on Nov 20, 2013 20:34:37 GMT -7
Promo: And tell everyone about this great web site that you know about that is just full of friendly and knowledgeable skiers.
PS. And tell Diana (and Bob Hintermeister if he's there) that Lynn and Jim say "Hello".
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