The Wisconsin Skier

 
 
 
Recently I wrote about skiing on ice and how I barely notice when I ski on ice. I remember seeing ice and mentally freezing (pun intended) and putting on the brakes. Skidding on ice is something best avoided.

However, skiing in the opposite snow conditions can be equally challenging to the skidder. If you are not on edge, skidding through fluffencrud can be perilous, you feel every bump, every irregularity and they all work to throw you off balance.

However, the solution for both ski challenges is the same: be on edge. If it is fluffencrud, the edges cut right through it, and if it is ice edged skis can sink a good bite into it.

Think of a knife, move it across a pile of mashed potatoes and then move the knife through the potatoes edge first. Which way gets you to the solid of the plate much more easily? Then take that knife to butter, a flat knife does not give any direction control through the butter whereas a knife edge will engage the butter.

If you are comfortable on skis, but don’t think you have carving down yet here is a good video with some drills to give you a feel for what you need to do:

For Intermediate Skiers

In fact, one of the reasons I write this site is to help me contact people and other sources of information to help me improve my skiing, and I hope in turn some of my readers can take away some tips and ideas to help them improve their skiing.
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Picked up on the following in a post entitled Why Skiing Accidents May Happen Even at the Best Resorts at Sunshine Bob’s Blog:

Skiing accidents may happen even at the best resorts. If you have adequate knowledge about the types of accidents that may happen while skiing, then you can avoid the accidents.

Reading through the list and the causes seems to place the blame on the resort, the resort’s employees, or the resort’s equipment. Those points where the blame is square on one guest or another the point is very thin.

For example: Ski falls: Ski falls may occur due to improperly designed or maintained slope. The ski area operator should therefore take care of designing, maintaining and operating their slopes.. The slope is what it is and it is up to the skier to be able to handle the slope. I have written many times on this topic, being able to ski black diamonds at home may not give you the ability to ski certain blue circles at that world class ski resort. Push down a run and you had better be able to handle it. If this means, burning a day to scout the hill for runs within your ability then that is what it means. No doubt, the resort has the responsibility to open and close runs according to conditions and to make sure the runs are clear of hazards such as debris and other such hazards.

Go down a ski run out of your abilities you may be looking for an able doctor. Being careful in your trail selection is a valid point Sunshine Bob does raise.

However, the most ridiculous point is brought up as a means to avoid on hill collision.
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