Turning Radius Question?

Pavel, I think your are right. I have certainly had moments (especially last year trying to keep up with a Slovinian speed freek instructor) when you do entirely give up thinking about what you and your skis are doing and just ski your socks off. At the time I was a strictly blue run cruiser but by solely concentrating on just keeping up with the instuctor I was oblivious to the fact that we were also going down the reds- - and loving it immensely at the same time!

I also think however that it's gonna take a certain level of skiier that is confident enough to ignore everything his brain is telling him and just enjoy the sensation.

I think I'm lucky in that I don't mind ski lessons. I don't even mind being taught the same things over and over again because every now and then a new snippet of information flicks the next switch. The more switches flicked the more 'on' you are and the less things you have to worry about.

I'm also aware that I try too hard to be the good skiier and occasionaly the effort gets in the way of the enjoyment. At least one afternoon of the holiday however, I try to throw caution and style to the wind and just go for it!

Pav, I really like that idea of subconcious feedback from the feet. I do think it supports my pet issue of skiing without poles. When you have no poles, it isn't just the run that is a learning experience, there's all the moving around befor and after.

Negotiating the lift line, especially when there is gradient, involves very subtle foot movements and edge awareness. Your head is generally up, watching ahead and your feet tell you what's happening below. Lots of very slight skating and braking. All done with the lower leg

Having to skate over flats means spending a lot of time on one ski. There is huge feedback from the balancing foot as that ski interacts with the snow. The ski that does the push stroke while skating teaches the feel of acceleration from extension in a turn. You learn control on a micro scale as you coax every ounce of speed for efficiency of movement.

As most people have limited time on thier ski vacations, These extra opportunities learn to and experience could make a real difference to the learning curve.

Trencher

Back to the turning radius thing - it's funny how forum threads can go off on tangents!

As it's a fairly nice day today here in Dorset, and as the sad muppet that I am, I measured myself a 12.2m length of string (the radius of my Salomon Streetracers), tied a pencel to the end and drew myself a portion of arc on a wooden board. Trencher was right in that the arc I drew matched the side cut of the ski with it layed flat on the board. No edge angle required. In fact when I did edge them they were easily bent into a far tighter arc than the 12.2m one.

I'm not saying this test is conclusive and I'm not saying my skis are slalom skis but an arc with a 12.2m radius creates a circle with a 24.8 meter diameter which is a big ol curve. I'm sure the Ted Shred's of this world can carve a far tighter turn than that.

Must get down the pub and tell them! :?