I had one of those revelations at the end of last year that many skiboarders report; going form clumsy incompetence on long skis, to flying down the blacks on skiboards. Well, not quite, but I did go from happy not to get hurt, to enjoying the blues.
I spent a lot of the off season looking at boards, and settled on 110 Customs. But when the first runs came it wasn't as easy as I remembered. I was skiing better than before, but was still afraid of the moguls and steeps, was taking off to much speed in my turns and skiing very defensively. Basically just braking down the mountain.
For the last couple of weeks I've been obsessed with technique; hands in front, zipper down the fall line, pressuring the downhill ski. So much advice and videos, but no improvement and no fun. I picked up a set of 87cm Jades on sale a few weeks ago and decided to give them a go yesterday afternoon. Instant improvement! The main difference was my ability to turn, without hesitation, whenever I wanted to. I only had time for a few runs, but found myself happy to attack the hill straight on without braking, turning at will, enjoying the speed. Even sliding over the evening hardpack seemed comfortable.
Today was the kind of day I've been waiting for. I was able to enjoy the whole mountain. I took on the steep groomers, the chop and the black moguls. What a difference. I'm sure my technique is still far from perfect, or even pretty, but my end results have drastically improved. For now, I'll take that. I have a home made, ugly, unorthodox golf swing, but it is highly effective. Perhaps my skiing will be the same way.
I think I fell into the trap of going to skiboards because their length makes skiing easier, and then getting boards that were too long for me. This is an easy mistake to make given the way skiboards seem to be getting longer and wider. Posters here often talk about how much fun the older shorter boards used to be. Well, for me, they are. I never really understood what people meant by skiboarding being like skating, now I get it, and it's so much easier. Lesson learned.
I spent a lot of the off season looking at boards, and settled on 110 Customs. But when the first runs came it wasn't as easy as I remembered. I was skiing better than before, but was still afraid of the moguls and steeps, was taking off to much speed in my turns and skiing very defensively. Basically just braking down the mountain.
For the last couple of weeks I've been obsessed with technique; hands in front, zipper down the fall line, pressuring the downhill ski. So much advice and videos, but no improvement and no fun. I picked up a set of 87cm Jades on sale a few weeks ago and decided to give them a go yesterday afternoon. Instant improvement! The main difference was my ability to turn, without hesitation, whenever I wanted to. I only had time for a few runs, but found myself happy to attack the hill straight on without braking, turning at will, enjoying the speed. Even sliding over the evening hardpack seemed comfortable.
Today was the kind of day I've been waiting for. I was able to enjoy the whole mountain. I took on the steep groomers, the chop and the black moguls. What a difference. I'm sure my technique is still far from perfect, or even pretty, but my end results have drastically improved. For now, I'll take that. I have a home made, ugly, unorthodox golf swing, but it is highly effective. Perhaps my skiing will be the same way.
I think I fell into the trap of going to skiboards because their length makes skiing easier, and then getting boards that were too long for me. This is an easy mistake to make given the way skiboards seem to be getting longer and wider. Posters here often talk about how much fun the older shorter boards used to be. Well, for me, they are. I never really understood what people meant by skiboarding being like skating, now I get it, and it's so much easier. Lesson learned.
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