2004-2005 Season Log

The 2004-2005 Season.

Ski log from my first day in a mono to now Click Here

01-30-05 Day 22 Killington

01-29-05 Day 21 Pico Blind/DD Exam

01-28-05 Day 20 Pico 3/4 track Exam

01-27-05 Day 19 Pico Exam prep

01-23-05 Day 18 Windham POWDER DAY

01-22-05 Day 17 Windham ( testing skis)

01-15-05 Day 16 Windham

01-09-05 Day 15 Windham Mach Exam

This is the day of our mach exam. One of the great things about working at Windham Is that we have some of the best instructors on the planet. So we did a heads up mach Exam to make sure we are prepared for what and examiner will be looking for during our exam. Early in the AM I took a run to working on dropping my hip to create some smoother angles and better body position. Then I watch Kim work on some mono skills. Soon it was time to get with our exam group. I decided to go first to teach the task I was given. Well I was nervous and babbled on about snow conditions and got off track on how to ski ice then had the group follow me as I took off down the hill and left them behind. If it were the real deal I would not have pleases my examiner. So now I know what NOT to do.:) Then it was someone else’s turn, then another and another. We have some real talent working in our ski school and I learned so much just watching and taking part it their little mini lessons. I cut the day short and headed home to have a Birthday dinner with my daughter. I think it was a good weekend, but all too soon the reality of home and work hit. And hit hard. This time of year is busy. Those of you who send me your equipment to fix and or modify, skis and parts going out and coming in. All this is done after my day job keeping me in the shop late some nights. I do love doing it. I just wish I had some help. If I could only clone my self and give the clone the use of his legs it would be great. But that’s not going to happen. I have recruited my daughters to help and they do like working with tools and helping their daddy so I should not complain. I want to thank the guys at Action Yamaha in Metuchen NJ. My shock did lose some charge about 120lbs. The guys at Action charged my shock and hooked me up. It was a good time to check all nuts and bolts, moving parts and straps. You should do the same.

01-08-05 Day 14 Windham

The weather was calling for snow, well it started as rain then sleet then snow back to rain then sleet and snow and this was the norm for the day. I did not have to teach so I just tooled around the mountain looking for the race clinic and worked on my personal skiing. It’s funny, no matter how much I learn I realize how much I need to learn. It was a wet mixed day, but the skiing was good. My shock must have lost some of it’s charge because it was feeling a little on the soft side. This is not a good thing because with a gas charged shock when you lose some of the pressure the spring has to work harder and it loads up more then usual. This completely changes the way the equipment performs and it will tent to bounce you around. The rebound on a 350lb spring will through a 180lb guy like me right off the trail like what happened to me last week on racers edge. This equipment does need to be maintained and shocks do wear out just like on your vehicle. Well anyway, moving right along. I made my way over to the park. I was never a real fan for the Windham terrain parks. But I like to check them out. Well it looks like they finally got it rite. Some nice table tops with some good landing ramps. Plus the snow was soft. I was sporting a freshly tuned Rossi Oversize. This is a real nice ski. It started getting cold and I was wet so those two factors will stop this diehard. With the final part of my level 2 exam approaching quick I am picking some brains and trying to brush up on all I can. It’s a lot to know but I am ready.

01-05-05 Day 13 Bus trip with my daughters at Hunter
My oldest daughter has a birthday on the 8th but she will be camping with the girl scouts. I thought it would be nice to take a day trip and go skiing. The ski Bums were running the first bus of the season and who would not want to take a day off school and work to go skiing. I guess I am trying fulfill some of what I wish I had as a kid. My parents were not into skiing or anything for the most part mainly due to cost. But I had friends who went skiing with their parents and sometimes I was even invited. It was so cool to me. I want me kids to enjoy that same fun and excitement. Well my middle girl wanted to come and that was fine with the older one. Both have good grads and made honor roll so a day off in my book was well deserved. My little one had a fever. Poor goober girl. She stayed home for some much needed rest. It was a nice winter day. Not too cold and snowing. We took a few warm up runs. I was happy to see the girls pick up right were they left off last season. My oldest, Gina, is pretty conservative, very careful, slow and controlled. Nicole on the other hand is a little more daring and likes going fast. I wonder where she gets that from? She just needs to get a better grip on her speed control. I took a few runs from the summit and that turned into a nightmare. First run I went over some thin cover and skied over some rocks. One nice big scratch on my ski in just the right place making it hard to turn left. I switched to my other Head ski. On the next run I was motoring down racers edge. I was taking a nice line down the left side when I loaded up My shock a little hard in a bump and the rebound kicked my ski off edge. Racers edge is a steep double black. If you lose your edge it’s a good bet you are sliding all the way to the bottom. Unless you slide off to the side and are stopped by a tree, a fence or a snow gun. That could result in deceleration trauma. I was lucky this time. I did clip the fence with my head but my helmet did it’s job. I wound up stopping wedged in some small trees and bushes off the side of the trail on a steep snow bank. The brush kept me from going deepen into the woods. I was pinned face up with my head down the hill. Almost upside down. It was snowing and going in my face and up my nose as the blood was rushing to my head. However, it was kind of peace full. The first patroller asked me if I was okay. I told him yes, He said he had to check me out anyway. He took off his board and climbed down to me, He asked if I hit my head I told him yes, and that I can’t feel my legs. The look on his face… Priceless!! Then I said “that was from a previous injure” the set him at ease and lightened the moment. Three ski patrollers a safety line, my ski bum buddy Bill and 45 minutes later I was extracted from the woods and skiing to the base. Never a dull moment when skiing with this guy. I consider my self a pretty competent skier as some of you do. But this was one of those things and if I did not have my helmet on it might have been a different outcome. Lessons learned, helmets are a good thing, and when skiing close to the tree line on a steep double black give your self more room for recovery. The ski patroller told me to see his wife down in the ski shop to get me ski looked at. After lunch with my girls we went to the ski shop to drop off my skis and get my daughter a neck gator. What the heck is turtle fur? I never saw a turtle with fur. Anyway, the girls took an afternoon lesson and then we headed for the summit for a nice long end of the day run. We had a great day. Just before getting on the bus I stopped at the ski shop to pick up my skis only to find my skis looking brand spanking new with no ticket. The person there just handed them to me and said no charge! BOOM! No work, no school, no drive! It was a bus trip. I got a critters view of the woods, a free full tune and p-tex. on my skis and a great day with my girls. We had a blast. They go to watch a movie on the bus and I got to relax for the long drive. I like being the coolest Dad on the planet. I think my girls like it to. :)

12-29-04 Day 12 Mono lesson with Melanie at Hunter
It was a little more of the same this day. It was warmer out and the snow was softer. Melanie was working a little harder with the snow and getting a little discouraged. But she was doing so well. We skied a few runs in the morning and a few more after lunch. It is so cool to watch her find her balance, and counter move to correct. This little one has the good’s at 6 years old. Woman’s US ski team watch out. Melanie is on her way. Her hands are so small that it is hard for her to hold the rigger and work the string, but she does it and giving up is not in her nature. She was getting tired so we ended again on a good note. Her dad Scott and I took some runs to finish the day. Lower K27 was open. This is Hunters steep double black that is the bad boy of the mountain. The Hunter good skier bar is for the most part set by K27. It turns out upper K was more difficult on this day then lower K. The left side of lower K was not too bumped up and the snow conditions were great. Scott and I hit it like four times. It was a great challenge for me and the feeling you get looking up this massive wall of snow from the bottom after nailing the run is just too much for words. I had dinner with Melanie and her family We watched the video from her lesson and I headed home.

12-28-04 Day 11 Mono lesson with Melanie at Hunter

Images Here

It was a pretty good week off. I have been working on modifying a small Mogul Master Jr. making it a Mini Mogul Master Jr. for my friend Melanie. She is 6 years old and a very strong very athletic child. Melanie had a virus on her spine at age two. She is a very high functioning para. She swims and rides a mini hand cycle and skis stand up as a four tracker with long leg braces and a tethered slider, all at the age of six. Getting her in a monoski will give her the freedom and independence she desires. We got her into the monoski and she was ready to go. It was a challenge getting to this point with Melanie. She is a tiny little girl. And a small child monoski was not small enough. We did a custom X-small bucket “seat” and I fabricated a new foot rest. Then there was the outrigger problem. I had to cut down a pair of outriggers between the handle the arm cuff. Then change the pin spring for flipping up the ski to an easier spring and shorten the tube. All in all I came up with a working system for her little hands and arms. She did very well. I was giving the lesson at Hunter. Her dad Scott and my friend Ed were there to assist. We started just like any mono lesson with moving around on the flat and the straight glide. She had no problem and was correcting her balance almost instinctively. It was quit impressive to see this little 6 year old with body awareness that would rival most adults. We stayed on a small slope below the lift. Scott and Ed took turns pushing her up the hill as she skied down and worked on her turns and stopping. She was having a lot of fun and did not want to stop. Even when she fell it was fun and she was ready for more. We ended the lesson on a good note. She was making progress and feeling good. I can see she was getting a little tired so I figured it was best to end on a good note. The conditions were great. Scott, Ed and my self took a few runs to end the day.

12-19-04 Day 10 Mono-Bi.Windham
Course conduct Mono-Bi for first year instructors. It was another great day on the hill. A little sun in the morning turned to over cast and flurries then to snow. It was a little slow, about five signed up for the clinic, and only three showed up. All of the mono skis were being used by the mono ski camp going on so we focused on Bi-ski. By the afternoon there was only one left in the clinic. It was just Tony and my self. We mixed it up discussing equipment and skiing, We skied some runs and went over some things to help Tony prepare for his evaluation. At the end of the day I ran into my buddy Kevin C. and we hit it hard and fast for a few runs. It was snowing and conditions were getting better and better. It was a nice way to wind down the weekend.

12-18-04 Day 9 Movement analysis.Windham
This was a another great clinic by Kim. Again a lot of our training as instructors, is in the techniques of “modern skiing”. As instructors it is important to know and be able to demonstrate skills for your student. Some new skiers that just started when the shape or “parabolic” skis came out are more advanced in modern skiing skills then some of the instructors out on the hill that have been teaching for years. Well the equipment has changed and so some of the skills should change too. There is a difference between skiing “shape” skis and the older “straight” skis. This clinic was all about the body movements used to ski a shape ski more effectively and more efficiently. Effectively, to give you the skier the best effect from the ski you just dropped all kinds of coin on. The ski has performance designed into it. If you ski it like your old straight skis you will not experience the full effect of the performance designed into it. It’s like buying an off road vehicle and never taking it off road, or getting a five speed and never taking it out of third gear. Efficiently, if you learn some of the skills needed to get the most out of your new shape skis it will take less movement, energy and strength to ski the mountain and carve like a champ. The reason you can go to a shorter ski is because of the parabolic curve. Not only is the edge of the ski curve in under foot, but it also curves up giving the ski camber. The combination of these two curves is a parabolic curve. If you measure your shape ski from tip to tail you come up with a length, let’s say 160cm. Now take a string and tape it to metal edge of the ski and following the edge from tip to tail. Mark or cut the string. Remove the string and stretch the string out straight. The length you see is the real effective edge of the ski you are using. So a 160cm ski becomes more then 160cm. Not only that, but the skis are much more stable these days using some of the most advanced technology to make a lighter faster and stronger ski. Okay I will get off my soap box now and back to the clinic. We would work on a exercise as our instructor Kim would video tape us. Then inside we reviewed the tape and learned what moves we needed to do to correct our old habits. I was the only sit skier in the bunch and I had a great time. For me, I was trying to tip the ski on edge with my hip more so then leaning or using my outrigger. I am getting the hang of it. And it is and easier move to do to get the same effect. We took a few free runs then called it. A cold one in the lounge then off to the Winhaven for some food. Good times, good people, It was a good day.

12-17-04 Day 8 3-4 Track
I started out the day thinking I was taking a Blind/DD clinic, to prep for my level II exam, but it turned out to be a first year instructors clinic so I gave a 3-4 track clinic. Joy is a new instructor to our program but has been a ski instructor for a few years with the “regular” ski school. It was great having a one on one clinic with her. She picked up the concept and applications of outriggers quickly, and her skiing skills helped her 3 and 4 track fairly easy. I was trying out a new ski. A Head SL 160cm with the Tyrolia binding. This little ski is all that and more. Stable and speed, carves a mean arc and holds it as long as you want it to. Bumps are so sweet with this ski. Right now it is the #1 plank in my quiver. We continued working with the outriggers and Joy gained more confidence then she wanted to take them to the summit. We did a few runs from the summit until the clinic was over. I hooked up with some friends for a few free runs then called it a day. Some of us got together for a study to go over level II exam material. Not a bad day.

12-11-04 Day 7 Mono-Bi Windham

The mountain is holding up considering the warm weather and rain. But that turns around pretty fast this time of year. I was called on to conducting a clinic for first year instructors on mono and Bi ski. It was a warm day, over cast and some fog lingering around at the summit. I wanted to get out early to test out a new ski. It’s not a good idea to test out a new ski on a day when the conditions warrant a rock ski. But I am tired of my flat dead skis from last season. I mounted up my Head C160 170cm with a pinned Salomon equipe 747 binding. The conditions were very soft wet snow, like spring conditions. The C160 is a nice happy little ski with guts. It hooks up quick and likes to stay in it’s arc. If you are not controlling it, it will control you. I LIKE IT! It seems pretty stable but due to conditions I was unable to open it up in a blazing speed run. Oh well, next time. Soon it was on to the clinic. There was a good size group of new instructors for the clinic. In the AM we went over the Bi-ski, it’s function, fitting a student and tethering. Soon we were joined by the “Budman” Dave. I was pleased because Dave can demo tethering better them me. The students learned about being a blocker and student safety. After lunch we did the mono portion of the clinic. Even though a first year instructor work primarily as an assistant I wanted them to get in the equipment to get a sense of the balance issues their students would face. Some of them got the hang of linking turns and they all learned about fitting a student, spotting a student and picking up a student. I think they got a lot out of it. Wolver opened, it’s the big cruiser down the middle of the mountain. Well on this day It was a bumped up rock and grass spotted steep, but still a lot of fun. After a few runs down Wolver it was time to head south for a little mono maintenance and to mount some ski bindings for YOU!

12-04-04 Day 6 ATS Windham

Finally I bit of cold weather set in and the mountain snow guns were blasting. I decided to take an ATS Clinic called “getting your angles” Our new ASF staffer, Kim Seevers, gave the clinic. It was a good challenging time. It is amazing how many skiers are on shape skis but skiing them like the old straight skis. Well this clinic was designed to help break some old habits and get better performance from your equipment as well as help us, the skier, ski with less effort. Kim was able to translate the exercises for the stand up skiers to those of us in sit equipment. It was a blast. To spite noisy snow guns and an over crowded trail we made the best of it and I think we all came away with something new in our bag of tricks. I know I did. In the afternoon I was fortunate to assist in a mono clinic with Tom T. He talked about some of the basics in having a first time student and I got to demo some turns. Finished off the day taking a few run with my new friends from Columbia University.

11-29-04 Day 5 Course Conductors training Windham

Hey gang, I hope you had a nice long weekend like I did. Unfortunately the weather in the Catskill’s has not been the best for skiing and making snow but the mountain’s are still open and training continues. Saturday turned out to be a great day. I took to the snow a little early to try out a new ski. The Rossignol 9S OVERSIZE 174cm. I like the ski. It is a little soft but held up well. It strikes a mean arc with a strong tail, and it is very forgiving in the bumps. With snow making on Friday night there was enough snow to keep us training on snow. I was in a course conductors ATS training clinic. This is special training for those of us picked to be course conductors. Course conductors train new instructors the fundamentals in American Teaching System (ATS) and Disabled Ski Teaching (DST). We took a few runs and discussed things like professionalism, course content and skill evaluation. The “A” chair opened so we headed for the summit. This took almost an hour. The chair Stopped and there we sat and sat…. and sat. Even though it was not very cold out, sitting there for so long caused us to get chilled to the bone. They did get the chair running, it was very slow for a high speed quad but moving. I though for sure I was going to get my chance to write about a being evacuated from a chair lift. Well maybe some other time. Anyway, as we off loaded the chair at the summit the ski patrol handed us a card for a free hot drink and the lodge. We then took the clinic inside to warm up and discuss various topics. There were a few ski manufacturers with demo tents set up out side. One of the reasons I wanted to switch from a bolt on to a boot and ski binding type of mounting system was to be able to take advantage of such an opportunity. Atomic was there and I really want to ski the new SX:B5. The guys at the tent were helpful and set me right up. They cranked up the DIN but the demo bindings only go to 12. I took an easy green run and at the end I let it run out a bit before rolling It on edge to carve it, but I felt the front binding starting to let go so I back off and went back to the tent. I like the ski from what I can tell but I need to pin the binding to give it a real demo. Plus I did not want to trash their demo ski, after all they were nice enough to set me up and let me try it. I got back on my Rossi and finished the day with a few top to bottom runs. With rain expected for Sunday I just headed south and went home. I am getting my equipment dialed in and getting excited for the teaching season.

11-21-04 Day 4 Three Track & Four Track training Windham

Sunday was three & four track clinic. The weather held out pretty well. It rained a bit on and off but we seemed miss it. Giving people outriggers and taking away one of their skis is always fun, but it really gives them the perspective of how to use the riggers and control one ski. We worked on the teaching progression and making turns. In the afternoon we moved on to 4 track. The group was pretty enthused about learning to use the equipment and ski it pretty well. It started to clear up a little and I was seeing little spots of blue ski so I had to take a few more runs before calling it a day. Maybe some day an able bodied instructor will send in a little article telling us what the first year is like. BOOM! Till next time Happy Thanksgiving!

11-20-04 Day 3 Blind/DD training Windham

Training season is on. This early season it the time the instructors use to learn and improve teaching and skiing skills. Here in the east it’s cold for a few days the snow guns start to fire. The mountain comes to life with only one or two trails, but it is enough to train on. Then it gets warm again and the one trail gets narrower and narrower with bare spots and bumps. But I like it. Saturday we were on snow for a Blind D/D clinic. I was a blast. The new first time instructors are a trip to watch. You can tell right away the ones who are totally into the program and those how join for the perks. But they all have fun and something to contribute. We worked on guiding skills and other teaching methods. It was fun and it was on snow, what more can you ask for. I know, how about trying out a new mono-ski as well. I got a chance to test out the KBG mono-ski. In the KBG you are sitting up higher. The high center of gravity allows you to get the ski out away from you in the turn, but it also takes a little getting use too. I used outriggers set longer for this mono but there was no break. I do rely on the break screw for more support. So I changes riggers and the second had too much break. All in all the KBG performs well and is built very strong. This particular mono was fitted with a Yetti bucket. It fit me good and I enjoyed skiing it. My advice is the same as always what it comes to getting your own sitski. Try before you buy. I can see how some will absolutely love this piece of equipment and some may not. The next time I get a chance to ski it I will use my own riggers and just make them longer. I only skied it on a green and did not get to give it a good all mountain test. But can tell it has the goods. I think if you are a big boy 200+ lbs this might very well be the ski you are looking for. In the afternoon we did D/D clinic talking about different disabilities and checking out some of the tool we use to aid out students. It was cool. A few more runs in the afternoon then the rain started to set in so I called it around 3:30.

11-14-04 Day 2 Opening day Windham

The next day, Sunday I decided to share Windham’s opening day with the gang from ASF. I wanted to test out a new plank it’s called http://www.skiphantom.com/ Phantom. This is one very happening ski, if you would call it a ski. Twin tip very wide, very RAD side cut. I skies the 160cm. I hooked up with my buddy Dave and we started the Windham season. In the morning just the D lift was open. This only serves a few green trails. But it makes for a good warm up and a nice run to test out the PHNATOM. After a Few runs on the Phantom I switched to a Salomon Verse 9 Pilot 170cm. And put on the helmet cam. By late morning after some grooming the “A” lift opened for some top to bottom skiing. Dave and I got on that right away. It was a beautiful day, the guns were off and the sun was out. Even though it was groomed there were some mean holes to beware of. Dave and I just open it up and blaze down the middle at warp speed only to find some hidden surprises. So we kick it down a few notches and enjoyed the day. With the helmet cam running I shot some footage, then Dave put on the helmet cam and followed me as I buzzed the pumpkin patch of ASF instructors. We tore it up pretty good for being so early in the season. I took a few tumbles due to popping out of the binding. But it was a great day. Called it quits around 2:30 and headed south. Over view, my shock was a little too bouncy. Not sure why yet and I need some new skis. Next week I will be in training for my exam. Blind/DD & 3-Track/4-Track. Keep the waxed side down and stay safe. Be Blessed!

11-13-04 Day 1 Opening day Hunter .

And away we go! WELCOME! The 04-05 season has begun and I hit two opening days in one weekend, it was a very cool. Starting off Saturday morning I headed to Windham to course conduct a DST (disabled ski teaching) course. As it turned out I was not needed. So I took care of some mountain stuff like getting my skis tuned and picture taken for my lift pass, then I was off to Hunter. The sun was shining and it was fairly warm out. I though it would be cool to dawn the helmet cam and do a little filming of day one at Hunter. What you get is top to bottom skiing with a bunch hard core die-hards. This is the same group that was there six months ago on the last day of the season. I was on the lift about 11:30 to start my season on snow. The Atomic C:11 170cm was my choice of ski. I got some real good use out of this ski last season. The thing about Hunter on opening day is you get off the lift and you only have a few hundred yards to warm up before you are at the Hellgate head wall. Then it’s BUMPS with some ice. I like it because if I can handle Hunters on opening day the rest of the season is a breeze. I skied a few runs then switched to my R11 160cm and skied a few more about 6 or 8 runs in all. I found some nice hits and was catching air. I was feeling good and like I never stopped skiing for six months. I have some minor equipment adjustments to make But I am ready to ROCK! One way down.

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