The 2002 2003 the season has come and gone here in the east, along with yet another job in my carrier. As the month of June comes to a close I grapple with the tasks at hand, to ensure stability for my family. The season was a great one. I had some great students, and got the opportunity to teach my first clinic. I tested a bunch of new skis and I found that I do like the shorter ski. Short skis rule! Over the last few years the skis have been getting stronger and shorter. The blending of materials, both new "space age" and good old "wood", coupled with technology has produced some pretty impressive skis. Every ski company has some technology blend to make their skis unique.
In the 00-01 season I was skiing a 190cm. The 01-02 season I was typically skiing 180’s, 02-03 season typically 170’s. I skied 160 and 150 also. I like them all. Let me say this, I will test any thing, but the skis I stick with are the skis the manufactures call Expert or all mountain expert, racing and such. The construction is the strongest they offer. I personally am not thrilled with the racing skis, but I am not a racer, I am an all mountain skier who likes to ski fast. I have been skiing pretty hard and abusing my skis. Hitting the big jumps in the park every run. Pounding the bumps every chance I get, and skiing the edges of the trails. The short skis provide quick snappy turns that help me maintain control in the very un-forgiving areas. The only downfall I find in using the shorter skis with the mono is that the ski tends to flatten out pretty quick. By quick I mean eight to ten days. So now I will have to compromise. Maybe top off in the mid 170’s, I can get some quick response and maybe hold on to the ski for a few more weeks. Fun, fun, fun. I like them. Some of my best runs of this season where on these skis. The Atomic 11:20 Beta ride, 160cm. The Rossignol powerpulsion Viper STX 170cm. The Volkl P50 Platinum 168cm. The Elan MX Four Super 173cm The Atomic Super cross , 170cm.
A note for the off season: It is important to maintain your equipment, Take the time over the summer to check all nuts and bolts. Make sure they are tight, especially your bucket. Even though you have nylon lock nuts these nuts can and will work lose. This can lead to damage or even equipment failure. Think about how the equipment performed. Was the ride too bouncy, too hard or too soft? Your shock might be in need of a rebuild. That could take a few weeks, not something you want to do in the middle of ski season.
Another note for the off season: Great deals! I was able to find some great deals on ebay. Spring cleaning can produce some really good finds if you look. Most people put skiing out of their head after March. That is when I start looking. I got some bindings, skis, ski pants, and ski jackets. New, clean, beautiful for under $100.00. I will never pay retail again. Actually I never did pay retail. I would go to a big pre season or end of season ski sale at a big chain ski shop. I would determine the most I would spend for any given item ant try to get it for less. With ebay it’s the same. Here is the key. Set a limit, factor in shipping. I prefer to proxy bid. If you do not win the auction, no problem, there will be another. If you get caught up in a bidding war you will pay more then you intended to.
I got the okay to do a Freestyle mono-ski Clinic next season. I found there is not much
in the way of training in this genre. Learning the hard way can lead to personal injury.
Freestyle skiing in it’s self raises the bar of increased risk. We will raise the bar of personal safety through teaching to eliminate some of the risk. It will be an advanced
mono-ski clinic, utilizing blue and black terrain. This is a safety and awareness driven
event. Equipment must be maintained. Check all fasteners, shock, straps and belts.
Have at least two tuned skis if you plan to get air and ski bumps. Just incase you break one. It does happen, and in free style skiing if you like getting air you will break skis.
I will post the dates when I get them. I hope some of you will come out for the clinic, I would love to meet you. If you think you want to attend, please let me know HERE