Ski Tuning
This month's Ski Tip comes by way of a six year old boy.
I've been skiing with this youngster for the past two years
and he is a rather accomplished skier. He recently
took an interest in Nastar racing. So, his dad took
his skis to a shop for a 'tune up' to help him race
better/faster. Within two turns of getting off the
lift the boy fell.....and then fell again....and then again.
He NEVER falls....ever.
I watched him closely and noticed a serious deterioration in his ability to ski. He stopped part way down the run and complained to me that his skis would not turn. It was quite clear that the 'tune -up' was just awful......so as to make the skis virtually un-skiable.
I brought the skis home and re-tuned them. They were very badly 'railed' (edge high). This makes them very difficult to turn. How many skiers are struggling with poorly tuned skis and do not even know it?
A well and properly tuned ski will turn effortlessly, hold
an edge when required and release smoothly into the next
turn. Do yours do this? When dropping your skis
off for a tune talk to the shop owner or tuner, explain how
you ski and what you like to ski. I like to freshen my
edges every 7 to 10 skiing days. Tune specifications can be
very personalized and make your skiing improve.....or make
it almost impossible. It's not all that complicated.
Take the time to learn a bit about it.
A poorly tuned, out of alignment Ferrari would not be much
fun to drive.
Some
of the moves you've been struggling with just might not be
your fault.
PSIA Level III Alpine, PSIA
Level II Telmark, USSA Coach.
Want Bill's instruction? Go to the Ski School Desk at
Okemo or call 802-228-4041 and request Bill as the
instructor for your next lesson. Private lessons by
request.
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