weanswer@SkiPost.com

Fast Corners!

How can I stay in the track on fast downhill turns?

No matter how much I bank it, my downhill ski want to jump out of the track. I don't see top level racers having this problem.

They must know a secret technique.

What is the answer?

Thanks R,

Dear R, 

Thanks for the question, it's a good one! First and foremost, you should evaluate each corner and decide whether staying in the track is a good option in the first place.  Many times, classic tracks will follow the outside of a turn in which case, it's advantageous to step out of the track going into the corner, follow the "best line" (think shortest distance from point A to point B) and then step back into the track.  If a classic track follows the best line and you decide that you want to remain in the track through the corner there are surely some tricks that can help you do so.  The advantages of staying in a best line track are two-fold.  First, it can be more restful to stay in a track to catch your breath than using a step turn cornering technique.  Second, if you are in a mass start situation or skiing with a group of skiers and step out of the track, it might be hard to get back in and consequently, you could be giving up your position in a good train. I know there is more than one way to do this but some of my tricks include: 

• Use your hands, poles & shoulders like a steering wheel and point them in the direction you would like to go. 
• Offset your hands with the rest of your body weight, mainly your trunk.  To picture this, envision lining your body weight towards the direction you would like to go; often your skis will follow your body mass. Example: For a left hand turn, lean left and angle your hips slightly right.  
• Keep weight on both skis but apply more pressure to the outside ski to assist in "carving" the turn.  (Compare this to the mechanics of a parallel turn - un-weight the inside, apply pressure to the outside.) 
• Lean to the inside of the corner - this may mean that you will be on the inside edge of your skis.

Last but not least, be confident in your abilities!  I've seen many people who think they aren't going to make it and bail (out of the track) whereas if they just stuck with it, they would have made it! My advice is to find a cornering classic track on a day where the snow is light and fluffy. That way, if you fall, it's no big deal! 

Thanks again for the question and good luck with your season! 

Sincerely, 

Holly Brooks -Team APU

2010 Winter Olympian

2011 National Champion

2011 World Championship Team Member

Salomon Complete/Swix Athlete

Hello SkiPost

I seem to have developed the habit of slapping my ski while classic skiing.  I don't recall this problem last season.  What are some tips I should concentrate on to correct this? Thanks,

If you are listening to your skis slap the snow that must mean you are skiing! It has been a pretty up and down winter in many spots, so having a chance to be on skis regularly is nice.

The problem you describe has two basic flaws going on - the first is that your foot is dropping too early as a result of a strait leg. In turn, this results in a late kick. The nice thing about where you are coming from is that you know your ski shouldn't slap, and you know you've done it correctly before.

There are a few drills like trying to hold a long glide every 5th stride that will make sure you are comfortable shifting your weight completely.  The most important thing is to pay attention to the sound your ski makes (or doesn't make) and make sure you stretch well before and after skiing. Loose hip flexors can often be a cause for choppy skiing, and choppy skiing, in my experience, sounds loud.

Happy skiing,

Justin Easter

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I0067  I67 Base Cleaner

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Click here to see all the Recommended Items 

National Winter Trails Day

by Nick Halliday

It's that time of year again when people of all ages come to try out the newest gear. But most of all they come to spend time with friends and enjoy free lessons and have a wonderful ski. The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) gave out free lessons all day to people who are beginners to people who just needed a few tips. TUNA is a Youth to Adult Nordic Club for beginner Nordic Skiers to the most advanced racers, all the kids on the team love skiing and helping people enjoy the Nordic experience. Each lesson was about 30 minutes long and consisted of getting you familiar with the basics of skiing and helping you feel what Nordic Skiing is all about. Bill Hokanson (Head Coach of TUNA) taught lessons all day, his love and passion for Nordic Skiing really shows off when he is teaching a group. I helped in one of his lessons and the way he explains Nordic Skiing is like he actually created it. If you want to learn how to ski like an expert take a lesson from him! 

 From old gear to new gear we saw it all today, but the great thing is when you buy a pair of boots and skis they will last you many years, as was evident today. It doesn't matter how old or new your boots are it's all about just being out there and enjoying yourself.  People in the Nordic community get to know each other very well, all day today I saw people I knew from other Nordic Centers, I thought it was amazing that one event could bring so many people together to share their passion for the sport they all cherish. One thing that impressed me was two people trying out a set of Salomon's newest gear, the smiles on their faces as they flew down the hill not knowing how to stop because they are too happy to care is unforgettable, because you remember that one time in your life you were like that too. I can't get over the generosity of the Nordic Ski companies for all the equipment they let people get to try for free, it is usually out of peoples reach so this might have been a once in a life time opportunity. Once you hand over that first pair of skis to a skier you feel so great to know that you probably made their day by you being the first person to introduce Nordic Skiing to them. And that's what Nordic Skiing is all about, being out with your friends and family and having fun.

White Pine Touring X-C Masters Ski Clinic

With Dr. Max Testa, Dr. Eric Heiden, Marlene Hatch, Miles Minson and Ian Harvey

January 29-30, 2011

Park City, UT

A comprehensive two-day x-c ski clinic offering methods and application of exercise physiology, sport injury prevention and rehabilitation, sport nutrition and x-c skate technique methods and analysis and professional wax tips and application.

Lead by the world renown Medical Team of Dr. Max Testa, Dr. Eric Heiden, Marlene Hatch, former US National Team Coach Miles Minson and President of Toko USA Ian Harvey will present methods of physiology, applied physiology (establish training zones and monitoring with lactate testing), injury prevention, nutrition and recovery as well as on-snow technique education theory , analysis and review with Dartfish video.

Your skis will be prepped daily by the experts from Toko and Ian will present techniques for top race performance waxing.

Location: White Pine Touring, Park City, UT

Cost: $350.00 and will include all waxing and presentations, workouts with lunch daily.

Accommodations: Hotel Park City - (435) 940-5068

Registration & Questions: White Pine Touring - (435) 649-6249

Swix Boulder Mountain Tour

Prize Money Announced

 Feb 5th, 2011

1st Place men and women $3000 each

2nd                                         $1000 each

3rd                                          $ 400 each

4th                                          $ 200 each

5th                                          $ 150 each

6th                                          $ 125 each

7th                                          $ 100 each

8th                                           $  75 each

9th                                           $  50 each

10th                                         $  25 each

Preems awarded during the MT. Payouts to be determined.

Equinox Challange

24 minute to 24 hour relay

West Yellowstone MT March 19-20, 2011

 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour and 24-hour catagories. Racers may enter as soloists or as members of a relay team of up to 8 members. It is focused on camaraderie and commitment to the well-being of the local community.  Skiers of all abilities are welcome. Between March 1-March 15, the fee is $75/adult and $50/junior.Race-day registration is $90/adult and $60/junior.  Registration discounts are available for racers who also volunteer at the race or who bring someone along to volunteer for them.  Registration is free for kids under 12 participating in a 24-minute kids' race.

Sacagawea Classic Bohart Ranch Bozeman MT Jan 22

STEAMBOAT STAMPEDE Jan 15

Todd Lodwick Camp

February 8th through 12th

Ski, train, dine and relax with an Olympian at one of the most luxurious cross country ski resorts in North America. This February 8th -12th, 2011, Nordic-combined Olympic medalist and world champion Todd Lodwick will host his first Luxury Nordic Ski Camp at The Home Ranch, the beloved Relais and Chateaux ski ranch in Clark, Colorado. Special Promotional Price For SkiPost Skiers:

- The Home Ranch is offering the Todd Lodwick Nordic Camp to Ski Post skiers for $295.00, per person, per day (+tax and Service charges.)  

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Factory Team Skis for Sale

We have a few pair of classical skis

201 and 206 cm for skiers 150-210 lbs

left over from the Saab Salomon Factory Team 

Drop an email to weanswer@SkiPost.com