skimom

On a semiserious topic, I'm deliberating the pros and cons of light skis. It seems that width, not weight, dictate which skis sink and stall out in powder. I haven't figured what effect heaviness has on ice. But, a heavy ski does better in slop. I have a feeling a heavier ski is faster too. A light ski should be less tiring, but if conditions are poor it can be a lot of work to get a play ski thru tough terrain. Assuming one's knees can handle the heaviness, I'm inclined to think heavy is better. I'm wondering everyones thoughts on ski heaviness...? Any advantages to light weight skis?

Not willing to buy your own ticket, eh? Flimsy excuse ... No way I'm paying for it. I've got three kids to get through College.

One of us losing to skierforever? UNTHINKABLE

Right, I'm not going to Blue - the place is a dump. Jeff, why don't you do NASTAR and we will see how you do? If it looks close, we can arrange a race sometime. I don't want to embarass one of skidude's friends ... The ideal solution would be for everyone to go to an ASRA race...You would be compared to everyone, not just your friends mother. We could invite ski999's little kid, just to be sure you were able to beat someone.

Maybe I should give him a little time to practice up first ... It'd be really embarrassing for Atomic if his friend's mother was faster than he was.

It would be interesting to see where Atomic bats in. Anyone want to make bets? We should get Thinksnow out there too... At least on NASTAR.

Salomon equipe's and P60's...I'd be salivating too. You'll rip in them...

Maybe if I added a to distract him...

Skigurl: I was thinking more of you than Skidude with this. He's tall, so 180+ skis are not such a problem. Even though you ski well, you will be on skis twice your height for GS. And long skis will be oafsome for SL gates. If everyone else cheats you will be at a big disadvantage.

I'm still not quick enough to cross block, especially when the gates are close. Maybe next year... OK, ski999, how are these? The glacier: How Mt. Hood got it's name:

Ski999: I was at MHSSC, and there were plenty of neat coaches. John Rust, the head coach, taught the Master's group. He's their year-round coach - you can see him ski in one of their promotional videos. I felt like he helped, but the proof will come when my next year's handicaps roll around. Going solo, I was worried that there would be noone fun, but I immediately met up with another skimom who turned out to be a great gate basher. Her hubby didn't seem to mind that I monopolized her during the day. There were a handful of other men who also decided to desert their families and ski. So it was fun. Demoed Dynastar SL "63" skis (157) and bought them since my old SL P50 SL skis have no base left (nice excuse, eh?). Bought Skidude a pair of Elan SL skis (165), which is what he wanted. Demo skis are a great deal - used race demos mostly go between $300 and $350, with bindings, and there is no tax. Atomic wanted $500 for the GS11's, and I had inadequate demo time, so I had to decline...for now . BTW, ATOMIC, the 05's just came out. I don't think they were around last year to try... Rumor was circulating that USSA was going to disregard all of their ski length rules. Most of the kids bought whatever size skis they wanted. I hope they clarify it or else Skidude and Skigurl will be at a big disadvantage with regulation equipment if everyone else cheats. Everything about Mt Hood was great. The snow quality was excellent, minus a bit of lava dust. We could ski below the tree line, almost to the lodge, so we didn't need to down load. The weather was a "10" for four of the five days. The day it poured rain, we had a few flakes of snow, but not enough to add up. It was excellent to ski in August - I feel like the luckiest person on the planet.

Look out for next year's Atomic GS 11's. Not being a fan of any particular ski company, I demoed a pair by luck, and they were really quick and easy. Unfortunately I only got two runs in before the visibility dropped to zero and we had to go in. But, they are first on my hit list to redemo next winter. Too bad I just got a new pair of GS skis last spring. Iceman would kill me...

Do I see some potential ski runs in there on the left side of the first images? Maybe you should bring your skis next time.

Excellent. Thank you. I need a good diversion, even if it is fantasy. Can you be sure to include a job application for an ER doc in a local hospital out there too? Be sure NOT to include one for a neurologist... I'll be far too busy working on my 1,600,001 vertical feet and reducing my SL, GS and NASTAR handicaps to even consider working.

I've got a whole pile of stuff I am snail mailing YOU, so get ready. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I crave the day when Iceman lets me follow in your footsteps.

Very nice, Sib. But, didn't your mother teach you it isn't nice to envoke envy in others?

That doesn't seem that unreasonable. It's still a bit ridiculous mandating length for PARA USSA races... I take it there are no specs for Master's racers...

Ski999: In the final analysis, that's a "no"? I won't skid any less on ice using a 170 than a comparable 156...right???

Jib: We may need to see you demonstrate this on video. On the plus side, the iceman rotated my wheels last weekend. Now the blades don't wobble at high speeds so it isn't as scarey, and I don't feel as much of a need to slow down. Who would have thought roller blade wheels needed to be rotated?

Ski999: If short skis skid more easily, are longer skis easier on ice? Which are better for racing on icy terrain?

You carve well, so I think you will be able to handle a 170, despite your height. Still, it's optimal to demo...why not buy a lottery ticket?....if you win, you could go out to Mt Hood and demo away.

Jib: I agree with your assessment of the "T". It worked for dragging off speed, when going at slow speeds. Can you break your high speed technique down for me? "you basicly turn and lean all ur weight on ur trailing leg. " Like if turning to the left (counterclockwise) weight the right (outside or downhill) leg? let ur leading leg swing hard in front of you and keep a little presure on it. it is a very quick and abrupt stop. the front leg extended keeps u from catching and flying head first. the whole principall behind it is to just abruptly take ur momentum forward and thrust it to one side which is then absorbed by ur body causeing u t stop Is this a "hockey stop"?

Thanks ski999. I'll check it out. Dragging a skate behind. Good idea slickk.

Yeah, maybe K2 will replace defective GS skis!

Of course you, ERS. That goes without saying...anyone else? Hey, I just changed over to silver status! It's about time...