Taos Gathering (not THE Taos gathering)

[Codger]

Great reading all your posts. Seemed like a great time was had. My question is what did everyone think of their various instructors? Were different levels experienced? Uniform method of teaching?

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

I was in a 7/8 level group. We focused on different tactics for skiing the bumps and also on carving technique. He focused on the new inside leg and letting the equipment turn us as opposed to steering with our feet. I heard similar points at tech talk at the St. B so I would assume there is a pretty consistent approach to instruction. My instructor was excellent.

 

[ForeverSki]

I was in a level 5 group with 4 women and our instructor was also a woman (like our own mini women ski week). Our skill levels were spot on. We were working on the new inside leg, rolling the ankles simultaneously, maintaining proper stance through the turn, upper and lower body separation, and pole plants. Each run we focused on a particular aspect, then we try to put them together. When it all comes together it’s like strolling in the park. I’m less afraid of the fall line, my turns are rounder, I have better speed control, and I can tell when I mess up. Now I need to go practice a bunch on my local hills. I’ll definitely be back for ski week next year. Highly recommended.

 

[Codger]

I was in a 7/8 level group. We focused on different tactics for skiing the bumps and also on carving technique. He focused on the new inside leg and letting the equipment turn us as opposed to steering with our feet. I heard similar points at tech talk at the St. B so I would assume there is a pretty consistent approach to instruction. My instructor was excellent.

 

[Codger]

What does the inside leg do I thought weight is on outside downhill leg

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

What does the inside leg do I thought weight is on outside downhill leg

It is, but turn initiation occurs with the new inside leg. He had us do an excersise that was totally eye opening to me. Ski in wedge position and just move one knee right then left without changing anything else. Moving the knee will cause your skis to change direction. Of course we don’t actually ski with our knee. It’s just an excersise. But it showed me how important it is to roll onto the new edge and engage the ski by shortening the leg by retraction at the femur. I might be using the wrong word but basically bending at the femur and really leaning inside knee into the hill. It was a blast!

 

[mdf]

Can the title be adjusted to distinguish it from the main Taos Gathering thread?
Please?

 

[Andy Mink]

Can the title be adjusted to distinguish it from the main Taos Gathering thread?
Please?

Made a change, does that work?

 

[Tony S]

What does the inside leg do I thought weight is on outside downhill leg

You need to stop considering. Just go forth and learn 21st century skiing. This is a great way to do it.

 

[James]

Made a change, does that work?

Be good to get "Gathering" out instead of using it twice.
"Taos Ski Week Roundup, Thoughts?"
- people who did it not at the Gathering could post.

 

[mdf]

I liked my instructor, Tiger, a lot. He did a great job of keeping track of each student's progress individually as we skied together.

We made a lot of progress on my pole "plants". (I know, we don't really plant anymore, except in hop or near - hop turns, but that is still what they are called.)
A big part of that was due to observations @Tony S made from above on the chair. I relayed his comments to Tiger, and he said, "hmmm, let me specifically watch that." Then later, yeah, your friend is right.

That was really the only thing that needed restructuring. The rest was a matter of calling me out when I regressed on something I already knew, e.g., "you were over-rotating on that last pitch", or "Mike, hands in front!" as I went by.

A very good week.