Tag Archives: Lange ski boots

Good Skiing Part 3

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By Susi, Instructor at Snowbird Mountain School

5 Secrets to Managing Powder Gracefully

The Powder came right on time for our Wednesday morning coaching session.  The Skimums ventured out to lower Old Ladies (don’t read anything into the name; we don’t judge the guys when they ski Baldy) then to Hoop’s and found some nice creamy powder to play in!  Skimums found 5 simple rules to turned them into serious powder hounds.

1.  It’s all about the flow: Think about flowing down the mountain in a smooth line making round turns with little edge angle. Create a rhythm!
2.  Patience is key: In powder it takes more time for the skis to react to skier input. Steer your legs to create open round C-shaped turns, so that the skis keep flowing. Z-turns are harder to manage and interrupt the flow.
3.  Speed is your friend: The skis are buried in the snow which creates more friction compared to groomed terrain. Powder slows you down and you need speed to keep moving!
4.  Stay balanced over your feet: Contrary to common belief, you don’t lean back in powder. Ski in a balanced position (think “crouching tiger”).  Conditions change with every turn, so you have to work constantly to stay in balance!  Backseat skiing is not healthy for the knees and way too tiring!!
5.  Build a platform:  It is very helpful to narrow your stance, so that the skis build somewhat a single platform and are easier to turn.  Most importantly, to become great in powder you have to keep skiing powder!Hopefully, we get another powder opportunity this week and we can even explore other secret places on the mountain!!

Come out and join us for the last coaching session for the Skimums this season!!  RSVP by Tuesday afternoon so we can have plenty of Mountain School instructors there.
If you did not have a chance to join us, check out this video: http://youtu.be/SavrnMGIhzg
Sources: www.thesnowpros.org
PSIA Alpine Technical Manual

3 Quick Tips on Keeping Toes Warm

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By Skimum Paula

“What’s that on your boot,” asked a fellow Skimum while getting off the lift.  “Duct tape,” I said.  Yes, I have duct tape on the toes of my new-ish custom-fitted Lange ski boots.  No, I didn’t break them.  As many Snowbird instructors, patrollers and skiers will tell you, it’s one the secrets to keeping your feet warm.

Ski_Boot_Duct_TapeEvery boot has a hard moulded shell, which is impervious to water, but at the seams under the toe buckle, snow and water can stick and collect or, worse yet, melt and seep in leaving you with cold feet.  By putting some duct tape across the toe seam, you can make this gap more water resistant, and because it is stretchable, you can still get your boots on without tearing the tape.  With duct tape coming in so many cool colors and patterns, local skiers (and not just the munchkins) are opting more and more for the crazier ones.

Another way to keep your toes warm is to go all out and get boot heaters.  This is a bit more expensive than duct tape.  Running north of $200, this might seem a bit extreme, but cold feet is one of the principal complaints among skiers no matter how often or how well they ski.  Yes, you can shove the disposable adhesive warmers into your boots, but local boot fitters will tell you that you shouldn’t have that much room in your boots!  Snug boots not only affect your ability to control your skis (if they’re too loose, forget about skiing powder or steeps well), but they also keep your feet warmer!  If more air is getting in there, your feet will get cold.  The other consideration is that as we get older, circulation issues develop making it harder to keep your feet (especially your toes) warm while skiing.  So, if cold toes are nagging you or, worse yet, keeping you off the slopes, think about investing in some boot heaters.

Ski_Boot_Heaters

Finally, one of the other boot tricks locals will share is to unbuckle your boots when you’re on the lifts.  No, they’re not going to fall off.  If they do, then your boots are too doggone big!  The reason is circulation.  Here’s a very simplified explanation — Circulation is best when you’re standing sending lots of blood from your heart to your extremities.  It decreases while sitting.  Tightened boots inhibits it further.  If your boots are tightened while sitting on a lift, then circulation is impeded even more causing your toes to scream and swell and, because fresh warm blood isn’t getting down there very well, get cold.  So, pop those boot buckles as you get on the lifts, let the toes wiggle for a few minutes, and then lock them down before heading down.  You’ll stay warmer and stay out longer.