Beginner Skis

Question
QUESTION: I am 6'1' 220lbs and am a transplant from the southeast to Colorado so of course I had to learn to ski. So I took a full day lesson and I was able to ski a couple of days after. I was driven crazy by the rental process so I went to a local shop and asked for a setup for a beginner skier. I got a great deal on a set of K2 Comanche Pro skis in 167cm. However, I am nervous they may not be the best for a beginner. I was able to get down mild greens relatively comfortable in just a couple days on the mountain. Are these skiis acceptable for me as a beginner and how far will they take me before I need more ski?

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi James and thanks for the question.

The length of your ski seems about right - chin to eye height. You dont say how athletic or strong you are - so i have written the following as generically as i can.

As for the "right" ski - thats a loaded question because skiing has too many variables - as you are learning.

First and foremost i always advise people to buy boots. If the shoes dont fit - then it doesnt matter how flash your skis are, you wont notice as you'll be too busy complaining about your feet.

I have written quite a bit about buying equipment over the past 3months especially - have a look thru there for next time. In the meantime, lets look at your skis and how you can get better with them.

Firstly your skis are designed for the "athletic skier" so they like to keep moving. However - they may have been chosen for you due to your weight/strength. Skis work on flex and camber - which is engaged during skiing from forces opposed. All skis are designed to bend under certain condidtions - speed & weight via the skier. So a heavier/stronger/faster skiier - will easily provide an increase in force - hence often needing a stronger ski to cope. A ski too soft is a nightmare to ski if you are still learning as you have to be more balanced, more 'delicate' and more in tune to what is happening under foot. At this stage in your skiing career - im guessing your still enjoying the thrill and happy to have avoided the trees. You are in control, but it doesnt take much to lose it momentarily...try losing control on a ski that has a mind of its own!!

To get any ski to perform to its optimum you need to be able to get it on the edge. If this ski is a lot 'fatter' in the waist than you are used to; then yes, you will find this ski challenging to enjoy. Here are some things you can do to play on your ski and to learn how to work it...

But first lets check your stance:
knees are over your toes? [bend your ankle]
hips are over your heels [no further back]?
shoulders are over your knees? [back is rounded]
Move up & down, returning to this position [push your ankles forward not bottom back]
try moving your knees to the left then the right without moving your hips [do in front of a mirror]

Now that you've perfected that - onto the snow...

** in your wedge - make small & big wedges - coming to a stop - note how far your legs have spread to stop - then look at how far your feet are tilted toward each other. This is the angle you need to get them on in order for the ski to be turing on edge.

** Set your edges into the snow then traverse across the hill - try and stay on the edges - you should have two railway tracks behind you. Next, try and slip sideways as you go across the hill and re-engage the edges - note how much you have to tip your knees into the hill - again this is how far you need to tip them as you ski.

** Do a few hockey stops [like on ice-skates], feel how difficult it is to get the ski to stop suddenly. You will also feel how much it takes to turn the ski under foot.

Buying new skis as a beginner isnt always the right thing to do in hindsight - but you dont learn that until your out on them. However, you have only skied on rental skis - which for the most part are dreadful to have to use - especially with the boots they give you as well.

Keep playing on your skis - learn how they work and you will enjoy them alot more. The best thing for anyones skiing is basic fitness, flexibility & happy hour *smiles*

Hope there is some useful nfo here. If you're still a bit stuck, then go and pop in for a quick lesson, let the instructor know you have new equipment and they can help you to get the most out of it. think of it as trying to learn to drive a manual again.

Enjoy the thrills skiing has to offer, and if you need any more info, just ask

lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I really appreciate you taking the time to respond so thoroughly. I would say I am pretty athletic. I have was on Volkl Unlimited R1 109/70/96 last time out and once I got a feel for them I was doing just fine. Seems like these Comanche Pro 112/68/97 are slightly narrower in the waist and seem to have a slightly more generous side cut so I am feeling more confident about them.

Answer
Hi and thanks for the follow up & feedback. Answers come easily, its the chore of typing as fast as i think of all the ideas...

Narrower skis will want to generally turn more often, so if you find you cruise from one turn to the next - try and initiate your turns sooner. The ski will be more resonsive to this and you will start to feel a bounce in your step [so to speak]

You will need to ensure you are moving vertically on the ski - perhpas exagerrate the rise and fall in the turn to help speed into the next turn. The lighter you make the ski - the easier it is to turn it.

Volkl are a smooth ski once you have a few runs, so think of it as going from a lexus to a GM pick-up. More grunt and more playtime off the smooth groomed track.

K2 are a wonderful ski when you ski them. And it takes everyone a couple of runs to warm to a new ski - as you have to make slight adjustments in the way you ski to feel it. Even instructors will do the few little exercises i gave you to get a feel for a ski edge, becaue without it - the ski is hopeless [we wont blame ourselves just yet *smiles*]

Have fun, and remember, unless you're skiing for sheep stations - its all about the smile and the thrill of the chill.

lisa