Getting Back to the sport I love.

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am a former ski instructor but that was many years ago.  I grew up in the Southern California mountains, and this is where I learned and taught people how to ski.  
I am now at a point in my life to where I can rejoin the sport.  The last time I really went skiing was 1993, so there has been a good deal of change in the sport since I left.  I have a few questions:
1.  Where in California should I go to take a challenging clinic?  I really would like to improve my skiing.
2.  What is going to be the main difference between shaped skis and straight skis?  
3.  I used to ski on 200-203, when going to a shaped ski what size would you recommend.  I'm 5'8, 200, and a decent skier.

Thanks,
Tim

ANSWER: Dear Tim --

The super sidecut skis allow a skidded turner make smooth turns and a good parallel skier carve.  They ski much shorter than skis in the past.  You should buy a ski by the length required for your weight.  It's possible the right ski will only be a tall as your chin.  A super sidecut all-mountain ski from one of the top manufacturers should be a good ski for your return to skiing.

Some of the best clinics you can get are at the various ski areas around Lake Tahoe.  I had an excellent all mountain clinic at Kirkwood.  

http://www.kirkwood.com/main.asp?pID=69  

But there are plenty of other good ski areas all around the lake.  

http://www.tahoebest.com/skiing/map_to_ski_areas.htm

I know less about the mountain clinics in southern California, but this site will lead you to information for various resorts in the region.  

http://www.trails.com/stateactivity.aspx?area=13400

Please write back, if you want to discuss specific ski choices, or have more questions about a ski clinic.

Think snow!





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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your help.  I do have some specific questions with regards to ski choice.  I know with regards to recreational skiing an all mountain ski would be a good choice but what about powder, moguls, and stepe?  I know just skiing the normal slopes I will probably use a 195.  How will skiing the different terrain effect my choice in size and type ski?  Does it make sense to have multiple skis?
The two areas I would like to focus on are moguls and stepe?  I really would like to increase my skiing ability so that way I can tackle the mountain I have always wanted to ski, Mt. San Gogornio.  So I am going to try and add the skils that I lack.  Again thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Tim --

If you want to be able to ski moguls and steep slopes with control, a slalom ski, rather than an all-mountain ski, would make sense for you.  A super sidecut ski will allow you to carve shorter turns in any terrain, and help you maintain control in diverse terrain.

Because of the new ski design and construction, you will not need multiple skis for all mountain skiing.  However, if you get to ski powder a lot, a good powder ski will make those ski days much more fun.

The newer ski designs also ski "shorter" than you may be accustomed to.  Don't get a ski that is too long.  It will make conquering the moguls more difficult.

Good luck with your goal of skiing Mt. San Gogornio!