by Arkady » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:26 pm
I am a newbie here (lurking for quite a while already). I have a few questions but before asking I'd like to introduce myself first.
I grew up in the part of Siberia where everyone had cross-country skiing experience since the age of 5 but very few had any alpine experience. Reason: lots and lots of snow, terrain basically flat. Not much unlike Minnesota, where I live for the last 10 years!
I got to skiing a few years ago, with the help of a friend who taught me some basics the way he knew it from years and years back. His lessons were simple: no wedging whatsoever, narrow stance, one-leg balance, etc. It all made sense but left some questions unanswered. Transition was a mystery. I took to books and some on-hill and online instruction, which made things even worse. I found PMTS reference while browsing around. Got to this forum. Got the books (Expert skier I and II). And it was the first system which made full sense to me!
Last year I got Head XRC 1100 in 170 (I am 5'8'', 180) and Head S10 boots. They seem adequate, though lacking technique I need some speed to get them going. In the Midwest I enjoy local hills, I have no fear of local blacks, but there is some skidding involved. I can afford one or two trips to Lutsen every year, and one (maybe, two) trips West or to Europe (been to Taos, Diamond Peak, Bormio). Therefore, I do not have real all-mountain experience, confined to groomers and local NASTAR. In reality, it will probably stay for me at 30+ days a year at best.
I do not feel like I can contribute much to discussion, but I sure have lots of questions.
My questions as of today concern my strategy. I will appreciate all the comments.
1. Books. When the new book is out, should I switch to it immediately or treat it as a sequence for I and II? There is a lot of unfinished business for me in I and II. It will probably be my main learning tool for now.
2. PMTS instruction. What should be a better way to get it in the Midwest? I used Rich's advice and got in communication with Lynn already (thanks, Richk!) Any additional suggestions?
3. Local lessons. I plan to take some lessons from racing coach and do some NASTAR. Does it sound like a good idea or I should concentrate on technique first?
4. Equipment. Does a combination of Head 1100/S10 seem adequate? I seem to feel comfortable with these and that was my choice after lots of testing (Volkl 5 stars, Nordica SpeedMachine, Fisher RX8, Rossi Z9, K2 CrossFire were other candidates). Before last year I skied on Dynastar Agyl+, which were very forgiving and easy to handle, but also very shaky at speed.
5. PMTS Camps. When and where should I start? Maybe, this year it is too late to plan, but for the next year I might make enough progress to fit.
I have more questions, but that will do for now. It is warm in Minnesota, no winter seems to be coming any time yet. So I spend time in my office chair, flexing and tipping to make left and right turns.
Cheers,
Arkady