Hope you can shed some light on my recent skiing experience.
I'm still a newbie - started skiing only last season, so my technique is close to non-existent - that being said, I went for what I thought was the sensible way to learn and went to skiing school last year.
I'm no daredevil when it comes to speed, but now that I'm trying to go a bit faster on steeper / red slopes I've noticed a problem with my skis - or maybe it's me, you tell me!
When I try to initiate a turn, let's say halfway through a slope so I've built up some momentum, I'm sometimes getting this funny response from the ski - the tip feels shaky, moving from side to side, and also some vertical vibration with the outer ski "bouncing" and losing contact with the snow.
Am I doing something terribly wrong? It feels quite unstable :S
Side to side shaking is often due to not having enough weight on the front of the skis, so you have no control of the ski tip. Get your weight forward, knees and hips over your feet.
The juddering of the ski at the end of the turn is likely to be due to not using your legs to absorb the pressure build up at the end of the turn. If you have straight legs the force just goes through them and causes your ski to judder. Relax and bend your legs at the end of the turn, legs are your suspension, this helps absorb this build up of pressure.
Sounds familiar as I also started last season and was taking lessons with Ace1 who will I'm sure comment on this soon
It sounds to me like you're weight is not where it should be, there should be more weight on the front of the skis (you might be leaning back even if you don't think you are), your body shape needs to be similar to a letter C in the turns, with the hips closer to the mountain and your upper body away from it (this should help dig the inside edges into the piste and prevent any vibrations).
Basically take more lessons. I have managed to correct this to a certain extent but still need to work on the turns and the vibration specially on the left turns. You might also notice that this maybe happening more often with either a left turn or a right turn.
99.999% sure that it is related to not having the weight on the front end of your skis.
All the control comes from there, i.e. grip. If you don't have the weight up front your ski will basically skid due to lack of grip.
How to fix this? I know how to fix when I am skiing (not that it happens much with me, although when it does it is either when I am not concentrating enough or too relaxed/tired towards the end of the day), but no idea without seeing you ski. Get some more lessons
Another +1 for weight distribution; you should be leaning into your boots so you feel it on your shins. Also check your bindings are tight enough and your boots are the correct size; if you can lift your heel inside your boot, you're not correctly transferring your weight and adjustments to the ski.
I used to have a massive problem with a "wobbly" right ski. I went to a specialist shop outside of Munich (many shops here provide the same service) and had my feet moulded and special soles inserted into my boot to prevent the bridge of my foot flattening out. Not only did this reduce the discomfort along the outside of my feet, but the weight transferrence to the ski was much improved.
Essentially all you need is your edges ! It's also to do with posture, which means weight in the wrong place. But if you aim for turns on your edges, the rest will follow.
Are your boots too large for you? They should not be too tight, but if they are loose you will never control the ski properly.
To ski fast, most of the time you should ski with a posture as though you were sitting on the WC. When you turn you should rise up and then sink again as you are halfway in the turn. Look at other skiers going fast, do they look as though they are walking in the park, or sitting down?
The shin, the front of your leg, should push against the boot. The boot should be done up tight enough to transfer that pushing force, down onto the ski. The front of the ski will now push into the snow and you will not wobble about nor vibrate.
Very old skis (> 7 years) will lose their stiffness, ask the ski shop to test the stiffness if you are in doubt.
If you have large boots, loose boots, or not crouching enough, then correct this. You should feel uncomfortable when doing it correctly.
Not much need, TBH. Most if what's been said is along the right lines, but of course one can't do a complete diagnosis without seeing the problem in the flash as it were.
But yes. It's probably about the weight being too far back. It's _always_ about the weight being too far back.
Thanks guys for your answers! they reflect the spirit of skiing perfectly
Don't think boot size is a problem as I can feel my toes in front while standing up - and it's difficult enough to put them on! however I could make them tighter as I did notice I could lift/move the heels of my feet. No pain, no gain!
I will also try the insoles! A few years ago an orthopedist back home prescribed them but could never get around to having them done over here
Will try correcting my posture as you guys suggested before I continue with lessons (Ace1, you teach in Engelberg, right?). It's also about staying on top of oneself's emotion on the slopes - it usually takes me a an hour or two to stop panicking about someone running into me (or viceversa) before I can start concentrating in what I'm *actually* doing...
For sure you are moving your weight backwards as you increase speed. Get you hands out in front over your skis, this helps you to keep your weight forward.