Skiing

It’s a mail plane…

By Ethan Binns

December 21, 2005

5 minutes to read

The Mail Bag

Disclaimer: There are no stupid questions.

Got to chime in quickly…snow is falling up north. Conditions are improving rapidly. Today Sunday River logged 432 consecutive hours (18 days) of snowmaking operations. Other resorts are up to the same tricks and some are benefiting from natural snow.

The best bases are built during long runs of cold weather with snow every night. It is going to be a fantastic weekend for skiing and riding.

Here is some of what hit the inbox…
If you have a snow question or comment, send it to the Ski Guru.
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Name: Dee
City/Town: Waltham, MA
I’m heading to Sugarbush this weekend- any tips or recommendations?
S.G. I recommend you Smile. The Bush is getting nailed with snow. They will be in tremendous shape by this weekend.
• Flatbread Pizza
• Hyde Away
• Big World Pub
• Blue Tooth
• Ride the Lincoln Peak triple chair
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Name JBD
City/Town: Newton
I’m teaching some toddlers to ski and am looking for used equipment. I’m noticing that most of the smallest skis (80-100 cm) are shaped. Do you think shaped skis are a help or hindrance when teaching kids this young? It seems to me that the skis (and skiers) are to short for the sidecut to make a difference and the shape might actually be getting in the way of developing a nice wedge. Any advice you may have on equipment selection would be greatly appreciated.
S.G. Neither a shaped, nor straight ski—at any length—is a help or hindrance to ‘developing a nice wedge.’ The wedge is a necessary tool in every skiers quiver. I bust mine out all the time. Slow down…the snow plow is not something you want to be in if all your friends are throwing down 11’s.
For the kid’s sake, take down the ski with a little side-cut and cooler graphics. The decision will be better in their development both psychologically and physically as a skier.
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Name: Alex
City/Town: Brighton
Hi,
I’ve been downhill skiing a couple of times a year for prolly a dozen years now and for the past 5 have used an old pair of K2 skiis (still look pretty straight 🙂 ) that I got on a used ski sale (I am guessing from the 80’s). Now that I have some money saved up I am hoping to buy myself some newer skiis. I am not looking for anything top of the line and would be very content getting used ones, basically I figure any parabolic skis would do (those are the ones with some curvature right?) I enjoy skiing for working on my turns and when brave enough trying out some small jumps so speed is not something I really care about. What kind of skiis should I be looking to get and if possible I’m hoping to get them for around $300 tops. Any advince on where to buy them would also help. Any help would be appreciated. As for my ski level I’m almost always on the blues and on most mountains feel pretty comfortable on them but have no desire for the black diamons,
Thanks,
Alex
S.G. I have bought used skis before from LaHout’s in Lincoln, NH. They stand by their product. There you will find a large selection and pay NO tax. What you are really looking for is a used pair of demos. Most, if not all, will come with bindings.
When buying used skis it is very important to give them a good look over. The bases should receive a thorough inspection. You are looking for gouges that go into the metal edges. Pick up each ski (one at a time) and hold them (base to the sky) and look down the edge like the barrel of a riffle. You will see if it is bent or out of sorts. Check all four edges this way. If it looks clean the light is green.
How are your Boots?
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Name: Mike
City/Town: Medford
Looking to buy new skis, have you heard anything about the new Atomic Izor 9.7?
Thank you.
S.G. Go for it! Great Ski – You will be picking up an advanced intermediate ski that will encourage you to progress as your skills develop. The line runs a little shorter in length and wider in base than most other options in its category. It will perform like a tank in all conditions.
Other skis on the same rack: K2 – Omni 5.5 & Dynastar – 4800
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Name: Karen
City/Town: Boston
I’d like to go cross-country skiing in the mountains (not aroud a pond). What’s the best place to go for a day-trip from Boston at this time of year?
S.G. If you have never been to Jackson, NH —– GO. The town turns into a Nordic village every winter. It is a bit of a haul for a day trip but staying a weekend is well worth it.
Waterville Valley has a fairly substantial Nordic Program.
Close to home: Poach a golf course, just stay off the greens.
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Name: Jonathan
City/Town: Medford
I have a 6 & a 5 year old. What do you suggest would be the best way to introduce them to skiing, and which area would be best to start with?
S.G. You should bring them to the top of the tallest, scariest, steepest mountain and push them down the slope!
Seriously, you really can not go wrong with the choices in your own back yard. It really depends on how far and in which direction you are willing to drive. Once you figure that out, the next real question is how much are you planning on spending. You should explore price points and drive times. Start with Snow Country for help.
Then once you narrow it down to 2 or 3 areas give them each a shot. You will be able to easily figure out which one the children enjoy the most. You will want to put them in lessons.
Be sure to ask them about how it went, what they learned and if they liked the instructor…
You will find the place, and your children will learn to ski.
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Name: GAS
City/Town: Boston
For someone who skiis 50% here on the east coast and 50% in the Colorado/Utah area can you recommend skis?
S.G. You should allocate your skis in the same way.
Left Foot = Völkl, Gotama
Right Foot = Völkl, Supersport Allstar
Either demo when west or buy two pair. A mid fat (mid to high 80 millimeters under boot) can pull it off. Still, you are selling yourself short with that type of tool if you get big snow out west…
Point’em.