Thrillseekers - Speed
If you’ve been skiing already, chances are good that you’ve already found your reasons for enjoying it. Some of you are thrillseekers, enjoying the sensation of air passing by your face at incredible speeds and the sheer focus that adventure inspires. Others enjoy simply getting into the great outdoors, the feel of fresh air in their lungs at the top of a ski hill. The point is, many of us have different personalities, and the way we ski reflects that.
What kind of skiing personality do you have? Do you enjoy the sounds of nature, or are you more of a “tuned-in” type of person that has to be connected to your iPod at all times? Here are some reasons you might choose one or the other.
Wiring Up
Reasons to do it: If you’re addicted to your iPod, you might feel a little trepidacious about bring the wire with you on a skiing trip. But there’s nothing to feel guilty about – you’re not necessarily depriving yourself of any specific experience. In fact, if you’re wiring yourself up, there’s a good chance you like to make your own experiences, setting the soundtrack to your life. It can help the downtime pass by and can really heighten the overall skiing experience.
Reasons not to do it: Many people say “why wire up when you have plenty of sounds to thrill you?” To them, an iPod doesn’t enhance the experience, but dumbs it down into a sort of MTV-like existence in which you’re not fully outdoors because your ears are still hooked to the tube. Again, this might be a personality issue for many, or simply a difference in tastes.
Going “Naked”
Reasons to do it: No, not because the cold air feels good on your skin – not that kind of naked. Instead, going “naked” would mean simply abandoning the wire and enjoying the sights and sounds of skiing – and there are plenty of those to enjoy. Wiring up means you can’t hear the swoosh of your skis cutting through the snow beneath you, and some people really think those sounds should be savored.
Reasons not to do it: Sure, that’s fun for many, especially if they’re not big listeners of music. But if you’ve usually got a beat in your head, it’s simply not as fun to be outside by yourself or with friends without a little something extra to get your heart pumping.
Ask yourself what kind of person you are – but the truth is, you probably don’t need to take my advice. If you’re already a “wired up” kind of person, the chances are good that you’ve already put together your own ski hill play list.
Photo Credits: Uqbar is back
Originally posted 2009-05-12 05:17:00.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 27, 2012 in
ski gear, ski tips
Snowboarder
Today, we know snowboarding to be one of the most popular events around – from the X-Games to the Olympics, it’s becoming recognized as one of the most thrilling and adventurous ways to enjoy the cold. But is snowboarding really a new phenomenon, and if not, how long has it been around? Let’s examine a brief history of snowboarding to get to the facts.
Believe it or not, snowboarding can’t be traced back further than the 1960′s. Story has it that Sherman Poppen designed a “snurfer” (think “snow” + “surfer”) for his daughter as a present while living in Michigan. The snurfer was manufactured and marketed as a toy the following year.
But despite the fast start and spread of the snowboard, it didn’t originally look like it does today. A rope was attached to the front, helping the snowboarder to steer, and the foot bindings look very different from the attachments that we see today. Throughout the 1970s, the sport was growing and a number of innovators tweaked, invented, and explored new ways to look at the snowboard. Various inventors like Dimitrije Milovich, Jon Roberts, and Pete Matthews all experimented with the design, essentially leading to what would become a modified skateboard – without wheels.
By 1979, the “snurfing” sport was so popular that the world’s first snurfing championship was held in Michigan. In the early 1980s, other innovations were introduced, including the half-pipe, which has its origins in skateboarding. The connection between skateboarding and snowboarding is a frequent theme in the history of snowboarding, as many people will find themselves skateboarding in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.
Although the idea of snowboarding was catching on, snowboarders often found themselves at odds with skiers. In the mid-1980s, only about 7% of ski hills allowed snowboarders to use their snowboards – today, that number is closer to 97%. Many ski hills have hills exclusively for snowboarders, as well, and make provisions for snowboarding accommodations like half-pipes.
With the wider cultural acceptance of snowboarding came more scrutiny and accolade, as top snowboarders like Shaun White became household names. Additionally, these snowboarders can compete at the highest levels of athletic events, including the Olympic Games. With this cultural acceptance comes an even greater variety of innovation and athleticism, further leading to snowboarding development.
Today, snowboarding is mentioned in the same breath with skiing and is considered just as great a way to get outdoors, exercise, and enjoy the winter. Even as you get sick of the cold winter months, you’ll find hordes of snowboarders who wish it didn’t go away – and even some that chase winters and cold temperatures elsewhere!
Photo Credits: visualpanic
Originally posted 2009-07-21 05:23:56.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 26, 2012 in
snowboarding
Okay, so you’re sold on the benefits and thrilling nature of skiing, but you’re still a novice. You might be looking to get involved with the sport for the first time, or you might have considered your first few jaunts to be successful and fun enough to warrant a further and deeper commitment to this wintertime hobby. Where do you go from here? Well, if you’re really looking to make an investment into your future in skiing, you’ll want to receive some proper instruction.
But where are the best instructors? And what should you expect? Here are four steps to finding the ski instruction that’s right for you.
- Do your research in advance – Research isn’t simply doing a Google search and finding the local ski instructors, but taking a more involved look at the quality of the instruction around you. Try finding a ski forum online that talks about skiing in your state, and then posting a question that asks where the best ski instruction nearby might be. Check testimonials of ski hills, and ask around. The more research you do in advance, the higher your chances are of finding the ski instruction you can best use.
- Don’t be afraid to use “trials” – And don’t be afraid to customize ski instruction for yourself. This is your life, remember, so dictate what you want to go on: tell your ski instructor that you’re shopping around and ask them to give you their best “comprehensive” preview of what you might expect to experience with them. And while you’re using trials, try a few different ski instructors. Don’t only look for the cutest instructor or the one you warm up to the most, but the one that also knows how to challenge you to improve in the fastest possible way.
- Review your trials – After a trial, which instructor gave you the most sense of personal progress? You’ll likely find that the instructor that pushed you the hardest will actually end up giving you the quickest and most comprehensive results. Even if you didn’t necessarily enjoy the lesson the most, you might find that the sense of personal satisfaction you get from exploring your boundaries is well worth the trade-off – and well worth the money you’re investing in yourself.
- Pick one and stick by your decision – Once you make a selection, let the instructor know you’ve chosen them and ask to have a schedule made up so that you can routinely work with them throughout the winter. Ask them the kind of goals you might expect to achieve, and whether or not they feel you might be ready for more advanced goals.
Originally posted 2008-12-11 13:00:45.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 25, 2012 in
ski tips
Build the right muslces.
Almost every skier – minus the truly devout – have to deal with the inevitability that living on a planet with a tilted axis brings: changing seasons. Even if you live further from the Equator than most, there’s a good chance that once spring and summer roll around, you’re left wondering where all of the wintertime fun went.
For the avid skiers who plan on making a quick and seamless return to the hill during the next winter, it helps to take a “year-round” approach. The only question is, “what do I do when it’s sunny out?”
Luckily, you can keep in “skiing shape” all year round. Here are some quick tips on ski-specific exercises you can tackle during the summer that will keep you conditioned for the slopes:
-Keep your back strong.
Even advanced skiers have to put up with the occasional strain or soreness that comes from tackling the long muscles in your back. One of the first things a new skier might notice is how tough the sport can be on the lower back, especially. So how do you keep your back in shape while skiing?
Rollerblading is a great summer sport that encourages back strength and keeps many of your muscles “remembering” what it was like to ski. There is also the emphasis on balance and downhill speed, so many skiers will find that rollerblading makes a seamless sport for those sunny summer days.
-Remember your legs.
Strong legs help you control yourself while you’re on the slopes, as you’ll be exercising them through an entire ski trip. You don’t want to ignore your legs during the summer and hot fall days, so if you want to add some weight training to your summer routine, you might find it enormously beneficial.
Squats will help boost raw leg power inside the gym, as well as other exercises that focus on the calves, quadriceps, and strengthening the knees. Leg endurance typically isn’t as important, but if you feel you need to build that up, include some uphill cycling into your routine – this can be done outside or by spinning your wheels indoors.
-Vary up your endurance routine.
It’s tough exercise to be out in the sun and running in a straight line, but when you’re skiing, you’re doing anything but tackling a straight line. Vary up your cardio routine to include hills, trails, turns, and cuts: get used to be being off-balance so that when winter rolls around skiing will feel second nature. You’ll find that it makes the runs more challenging, but more exhilarating and inviting at the same time.
Photo Credits: papalars
Originally posted 2009-06-02 05:15:49.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 23, 2012 in
exercise
Should you or shouldn't you?
Just like skiing itself, a skiing school isn’t for everybody. Determining whether or not it’s for you will require looking at yourself and your goals and seeing if a ski school is something that can help you achieve your ambitions. But it also means taking a look at the reality of ski schools, including the cost it might require to attend one. If you’re interested in a ski school, it can be helpful to weigh the pros and cons. Let’s take a look at both.
Pros
Improving your mechanics. If the ski school you’re taking isn’t improving your mechanics dramatically, it should be time to leave that school. If you have a raw talent for skiing but need to be coached on the techniques and mechanics involved, you’ll probably want to consider a ski school. It’s important to remember that ski schools won’t necessarily do this for you, but they can help you train the right way. If you have the inner drive and passion to learn the right mechanics, you should do well.
Emulating successful skiers. One of the benefits of taking time out of your life to learn something from an expert is that you get exposed to their reality and attitude. If you can find a ski school with successful ski instructors, you should benefit from their experience – after all, in their world, skiing isn’t such a difficult thing. You will also meet other skiers who might be more advanced than you and might be able to help you out with some tips.
Cons
Cost. This is perhaps the first reason many people turn away from something like a ski school – not having enough money. For some people, a ski school can be easily affordable or totally unaffordable. If you’re somewhere in between – you can afford it but you’ll have to make some sacrifices – you’ll really have to decide if the benefits will be worth the investment.
Commitment. Commitment is an important thing for the driven skier, but if you’re not sure you bring commitment to the table, there might be no reason for you to attend a ski school. If you don’t have the commitment to succeed in skiing, you might not make the most of your time at the ski school, which would waste your money.
Photo Credits: draculina_ak
Originally posted 2009-08-05 03:43:44.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 22, 2012 in
ski basics
Any winter sports enthusiast is familiar with the cold, wet feeling of snow that’s crept in between the cracks of your clothes and seeped into your wrists, ankles, and neck. It’s not necessarily the memories you keep with you while on a sledding or skiing trip, but, then again, it doesn’t exactly help things during the fact, either.
Still other enthusiasts are even more familiar with the moisture that necessarily rubs off on boots, shoes, and ski boots: coming indoors from a nice lengthy winter activity is like unloading soaked armor. It’s impossible not to make a mess. The DryGuy line of drying products for your winter accessories is the antidote, and not only that, the preventive medicine, to the pain of soaked, freezing clothes.
DryGuy is essentially a portable drying machine that dries off boots and other accessories one pair a time. There are a number of DryGuy products, including a footwear dryer that is designed to pre-heat gloves, shoes, and boots to give you comfortable entry into the cold world outdoors. If you’ve ever lacked the motivation to go outside during a freezing cold day to shovel snow, you don’t have to be a winter sports enthusiast to appreciate the benefits of DryGuy products.
You might wonder why you’d by a DryGuy when you have a drying machine already, and that’s a valid question. Much of the problem with DryGuy products is that most of the work they do is already done by your drying machine. The only thing that’s overlooked by the drying machine – simply because of logistics – is the ability to dry off shoes and boots, including ski boots. It simply can’t be done with a conventional dryer – make sure to take our word for it. You’ll want to use a DryGuy exclusively for your shoes and boots.
Some DryGuy products also come with an air blaster that dries out the insides of boots that can’t be opened inside out to be dried well in the drying machine. This clears out the moisture quickly so that you can even take a quick “drying” break during an all-day long ski session.
In addition to greater versatility over dryers, DryGuy usually offers portable devices that can be taken with you on vacations: if you’re accustomed to the Florida or California sun before heading out to the Rockies, for example, you might want to prepare for your trip with a DryGuy. You might not appreciate the logistics now, but when the insides of your boots are wet, you’ll remember what you should have done.
Of course, DryGuys are also quite limited because of their portability, meaning they can only service a few boots at a time. Keep this in mind as a necessary evil for the convenience of traveling with your own drying machine. If you’re a frequent visitor of the great (and snowy) outdoors, the DryGuy is a great “have” to have.
Originally posted 2008-11-18 04:55:04.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 21, 2012 in
ski gear
Skiing Trick.
If you’ve ever come across a
downhill skiing event on television, then you’ve probably seen some amazing feats. You’ll see professional skiers zipping around flags with amazing speed, or skiers take long jumps with great confidence and balance. But what about those interesting “tricks” you see? How does one exactly get involved with that type of skiing? If those questions are on your mind, then you’ve come to the right place.
First, if you’re new to skiing, then you have to embrace the fundamentals before you can handle the tricks. This can be frustrating and can even lead you to quit, but if you approach the skill of skiing with patience and persistence, it can really pay off. There are no quick-fixes, but trick skiing is definitely a possibility for most people if they simply apply themselves.
You’ll have to crawl before you can walk. If you can’t handle skiing downhill in its most straightforward form, you’ll never be able to attack a trick. It’s recommended that you work with a ski instructor who can help you develop solid form and technique for traditional downhill skiing. After plenty of practice, once you have this mastered, you can move on to more advanced forms of skiing.
Next, remember to incrementally challenge yourself. Your skiing should always be working towards something. If you wanted to learn how to throw darts, you could improve simply by throwing a lot of darts on a board. But you’ll really improve if you give yourself goals to work for and track your progress, making adjustments as necessary. As you incrementally improve your form on the ski slopes, you’ll slowly realize that you’re gaining the confidence and competence necessary to tackle the more advanced “tricks” you’ve always been after.
When it is time to learn tricks, make sure to ask someone in the know about how to start developing your skills. Ask them how they initially went about learning, and try to model their success, with an emphasis always on safety, of course.
Remember, it’s not simply by learning “tricks” that makes you a good skier. When you see someone ski and it dazzles you, remember that those skiers have been working on their skills for a long time. There’s no “magic bullet,” but if you really want to achieve your goals, you’ll be able to. Give it time, and give it patience, and eventually you’ll be an ace skier as well.
Photo Credits: jeremyeanlittle
Originally posted 2010-01-12 03:51:07.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 20, 2012 in
ski safety, ski tips
You know the basics about skiing equipment: boots, poles, and of course, skis. But unless you’ve been hitting the slopes for a while, there can really be no telling how much you’re missing out on: ideal visors for blocking the wind and snow, comfortable “inner layer” clothes that keep you warm and dry, the list goes on.
So what kind of products should beginners look for? In addition to the most popular items – the boots and skis – you’ll want to get a grasp on the kind of accessories that only experienced skiers know you’ll need for a comfortable, fun time. So while even beginners are aware of the equipment they’ll need to start sliding down those slopes, here are two more suggestions you might not have thought of:
- The ski rack – Duh, right? Well, many people don’t think of it, and once they’ve acquired everything they need to start out their skiing career on a high note, they have no graceful way of bringing their ski equipment with them. Ski racks will attach to your cars, usually on your rear bumper, where skis can easily be inserted, and you’ll be able to pack without doing any difficult moving or jostling just to get some very long objects to fit in the back of your car. If you’re bringing friends with you, a ski rack is a must-have piece of equipment.
A ski rack also makes an interesting gift idea for someone who otherwise has every piece of ski equipment they’ll need: if you know they’re still stuffing their skis in the backseat, you know they’re prime for a ski rack. Giving a gift someone can actually use is a great idea.
- The DryGuy forced air dryer – If you’ve already got the wool socks, the long underwear, and the long wrist gloves, then you’ve got a good “under-layer” going for yourself, and you should be ready to keep warm. But what about the stuff that has to, you know, actually touch the snow?
DryGuy produces a dryer that can be used for your ski boots to make them acceptable for packing again, or even just blast them with some dry air to make them more comfortable for the next time you put them on. Imagine having a portable dryer with you not only to take the moisture out of your ski equipment, but to warm them up with a nice clean blast of air: that’s an accessory many don’t think of.
These are great products, but whatever you do, don’t wait until you have everything purchased before getting to those slopes: you’ll never have everything possible, and you’ll never be totally prepared for every hardship coming your way. But with a little planning and snooping around, you can find some great accessories that will make your skiing trips more enjoyable and more practical. Be sure to check these items out as you look for the best products to enhance your skiing trips with.
Originally posted 2008-11-17 04:55:55.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 19, 2012 in
ski gear
Snowboard Bindings
Whether you’re a new snowboarder or someone who’s seen his/her fair share of hills, one issue will inevitably hit you as one you need to handle quickly:
Your snowboard bindings.
What are snowboard bindings?
They’re the part of the snowboard that encase your foot, allowing you to attach your boots and remain fastened to the board itself. Once you’ve purchased a board that suits your skills (finding the right length, style, and even design), the second part of the board you have to handle will always be the bindings.
There is more than one type of snowboard binding – make sure you peruse this list before you decide what’s best for you:
-Step-in Bindings:
Step-in Bindings are pretty self-explanatory, allowing you to “step in” to your bindings with maximum convenience. This is typically better for the beginner who isn’t necessarily looking for peak performance. Beginners or novices are usually looking for convenience over performance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a step-in binding won’t work for more advanced boarders, either. Make sure you shop around to find the step-in bindings that most closely meet your convenience and performance needs.
-Strap-on Bindings:
Strap-on Bindings look like shoes with Velcro laces – a back plate guides your boot in while two straps cover the base of your foot as well as the toes. These are typically used with “soft boots,” so make sure that you have the correct and optimal boots before you decide to opt for a strap-on binding. This type of binding will typically give you greater control over your board, making you more agile, but will take an extra moment to “lace up.”
-Plate and Lever Bindings:
These bindings, associated with hard boots, will give you the most direct control over your snowboard. With more control can come less comfort, particularly if you’re a novice snowboarder who doesn’t need that degree of control for your boarding attempts. But if you’re serious about snowboarding, these might be the right bindings for you, as they cut out on lost energy between your feet and the board, making the board more like an extension of your body than something you simply “ride on.”
This brief guide to the different types of snowboard bindings should help you get an idea of the different options available to you. If you’ve already got a snowboard bind that works well for you and gives you an adequate amount of control and safety, there’s no need to make any changes. But if you’re looking for an upgrade, you might want to explore one of these snowboard binding options.
Photo Credits: Ted Percival
Originally posted 2009-07-07 05:41:57.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 18, 2012 in
snowboard tips, snowboarding
If you’re new to the sport of skiing, it goes without saying that you’ll want to find the right ski hill for you. The problem, of course, is that if you’re new to skiing, you don’t know what “the right ski hill for you” even means.
Luckily, there are ways to find out what this means, and there are even ways to start your skiing career with some good information. Finding a ski hill that suits you is about some of the common-sense things (such as logistics, location, etc.) and the not-so-tangible (such as fun ratings and service).
Here are some quick tips and tricks to finding the ski hill that’s right for you:
- Start with logistics first – If you’re looking for a ski hill in your area, and you realize that there’s only one within reasonable driving distance, that severely limits your options, to say the least. Before you start narrowing down a list of ski hills to visit, you’ll want to do a pretty sweeping search of ski hills in your area and find out if you really do have options. Having the logistics in mind, you’ll be able to choose between some higher-level diferences later.
- Research: read testimonials or, failing those, ask around – Online testimonials are great feedback to help you get a preview of what your skiing experience will be like, but there are other ways to find out about the ski resorts and ski hills in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask around, or even call these ski hills ahead of time to see what admission prices might be, open and closing times, and other vital information.
- Know what kind of time you’re after – Depending on the kind of skiier you are, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to make some more discerning decisions based on what the ski resorts appeal to. Family resorts are ideal for the novice skier since they’re more likely to include options like flatter hills, easy access to food and beverage, and other basic amenities. If you’re more advanced, you’ll be looking for something maybe more upscale and challenging.
- Sample – You can’t know everything about a ski hill before you go there, and let’s face it: research isn’t all that fun! So go on a little skiing adventure of your own design and actually sample what the local ski hills have to offer. It may take a few times to get a feel for how much you really enjoy one particular one, but the more avid a skier you are, the more this will come naturally to you anyway.
Keep in mind that skiing – unless you’re doing it for money – is about fun and exercise. Ultimately, snow is snow, and hills are hills; when you’re sliding down around a curve and feeling the ground moving beneath you, you’ll probably do best to forget the resort itself, cut loose, and have a good time.
Originally posted 2008-11-14 12:22:22.
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Posted by Ski Snowboarder on January 17, 2012 in
ski tips
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