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need advice on how to learn to ski gates

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
rob@rar wrote:
skimottaret wrote:
£160/week seems a total bargain, is that correct?

Their rate for recreational skiers was £240 this season, but I think if you have a BASI qualification you can opt for the Eurotest training at a reduced rate of £160.

Ah yes...I thought I didn't recognise the £160 rate that was on their planner...but I got that from the pro sheet that stewart woodward pointed me at. Actually I got it for only £120 though last year, as I went on one of their 50% off weeks (so shouldn't really moan about the weather keeping us off the hill too much snowHead )

On our week there were three classes:
1) Eurotest trainees
2) those who were thinking seriously about whether to start training for it, and tyro racers (like yours truly). Had a couple of recently qualified BASI 2s or thereabouts.
3) those who had essentially done no race training before and were using it just as a bit of performance coaching. Included a few BASI 3s but mostly just regular recreational skiers.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
GrahamN wrote:
On our week there were three classes:
1) Eurotest trainees
2) those who were thinking seriously about whether to start training for it, and tyro racers (like yours truly). Had a couple of recently qualified BASI 2s or thereabouts.
3) those who had essentially done no race training before and were using it just as a bit of performance coaching. Included a few BASI 3s but mostly just regular recreational skiers.

That seems typical of the race courses I've done with Phil, although sometimes more than three classes as they seem to be getting quite popular.

For me one of the best things about these training camps is that they get the ski season off to an early start. I wouldn't consider going on a recreational trip that early, but a week of focused instruction which only needs a limited amount of terrain seems to be the best use of whatever snow will be available in November.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
skimottaret, hi there. most BASI folk training for the Eurotest are ISIA (Grade 2) and will have at least passed their Alpine Performance Coach module (or BASI APM version) which is a wk of setting courses, racing technique drills, skills assessment and some runs through gates. So no strangers to gates, however a lot are like me -have a large hill/mountain to climb by not coming from a racing background and prepping for the Eurotest. But as mentioned before, when the race bug bites it bites hard - best thing I've done for my skiing - just wish I had learned as a nipper (a bit like my golf) wink
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GrahamN, i am in the 3) camp and it is good to hear that they have a streamed set of groups, a few of the other courses seemed set up for peeps training hard for the Eurotest and i am nowhere near that standard. Good to know about the discounts i will bear that in mind for next season.

dg3, didnt appreciate that Grade 2 performance module was so comprehensive...hence my earlier comments

15 hours of training for £160 seems a very good deal to me and one i hope to be able to take advantage of, just gotta convince the misses that the ski season is starting earlier than this years first trip out on the 9th of december, which she thought was crazy Toofy Grin
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
skimottaret, I've seen a number of groups with Dave and some have been pretty poor recreational skiers - some have been virtually at eurotest standard. It would seem prudent to discuss with Dave which week would have the better skiers (given your previous posts), as courses will obviously be set for the mean of the group, and if the rest are muppets, then you're not going to be getting what you want are you? I think a lot of Dave though - super skier, super teacher and very nice, modest guy to boot. You'd be surprised how tiring 3 hours is at altitude pushing your envelope all the time!

Dave Beattie also does courses out of LDA in the summer, but I don't have any info or contact details about them.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
As a matter of interest, this is what is says on the LDA website (winter blurb) about Pierre-Alain's courses:

These courses are open to skiers over 13 years with a technical ability equivalent to the ESF level 3 or competition level (equivalent to 'flèche de bronze and fléchette' awards).
Also applies to skiers wishing to better their Ski Open skills, as well as preparation for 'Brevets d'Etat de Ski': technical tests and Eurotest, and also training for the Ski d'Or.
Skiing on all types of snow and ground, Freeride, powder.
Every week from 03/12/2006 to 1/05/2007.

Training: Under the supervision of Pierre Alain CARREL, qualified ESF training instructor, ex-trainer for the French ski team.
On the programme: From 9am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm, from Monday to Saturday (½ day courses available). Ski technique and training along educational lines.
Training: Slalom special, Giant slalom, Super G, Parallel Slalom, introduction to downhill. Skiing on all types of snow and ground, Freeride,
Timed runs: Flèches, Chamois. Individual video analysis progress reports.

Price for 6 days (as an indication only): 340 € (Teaching + ski-pass + tests + video).
Formula with accommodation in Chalet Club or hotel ** or ***. Please contact us.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
easiski, out of interest, what's the ratio of kids:adults on his summer and winter classes? Does he have any problems getting piste space to set up a GS or slalom lane?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
easiski wrote:
These courses are open to skiers over 13 years with a technical ability equivalent to the ESF level 3 or competition level (equivalent to 'flèche de bronze and fléchette' awards).


What sort of level is that then, Charlotte?

I must admit I actually think this is one area where the ESF and Swiss schools do things right. Yes, if you can ski you can ski, but when you're learning, the grades (Swiss snow princess/queen/king, the Flèches) seem to me to be a pretty useful objective assessment, especially since they are geographically portable within the system, which avoids the testosterone-fuelled boasting and oestrogen-related modesty when with a new instructor in a new resort
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
rob@rar, Mostly adults, but a few kids in the August hols. Not sure in winter. Never any problem getting lanes - his lane is the first one! No foreigners here!! Shocked Shocked Seriously - he's the No 1 here for race training, so he never has any problems - apparently (and you didn't hear it from me), he's one of the few shareholders in the DAL (private company)..... His father was one of the founders of the ESF here, and also they're one of the "big" families of LDA. doesn't mean he doesn't know his onions though. Very Happy

eng_ch, Level 3/competition is parallel, OK skier, skis reds and blacks in the compete class. Bronze is not especially fast in the racecourse. Pretty much means you can ski at a reasonable speed and go where you're pointing!
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
easiski wrote:
rob@rar, Mostly adults, but a few kids in the August hols. Not sure in winter. Never any problem getting lanes - his lane is the first one!


Thanks. That's food for thought - perhaps one year we can arrange a SSSB (snowHeads Summer Speed Bash). Engage Pierre Alain for three or four days to run some GS and slalom training over a long weekend in July. Smile
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
rob@rar, He might agree if he doesn't have prior bookings. BTW he has a regular guy who trains with him who is 78! Shocked Seriously.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
rob@rar, now there's a plan (not that racing necessarily appeals but April to November is just tooo long!)
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
easiski wrote:
rob@rar, He might agree if he doesn't have prior bookings. BTW he has a regular guy who trains with him who is 78! Shocked Seriously.


Wonder if I could beat him in a race? On this season's evidence probably not...
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Kramer and dbiggins are NOT allowed to practice race techniques Laughing Laughing Laughing
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
rob@rar, the old boy is pretty handy - just does SL and wears shin guards etc. Not that fast, but hey! More power to him. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Fellow snowHead Len Holgate did some training with R21 at the start of the season for two or three weeks. He's written about the experience on his blog - the R21 stuff is here.

Edit - added link now Len's blog is available.


Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 24-02-07 13:53; edited 1 time in total
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
PhillipStanton, thanks for that link, it's been ages since I looked at Len's blog. Nice to see so much video - the slalom from the headcam was particularly fun!

easiski, when you have good technique fitness and strength become less important than if you normally muscle your way down the mountain. I skied for a little while with a 75 year old women who, quite frankly, humbled me with her technical abilities.
ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
PhilipStanton, It was Len Holgate's group that I skied with for a day.

rob@rar, The oldest guy doing FIS Masters races is 88.
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rjs wrote:
PhilipStanton, It was Len Holgate's group that I skied with for a day.

That squares a circle - Len mentioned that he'd skied with another snowHead

rob@rar - I always enjoy Len's blog and read it even if I've been skiing with him - just to remind me what we did!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
PhillipStanton wrote:
rob@rar - I always enjoy Len's blog and read it even if I've been skiing with him - just to remind me what we did!


Please pass on my appreciation for his efforts. I remember reading his South America blogs and enjoying them a great deal.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
easiski,
Quote:

Phil is a ski teacher and P-A is a race trainer (they tell you what's wrong and expect you to fix it) ski teachers will tell you how to fix it.
not sure a race trainer is for me at this stage

PhillipStanton, thanks for the link to the blog most interesting to here of his BASI and race training experiences.

At the moment i am leaning towards Val D and Snoworks or possibly Dave morris, R21 guys seem a bit specialised for me at this point but may be worth contacting.

If any one is going out let me know..... I am always easily persuaded.. wink
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
skimottaret, I'm sure you'll have a great time with Snoworks if that's what you decide. Not sure I agree that a race trainer isn't for you; IMO the better the race qualifications the better the insight and the feedback.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
rob@rar, with absolutely no knowledge of racing i recon i will need more help with "how to fix it" as opposed to "telling me what is wrong" i am guessing i will be mainly wrong wink

I kinda like the sound of the test technique prep session that snow works is offering and may give this a go. You sound as if you have had a few sessions with the snoworks people any top tips?

Stewart Woodward mentioned to me that they offer a summer course which may be of interest as i will be over in Mottaret in the summer and may be able to get over for some training in VD.
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
rob@rar, I keep telling peeps this - but they keep telling me they don't need lessons, and skiing like complete morons! Sad Sad
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
skimottaret wrote:
I kinda like the sound of the test technique prep session that snow works is offering and may give this a go. You sound as if you have had a few sessions with the snoworks people any top tips?


I've done three race training weeks with Snoworks and another four or five general performance courses over the years. I don't have any particular tips other than a strong endorsement. I have no ability and no ambition to race, but the Snoworks race training has transformed my ability to carve high speed turns on piste. I think that sometimes there's a sense that "racing" is somehow completely different from recreational skiing, but that's not how I see it. Skiing gates uses the same set of skills that any skier would use when skiing quickly on piste, but just sets more demanding standards in order to control your line on the race course.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
skimottaret,

Quote:
may be able to get over for some training in VD.


The training is in TIGNES not VD Very Happy
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
stewart woodward, yeah sorry i always just lump them together.

easiski, Your contact in LDA sounds good and i am sure i would learn loads but i feel that a larger outfit with more options mays suit me better for the long term. Another benefit for me is that snoworks offers courses in Courcheval so in the future may be more convinient for me as i am based in the Meribel valley.

rob@rar, agree fully on race training as a means to improve general skiing, i have no desire (at the moment) to do any form of racing and take your point that racing gates isnt some highly specialised form of skiing. For me it sounds like another good way to help improve my standard. I have only recently started taking lesssons and my skiing has come on a lot after taking a few. I regret not having lessons early on as i am basicaly self taught am having to undo a lot of bad habits.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
skimottaret wrote:
I regret not having lessons early on as i am basicaly self taught am having to undo a lot of bad habits.

Welcome to the Club! I spent 15 years perfecting my bad habits. They were the best bad habits you could find. It's been a long and painful journey to get rid of some of them, and more work required to finish off the others Sad
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
rob@rar, couldnt agree more as i was looking at some video of me skiing last week and am STILL sitting back even when i thought it was going good. Sad just starting my journey and i hope that sometime in 2022 to be a reasonable skier....
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
skimottaret, If you have the desire it won't take as long as you think. Very Happy
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