Refrigerator magnet worthy. Even better: a flexible cast.IMHO a ski boot should fit like a cast.
Refrigerator magnet worthy. Even better: a flexible cast.IMHO a ski boot should fit like a cast.
I get the pleasure of getting to see the looks on peoples faces when they find how to press into the front of their ankles without falling on ice.
The specialized purpose is true, but I was talking about general skating, not specialized purpose. It's technically called a rocker or (in context of the entire blade) a profile, not a radius (radius is the hollow you sharpen). And that's a common misconception. Figure skates will have anywhere from 8.5 feet to 7 feet. Hockey blades are anywhere from 13 feet to 7 feet (most common being 9' and 11') so they're actually usually flatter.Hockey blades have a radius, figure skates are near flat towards the rear of the blade. Think of the difference between race skis and park skis, each are dedicated to different applications.
You sure that's the word? On inline skates I've always heard it called "rocker," just like on some skis.Hockey blades have a radius,
They do have a radius. That would be how deep the sharpening is. Not what they meant, but it is a thing.You sure that's the word? On inline skates I've always heard it called "rocker," just like on some skis.
The ski shop I worked also sold skates as well, mostly hockey skates and some basic figure skates. We used the Bauer sharpener to do our customers skates. It did a good job, but we didn't have the sophisticated skater mostly highschool hockey players. Some of them went on to college hockey but very few.They do have a radius. That would be how deep the sharpening is. Not what they meant, but it is a thing.
ETA and the rocker is measured in a radius of a circle which makes it a bit confusing.
ETA2 and the profile is a combination of rockers.
I'll never hesitate to over-explain skating equipment because I've worked with it a good bit. So if anyone wants to get into skating (especially if it's figure, I know a bit about hockey, inline, and quads though) DM me haha.
Tomato tomato......You sure that's the word? On inline skates I've always heard it called "rocker," just like on some skis.
Nope, not tomato tomato. Because radius has a completely different meaning when it comes to blades. Would be like calling the binding the ski. A binding is simply not a ski. Calling it a clippy would be different (as far as I'm aware, no part of a ski/boot/equip setup is called the clippy).Tomato tomato......
There's one component missing from this. Hours devoted to focused practice. An instructor should give you homework at the end of a lesson.About 20 of those hours in small group lessons with a good ski instructor. The remaining hours were spent messing around.
Oh yeah. It's like skating with training wheels.I may be wrong, but I think this fast improvement came from me being a professional figure skater.
Not good.Compared to how my skates fit, my ski boots are very, very loose...my heel moves a great deal....
Many would say it's good to be able to do a small amount of that. At least not to have a style of footbed that blocks it, unless you have anatomical issues requiring that high level of support. (But the heel shouldn't lift or move around.)I can pronate and supinate my foot without the boot moving with my foot at all.
Sounds like part technique, and probably part equipment. Aim to originate actions with foot movements, but then involve substantial movement in the hip sockets for all but the tiniest actions. Let the one lead into the other.[M]y ski boots don't only move a teenly little bit until I try to move my whole leg (so originating the movement from the hip instead of the feet). Is this normal?
Unfortunately, I've found that in almost every sport I've tried, the stance that gives you the most control is also the scariest when faced with a new challenge until it becomes muscle memory.
I already ski blacks and double blacks in the proper stance, but this is great advice for someone at the beginning of that journey. I'll definitely do this a couple times before hitting the steeper slopes since I didn't get to ski last season.Practice on gentle greens! Not so scary, except that you go a little faster. But you can feel the control, and it is a good feeling.
Is not small movements. Pretty big movements. At least for a foot lol.Many would say it's good to be able to do a small amount of that. At least not to have a style of footbed that blocks it, unless you have anatomical issues requiring that high level of support. (But the heel shouldn't lift or move around.)
Would you do the same for skis - use radius for two different meanings, both of which are important to understand?Tomato tomato......
I’ve read this whole interesting thread and I don’t think anyone addressed this particular question. I’m not sure I know the answer, if there’s one correct one. But I’ll give it a shot.How often should I be skiing if I just do it for fun but don't want to lose skills. Especially in the park (I'm sure I won't lose my crap 180, but if I ever learn new things, I don't want to lose them). Is a couple times a month fine for someone like me who is experienced in learning new skills?
I use these. Most skaters do thinner, but the thinner socks rip really easily and at 11 dollars a pair, 30 hours a week skating... not happening. The added friction (good friction, not blister friction) is also a plus in really making sure my foot doesn't move. But if I need to go thinner in skis, so be it.Since nobody mentioned it you should also use a thin sock when purchasing a boot, don't let anybody tell you that you need thick warm socks. I don't know what if any socks you use inside your skates but thin socks are your friend when skiing with control.
I literally just signed a show contract that requires I don't ski for a month and a half (literally ends right before my family ski vacation thank god) so... that sucks. But I think I could get once a week in with my life right now when that ends.I’ve read this whole interesting thread and I don’t think anyone addressed this particular question. I’m not sure I know the answer, if there’s one correct one. But I’ll give it a shot.
Since you already have muscle memory from figure skating that translates nicely to alpine skiing, you may not ”need” to ski as often as somebody without your background. My first guess is twice a week would be a good start to gaining new skills and maintaining your old ones. Of course, more often is better IF you’re focused on improving, and you are.
However, how often do YOU want to ski? You’re doing this for fun, so do what feels right for you and your schedule. You don’t want skiing to feel like a job; you want to feel excited to get out there each time.
You know now you need new boots and you’ve got some great recommendations for fitters. As for skis, I do think that a carving ski would help you improve faster and that would also probably translate your figure skating skills faster. But boots first.
TBH I didn't really know where to put it because it's multiple different questions haha.For a thread in the "new to skiing" area, this is pretty deep.