January 21, 2007 – Level 9 day

I arrived at the locker room with only the knowledge of a few inches of new snow and 13* temps. It was snowing throughout until about 2:30 and then light snow with partial sunshine.
On Sunday mornings I lead an “AM Workout” Instructor clinic at P8. We had 5 participants in the fun. We were working with an “Apex to Apex” turn idea. Basically, skiing fall line to fall line passing through what many call the “turn finish”. Humbug on finishing the turn, I want to keep going.

At 10 our line up was full of very good skiers. There were 10 Lvl 8/9’s and 9-Level 9’s. The top level. And these skiers were fun. I was playing guide and ski patrol most of the morning. We skied hard. Windows, Tom’s, High Anxiety (without poles). In the afternoon, we hit the Boundary Chutes, Whales Tail, Magic Carpet.
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We worked on a few ideas with the core. Holding tension in the core, rather than shoulders or legs. We also felt the concept of “Weight underside”. Gripping the poles with the lower three fingers of the hand. (Much like Ben Hogen held the golf club).
But mostly we skied. I also highly recommend that you try skiing bumps without poles. That will rock your world.
A little video for you to enjoy.

to your success,
Jon Law