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SKIING

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My Skiing Resume

Although I started skiing around 1955, I really didn't get serious about my skiing until the mid eighties when my son Eric was about 12 years old.

I hadn't skied in quite a few years when I decided that I would introduce Eric to this great sport.

Eric was immediately hooked, and we started skiing as a family as often as time and money would permit. It wasn't long before our winter family life revolved around skiing.

We skied quite a few years, traveling to many different mountains in New England.

I guess it was around 1986 that we discovered a little known mountain in Danbury New Hampshire named Ragged Mountain.

Now Ragged is fairly well known in the northeast these days, but it sure wasn't ten years ago.

We discovered Ragged Mountain just after the Endurainus family had purchased it. Until that time it was an area used by locals when there was adequate natural snow (We all know how often that is).

The new owners had big plans for Ragged, and they steadily set out to develop the area.

Things were ragged the first couple of years (no pun intended). But then everyone got their act together and Ragged began to take shape.

After a couple of years as a season pass holder, I decided that my skiing had improved enough, and my ego was big enough for me to try my hand at teaching.

Ragged had advertised a clinic for prospective instructors, with the posibility for a position on the staff the following season.

I enrolled, and as usual, threw myself into this endeavor with reckless abandon. (a friend of mine likes to say that I don't know the meaning of moderation)

The next season I was on the teaching staff at Ragged Mountain, and I still am today.

After a couple of seasons of teaching, I decided that it was time to get serious or get out. So, I began my trip up the PSIA certification ladder.

First, I became what was then a registered member. Today this is considered level 1.

A couple of years after that, I decided that it was again time to get serious, and began the preperation necessary for the level 2 exam.

Now, I am a certified sailing instructor, a woodworking teacher, and a pilot. But it was my Marine Corps training that gave me the courage to endure the PSIA certification process beyond level 1.

The level 2 examination is a 3-day affair during which the candidate skis each day with a different examiner. The candidate is graded by each examiner in three different areas.

  • Skiing
  • Teaching
  • Professional knowledge

In order to achieve level 2 certification, the candidate must recieve 2 passing grades in each category.

Well, without going into details, I blew skiing, but that wasn't so bad because I was then elegible to return the following season for a retake exam in just the area (skiing) that I failed the previous season.

I passed easily the second time around, and finally became level 2 certified.

I remember proclaiming after level 2 that I would rather have a root canal than go through the level 3 process.

I guess time heals all wounds, because I now find myself thinking that it's time to get serious again. I really doubt that I will ever achieve level 3 certification, but I guess the Marine in me won't let me give it up.

Because I live in Rhode Island, I can only teach weekends and school vacation weeks at Ragged Mountain, and that's where you will find me every winter.

I can , however, be found 3 afternoons and nights at Yawgoo Valley Ski Area in Exeter RI.

If you ever find yourself at either area, please look me up, and say you found me on the web.

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My favorite Ski Areas

Before I tell what my favorite mountains are, I guess I would like to say that I am a die hard eastern skier.

Now it's true that I have never skied out west. But I am proud to say that the east is my kind of place. I know we don't get the powder, and that the mountains aren't anywhere as big, and all the other stuff.

I turn red when I hear people say "once you ski out west you will never want to ski the east again".

I'm New England born and raised, and to those people I say, "if you can ski New England well, you will look real good out west".

Boy, that felt good.

Now here are my favorite places to ski:

  1. Ragged Mountain, NH
  2. Cannon Mountain, NH
  3. Wildcat Mountain, NH
  4. Burke Mountain, VT
  5. Sunday River, ME

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 This isn't meant to be a commercial endorsement of any particular brand of equipment.

Students often ask about equipment, so I tought I'd write a section on mine, and add my thoughts on the kind of equipment I find in my classes.

I've skied on lots of skis over the years, but I always come back to Olin.

The thing that I like most about Olin is that much of their development is geared to the real skier. I really don't care what Tommy Moe, Or Alberto Tomba are skiing on these days, and you probably shouldn't either. A lot of the skis developed on the grand prix circuit are not well suited for the recreational skier.

Olin, over the past few years, has relied on input from the PSIA development team to develop a lot of their line. I think that these design considerations are more appropriate than racing, and the resulting equipment is geared more to the all mountain recreational skier who is likely to ski varied terrain in varied conditions in the course of a ski day. Versatility is what I think most recreational skiers need in their skis, and I feel that Olin delivers there.

Now it's important to say that there are a lot of good skis out there. But for me, and that is the important part, Olin just feels right.

I am about 5'10" tall, and weigh about 200 lbs. I am on Olin DXS 205cm skis, with Solomon Suspension bindings.

I love the skis, but I have mixed feelings about the suspension bindings.

If your skiing style is short aggressive turns, or if you ski a lot of bumps, then I would recommend staying away from any suspension binding.

However if you like longer smoother turns, and are looking for improved performance on ice, or in crud, then the suspension bindings are for you.

There are suspension bindings on the market that allow you to select the degree of dampening by easily adjusting a switch, and maybe these are the answer. I have never skied these bindings, so I can't comment any further on them.

While the equipment that I see in my classes varies greatly, I think many skiers are on too much equipment for their ability.

Here are my recomendations on selecting new skis and bindings.

  1. Buy from a retailer you can trust, and stay with that retailer. I like doing business with a small shop where you are likely to deal directly with the owner. That way, when you return, you are likely to see the same face. Even if you spend a little more money, the rapport developed is worth it. I do most of my business with Smitty's Ski and Sports, in West Warwick RI.
  2. Be realistic about your style and ability. That is the only way the retailer can recommend the appropriate equipment for you. Do not buy more ski than you can handle.
  3. Demo the equipment you are considering purchasing in the size you are considering. It's the only way you will know for sure if you will like what you are buying. It could save you a bundle.
  4. Select your ski length by the manufacturer's guidelines. Skis are designed to perform a certain way, and if you buy the wrong length, you are wasting your money.
  5. If you are a beginner, I would recomend renting equipment for the first season. Entry level equipment is specialized, and you will soon outgrow it. Not only that, you may decide that skiing isn't for you, and you won't have a lot of stuff to sell at your next garage sale.

Boots:

What boots I, or anyone else wear is unimportant.

Boots are the link between you and your skis. If that link is not appropriate, then no ski is going to feel right.

Buy boots that fit. A good rule of thumb is that if they fit in the shop, they are probably at least a half size too big.

Here is where it is most important to buy from a reputable dealer.

Here are some considerations when shopping for boots.

  1. Does the retailer have a good selection?
  2. Do you see boot fitters taking the time to adjust boots for other customers?
  3. Does the shop have the necessary equipment to make modifications to your boots if they are needed in the future?
  4. Is the dealer equipped to manufacture custom footbeds if they are needed. This will not be included in the price of your boots, but it can make a world of difference in the comfort and performance of your boots.
  5. If your boots need adjustment in the future, is that included in the purchase price? This is especially important if you have problem feet, and anticipate problems with fit.
  6. Don't buy racing boots unless you are a racer. They are too stiff and you are letting yourself in for a lot of trouble. Stay away from the Grand Prix stuff.
  7. Bring your own favorite ski socks with you when you get fitted.
  8. This is boring, but I like to spend about an hour flexing the boot either in a simulator, or in my skis. I will not purchase from a dealer that discourages this. You will have a good idea if the boot fits after this test.
  9. Remember that these boots will probably outlast several pairs of skis, and that you will have them for a while.
  10. Finally, after all this trouble, if the boot absolutely can't be made to be comfortable and perform satisfactorily, will the dealer take them back for a credit towards a new pair? A good dealer will.

I guess you can tell that I feel more strongly about boots than ski's. The reliance on a good retailer here is the key. The ski dealer might not be the best place to buy your boots.

There is a growing trend towards retailers and boot fitters that sell only boots. These shops specialize in this area, and if you have problems with fit, I would recomend that you research these shops.

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