Big Sky Travelogue

We've just driven ~800 miles from Colorado to Montana, for our Big Sky All-Mountain camp. There's a lot of beatiful scenery along the way, especially with the good snow this winter. Here are a few quick snaps from the road...

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Improve with the Super-Phantom

Our first book, Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier 1, is now in its 11th (!) season. It would be easy to think that it could be outdated, or that its content had been superseded by our more recent publications, but this would be an unfortunate mistake: To bypass Expert Skier 1 would be to shortchange yourself.

At our most recent camp, I was reminded how valuable it remains. Several skiers in my group were working on slow, linked, "Super-Phantom" turns. Even without perfect performance, their skiing improved significantly due to all that is required to make these turns:

• transferring balance to the little-toe edge of the uphill ski
• sufficiently-forward balance to lighten the downhill ski tail
• flexing the downhill leg to keep the new free foot off the snow
• tipping the free foot throughout the turn
• sufficient counterbalancing to maintain balance on the stance ski throughout the turn (no dabs, no pole-dragging!)
• sufficient counteracting to finish the turn in balance, prepared for the new turn

If you want to see your skiing improve, work on slow, linked, Super-Phantom turns. Once you master them on easier terrain, try them somewhere steeper. If you master the "brushed-carve" variety, master them with the skis carving. Once you perfect them with the tip of the free ski on the snow, challenge yourself to keep the entire free ski lifted. Keep in mind that performing them at ultra-slow speeds will challenge your balance and movements more than cruising along at full speed. If you're having trouble, get a copy of Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier 1 and follow the exercises to build up to the Super-Phantoms. Have fun!

Why I Love [All] My Skis

04-05 Head Madtrix Mojo & Dynafit AT binding

Over hill, over dale, through the woods to Grandmother's house.

Dr. Seuss trees.

Uphill traction light-years beyond my waxing and waxless nordic experiences.

Following bunny tracks through the woods.

Zipping through trees, powder, and steeps on the (too-short) descent.