Adv/Expert (Slides) Litmus Test?

Coach Z wrote

Guys don't take lessons because they can ski expert terrain well but can they do it efficiently so that they can do it all day?  That is a key difference between an advanced and expert skier in my book.

Completely agree with this and have had similar experiences with people hop turning to glory all morning, then being knocked out by lunch.

I took up rock climbing a couple of years ago, and my muscles were fried after one or two trips up the wall. As I got more into it, I realized I could save my energy by being more efficient. Same thing with skiing (or yoga, or swimming, or whatever).

And yes, a lot of instructors aren't skiing bell to bell. Some of that is conditioning, some of it is inefficiency, but some of that is that ski instructing is tiring. You're using your body and your brain and sometimes you're hauling a bunch of kids over your mountain's various flat spots (for us Gore skiers). Just keeping up a conversation with an eight year old about Despicable Me or Frozen is exhausting. I don't know how you parents do it.

mattchuck2 wrote

Just keeping up a conversation with an eight year old about Despicable Me or Frozen is exhausting. I don't know how you parents do it.

It's a little easier when they're your own offspring.

Petronio

The slides were awesome today! Especially 4! Landing on 2b was soft and everything skiers left was deep. The Gulley in 4 was soft packed powder and no jump turns.

I could never be a ski instructor. I love to ski too much!!!

Harvey wrote

I remembered Slide 4 as my favorite. But then my mind has a way of deleting the unpleasant. Maybe I remember the bottom being a pain.

Coach was right. My first time was April 2011:

http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Whiteface-NY-4-9-11-The-Slides-td2800926.html

Was the base better than average when we skied it that day? With exception of one tight bulge that required a jump or picking your way very briefly... it just reminded me of the type of trees I ski all the time... super tight soft woods in a narrow corridor. Some comments on here make me wonder if I just skied it on a really good day compared to average?

2011 was the best Slides year since 2001

I don't know?

I'm sitting here thinking I must be crazy?  I thought we rocked Slide 4. Maybe it was 3.


Slide 3

I remember it was hot and the flat drop-in point was slushy going in to 4...


Highpeaksdrifter dropping in to Slide 4




Bottom of Slide 4

I'm sure the bottom was too tight for pics.  I think that ^^ was the last pic on that run.

The times I've been in the slides the snow has been excellent. Thin cover in spots for sure, but the snow that was there was prime.

When I looks down Slide 1 I see a way line that looks easier for me to ski on teles than the neighboring groomer...



I assumed that the reason they weren't open consistently was that Patrol wanted good and "safe" conditions.  When I skied there my experience backed that up.  That day above might be in my top five.

That darn making a living thing got in the way of me getting in the slides this week

Think they will still be good to go this weekend?

Dug out my pack shovel probe and peeps

"Hmmm...Jump turns.  Whad'ya think of them, Marge?"

"Well I don't know, Homer.  Sounds like Air-Carve to me."

All the best.

I must be in Florida since I read this whole thread...I like slide 4 the best (haven't been to 5+ yet) and it is killing me reading how great it was(they all were) this week. In my mind I am an expert.  However, I don't care if my turns are called jump turns or perfect carves or whatever but I ski to have fun! I have taken many lessons in my life and I do encourage folks to take them because they are helpful...but I ski alone or with a certain winged animal so I can ski what "I" enjoy.  I like steep technical lines but if I have to "just get down it" it probably wasn't that much fun and  won't ski it again.  I taught for one season many moons ago and realized I am way too selfish when it comes to skiing.  Judge me all you want but I ski for me.  I do want to take an avy safety course which will make me buy the equipment needed to hit the slides on a Silver day, under the Tram at Big Sky, off piste at Mt. Baker, etc...now I just need a buddy to go with with

We need the upcoming midweek storm to jog a bit west...for ME
Summer still sucks but I did have fun at the beach yesterday
Hey Ike, I think I am in the market for a SUP or 2...I'm hooked

Now suds, you sound like a true expert. Get that avi gear, take the course and hope you never have to use it.

come on scotty i know you jump turn in 4. you have to get the freshies

freshyslayer wrote

come on scotty i know you jump turn in 4. you have to get the freshies

I was just looking through the Slides Guide and came across this written about 3:

 An aggressive jump turn left will then clear a blind section and put you directly in the fall line. You’re going to accelerate but have faith because you’ll have enough room to stomp turns and dump speed before approaching the first of three rock shelves. Don’t blow up here or you can easily yard sale. Whatever you do, be aware that experienced skiers and riders will be coming in “hot” so don’t clog up this narrow zone for any longer than necessary.

The coming in hot part gives away which author wrote this review.  

I didn't write that for sure.  'Twas Scotty I'd think

these look great. would love to try them. if you are looking for a ski partner in  
the next few weeks let me know. can ski them almost any day. by the look of them
it should probably be sunny and in the 40's. thanks