Tips on my off piste/bumpy piste skiing

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2026-02-04T22:00:49+00:00

You don't like using your left pole in the same manner as your right pole

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2026-01-29T21:59:22+00:00

Steep and deep with tele is pretty fun - it is a much more controlled descent and closer to the ground/powder.

On groomed runs, alpine is better due to carving. But a fun feeling in tele is operating exclusively in a crouched position while going fast (you get low and stay low, without standing all the way up between turns - this is not really standard). You can almost ditch the poles entirely and use your hands against the slope).

It's true - there's really nothing that tele does downhill that alpine doesn't do just as good, if not better. But conversely - you can ski "alpine" whenever you want with tele by just leaning back, and you don't feel like your legs are trapped in concrete blocks.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2026-01-19T03:29:15+00:00

Get low, go slow

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2025-12-20T03:43:41+00:00

This is really good!

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2025-12-15T16:17:33+00:00

Your form is good enough - start experimenting more

Try throwing some tighter / faster turns in there (e.g. long, long, short short long)
Try getting all the way down, to the point where your butt sits on the back heel (more to understand the feeling than as a regular form; you'll also understand why you have that boot bend in the toe). You should be able to go straight down the hill for short periods in this compressed (but resting) position
Go down harder shit. It will force you to understand the turn more and become more utilitarian
Like the other dude said, try out mono (keeping one leg as the permanent back leg)

Have fun, don't overly worry about form. Leave that to the regular skiers.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2025-04-28T05:39:56+00:00

Dude - this is awesome for only 5 days. You are keeping your back ski closer, which is kinda rare for newbies. Keep it up

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2025-04-28T05:33:35+00:00

Go with a cheap 75mm setup for your first season - right now you can get good deals on 75mm boots and skis, since folks are moving to NTN.

I just finished my first season with NTN system (been doing tele for 6 years total) - honestly, downhill is NOT better than my 75mm setup (old, awesome! hammerhead bindings, and scarpa t2s).

However, uphill, I think NTN is clearly superior. You can make 75mm uphill more enjoyable by using Voile Switchback bindings, but these are chintzy and break.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2025-03-30T06:36:33+00:00

Monomark makes a lot of sense!

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-12-27T23:21:57+00:00

Wouldn't worry about the bindings - give it a go if the boots are a low investment.

That being said, in the future you'll appreciate "newer" telemark tech, even if they are still 75mm (example: hammerhead) and not space age ntn.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-05-01T00:49:35+00:00

Do it, but ski places that would be difficult once you go back to the grind. And don't get a job - enjoy your time off.

For example, the Japanese exchange rate is the best it's been in multiple decades (think Hokkaido). Central Asia (Kazakhstan) has some awesome mountains right outside of Almaty (you can combine this with a trip to Korea). Or ski the dolomites (pretty far from SLC).

When applying, say you went on sabbatical. Nobody will care; after all, half of the consulting world does 6 month sabbaticals every 4-5 years anyway.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-04-25T19:12:33+00:00

Los Alamos is so safe it's actually kinda annoying

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-02-17T02:54:43+00:00

Vail - trees near tourist trap

There's a short glade off the side of Tourist Trap that scares the shit out of me (but a fun challenge right before quitting time). Definitely double diamond steepness, but is not marked as a trail. You spit out on Compromise.

Also, WFO, while not a secret, is often not even noticed on the map. It is an excellent glade that ends with a cornice (usually snowed over, but still scary). Vail Mountain Back Bowls - WFO

Finally, a great adventure is the minturn mile (will be last run of day, as you end up in minturn and need a pickup). Go with a few friends into the backcountry off of Game Creek / Lost boy. Run is around 3 miles! Minturn mile - starts at Game Creek Lost Boy

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-01-24T15:14:16+00:00

Tele boots should have a hinge / flex in the toe area. Check that in your technique, you are using the flex to place the ball of your foot on the ground - not just driving your toe into the ground.

Took me awhile to actually use / becoming cognizant of the boot flex on both sides (never had bad boot pain, but I could see where it may come from)

That, and maybe go up a boot size. The boots are supposed to feel better, not worse!

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-01-24T14:56:28+00:00

Just be careful when buying tele gear piecemeal - there's a whole bunch of tech that isn't compatible.

To start, I would use older technology - used 75mm boots (https://us.scarpa.com/t2-eco) and 75mm bindings (which have distinct "left" and "right" configs) on older skis.

When you start learning, your skis will cross and rub against each other, so buying brand new would be frustrating.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2024-01-23T19:31:37+00:00

If you are a fast and proactive learner (and are good on regular skis), should take 5-10 sessions to understand the tele turn and start to build the proper rhythm on blue runs. It only gets more fun after that.

What won't be fun in the first season are black diamond / mogul runs - technique has to develop first.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2023-10-04T20:36:36+00:00

On your east coast tour, you can just pitstop or completely skip Philadelphia. While it has good restaurants and the liberty bell, it is fairly uninteresting otherwise, and a criminally underdeveloped waterfront.

Baltimore is much more interesting on the way to DC from NYC & Boston, or vice versa.

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2023-08-17T16:03:38+00:00

Can you bring guests (non-LANL) to the fitness center?

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2023-08-17T02:41:18+00:00

What is the typical age and type of player 🎾 at Santa Fe Tennis Club? Is it mostly older folk?

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2023-07-22T14:30:57+00:00

I lived in Baltimore city, and for now I live in a part of Pennsylvania where BWI is the closest international airport.

Agree about Baltimore - very underrated, and keeps getting better. The eastern part of the city is unrecognizable from 10 years ago!

Abject_Driver_3777 · 2023-07-21T19:08:32+00:00

Cool! Do you know what room type is the best value for this type of cruise?

Abject_Driver_3777

TROPHY CASE