Bueno, el curso de formación técnica de esquí alpino en Sierra Nevada
(OJO, que fuimos un grupo de 12 desde MADRID, que no nos confundan!),
llegó a su fin, y con él muchas cosas que echar de menos, como en todos
los finales.
Echaré de menos: tener que despertarme con 3 alarmas,
desayunar 2 tostadas calentitas (una siempre con aceite de oliva, y la otra con mermelada),
salir del apartameto con las botas puestas y los esquís al hombro (eso creo que el hombro no lo echará de menos),
bajar los 184 escalones hasta el telesilla (escaleras de metal y de piedras),
bajar
en un telesilla durante 10 minutos con los esquís en la mano (en Sierra
Nevada no se estila lo de telesillas con soporte para esquís, el día
que lo hagan dejarán de ser ellos),
y esperar a que llegue todo el equipo con cara de dormidos, pero eso sí con una sonrisa en el rostro.
Pero
no echaré de menos: el dolor de las espinillas durante los primeros
días (solo durante los primeros días porque después el cuerpo es muy
inteligente y decide ignorar el dolor, por lo que deja de doler, es un
inhibidor natural),
el moqueo continuo de la nariz que requiere un cleenex siempre a mano,
el frio en las manos constante, excepto en las bajadas,
y por último tragarme la nieve del de delante cuando derrapa (qué hay que conducir, no derrapar!)
Así
que bueno, eso es un resumen de algunas de las pocas cosas que os voy a
contar, porque hay cosas que no se deben leer, sino vivir, así que,
todo el mundo a esquiar! (bueno, todos no, que luego se llenan las pistas y no se puede)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
"Something is happenning" in Sierra Nevada... end of TD1
And so after the splendid 5 days of snow, a bit of rain, and other 5 great days of skiing, the course has arrived to its end. Through these 10 days we've learned to teach people how to become skiers, and we've learned about how to transmit our sensations to the future skiers. Skiing is not about memorizing and executing an action, but it is about feeling and transmitting sensations, both with the skis and the snow. It's not just a matter of doing the same thing all the time, because the snow conditions change, the slopes change, and even the boots change, so we have to learn to adapt to these changes, and the only way to do that is by feeling. By learning this, it is a lot easier to "read" the track and to feel secure in any situation.
Sierra Nevada has really impressed me, and it was a perfect environment to learn, and to enjoy the company of people who love to do what I do. Plus, we were at such a high altitude (2.000ms or more), that now that I'm back in Portugal, or in Madrid, I barely get tired when doing sports, yay!
Conclusion, I should go more often to Sierra Nevada, haha.
Sierra Nevada has really impressed me, and it was a perfect environment to learn, and to enjoy the company of people who love to do what I do. Plus, we were at such a high altitude (2.000ms or more), that now that I'm back in Portugal, or in Madrid, I barely get tired when doing sports, yay!
Conclusion, I should go more often to Sierra Nevada, haha.
Friday, December 16, 2011
After 5 days of sun, and of course...
SNOW :)
Sierra Nevada is where I am writing from at the moment, and I totally recommend you to come if what you want is good snow, sun, and a lot of "fiesta". Even though it is a ski station that requires 100% of your attention because of its numerous cross roads, it is a very nice station to enjoy it with you friends.
It is Friday, and tomorrow is supposed to snow again. We are all waiting for it to happen, because the snow and the sun usually don't get along for too long. Either the sun melts the snow, or the snowy clouds cover the sun, so let the snow fall again ;)
This is how the evenings look from the highest apartment in Sierra Nevada.
I promise, I will write something more interesting soon, hehe.
Sierra Nevada is where I am writing from at the moment, and I totally recommend you to come if what you want is good snow, sun, and a lot of "fiesta". Even though it is a ski station that requires 100% of your attention because of its numerous cross roads, it is a very nice station to enjoy it with you friends.
It is Friday, and tomorrow is supposed to snow again. We are all waiting for it to happen, because the snow and the sun usually don't get along for too long. Either the sun melts the snow, or the snowy clouds cover the sun, so let the snow fall again ;)
This is how the evenings look from the highest apartment in Sierra Nevada.
I promise, I will write something more interesting soon, hehe.
Que presión....
TÉCNICA ALPINA
¿Presión o carga?
La
trascendental revolución del carving (¡han pasado quince años y
todavía hablamos de ella!) se basó en la modificación de las cotas de
los esquís, que pasaron de ser rectos a tener una curvatura lateral muy
pronunciada.
Gracias
a este cambio geométrico, nuestro deporte cambió por completo y la
acción de trazar las curvas dejó de ser un exigente ejercicio de
técnica para convertirse en algo mucho más fácil y accesible. A pesar de
ello, los esquís no giran solos, hay que seguir “esquiándolos”.
Debemos transmitir las fuerzas de forma adecuada para que éstos
efectúen los virajes de manera firme y dirigida. El quid de la cuestión
está en cómo aplicar estas fuerzas a los esquís para que respondan
como queremos. No se trata simplemente de ejercer fuerza sobre ellos;
hay que hacerlo de la forma adecuada.¿Presión o carga? Dos maneras muy
diferentes de hacer aparentemente lo mismo, pero con resultados bien
distintos.
Atentos al artículo de hoy, porque tiene más miga de lo que puede parecer. Seguro que más de uno se sentirá identificado con el tema; si es tu caso, lee con atención, abandona la carga y pásate a la presión. El cambio es espectacular.
Por carga
Con los esquís rectos de la era pre-carving, doblar los esquís era mucho más complicado, pues su geometría ayudaba bien poco. Lo que hacía el esquiador era transmitir presión al esquí a través de una flexión de las dos piernas, cargando el peso como si esquiáramos con un yunque de 200 kg entre los brazos. De esta manera, el esquí se doblaba y trazaba el viraje.
Esta instantánea de Javi es una lección magistral de cómo aplicar el apoyo a los esquís por carga: nuestro demostrador “se sienta”, flexionando ambas piernas e induciendo al fallo de forma instantánea. Lo que hace es retrasar el centro de gravedad, provocando una pérdida de la centralidad.
La flexión simultánea de ambas piernas hace que el esquí exterior permanezca demasiado adelantado, dejando al esquiador rotado al final del viraje. Una situación poco menos que ¡dramática!, ya que finalizaremos el viraje mal, sin contrarrotación, sin el necesario apoyo diagonal que nos encare hacia el exterior de la curva y con una posición que implicará comenzar mal el siguiente viraje.
Por presión
En este otro caso, Javi trabaja por presión. Envía las presiones al esquí de forma activa, a través de una extensión de la pierna exterior, empujando progresivamente con el pie contra el suelo como si de una patada dosificada se tratara. El esquiador siente en todo momento que está “sobre” la bota, y las fuerzas resultantes de este movimiento son las que van a permitir que su centro de gravedad se quede en su sitio, bien centrado. Además, este trabajo con la pierna exterior facilita una flexión de la pierna interior que nos permitirá, según la velocidad que llevemos, jugar con la inclinación evitando flexionar ambas piernas a la vez. Nuestro fotógrafo ha “cazado” a Javi en el momento de mayor presión, con una posición centrada, el correcto apoyo diagonal que adelanta ligeramente el esquí interior y dispuesto a iniciar el siguiente viraje desde una posición… ¡óptima!
CONSEJO
En este caso, el consejo es sencillo y válido para cualquier esquiador: practicar el apoyo por presión con los giros en cuña, haciendo un trabajo de independencia de piernas. La pierna que gobierna el giro extiende y la otra flexiona, y así alternativamente.
¡Que no os dé vergüenza hacer algunos virajes en cuña! Si eres esquiador “por carga” y pasas a esquiar “por presión”, la mejora está garantizada.
Texto: Dani Maza, demostrador de la Escuela Española de Esquí
Atentos al artículo de hoy, porque tiene más miga de lo que puede parecer. Seguro que más de uno se sentirá identificado con el tema; si es tu caso, lee con atención, abandona la carga y pásate a la presión. El cambio es espectacular.
Por carga
Con los esquís rectos de la era pre-carving, doblar los esquís era mucho más complicado, pues su geometría ayudaba bien poco. Lo que hacía el esquiador era transmitir presión al esquí a través de una flexión de las dos piernas, cargando el peso como si esquiáramos con un yunque de 200 kg entre los brazos. De esta manera, el esquí se doblaba y trazaba el viraje.
Esta instantánea de Javi es una lección magistral de cómo aplicar el apoyo a los esquís por carga: nuestro demostrador “se sienta”, flexionando ambas piernas e induciendo al fallo de forma instantánea. Lo que hace es retrasar el centro de gravedad, provocando una pérdida de la centralidad.
La flexión simultánea de ambas piernas hace que el esquí exterior permanezca demasiado adelantado, dejando al esquiador rotado al final del viraje. Una situación poco menos que ¡dramática!, ya que finalizaremos el viraje mal, sin contrarrotación, sin el necesario apoyo diagonal que nos encare hacia el exterior de la curva y con una posición que implicará comenzar mal el siguiente viraje.
Por presión
En este otro caso, Javi trabaja por presión. Envía las presiones al esquí de forma activa, a través de una extensión de la pierna exterior, empujando progresivamente con el pie contra el suelo como si de una patada dosificada se tratara. El esquiador siente en todo momento que está “sobre” la bota, y las fuerzas resultantes de este movimiento son las que van a permitir que su centro de gravedad se quede en su sitio, bien centrado. Además, este trabajo con la pierna exterior facilita una flexión de la pierna interior que nos permitirá, según la velocidad que llevemos, jugar con la inclinación evitando flexionar ambas piernas a la vez. Nuestro fotógrafo ha “cazado” a Javi en el momento de mayor presión, con una posición centrada, el correcto apoyo diagonal que adelanta ligeramente el esquí interior y dispuesto a iniciar el siguiente viraje desde una posición… ¡óptima!
CONSEJO
En este caso, el consejo es sencillo y válido para cualquier esquiador: practicar el apoyo por presión con los giros en cuña, haciendo un trabajo de independencia de piernas. La pierna que gobierna el giro extiende y la otra flexiona, y así alternativamente.
¡Que no os dé vergüenza hacer algunos virajes en cuña! Si eres esquiador “por carga” y pasas a esquiar “por presión”, la mejora está garantizada.
Texto: Dani Maza, demostrador de la Escuela Española de Esquí
Texto: solonieve.com
Desde Sierra Nevada con amor...
Escribo la entrada de hoy, tras haber disfrutado de cinco días de
esquí en compañía de un grupo de 11 esquiadores intrépidos, y futuros (o
presentes) monitores de esquí. De momento os dejo una fotillo de
algunos de los integrantes del grupo... próximamente habrá más noticias
:)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Waiting for the snow season to start
Just a small post...
It is the beginning of December, and the snow has not reached our mountains yet. It snowed a bit in the Pyrenees, but it's not enough. In the south, surprisingly there is up to a meter of snow, so if you want to ski, you should go South.
This is Astún, a few days ago. Credit to Nacho Delgado.
It is the beginning of December, and the snow has not reached our mountains yet. It snowed a bit in the Pyrenees, but it's not enough. In the south, surprisingly there is up to a meter of snow, so if you want to ski, you should go South.
This is Astún, a few days ago. Credit to Nacho Delgado.
Temporada 2011-2012
Bueno, bueno, hace mucho que no escribo... así que vamos a
recapitular como va la temporada. Al contrario del año pasado, este año
aún no hemos estrenado Valdesquí, solamente Xanadú. Algo es algo,
suficiente para matar un poco el gusanillo y probar el material antes de
la temporada. Esperamos todos pacientemente a que caiga "el paquetón"
para poder esquiar este año.
Saludos, y hasta la próxima!
Saludos, y hasta la próxima!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Adrenaline
Adrenaline is the result of many breath taking ski runs, and risky situations in which us, skiers, like to put ourselves into. There is a point in which going down fast in a piste is not good enough, because the "rush" it gives us is not enough, and that is when we seek the "freeride rush". Like with every drug, each time you need bigger doses, and if the "rush" is not enough, you look for more.
When I go skiing, unconsciously, this is what I look for, my adrenaline shot, my drug.
The moment I'm in the edge of the slope and about to go down, that is the moment in which the heart accelerates, and it does because I'm thinking about all the risks that I'm taking just for fun. It is that rush what makes it all exciting, the danger and the pleasure together in one.
So yes, I'm addicted to this sport, and it is the result of a biochemical reaction. There is no return.
Do you feel like me when you practice skiing, or any other "risky sport"?
When I go skiing, unconsciously, this is what I look for, my adrenaline shot, my drug.
The moment I'm in the edge of the slope and about to go down, that is the moment in which the heart accelerates, and it does because I'm thinking about all the risks that I'm taking just for fun. It is that rush what makes it all exciting, the danger and the pleasure together in one.
So yes, I'm addicted to this sport, and it is the result of a biochemical reaction. There is no return.
Do you feel like me when you practice skiing, or any other "risky sport"?
Friday, October 21, 2011
Funny falls pictured
So after a few days without writing (sorry for that, I've been busy trying to become officially a ski teacher), and because of people's request, here is a little review of funny falls with the respective pictures.
The first picture you can see above is my mom's first biggest fall in Austria's mountains. She decided she wanted to try the real fresh powder, and so she got stuck in it and kept flying without the skis. As you can see, she was okay and could even pose for the picture.
Then, at the end of the same day, one of our friends decided he wanted to try it too, but this time he chose a place that was too deep, and suddenly the snow swallowed him down. I could barely breath from all the laughing! Doesn't he look like a snow monster or the Yeti?
And yes, if you were wondering, there are a few pictures of me falling. I have to tell you, it took me a long time to find it. I can't remember how it was, but I can tell you, for sure, that I got snow inside my ski jacket... but still, I was having a great time.
For my next post, I have something I would like you to think about... do you know that feeling when you are in an amusement park, in the biggest roller coaster and the only thing you can think of is shout of excitement and fear? Well, that is how I was feeling during some of the runs, but without the fear of course... it's called Adrenaline ;)
The first picture you can see above is my mom's first biggest fall in Austria's mountains. She decided she wanted to try the real fresh powder, and so she got stuck in it and kept flying without the skis. As you can see, she was okay and could even pose for the picture.
Then, at the end of the same day, one of our friends decided he wanted to try it too, but this time he chose a place that was too deep, and suddenly the snow swallowed him down. I could barely breath from all the laughing! Doesn't he look like a snow monster or the Yeti?
And yes, if you were wondering, there are a few pictures of me falling. I have to tell you, it took me a long time to find it. I can't remember how it was, but I can tell you, for sure, that I got snow inside my ski jacket... but still, I was having a great time.
For my next post, I have something I would like you to think about... do you know that feeling when you are in an amusement park, in the biggest roller coaster and the only thing you can think of is shout of excitement and fear? Well, that is how I was feeling during some of the runs, but without the fear of course... it's called Adrenaline ;)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Skiing abroad - Austria
After many years skiing in Spain, my family and I decided to try something different and ski abroad. A lot of people had talked really well about Austria, and so we started to look at prices. At the beginning we thought it would be a very expensive trip, but thanks to the cheap flights to Munich, and the very affordable appartments, the trip seemed to be possible.
We found the appartment in the little town of Lanersbach, a small town in the beautiful valley of Tux. It is very close to the highway, so the access was easy. The people from the hotel were very nice since the first day, and even if their English was not too good, we understood each other.
To ski there, in the valley, we bought a ski pass that gave us access to 600km of skiing surface, something amazing! So we were crazy to do everything as fast as possible...
Have you ever skied abroad before? Would you like to know and see a little bit more about Austria? Tell me and I'll post more things about it! ;)
Friday, September 30, 2011
The day I crashed a snow wall
What I am about to tell you is something I learned by myself, and that everyone can find useful when skiing. I was only five, and yes, it is a good thing I learned it so soon.
It was my first week skiing, and I could already do parallel turns and break whenever I needed it, so I felt very comfortable at trying new things. On the Wednesday evening, my mom and I were skiing around the easy slopes, and we decided to move to some more complicated ones. On our way there, there was a long straight slope and it was going to be the perfect place to practice my "chus", which was the position I needed to practice for my race the next day.
So I curled myself into a little ball and passed my mom, at what seemd then like an astonishing fast speed, and as I passed her I was screaming: "Look mommy, this is how I'm going to win the race tomorrow!" Yes, I was very competitive back then, but not too careful. As soon as I finished the sentence I saw my face into a white wall of snow.
So I learned the lesson of that day: If you are going to race someone, make sure that you are always looking forwards because you don't know if you might run against a snow wall, or something worse.
Do you have any story ski-related you would like to share???
It was my first week skiing, and I could already do parallel turns and break whenever I needed it, so I felt very comfortable at trying new things. On the Wednesday evening, my mom and I were skiing around the easy slopes, and we decided to move to some more complicated ones. On our way there, there was a long straight slope and it was going to be the perfect place to practice my "chus", which was the position I needed to practice for my race the next day.
So I curled myself into a little ball and passed my mom, at what seemd then like an astonishing fast speed, and as I passed her I was screaming: "Look mommy, this is how I'm going to win the race tomorrow!" Yes, I was very competitive back then, but not too careful. As soon as I finished the sentence I saw my face into a white wall of snow.
So I learned the lesson of that day: If you are going to race someone, make sure that you are always looking forwards because you don't know if you might run against a snow wall, or something worse.
Do you have any story ski-related you would like to share???
Friday, January 7, 2011
valdesquí antes de navidades y los alpes en año nuevo
Esta temporada para muchos empezó a principio de diciembre, justo
antes del puente, en Valdesquí, auque luego las lluvias se llevasen toda
la nieve por delante. Fue un día muy frío, con pocas pistas, bastante
nieve, y buena compañía, como siempre. :)Y para celebrar año nuevo, unas mini vacaciones en los alpes franceses... que a pesar de lo poco que me gusten, no estuvo tan mal. Mucho frío y sol una tarde en Gran Bornard, y un día de sol y medio de lluvia en La Clusaz. La verdad que para empezar la temporada no estuvo muy mal.
Os deseo a todos una buena temporada y que disfrutéis a tops la nieve!
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