Hi Si,
First of all, don't get the idea that "we're"'; dogmatic, or snobby.
We've talked so much about steering here that maybe everyone just decided, "been there, done that".
But I've read your post a few times now -- I have something to add. And it's too cold to ski today, so I'm goofing off at home.
I might even start drinking.
You ask if turns are made via tipping only. I say yes. Yesterday at the Beav, I was pondering this subject. I make turns using tipping only. Now, there's more to it than just tipping, but tipping is mostly what I'm thinking about. I control the turn shape, by how aggressively I flex up and tip over my free (inside foot).
But it's not just tipping only! So many think PMTS is about tipping only (I'm not saying you're one of them). There's so much more than that. It's about upper body and counter balancing, too. But can I make a turn (albeit my standard hack turns
) ala "tipping only"? I say yes. Rusty has been highly critical of high level PMTSians. He claims, they basically make lousy turns and can't carve to save their life. But if you were to ski with SkiSynergy, the Apprentice, or the Apprentice's driver, you'd have a much different opinion. You'd see skiers who are layin it down and rippin, using nothing but PMTS. It's not just Harald and Diana anymore. I'm starting to see talented young blood coming into PMTS and it's way cool. Besides. I told HH that if he doesn't get some younger customers, he's f'd.
You also seem to ask how involved rotary or steering is. I can steer my skis fine now. But steering is not the same as PMTS. I'm not saying which is "better". I'm just saying that I can do both and PMTS
is different. In PMTS, we think about lateral moves and tipping. Not, rotary or steering. Steering is done with the thigh, tipping is done with the foot. Tipping over to the LTE is a pure lateral move.
Is rotary or steering involved somewhere in kinetic chain? Yes. When I'm making turns, most of my moves are lateral and I'm tipping. Are there times when I'm throwing my tails around? Sure! Is throwing one's tails rotary? Sure it is! No one here that I know of has ever maintained that making turns doesn't involve either skidding, check moves (throwing tails to the side), or jump turns. All, are rotary. Watch me ski bumps, I'm using a check move sometimes. That's rotary.
I'll Finnish (that's for Tommi
) with this. PMTS is like showing up to the hill with a plan. Most of the time, the plan works exactly. But there are times, usually in tougher conditions, when a skier needs to do what it takes to make a turn. Some athletic/balance move is needed to keep it together; throwing the skis to the side, jumping over something, whatever it takes. In these times for sure, I'd say rotary is not only involved, it's
all that's involved!
Be cool Si. Sorry you and I didn't hit it off in JH. If you're ever out here, let's make some turns. You seem like a pretty cool cat and I'd like a second chance to get to know ya.
Merry Christmas,