Refrigerator magnet worthy. Even better: a flexible cast.
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Lots of questions: experienced and inexperienced skier at the same time.
- Thread starter nightingale
- Start date
Dorsiflexion. One of the favorite forum topics.
The specialized purpose is true, but I was talking about general skating, not specialized purpose. It's technically called a rocker or (in context of the entire blade) a profile, not a radius (radius is the hollow you sharpen). And that's a common misconception. Figure skates will have anywhere from 8.5 feet to 7 feet. Hockey blades are anywhere from 13 feet to 7 feet (most common being 9' and 11') so they're actually usually flatter.
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You sure that's the word? On inline skates I've always heard it called "rocker," just like on some skis.
They do have a radius. That would be how deep the sharpening is. Not what they meant, but it is a thing.
ETA and the rocker is measured in a radius of a circle which makes it a bit confusing.
ETA2 and the profile is a combination of rockers.
I'll never hesitate to over-explain skating equipment because I've worked with it a good bit. So if anyone wants to get into skating (especially if it's figure, I know a bit about hockey, inline, and quads though) DM me haha.
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The ski shop I worked also sold skates as well, mostly hockey skates and some basic figure skates. We used the Bauer sharpener to do our customers skates. It did a good job, but we didn't have the sophisticated skater mostly highschool hockey players. Some of them went on to college hockey but very few.
Tomato tomato......
We should be mindful of what the word "radius" means and how it's applied...
Nope, not tomato tomato. Because radius has a completely different meaning when it comes to blades. Would be like calling the binding the ski. A binding is simply not a ski. Calling it a clippy would be different (as far as I'm aware, no part of a ski/boot/equip setup is called the clippy).
Forgot to look for my ski make/model today, oops. Will try to remember tomorrow.
There's one component missing from this. Hours devoted to focused practice. An instructor should give you homework at the end of a lesson.
Oh yeah.
It's like skating with training wheels.Not good.
Many would say it's good to be able to do a small amount of that. At least not to have a style of footbed that blocks it, unless you have anatomical issues requiring that high level of support. (But the heel shouldn't lift or move around.)
Sounds like part technique, and probably part equipment. Aim to originate actions with foot movements, but then involve substantial movement in the hip sockets for all but the tiniest actions. Let the one lead into the other.
Have a great time, I think you have a wonderful attitude.
Practice on gentle greens! Not so scary, except that you go a little faster. But you can feel the control, and it is a good feeling.
I already ski blacks and double blacks in the proper stance, but this is great advice for someone at the beginning of that journey. I'll definitely do this a couple times before hitting the steeper slopes since I didn't get to ski last season.
Is not small movements. Pretty big movements. At least for a foot lol.
Would you do the same for skis - use radius for two different meanings, both of which are important to understand?
@nightingale the best thing you can do to improve your skiing is get to a good boot fitter and invest in a well fit boot. Skis and bindings are important but purchasing a good fitting boot is going to help you improve more than anything else. In your profile you shared that you are in MA. I am sure someone here can recommend a good boot fitter near you or maybe just across the state line. Others have said that your boot needs to feel like a cast and I would go one step farther and say it should feel like your foot and boot are like a brick. Not cut off your circulation but not being able to slide around inside, that includes not having the sock slide. Since nobody mentioned it you should also use a thin sock when purchasing a boot, don't let anybody tell you that you need thick warm socks. I don't know what if any socks you use inside your skates but thin socks are your friend when skiing with control.
I am editing this because I want to add that you should have the boot fitter do a cuff alignment to the upper part of the boot shell. I don't think anyone has mentioned the cuff alignment as part of the boot fitting process. Make sure you bring it up when trying on boots.
I am editing this because I want to add that you should have the boot fitter do a cuff alignment to the upper part of the boot shell. I don't think anyone has mentioned the cuff alignment as part of the boot fitting process. Make sure you bring it up when trying on boots.
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I’ve read this whole interesting thread and I don’t think anyone addressed this particular question. I’m not sure I know the answer, if there’s one correct one. But I’ll give it a shot.
Since you already have muscle memory from figure skating that translates nicely to alpine skiing, you may not ”need” to ski as often as somebody without your background. My first guess is twice a week would be a good start to gaining new skills and maintaining your old ones. Of course, more often is better IF you’re focused on improving, and you are.
However, how often do YOU want to ski? You’re doing this for fun, so do what feels right for you and your schedule. You don’t want skiing to feel like a job; you want to feel excited to get out there each time.
You know now you need new boots and you’ve got some great recommendations for fitters. As for skis, I do think that a carving ski would help you improve faster and that would also probably translate your figure skating skills faster. But boots first.
I use these. Most skaters do thinner, but the thinner socks rip really easily and at 11 dollars a pair, 30 hours a week skating... not happening. The added friction (good friction, not blister friction) is also a plus in really making sure my foot doesn't move. But if I need to go thinner in skis, so be it.
I literally just signed a show contract that requires I don't ski for a month and a half (literally ends right before my family ski vacation thank god) so... that sucks. But I think I could get once a week in with my life right now when that ends.
TBH I didn't really know where to put it because it's multiple different questions haha.
Just to clear up the skate thing, radius is a geometric term with meaning (distance from the centre of a circle to the edge of the circle). Both blade hollow and blade profile are measured using a radius. For the hollow, you typically have a radius of 3/8" to over 1".
For the profile, you typically have something between 7' and 12'..or any combination thereof. You could have a 7' on the front, an 8' on the back and a 10' in the middle.
It's kinda interesting to see which NHL players use which hollow and profile...
For the profile, you typically have something between 7' and 12'..or any combination thereof. You could have a 7' on the front, an 8' on the back and a 10' in the middle.
It's kinda interesting to see which NHL players use which hollow and profile...
