In Your Pockets: Lip Stuff

Even with last week's mild weather, you should have something with you to protect your lips. They can become chapped from the cold and wind or burned by the sun. I like this type of Dermatone because you can use it on your skin as well. Put some on in the morning before you go out and reapply throughout the day.

Advice From the Purple Chair: Tips

Tipping an instructor is not expected, but always appreciated. This person just spent the last 90 minutes of making you or your child a better skier in a safe and hopefully fun way. If you feel there has been an improvement in ability and/or attitude, a $10 tip is a nice way to thank your instructor. If he has gone above and beyond, make it $20. If you are not sure or unable to give a tip at the end of a lesson, there are envelopes available at the ski school desk where you can leave something. The best "tip" though is to sign up for another lesson and request that instructor.

In Your Pockets: Scraper

At the most I only use my scraper half a dozen days a year, but when I need it, I really need it. Usually I get it out to scrape the bottom of kids' boots on a day when there is new snow. Nothing gets that built up snow off their boots faster or easier. This weekend I had to use it for something else. Temperatures were above freezing, but luckily it kept snowing. Unfortunately for me, that snow was extremely wet and sticky. Any time I stopped moving, a mass of snow would accumulate on my bases. Sometimes I could get it off by sliding my ski back and forth. Sometimes the only thing that would work was to scrape the snow off. At times the snow would be over two inches thick! You can by plastic wax scrappers at the tune center or any ski shop. Instructors should ask JP if he has any more laminate samples to give away. They work just as well!

Advice From the Purple Chair: Ski Tracks

I had a lot of fun today with a new app: Ski Tracks. It is great! It kept track of where I skied, my speed, vertical feet and many other things. I highly recommend it. Have fun!

In Your Pockets: Tip Tie

Whether you call it Mr. Wiggly, Edgie Wedgie, or Tip Tie, don't try to teach skiing without one in your pocket. Before the tip tie came along, I used to feel that a child had to be at least five before they could ski unaided. With a tip tie, now most four and some three year olds can control their speed down the hill. It attaches to the inside tips (not the very tip!) of the skis and keeps them from separating. To make a "pizza," all the student needs to do is move his feet apart. The tip tie helps older students learn this motion, too. I have used it as part of my learning progression on skiers as old as nine. Edgie Wedgies can be purchased in the General Store and are worth every penny.