The Q Factor
Making the perfect carved turn
pROGRESSING FROM A skidded turn
where the tails of your skis slide out, to a
smooth and controlled carve turn can keep
skiers frustrated and at a plateau for years.
Even though you have practised every
trick, tip and exercise from ski mags, mates
and instructors you just can’t master those
perfect arc turns that the pro’s make look
so easy. You might even find, that when
trying just to ski straight ahead on a cat
track, your skis seem to want to keep
making a snowplough shape. You’ve got
the new carve skis, pricey boots, a lift ticket,
determination, even a cool helmet and yet
your tails still skid, your edges catch and
those damn snow snakes keep bringing you
down !
I’m going to let you in on the secret.
Stand up and get someone to hold a
piece of string from the pointy bit of your
hip bone to the center of your kneecap. The
angle of the string from vertical is your q
angle. Due to a wider pelvis and, alas, often
G
wider thighs, it is usually larger for women
(avg 22 deg) than men (avg 18 deg). This,
often coupled with pronated feet (when the hard plastic of your ski boot altered out what would be the best solution to fast
LANKENBUR
your ankle bone rolls inward) is keeping to accommodate your stance. Ideally you track your skiing improvement and start
B
EN
your skis on the inside edge and forcing you want the base of the boot planned down to laying out perfect carve turns that will make
/B
T
O
to use greater hip movements to start the a precise angle to keep your skis flat on the your friends green with envy.
turn. Unfortunately it also increases the risk snow. The Banff Springs Ski & Mtn Sports also
of knee injuries. There is only one ski boot planner in offers a complete custom boot-fitting service
T
OCKPHO

IS
The best way to fix this is a combination Banff, it’s at the Banff Springs Ski & Mtn to alleviate a wide range of foot pain as well as

B
Y
T
O
of custom made foot-beds and having Sports. Speak to a boot-fitter there to find improve skiing technique.
«CO
P
HO
KUMUKA WORLDWIDE TRAVEL TIPS
AS THE COLD weather rolls in you’re • Everyone has travel in common. PREPARING FOR YOUR TRAVEL
probably looking at booking your winter • There is a high chance you will meet people • Hang a calendar and mark the days off
escape to a country with warmer climate. you will be in contact with, if not good friends until you are on your adventure.
We’ve compiled some tips and insights into with (maybe even married to!), for the rest of • If you have a list of things to buy, buy one
booking your next adventure with an your life. Spend time getting to know your item a week to prolong the enjoyment.
organized adventure travel company. Here’s travel companions. • put a map on the wall with your journey
what the friendly Kumuka Worldwide staff • The chances are you won’t love everyone but marked on it and stare at it every time you
have to say: that’s the beauty of group travel - you have a pass.
variety of people with whom you can spend • Enjoy turning down invitations to social
TRAVELLING WITH A TOUR GROUP time with. events and using the excuse, “sorry cant
One of the biggest questions in people’s • Everyone on tour is embarking on a highlight of make it, I’ll be in …eg India, Antarctica,
minds before they head off on a group his or her life. No matter what the experience, Bolivia, Croatia, Belize, Tibet…” «CO
journey is “what will it be like travelling with they will remember this journey and quite
— Kumuka Worldwide (whose name originates
a group of strangers?” Here’s some useful possibly you for the rest of their lives.
from Africa and translates in to ‘the start of a
advice and insight as to why it’ll be a great • After only one day on tour you will already
journey’) has taken travellers to many parts of the
experience: have a multitude of common experiences; globe, offering an extraordinary range of trips.
friendships will form quickly. You can find out more at www.kumuka.com
26 CALGARY >> WINTER 2008/2009 www.CalgaryOutdoors.ca
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