Take A Vicarious Vacation On A Beautiful Blue Run.
Here’s a long (15 minute) run down the front side of Vail on a really nice blue. For those who haven’t been there, seeing wide, groomed slopes at Vail may be different from the mental model you’ve had of what it’s like at the fabled resort. This is not the Back Bowls, but still very nice and, for those of us on the lesser side of the risk scale, most do-able.
Curious, we notice the skier Glenn Robbins, isn’t using his ski straps. (See 1:44 and following.) Is this a thing?
Wow that’s looks great!
That’s looks great, thanks
I think you mean “his pole straps”?
My older brother, who was on the volunteer patrol at ABasin, advised skiers who were skiing in the trees to not have your hands thru the straps on the poles in case a pole got caught on a tree. But that was only in very tight tree skiing. I don’t think that applies to the runs the skier was on in this video and think he may either just be lazy or not realize what the straps are for.
It was great. A real treat as we haven’t skied Vail in years (not that I wouldn’t have liked to do so!)
Vail (on the front side) is about the largest US area I know where you are in the trees from top to bottom. Nice day!
Definitely an early morning run as few skiers out and runs look freshly groomed. Also not recorded this year as no one is wearing masks. The skier will want to learn how to stop using his upper body to turn but I do appreciate him featuring my favorite mountain!
Ortho friend of mine advised years ago not to use pole straps. They put your hands and thumb in exactly the right position for “gamecatcher’s thumb” injury in a fall. I haven’t used the pole straps in years and my thumbs feel much better for it!
+1. Id rather hike up a slope to pick up a pole, rather than damage thumb ligaments. Definitely don’t use pole straps when tree skiing. If one falls in a tree well with deep snow, the straps keeps one’s hands from getting free.
Totally agree. I had gamekeeper’s thumb decades ago, and it is no fun. Took long time to heal. I haven’t put the straps on since. I’d rather retrieve a pole than go thru that again. I lived in Vail for 16 yrs, and it is my favorite place to ski. It has anything that I may be in the mood for on any given day. Still maintain a time share there, in the second week of Feb. Perfect time. Before Presidents weekend and school breaks. Longest line is maybe two minutes. Mostly continuous skiing except for time on the chair.
He appears to be a not very skilled skier. Maybe low to mid-level intermediate. Lots of upper body twisting.
Vail is definitely a Blue Ribbon resort for its beautiful variety of runs – no matter what your level of skiing. My sister & I made it our ‘vacation destination’ for many years. We’ve tried out many US ski areas, but I must say that Vail kind of “had it all” in terms of a perfect & varied experience. Hope to get back SOMEDAY! NYC to VAIL! YES! ;-D
Thank you so much for the vicarious treat! I remember that run very well. I don’t use pole straps either. A real danger to the wrist and thumb in a fall.
Nice run, but those tiring cattracks around minutes 6, 10, 12, and 14 are kind of off-putting; I like to tire my legs out on the run, not getting from one run to another.
I only put my hands through the pole straps up to my palm. I was taught years ago when competing in the horse sport of eventing (like a triathalon for horse and rider) that you don’t want anything attached to your body that you can’t immediately get rid of in the event of an “involuntary dismount” (or unexpected fall).
Several years ago when we were skiing at Beaver Creek, we drove over to Vail just to see the village. It was cute, but the many steps up to get to the lifts weren’t. Guess we’re just spoiled by the easy access at our favorite resorts in Park City, UT!
Just returned today from 6 glorious days of skiing Vail (been doing so for 40 years). Never get tired of this resort as there is always something new. The run these guys took is just a fun cruiser, top of chair 4 down Swingsville to Mid-Vail then a nice long run to Vail Village and I suspect back up Gondie 1 to more amazing runs. Spend a week in Vail, good luck hitting every trail!
Just returned today from 6 glorious days of skiing Vail (been doing so for 40 years). Never get tired of this resort as there is always something new. The run these guys took is just a fun cruiser, top of chair 4 down Swingsville to Mid-Vail then a nice long run to Vail Village and I suspect back up Gondie 1 to more amazing runs. Spend a week in Vail, good luck hitting every trail!