"Goldenset" wrote in message
om...
I just bought some Atomics R:8's w/ Atmoic R:3.10 bindings and new
Salomon Xwave 8.0 boots to replace my almost 10 year old Dynastar 4.1
and Lange boots. I was informed that these carvers are best used when
feet are should width apart rather than that smooth and cool looking
way of keeping the boots together (which I'm still trying to work
on!). Is this true? Today's carvers are most effective when there's
some space between the skis.

I did take them for a run for the first time this weekend and there
was a big difference in carving, though I wonder how much of that is
just me (or the boots also) since I'm starting to pick it up again.
But I wanted to validate this statement if it some of you have noticed
it to be true. That'll help me gather some info when I take a lesson
the next time I'm at the slopes in 2 wks or so.

Somewhere around shoulder width apart should do nicely.
You can't get much closer because the skis will hit each
other. Also, a wider stance provides better stability.


They carve better because they bend more easily
tip to tail without twisting.

That "feet together waggle" thing is an old European
style. It basically locks you into doing nothing much
more than repetitive, boring "S" turns down the hill.

No versatility.

You can do so many more things with the skis these
days. If you watch some racing on TV, you'll notice a
fairly wide stance, with one short leg and one long, hips
forward and down into the center of the turn. This is
quite a departure from the old days. It's all only possible
because of the new skis.