Randy's Carv story
Votes:
I’ve been skiing for over 40 years and have grown to love the sport. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I started skiing in some of the smaller resorts but eventually got a taste of the bigger mountains of New England, Lake Tahoe California and my favorite area, the mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Since I retired a few years ago, I had more time to ski and wanted to give back to the sport and help others. Just over a year ago, I decided to begin training to become a National Ski Patroller. I always considered myself to be a good skier and during the Ski-off for prospective Candidates, the instructors agreed and said something like; “Randy, you are a decent skier, we’re willing to work with you to improve your skiing and if you’re willing to learn and if you have what it takes, we can elevate your skiing to be one of us”. I had NO IDEA how intensive the training would be nor how much I needed to improve my technique.
"Being able to look at my ski data immediately after making a few ski runs was intriguing so I decided to take the plunge and purchase a Carv system"
After about 4 weeks of clinics and training, I realized I needed to step up my training so I went to Patroller School at Killington the first weekend in February. During that time while watching YouTube ski videos in the evening, I came across an ad for the Carv system which touted a real-time digital ski coach and system to improve your skiing.
Being in a small group of other Patrol Candidates at my home mountain gave me the opportunity to learn and improve but being able to have an individual instructor talking to me in real time and being able to look at my ski data immediately after making a few ski runs was intriguing so I decided to take the plunge and purchase a Carv system. One of the best investments to improve my skiing I ever made.
"One of the best investments to improve my skiing I ever made."
I wanted and needed to improve my ski technique. Being a Ski Patroller requires exceptionally high skills. A Patroller must be able to ski any terrain, in all conditions whenever you are on duty. In addition, a Ski Patroller will be transporting injured skiers down the mountain in a sled to the Aid Station in all conditions . Keeping your mass centered over your skis is critical, especially when the terrain is rough or icy.
The Carv system allowed me to see how I was doing and ‘Ava’, my personalized digital ski coach, told me in real time if I was centered or on occasion, if my weight was too far back. This was an area that I really needed to work on as I, like many skiers, tend to ski “in the back seat”, especially on steeper terrain. Thanks to the Carv system my fore/aft balance has improved.
"Thanks to Carv I passed my final ski testing and I am now proud to be a member of the National Ski Patrol."
Needless to say the Carv system greatly helped me to improve my ski skills. I passed my final ski testing and am now proud to be a member of the National Ski Patrol. I’m looking forward to skiing better next year, working to constantly improve and also helping next year’s Candidates with improving their skiing skills.
Because the Carv system simply slides into one's boots, connects to the small “black box”, and links to one's smartphone, I am able to share my system with other skiers. Our Patrol is also working with Carv to purchase more systems so our Candidates and even seasoned Patrollers can use the Carv system to improve our skills.
