I got it this year and it really helped me! I restarted to ski last year only and had no idea how to carve. I've reached a ski iq of 140 at the end of the season, starting from around 125. It mainly helped me to focus on early edging and higher edge angles. Having the instant feedback at each turn allows for quick improvements.
I WAS going to get this last fall, but then I needed to buy a CAR! I got laughed at on the lift when I mentioned I considered buying this. After 27 yrs of skiing I've been working on 'carving' all season, I love the Stomp It tutorials, but you're the first I've heard say we're 'changing' the ski shape when carving. Nice analogy I like that & it's helpful. PS-you're way faster than I first thought after watching your Armada & Black Crows reviews you rip the off piste bro!
I love Carv. It’s been really helpful to tell me things I wouldn’t have realized otherwise, and fun to see scores improve. Also, if you buy the hardware you can still use the app - it will tell you your speed, vertical, and ski IQ. U just don’t get access to the live feedback modes or some of the drill down data. I did one year without and then resubscribed…hearing how you are scoring on a metric while you are doing it helps with the feel. And yes I leveled up to a CARV cadet this year - so let’s not mock the categories. This is my highest accomplishment in skiing 😅
As a novice/beginner skier, I've been considering something like Carv. At this point, I just recently did my first easy blue at Breck (Cashier) - so I'm doing parallel turns but I'm not super confident yet and I'm still getting used to going faster. As an older skier (49), I'm a bit nervous about falling at speed. I'm hoping to start lapping the easy blues on Peak 9 after the New Year. After that, I hope to be able to go down Schoolmarm (Keystone) with confidence (I've done it in survival mode). Based on the videos, it looks like Carv is oriented towards intermediate to advanced skiers - many places don't offer lessons for that level.
Luv your ski reviews and perspectives on the endeavor in general. As a Carv user I must suggest you try it and then give feedback. It is expensive, but less than on mountain ski instruction. My scores have gone from mid 120s three years ago to mid140s this season, and I have the videos to correlate those scores. The app input has translated to specific sensory changes on my part and resulted in a much more exhilarating experience. I am a more fluid, dynamic, and powerful skier because of Carv. If you’re already a high level skier such as yourself, perhaps you won’t experience as much improvement in your scores as I did. But for the rest of us Carv Cadets, this app has been helpful. Physics don’t lie. Grim Ripper awaits…
Yeah maybe if they send one, I honestly don't imagine myself getting much use out of it personally, so it would be a bit like throwing money at the wall, but maybe, haha.
I have Carv, I like to have it as a tool to compare how I feel about my run/day to the data. I never use the instant feedback. Secondly, I totally agree about focusing that downhill ski pressure, this is why I make the kids in the ski club do sooooo many one ski drills 😂 Gotta point out, I think Carv is a great tool. Just be weary about thinking too much during skiing, as I've notice it kinda induce overthinking DURING skiing. Wich is not what we want, I know its a tricky balance, but carving is a feeling and its hard to feel when we're overthinking.
Yeah totally agree, and honestly I've been limiting my spotify time on the hill just so I can be disconnected, so Idk that I'm a prime candidate for CARV, lol.
I’ve been using Carv for 2 seasons and love it. Compared to even one private lesson per season it’s priced fair. Prior to using it I had plateaued. One really good feature is that it will recommend drills based on your weaker area. The single best tip was working on lightening and tipping the old downhill ski to initiate the next turn. Looking back I was “hip dumping” which led to skidding on steeper/ icy terrain. The names are pretty lame though. Also they do affect boot fit a tiny bit, I had to swap to a thinner insole.
My friend got Carv for Christmas 2023. He has had a lot of fun with it and has improved his skiing. He reached the "Grim Ripper" status and actually got a better Carv score than Legity on a run at Park City this past season. In addition, the live feedback is very useful to him. Carv offers a lot of tips in a practical way with how it explains what it wants you to do... like the old advice of imagining you have bananas in the front of your boots and you want to squeeze them... those sorts of things. The amount of data (edge angle, edge polarity, etc.) you get is incredible. The price is expensive. The hardware should be much cheaper with such a steep subscription price. But then again... remind me what a 1/2 day or full day group lesson costs at most resorts?? And isn't this more like a private lesson? What do those cost these days?
Agree and this is exactly why I purchased it. My skiing had plateaued and I didn't know what to do. I started ironically watching their video's and was going to get some advanced lessons but at $250 for a decent private lesson, it made no sense compared to the all in cost of Carve. It's been exceptional though of course has limitations and annoyances. But to Elliot's point, it allowed me to begin to feel the carve feeling and then my ability accelerated and I could focus on the smaller adjustments. Fascinatingly it's a great tool to tell you when to stop skiing for the day as your scores drop under fatigue 😅
I'm an off piste kinda guy. I do love carving on the way home though. One nit to pick is the outside foot. Talking about the downhill foot doesn't help when talking about early edge engagement/initiation. I'm curious to see what carv says about my sleazy smeary off piste style but I'm sure I'd be laying deeper trenches down after a few Carv sessions
I think you should have tried it before reviewing it. I love my Carv. It is expensive. You do get so many free days when you buy it. I’ve even done the Carv camp with Carv reps. I really like the metrics. I like seeing what runs other people have done on the mountain and beating their scores. There is a bit of beating the algorithm but it has made me a much better skier.
With all due respect, what would your business model look like if you owned Carv? What would you sell the product and service for? Yes, as consumers, we want to buy quality products at cheap prices and do not want to pay subscription fees, however, that would not be a sustainable business model for a company like Carv. I am a Carv owner, so my opinion may be a bit biased, but at my local resort, one single private lesson is $400.00. I spend significantly less each year for my Carv subscription than the cost if one private lesson, which to me makes it worth it right there. I also ski every every day off of work that I can (during ski season), and I live close to an indoor facility so I am able to ski all year, so the price per use is better and more justifiable than someone who only ski's a few times per year. I understand the frustration with subscription fatigue but you are getting a continual service from Carv. For me, I find that it's useful enough to justify the investment. My skiing has improved, and I find better skiing to be more enjoyable, not to mention safer.
You make a really good point! I think the subscription is fine, but I would just hope that if you're buying hardware then even without the software the tool could still collect data that you could interpret yourself, and then pay for the software to help translate and coach you with it. It's not a perfect answer, but primarily it would protect the product from being bricked in the future if the product isn't continually supported in 5-10 years. Just my 2 cents, great comment.
The subscription model is exactly why I haven’t bought this. If I’m shelling out 200 for the equipment I’m not paying 200 a year for the right to use it
Carv seems to be the skiers Strava. In the social media user group, lots of I am 145 vs my mates 138 etc. Also can scam it a bit depending on the ski used by the sounds of it. Not everyone wants to ski 165cm 12m radius SL weapons. I can see the appeal, but it is interesting watching skiiers with the same IQs, that ski completely differently too.....
@@RicketySkiReviewsI absolutely use Strava. It’s fun to see what my time down a run was compared to the daily/annual/all time PR. Problem is that if you’re 50 feet off Strava’s course; it isn’t considered a “run” per se
This is one specific Carv video. Instead, perhaps find a better Carv video that actually shows what Carv can do globally. I have used Carv the past two years. Names of each level aside, it's not a bad way to get better at.... carving. Now after two years, I will say that I only turn on the app when I am specifically working on my carving technique. Cruising, trees, bumps... not so much. I feel that the downside to this product is not defining that this app/hardware will help IF you are also further along in your skiing. If you don't ski reasonably fast (35MPH+) with confidence.... you may not get much out of this product.
There are so many different Carv videos, at least watch a couple dozen before you start judging it. A bit annoyed that you’re opining knowing next to nothing about it. Still love your stuff.
Elliott…. Carv is better than Curated! The folks at Carv are smoking some low grade she - ite… better ganja would deliver a better title than “Carving Cadet”. I realize that saying something / someone is better than Curated isn’t saying much. It’s a good thing that you covered “Carv” 😊⛷
I got it this year and it really helped me! I restarted to ski last year only and had no idea how to carve. I've reached a ski iq of 140 at the end of the season, starting from around 125. It mainly helped me to focus on early edging and higher edge angles. Having the instant feedback at each turn allows for quick improvements.
That's awesome!
Thanks everyone for watching! Sorry for the weird early edit, had some issues with Copyright Restrictions. Have a great weekend!
I WAS going to get this last fall, but then I needed to buy a CAR! I got laughed at on the lift when I mentioned I considered buying this. After 27 yrs of skiing I've been working on 'carving' all season, I love the Stomp It tutorials, but you're the first I've heard say we're 'changing' the ski shape when carving. Nice analogy I like that & it's helpful.
PS-you're way faster than I first thought after watching your Armada & Black Crows reviews you rip the off piste bro!
I love Carv. It’s been really helpful to tell me things I wouldn’t have realized otherwise, and fun to see scores improve. Also, if you buy the hardware you can still use the app - it will tell you your speed, vertical, and ski IQ. U just don’t get access to the live feedback modes or some of the drill down data. I did one year without and then resubscribed…hearing how you are scoring on a metric while you are doing it helps with the feel. And yes I leveled up to a CARV cadet this year - so let’s not mock the categories. This is my highest accomplishment in skiing 😅
We salute our cadets here, thank you for your service
As a novice/beginner skier, I've been considering something like Carv. At this point, I just recently did my first easy blue at Breck (Cashier) - so I'm doing parallel turns but I'm not super confident yet and I'm still getting used to going faster. As an older skier (49), I'm a bit nervous about falling at speed. I'm hoping to start lapping the easy blues on Peak 9 after the New Year. After that, I hope to be able to go down Schoolmarm (Keystone) with confidence (I've done it in survival mode). Based on the videos, it looks like Carv is oriented towards intermediate to advanced skiers - many places don't offer lessons for that level.
Luv your ski reviews and perspectives on the endeavor in general. As a Carv user I must suggest you try it and then give feedback. It is expensive, but less than on mountain ski instruction. My scores have gone from mid 120s three years ago to mid140s this season, and I have the videos to correlate those scores. The app input has translated to specific sensory changes on my part and resulted in a much more exhilarating experience. I am a more fluid, dynamic, and powerful skier because of Carv. If you’re already a high level skier such as yourself, perhaps you won’t experience as much improvement in your scores as I did. But for the rest of us Carv Cadets, this app has been helpful. Physics don’t lie. Grim Ripper awaits…
Yeah maybe if they send one, I honestly don't imagine myself getting much use out of it personally, so it would be a bit like throwing money at the wall, but maybe, haha.
Would something like Carv be useful for advanced beginner (parallel turns/easy blues) skier or just doing more lessons?
I have Carv, I like to have it as a tool to compare how I feel about my run/day to the data. I never use the instant feedback.
Secondly, I totally agree about focusing that downhill ski pressure, this is why I make the kids in the ski club do sooooo many one ski drills 😂
Gotta point out, I think Carv is a great tool. Just be weary about thinking too much during skiing, as I've notice it kinda induce overthinking DURING skiing. Wich is not what we want, I know its a tricky balance, but carving is a feeling and its hard to feel when we're overthinking.
Yeah totally agree, and honestly I've been limiting my spotify time on the hill just so I can be disconnected, so Idk that I'm a prime candidate for CARV, lol.
I’ve been using Carv for 2 seasons and love it. Compared to even one private lesson per season it’s priced fair. Prior to using it I had plateaued. One really good feature is that it will recommend drills based on your weaker area. The single best tip was working on lightening and tipping the old downhill ski to initiate the next turn. Looking back I was “hip dumping” which led to skidding on steeper/ icy terrain. The names are pretty lame though. Also they do affect boot fit a tiny bit, I had to swap to a thinner insole.
Strongly opinionated videos are epic. There is enough fence sitting as it is. Great reviews 👌🏻
Thanks!
My friend got Carv for Christmas 2023. He has had a lot of fun with it and has improved his skiing. He reached the "Grim Ripper" status and actually got a better Carv score than Legity on a run at Park City this past season. In addition, the live feedback is very useful to him. Carv offers a lot of tips in a practical way with how it explains what it wants you to do... like the old advice of imagining you have bananas in the front of your boots and you want to squeeze them... those sorts of things. The amount of data (edge angle, edge polarity, etc.) you get is incredible. The price is expensive. The hardware should be much cheaper with such a steep subscription price. But then again... remind me what a 1/2 day or full day group lesson costs at most resorts?? And isn't this more like a private lesson? What do those cost these days?
good point! I do hate the subscription model, but this has been the best argument I've seen in Carv's favor.
Agree and this is exactly why I purchased it. My skiing had plateaued and I didn't know what to do. I started ironically watching their video's and was going to get some advanced lessons but at $250 for a decent private lesson, it made no sense compared to the all in cost of Carve. It's been exceptional though of course has limitations and annoyances. But to Elliot's point, it allowed me to begin to feel the carve feeling and then my ability accelerated and I could focus on the smaller adjustments. Fascinatingly it's a great tool to tell you when to stop skiing for the day as your scores drop under fatigue 😅
I'm an off piste kinda guy. I do love carving on the way home though.
One nit to pick is the outside foot. Talking about the downhill foot doesn't help when talking about early edge engagement/initiation.
I'm curious to see what carv says about my sleazy smeary off piste style but I'm sure I'd be laying deeper trenches down after a few Carv sessions
I think you should have tried it before reviewing it. I love my Carv. It is expensive. You do get so many free days when you buy it. I’ve even done the Carv camp with Carv reps. I really like the metrics. I like seeing what runs other people have done on the mountain and beating their scores. There is a bit of beating the algorithm but it has made me a much better skier.
I'm interested in trying it, but thought I'd look at some of the free content first to test the water a bit.
With all due respect, what would your business model look like if you owned Carv? What would you sell the product and service for?
Yes, as consumers, we want to buy quality products at cheap prices and do not want to pay subscription fees, however, that would not be a sustainable business model for a company like Carv.
I am a Carv owner, so my opinion may be a bit biased, but at my local resort, one single private lesson is $400.00. I spend significantly less each year for my Carv subscription than the cost if one private lesson, which to me makes it worth it right there. I also ski every every day off of work that I can (during ski season), and I live close to an indoor facility so I am able to ski all year, so the price per use is better and more justifiable than someone who only ski's a few times per year.
I understand the frustration with subscription fatigue but you are getting a continual service from Carv. For me, I find that it's useful enough to justify the investment. My skiing has improved, and I find better skiing to be more enjoyable, not to mention safer.
You make a really good point! I think the subscription is fine, but I would just hope that if you're buying hardware then even without the software the tool could still collect data that you could interpret yourself, and then pay for the software to help translate and coach you with it.
It's not a perfect answer, but primarily it would protect the product from being bricked in the future if the product isn't continually supported in 5-10 years.
Just my 2 cents, great comment.
you should watch my most recent video on this!
“Pay for something and own it”. Yep. I hate subscription models.
They are constantly delivering new software features and web hosting isn’t free.
Yeah, I know the world isn't working that way anymore, but still I'm holding on tight.
The subscription model is exactly why I haven’t bought this. If I’m shelling out 200 for the equipment I’m not paying 200 a year for the right to use it
Carv seems to be the skiers Strava. In the social media user group, lots of I am 145 vs my mates 138 etc. Also can scam it a bit depending on the ski used by the sounds of it. Not everyone wants to ski 165cm 12m radius SL weapons.
I can see the appeal, but it is interesting watching skiiers with the same IQs, that ski completely differently too.....
Interesting, don't some skiers already use strava?
@@RicketySkiReviewsI absolutely use Strava. It’s fun to see what my time down a run was compared to the daily/annual/all time PR. Problem is that if you’re 50 feet off Strava’s course; it isn’t considered a “run” per se
This is one specific Carv video. Instead, perhaps find a better Carv video that actually shows what Carv can do globally.
I have used Carv the past two years. Names of each level aside, it's not a bad way to get better at.... carving. Now after two years, I will say that I only turn on the app when I am specifically working on my carving technique. Cruising, trees, bumps... not so much.
I feel that the downside to this product is not defining that this app/hardware will help IF you are also further along in your skiing. If you don't ski reasonably fast (35MPH+) with confidence.... you may not get much out of this product.
Love hearing feedback from a user, thanks!
My level would be Backseat Buffoon.
Lol
I'm w/you on the Subscription Model thing, over a $100 annually for a ski data app & AI is WAY too much.
agreed.
There are so many different Carv videos, at least watch a couple dozen before you start judging it. A bit annoyed that you’re opining knowing next to nothing about it. Still love your stuff.
I'll circle back and do more, any that you recommend in particular?
I’ve saved quite a few, will have a look and get back to soon. Thanks!
Elliott…. Carv is better than Curated! The folks at Carv are smoking some low grade she - ite… better ganja would deliver a better title than “Carving Cadet”. I realize that saying something / someone is better than Curated isn’t saying much. It’s a good thing that you covered “Carv” 😊⛷