Mogul critique please (videos inside)

[Greg]

For the past few seasons, I've really been drawn to skiing the bumps. Last year was a breakthrough season for me in terms of being able to establish a line, keeping rhythm, etc. I received a number of useful tips in this thread. The gist of that thread was as follows:

1. Tighten up my stance
2. Ski stronger
3. Stand taller
4. Reach further forward
5. Push the tips down the front of the bumps

I feel I've improved a lot on #1, 2 and 4. I'm still a bit crouched and in the "back seat" so I'm still working on #3 and I'm still struggling, but improving on #5. Here are two videos of me at Loon last week. Critiques and suggestions for improvement are welcome:

Rumrunner Bumps Video #1. The light was flat this day, but it was my best day ever skiing bumps by far and I did it for much of the 4 hours I was out. There are a few instances in the video where I really cut the turn to slow things down, but I still kept my line. I kind of spaz out at the end and zipper it, but that part of the trail is flat and it's rather fun to do that.

Rumrunner Bumps Video #2. It's obvious here I'm still catching too much air off the backside of the bumps, but there are again a few instances where I think I effectively get my speed down without losing rhythm. Disregard the ultra-cheezy attempt at air at the bottom.

So...there it is. I'm putting myself out there for some criticism. I've skied with a few of you guys and value your opinions highly.

 

[skibum1321]

The major thing I would say is try to use your knees more to absorb the bumps. I noticed in the video that you're pretty much just turning in the troughs. You should use the front of the mogul to slow down but you should also be actively pulling your knees to your stomach in order to absorb the bump instead of going around it.

 

[riverc0il]

i don't think you need to be pulling your knees into your stomach as skibum1321 mentioned, but you do look like the bumps are slightly bucking you and you could use a little more absorbtion both in the knees and abs. instead of banging the trough, you could try turning around the mid-point of the bump which offers more control and is easier on the body.

i'd recommend trying to really slow things down and over emphasize control. once you can point and place your skis whereever you want them instantly, bumps get a lot easier. i think one of the biggest factors for control in the bumps is staying forward on your skis and finding the sweet spot on the skis when you turn. my bump skiing isn't very conventional though and very different than the way you'd see the "pros" skiing bumps. then again, i adapted my bump technique for weird new england style natural bumps.

overall, looking good greg! you definitely got the reaching forward and pole planting down very well which helps. you'd never knowing looking at those videos that you only recently started banging the bumps regularly! i know from experience that it's amazing how quickly you can pick it up when you find out how much fun it can be.

 

[DEVO]

To quote Mike Hatrup from "License to Thrill"

"The key to skiing these things is to go to panic, then back off!"

 

[awf170]

that was good, i can never really control my speed in the moguls, i ussually go straight through everything and pray i get to groomed soon, im amazed i havent ended up in the woods yet.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Greg, I love the fact that you filmed yourself and put it out there for people to critique, that’s dedication. You look like you have some pretty good rhythm going there. I would add to the suggestions that you try not to swing your poles so much, keep your hands more in front and just kinda flick them out in front. It helps keep your weight forward and keeps your upper body more fluid. Also, work on keeping your knees together.

Have you ever competed in a mogul competition? There is one this weekend at Whiteface Mt. that is open to everyone (free). You should try it. It’s a lot of fun and being in a competition might bring out the best in you.

Keep bashing those bumps. :beer:

 

[Brettski]

Looke like you need more pole work, reahing out (forward) to the next mogul...

Try to visualize that your upper body is quiet....you should feel like your lower body is doing all the work...except for your hands...

And attach the zipper more..shoulders should be straight down hill

Other than that...I'm jelly

I was thinking about taking a mogul lesson...do they have classes to specialize in that? Do I just have to ask?

I'd like to take some on some sick pitches...

 

[Greg]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm going to hopefully get some bump practice in at Catamount tomorrow. I found this cam shot on their site and it looks like there's still some nice bumps on Lower (not a-) Glade (skier's right, center trail):


http://catamountski.com/updates/cam.htm
Typically, there are some nice bumps on the upper section of that trail as well. It also looks like Off Stage (bottom right) is still bumped up, as well as Catapult (top left).

Have you ever competed in a mogul competition? There is one this weekend at Whiteface Mt. that is open to everyone (free). You should try it. It’s a lot of fun and being in a competition might bring out the best in you.

Ha! I never consider it, but I would give it a whirl if I had the chance. Do they have different ability levels?

 

[ChileMass]

G -

I actually thought your pole/hands action was very good. Your hands and shoulders look to be in good position (reaching/square to fall line).

You look stronger and more confident in video #2. Not bad at all. IMHO - you need to get your rear-end down, be more flexible in the knees and still maintain an erect upper body. All that is pretty tough and puts tremendous strain on your abs, back and quads.

I'm really good at critiquing others - God knows I can barely so what I tell you to do....... :wink:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Have you ever competed in a mogul competition? There is one this weekend at Whiteface Mt. that is open to everyone (free). You should try it. It’s a lot of fun and being in a competition might bring out the best in you.

Ha! I never consider it, but I would give it a whirl if I had the chance. Do they have different ability levels?[/quote]

They have age catagories: 20-29, 30-39 etc., but you get alot of different skill levels. You would fit in fine. I'm 51 so I don't have alot of competition in my age group. Some of my follow patrollers and myself are also entering in a separate category we made up where age doesn’t matter. There has been a lot of good-natured trash talking the last 2 weeks, it should be a hoot.

 

[oneotwoandcounting]

Bumps

Hi Greg,

My Media Player only showed one turn so I can’t really comment on your video. Like you I have been working on bump skiing for years. I am not a young guy so to me skiing bumps is all about speed control and not beating up my knees to badly by crashing into the bumps to control my speed. Because of this I rarely ski in the trough or zipper. I chose to ski the top of the bumps absorbing the bump as I come up on the backside if it. I also ski left and right instead of straight down the fall line. This allows me to control my speed much easier by reducing the pitch of the fall line.

Like you I have tried to pressure the tips of my skis if an effort to keep my weight forward. Than I received a few tips from a friend that had spent a week in a bump Clinic at Winter Park.

Here are a few of these tips:

1. While riding a lift force your toes upward. Now I know this is the opposite of pressuring your tips but give it a try. You will notice that this puts your ankle strongly into the front of your boot. That’s where you want it and it helps to keep your weight forward. Now try it while standing and skiing.
2. Shoot both of your skis forward as you feel your weight in the front of your boot. This helps to move your hips forward and keep you balanced.
3. Continue absorbing the bump. You can practice absorbing and relaxing your legs by just traversing over a mogul and relaxing your legs without turning. One you get the feel of that start applying turning pressure to your skis while putting them on edge.
4. It is also okay to skid your skis in the bumps. I practice skidding on a slope by locking my knees and ankles together and twisting my skis until I am skiing backwards. I than straighten out my skis and practice a turn in the other direction.
5. My Winter Park friend said her skiing Guru told her to practice skiing backwards and doing 360s. I pick an uncrowned slope and practice both of these, hopefully where no one can see my awkward display.

It’s a good idea to practice all these on groomed terrain without a steep pitch. Than move on to tougher terrain and try again.

I hope some if not all of these tips help. Remember this is advice from what maybe the worlds’ oldest and least graceful bump skiers.

 

[smootharc]

You thought criticism....

...but you've gotten constructive feedback. I guess that comes from friends, fellow addicts of all things snowy and slippery. What a great board this is !

Don't have much to add by way of technical notes. Would agree that a less busy upper body (as if you were in a torso up body cast with arms out flicking/poking poles down fall line) is a good suggestion. Knees closer together is another previous suggestion, and I'd add feet closer together as well. I think the suggestion to ski taller is a good one, and one of the basis' for that is that if you enter a bump turn already compressed, you can't be as much of a shock absorber, which sloughs off the speed that eventually bucks and throws people off rythym. More control for everyone in the bumps !

That being said, kudos for asking. You're basically looking good - better than the vast majority that flirt with those love 'em or hate 'em things we call bumps.

A final thought - think to the "ski hotties" thread of a month or so ago, and pretend those comely lasses are lined up watching you go on your next bump run. If that doesn't get your legs jackhammering like pistons on steroids, then it's time for the groomers!

:dunce: :beer: :lol:

 

[deadheadskier]

From what I can tell you have the where with all to keep your weight forward. This is the problem most people have with skiing moguls - they get caught in the back seat. You don't seem to have this problem which is half the battle.

If I could make one critique, it would be to keep your upper body a little more upright and focus on that downhill pressure coming from the knees - really driving them while keeping the upper body upright. Just focus on keeping your upper body as quiet as possible with your shoulders square to the fall line. What most people don't understand is that the abdominal muscles are crucial to being a proficient bump skier.

 

[Greg]

Interesting tips, oneotwoandcounting. I'll work on those.

if you enter a bump turn already compressed, you can't be as much of a shock absorber, which sloughs off the speed that eventually bucks and throws people off rythym.

Great point and an item I really need to work on. Every now and again, I feel the knees come naturally up; almost to my chest, it seems. I know when I'm doing it right; it's just that I can't command that response consistently yet.

A final thought - think to the "ski hotties" thread of a month or so ago, and pretend those comely lasses are lined up watching you go on your next bump run. If that doesn't get your legs jackhammering like pistons on steroids, then it's time for the groomers!

I was LMAO after reading this. Of course it might be the beers... :beer: :wink:

If I could make one critique, it would be to keep your upper body a little more upright and focus on that downhill pressure coming from the knees - really driving them while keeping the upper body upright. Just focus on keeping your upper body as quiet as possible with your shoulders square to the fall line. What most people don't understand is that the abdominal muscles are crucial to being a proficient bump skier.

More good stuff. Again, you know when you absorb a bump correctly. It's just a matter of doing it consistently...

Thanks all. Great suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Greg]

Try to visualize that your upper body is quiet....you should feel like your lower body is doing all the work...except for your hands...

Ya know, after re-watching the video and re-reading these tips, I see what seems to be the biggest item to address. At each pole plant, I seem to lean forward slightly which causing my rear to fall back. As I come to the crest of the bump, I'm pushed further into the back seat; next pole plant and I'm crouching my upper body forward again. You can really notice this in the first video as I ski by. I think I understand now that I need to try to keep the upper body quiet and upright and let the knees come up to absorb the bump versus leaning forward to help absorb them. I'll head out tomorrow PM and try to incorporate some of these suggestions. Thanks all!

As an aside, if you're trying to improve your technique, have someone take a video of you. Most point and shoot digitals have a video mode and even at the crappy quality, just seeing yourself can provide some helpful insight. Additionally, I've found that I don't look as bad skiing as I think I do. I guess it's natural to be your own harshest critic...

 

[deadheadskier]

Try to visualize that your upper body is quiet....you should feel like your lower body is doing all the work...except for your hands...

Ya know, after re-watching the video and re-reading these tips, I see what seems to be the biggest item to address. At each pole plant, I seem to lean forward slightly which causing my rear to fall back. As I come to the crest of the bump, I'm pushed further into the back seat; next pole plant and I'm crouching my upper body forward again. You can really notice this in the first video as I ski by. I think I understand now that I need to try to keep the upper body quiet and upright and let the knees come up to absorb the bump versus leaning forward to help absorb them. I'll head out tomorrow PM and try to incorporate some of these suggestions. Thanks all!

As an aside, if you're trying to improve your technique, have someone take a video of you. Most point and shoot digitals have a video mode and even at the crappy quality, just seeing yourself can provide some helpful insight. Additionally, I've found that I don't look as bad skiing as I think I do. I guess it's natural to be your own harshest critic...

I did notice that your pole plants were a little over accentuated which tends to bring your body forward. Again though - you have the right idead in that you are driving yourself down the fall line.

Focus on being as tall and light on your skis as possible in between the bumps, then when you hit the next bump, absorb it, just lightly flick your wrist with a pole plant and explode off it trying to get as upright as possible again. If you watch the greats, they tend to ski very tall between them giving them the maximum range of motion to absorb the bumps with their legs - not their torso.

 

[Greg]

If you watch the greats, they tend to ski very tall between them giving them the maximum range of motion to absorb the bumps with their legs - not their torso.

Interesting. As riverc0il points out, there are a lot of ways to ski bumps. I would love to be 19 again and be able to absorb bumps as I crash down the zipper. At 31 and only been skiing for 10 seasons, that's just not something that I'll ever to be able to do unless I want to undergo a knee surgery. This reminds me of a great bump article published on this site a number of years ago:

http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/bumps1.htm

I wonder what happened to Todd Murchison. He used to post here and was even a moderator for a time. Anyway, I think analyzing some of what the pros do can be useful for improving your mogul skills; specifically keeping the upper body quiet. What happens below the waist is most likely a result of age, conditioning and preferred technique.

 

[riverc0il]

i think the pole plants are fine. some posters in this thread are advocating skiing bumps like the folks on the pro tour do. that's one way to ski the bumps, but you don't have to zipper line bumps with you knees never coming apart to ski the bumps well and look good doing it.

 

[Harkin Banks]

You may want to try shorter poles. Serious bump skiers use much shorter poles than one would normally use. The length of your poles may actually be pushing you back a bit.

Check out the videos at this link to see what perfect hand position, and perfect technique overall, looks like...

http://www.mogullogic.com/university.html

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm really good at critiquing others - God knows I can barely so what I tell you to do....... :wink:

From what I've seen, you ski well, ChileMass. :wink:

Greg--took a while to get the video feed, but it looked good. You had better rhythm in #2 from what I saw...but I also noticed your arms coming up pretty high. I could tell when you got tired...your legs/feet came further apart. Work on keeping them together maybe :wink: