How to ski moguls?

[180]

Come to Hunter, We'll teach you how to ski moguls. We have 42nd Street now top to bottom moguls!

 

[madriverjack]

mogulskiing.net has alot of instructional videos for everyone to check out.

 

[KevinF]

I've always hated the terms "front side" and "back side" for describing bumps, as different people seem to have different ideas as to which side is the "front". I've never found descriptions that I like though... uphill side and downhill side are somewhat better.

As I said earlier, I tend to ski bumps in a PSIA-approved manner, which largely means "slow line fast". Basically, round turns (as opposed to "slam and jam") and using the terrain to control speed (going uphill is slow, going downhill is fast). As mentioned above, going up and over bumps most certainly can get you facing some "oh s---" moments. There are times I like staying in the troughs, there are times that I like going up and over. Depending on the bumps, different lines work better (at least for me).

One of my instructors told me that bump skiing is about 50/50. Half the time you ski 'em correctly, half the time you ski 'em anyway. If you're getting more then half your turns "correct", you're going too slow; if you can't get half right, you're going too fast.

As for the "stopping" because you're getting "out of balance" or whatever. There's "out of balance" and then there's "way, way, out of balance". I feel that the first scenario is something you need to learn to recover from -- anybody who can claim to not be rocked by a bump at some point is going way too cautiously. The second scenario -- yeah, pull it to a stop before you hit somebody or something.

As for icy bumps. This is one of those diabolical snow conditions that just makes you realize how much you still have to learn. Icy bumps are ski-able, but you need to be oh-so-precise in your line and all your movements.

I haven't skied with any AZers, something that I definitely need to rectify. I'm a decent bump skier (I can ski the various bump runs at Stowe without too much trouble, but I've sure seen some skiers at Stowe that make me go "damn, he is GOOD"), so do feel free to take anything I say about bump skiing with a grain of salt.

 

[kingslug]

Come to Hunter, We'll teach you how to ski moguls. We have 42nd Street now top to bottom moguls!

Very few could keep up with you..its like when I try to run around with the supercharged 427 corvettes in my slow 92...I see their tail lights once in a while...but 42nd street is one of the best runs to practice, pretty flat and wide enough if you screw up...

 

[kingslug]

Rockered skis definitely are a lot more forgiving when you are too far in the back seat

Or too far in the front..up and over they go...

 

[Cheese]

As for the "stopping" because you're getting "out of balance" or whatever. There's "out of balance" and then there's "way, way, out of balance". I feel that the first scenario is something you need to learn to recover from -- anybody who can claim to not be rocked by a bump at some point is going way too cautiously. The second scenario -- yeah, pull it to a stop before you hit somebody or something.

I actually meant way before getting rocked. Let's face it, we can't bump all day long for many reasons. Maybe due to changing conditions, crowds or even physical stamina. So, rather that waste 3/4 of a run practicing bumps in the back seat I'd suggest stopping 1/4 in when you know something has gone wrong to reserve bump time and strength for doing things right. In fact, if I'm on an empty bump trail teaching someone I will point out lines which run diagonal to the zip line. Using these lines can break up a bump run into many short sets of bumps and offer more time to think about the good and the bad you've done before making another pass.

Please note that I did restrict this to "empty" as cutting across the zip line of a crowded trail is dangerous. Even though the downhill skier has the right of way, the uphill skier is coming down one of the most difficult places to control speed and direction on the mountain. It could be someone experienced like KevinF whom just got "rocked".

 

[MadMadWorld]

When I taught, Dolphin Turns was a great drill I used with the beginner mogul skier to the experienced. If you don't looking a little silly, it's a helpful tool.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[2knees]

mogulskiing.net has alot of instructional videos for everyone to check out.

Congrats again bro. Hope you get out this spring at least. bumps were nice at Mt Snow on friday. I imagine they are either gone or suck donkey balls by now.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Dolphin turns... now there's a classic drill. Good way to practice landing on your tips if you're trying to get any air.

Doing too many of those on flat land hurts the top of my toe. And yes I clip my toenails

 

[180]

Very few could keep up with you..its like when I try to run around with the supercharged 427 corvettes in my slow 92...I see their tail lights once in a while...but 42nd street is one of the best runs to practice, pretty flat and wide enough if you screw up...

Just ask and we'll slow down for training

 

[bobbutts]

upper body facing down the fall line
your line is where an (imaginary) stream would flow down the moguls
Go out alone or with someone who won't freak out if you stop alot and work on hitting 2-3 bumps just how you want to.
once you can do that with some consistency, try keeping it going.
I find learning how to do linked recoveries like most people who try bumps tires you out and doesn't encourage good technique.
low angle bump runs and small bumps are great for confidence and learning, trying this on outer limits is going to be a bit much for most

 

[2knees]

in all honesty, you won't learn anything from the internet or Dan DePiro's book regardless of how passionately some may talk it up. Skiing with 180 would be a huge start, but he is about as good as they get. Just get out there and ski.

 

[Gilligan]

in all honesty, you won't learn anything from the internet or Dan DePiro's book regardless of how passionately some may talk it up. Skiing with 180 would be a huge start, but he is about as good as they get. Just get out there and ski.

Seriously? Do not try to learn by reading anything, just go out and practice your old, bad technique?

Read DiPiro's book (it is great) then go out and practice, practice, practice - the right way!

 

[kingslug]

I would have to find you guys first...pretty crowded on Sundays...

 

[2knees]

Seriously? Do not try to learn by reading anything, just go out and practice your old, bad technique?

!

Skippy!

 

[mister moose]

Bumps are complicated. The shape on a trail changes as traffic molds and moves them. What worked at 10am might not work at 2 pm.

Lots of different techniques, and much more has already been said in prior bump threads. My $.02 to the OP is "how fast can you turn?" If you can't turn well with good balanced form at 1 per second, you need to work more on the basics first. Most good bump skiers I see can whip out turns faster than 2 per second when need be.

 

[Cheese]

My $.02 to the OP is "how fast can you turn?" If you can't turn well with good balanced form at 1 per second, you need to work more on the basics first. Most good bump skiers I see can whip out turns faster than 2 per second when need be.

 

[hammer]

Bumps are complicated. The shape on a trail changes as traffic molds and moves them. What worked at 10am might not work at 2 pm.

Lots of different techniques, and much more has already been said in prior bump threads. My $.02 to the OP is "how fast can you turn?" If you can't turn well with good balanced form at 1 per second, you need to work more on the basics first. Most good bump skiers I see can whip out turns faster than 2 per second when need be.

Agree entirely (still working on those basics) but I'd have to admit that some trial by fire doesn't hurt.

I also remember a statement from Greg some time ago that "it's all about the miles"...

 

[Abubob]

Bumps are complicated.

That's a dirty lie.

My $.02 to the OP is "how fast can you turn?" If you can't turn well with good balanced form at 1 per second, you need to work more on the basics first.
Most good bump skiers I see can whip out turns faster than 2 per second when need be.

This is true.

That and don't forget to breath.

 

[hammer]

OK, so what is the best drill for working on those short turns? Every time I see the bumps I feel like I should get in there...and then I do and I flounder after the first few "turns".