As the season approaches... (technique analysis, please)

[BushMogulMaster]

... I begin to think about technique. I will likely be in the bumps more than 100 days this season, and it's time to start thinking. I would like some serious analysis of the following videos. I'm looking for comments, opinions, suggestions based on the fact that my technique goal is skiing with the fluidity, speed, and style of World Cup level skiers. A long shot, but hey... I'm young! Plenty of time to master the bumps.


Vid 1: Mogulskiing.net Bumpapalooza 2008 trip to Mary Jane (vid was posted as a TR earlier IIRC, but was not analyzed). I'm Patrick (for those who don't know me). I'm wearing the mogulskiing.net coat, and a helmet (says Sugarbush):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PztQvjQcXhI


Vid 2: Just a little on-campus fun at Colorado Mountain College in April '08 (again, I'm Patrick):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ISqUx0JmE



Things I've noticed that I need to work on:

*Hips more forward
*Less swaying in the torso (quieter)
*Hands out in front a little more, elbows out a little more, smoother plants in more of a wrist-flick motion
*Could always keep the head up a little higher



Any help would be appreciated. I may have a couple more vids later. I'll be posting this on several forums, so if I find anything fascinating elsewhere, I'll update you here as well.

Thanks!

 

[snoseek]

I personally have no advice to give you. It would be like a 35 year old man taking driving lessons from an eight year old. That is meant as a compliment, you mogul skiing looks pretty damn smooth to me. How are you airs?

 

[Phillycore]

I'd be the 8 y/o trying to teach John Force how to drag race...

U Da Man as far as I'm concerned...

 

[thinnmann]

You lead with your left arm and tend to drop your right arm. Probably more when you are fatigued. Just a little. I am being picky. I think your right arm is more tired from hoisting those plastic cup beers in the parking lot. :beer:

 

[deadheadskier]

You really are a fantastic top 1% of the skiing populous bump skier. I'd love to see a competition vid of you with airs as snoseek asked. I don't want to discourage your dreams as I think they are fantastic and achievable, but there are MANY bumpers out there that I've seen who can rip like World Cuppers just like you, but they don't have the mental focus to light it up while being judged in a competition. It appears you have the ability to ski at the highest level, it's now a question of whether you have the ability to compete at that level.

 

[hardline]

You really are a fantastic top 1% of the skiing populous bump skier. I'd love to see a competition vid of you with airs as snoseek asked. I don't want to discourage your dreams as I think they are fantastic and achievable, but there are MANY bumpers out there that I've seen who can rip like World Cuppers just like you, but they don't have the mental focus to light it up while being judged in a competition. It appears you have the ability to ski at the highest level, it's now a question of whether you have the ability to compete at that level.

competition has alway been a love hate relationship with me. i did my best in comps when they didn't feel like a competition as soon as it became all serrious i would loose all interest.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I personally have no advice to give you. It would be like a 35 year old man taking driving lessons from an eight year old. That is meant as a compliment, you mogul skiing looks pretty damn smooth to me. How are you airs?

Thanks! My airs......... need attention. Never really got into that scene. Lots of work to do.

I'd be the 8 y/o trying to teach John Force how to drag race...

U Da Man as far as I'm concerned...

:lol: Thanks.

You lead with your left arm and tend to drop your right arm. Probably more when you are fatigued. Just a little. I am being picky. I think your right arm is more tired from hoisting those plastic cup beers in the parking lot.

Good observation. Thanks. :beer:

You really are a fantastic top 1% of the skiing populous bump skier. I'd love to see a competition vid of you with airs as snoseek asked. I don't want to discourage your dreams as I think they are fantastic and achievable, but there are MANY bumpers out there that I've seen who can rip like World Cuppers just like you, but they don't have the mental focus to light it up while being judged in a competition. It appears you have the ability to ski at the highest level, it's now a question of whether you have the ability to compete at that level.

Well, I don't think I'm going to work toward that ultimate competition goal. I am too directly involved with the ski industry at this point to even think about shifting focus to competition training toward World Cup comps. My goal is more along the lines of being able to ski at the highest level, and compete in smaller competition while being able to maintain and achieve my career goals in the industry. A balancing act, indeed. I just want to be able to ski as well as anyone on the tour, but just be another guy on the mountain!

competition has alway been a love hate relationship with me. i did my best in comps when they didn't feel like a competition as soon as it became all serrious i would loose all interest.

I tend to share some of that opinion as well. I would enjoy smaller-scale comps, but I don't think I would enjoy the politics and stress of highest level comp. I think I could handle it, but I wouldn't enjoy it.


Thanks for the comments thus far.

 

[Moe Ghoul]

Your'e a huge bump stud. Now do 'em backwards.