Big GS Turns or Zipperlining Bumps

[Greg]

Which is safer? Which takes more skill? Discuss.

 

[ctenidae]

In the bumps, big GS turns are harder and more dangerous. On the groomed, zipperlines are harder and more dangerous. At least, more dangerous.

 

[drjeff]

In the bumps, big GS turns are harder and more dangerous. On the groomed, zipperlines are harder and more dangerous. At least, more dangerous.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[ctenidae]

I couldn't agree more!

I was partially joking, but partially serious, too, for two reasons:

1) Doing either is hard and dangerous if you're doing it wrong
2) The question will automatically generate a lot of "Huh-uh, my way's tougher" "No way, mine is!" "I'm cooler!" "No, I am" "Well, you're a big poopie looser" "Oh yeah? My skis are bigger than your skis"

For my money, one-legged telemark skiing with no poles, switch, is the hardest, most dangerous thing you can do.

 

[wa-loaf]

I think the bumps probably take more skill. GS turns more dangerous.

Bumps you are most likely to hurt a knee or something. You screw up making fast GS turns and you could be hitting the trees at high speed.

 

[2knees]

I was partially joking, but partially serious, too, for two reasons:

1) Doing either is hard and dangerous if you're doing it wrong
2) The question will automatically generate a lot of "Huh-uh, my way's tougher" "No way, mine is!" "I'm cooler!" "No, I am" "Well, you're a big poopie looser" "Oh yeah? My skis are bigger than your skis"

For my money, one-legged telemark skiing with no poles, switch, is the hardest, most dangerous thing you can do.

if you have to explain it in this detail, it really wasnt that good to begin with.

 

[Greg]

"Well, you're a big poopie looser"

No manly carver nor bump ripper would ever use a term like "big poopie looser"... :roll:

 

[Greg]

I think the bumps probably take more skill. GS turns more dangerous.

Bumps you are most likely to hurt a knee or something. You screw up making fast GS turns and you could be hitting the trees at high speed.

+1

 

[bvibert]

I think the bumps probably take more skill. GS turns more dangerous.

Bumps you are most likely to hurt a knee or something. You screw up making fast GS turns and you could be hitting the trees at high speed.

+1

x2

Simply put.

 

[wa-loaf]

x2

Simply put.

Well I guess that wraps this thread up. :lol:

 

[2knees]

oh come on. i was trying to bait ctenidae.

 

[2knees]

but i'll add my opinion.

GS turns at high speed are more dangerous and also are very difficult to do correctly. Most people, myself very much included, skid a little especially near the edge transfer.

 

[Greg]

GS turns at high speed are more dangerous and also are very difficult to do correctly. Most people, myself very much included, skid a little especially near the edge transfer.

Indeed. It's also my impression that given the latest ski technology which makes it easier for the average skier to "carve", some skiers just let 'em run thinking they are skiing well just because they are going fast. You can't just pretend like that when you jump into a mogul field and it will be immediately obvious to the casual observer whether you got it...or you don't.

 

[ctenidae]

if you have to explain it in this detail, it really wasnt that good to begin with.

Yeah, well, you're a big doody head.

No manly carver nor bump ripper would ever use a term like "big poopie looser"...

Yeah, well, you're a big doody headed poopie loser, too.

 

[ctenidae]

You can't just pretend like that when you jump into a mogul field and it will be immediately obvious to the casual observer whether you got it...or you don't.

So, what you're really saying is it's easier to tell if someone is a good bump skier than if they're a good groomer skier. That I'll agree with. Hwoever, I don't think being able to ski bumps makes you automatically a good skier. Neither does carving. The bumps skils certainly help out on the groomed more than the groomed skills help out in the bumps, though.

 

[Greg]

I don't think being able to ski bumps makes you automatically a good skier. Neither does carving. The bumps skils certainly help out on the groomed more than the groomed skills help out in the bumps, though.

Gotta disagree. I consider a "good skier" one that can ski most of the mountain with confidence and in control. I've never seen someone who can rip bumps start flailing around on a groomer or in the trees. You need a pretty advanced skill set on the flats before you can figure out skiing bumps. Not saying all bump skiers can carve big arcs well, but again, they can probably fool the casual observer. The opposite is not true.

 

[ctenidae]

Gotta disagree. I consider a "good skier" one that can ski most of the mountain with confidence and in control. I've never seen someone who can rip bumps start flailing around on a groomer or in the trees. You need a pretty advanced skill set on the flats before you can figure out skiing bumps. Not saying all bump skiers can carve big arcs well, but again, they can probably fool the casual observer. The opposite is not true.

I'll agree with that. I'm not much good in the bumps, mostly because I don't like them much, as they're too much work, which is probably because I'm not much good at them.

Interestingly, getting from the lift to the "actual" slope at Kasprowy Weirch involved 3 bump runs- each about 15 feet wide with nasty drops off one side and a cliff face on teh other. Nothing like mortal terror to focus you on finding a good line.

 

[tjf67]

I dont think there is anyone who is a beginner can get out there and set a big gs edge at high speeds. You can tell right off the bat what going on. They may go fast but you can tell they are tempting fate.

On the other hand bumpers ski a lot lot slower. Even the word cup guys are not going that fast. So I would say intermediate GS'r is probably equaly as competant in the bumps. Yeah he will be going really slow with bad form but to the trained eye its the same differance.

You can take a bumper in the woods and they will do just fine. Take them to some 35 degree hardpack and its a different story. You see them do there wiggle for 75 yard or so till they have so much speed the slide sideways to stop.

Its best to know how to do both. Better yet when you can switch style back and forth mid run. Great skiers do it and you dont even notice.

 

[wa-loaf]

I dont think there is anyone who is a beginner can get out there and set a big gs edge at high speeds. You can tell right off the bat what going on. They may go fast but you can tell they are tempting fate.

On the other hand bumpers ski a lot lot slower. Even the word cup guys are not going that fast. So I would say intermediate GS'r is probably equaly as competant in the bumps. Yeah he will be going really slow with bad form but to the trained eye its the same differance.

You can take a bumper in the woods and they will do just fine. Take them to some 35 degree hardpack and its a different story. You see them do there wiggle for 75 yard or so till they have so much speed the slide sideways to stop.

Its best to know how to do both. Better yet when you can switch style back and forth mid run. Great skiers do it and you dont even notice.

I agree, i was just thinking about how to say this. I can spot someone who can't carve right off the bat.

 

[Greg]

Interesting discussion. I do at times let my skis run when presented with a groomer and I really couldn't tell you how lame I look from a carving standpoint, but it's probably pretty lame. I really don't concern myself with it though since I'm probably just rushing back to the lift or the next bump field... :lol: