Bumps and Boards

[mediamogul]

So I have an ongoing discussion with snowboarders that I hit the mountain with (Skiers and snowboarders mingling! Heaven's no!) about moguls. Can a boarder really rip it down through the bumps and stay in control? Is there such a thing as bump technique on a snowboard? Do snowboards ruin bumps/ bump lines? Do snowboarders even enjoy bumps?

The folks I know tend towards the no moguls side of things.

I was wondering what people here thought.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I have seen some boarders do a decent job in the bumps. here in PA they just ruin them

 

[thorski]

So I have an ongoing discussion with snowboarders that I hit the mountain with (Skiers and snowboarders mingling! Heaven's no!) about moguls. Can a boarder really rip it down through the bumps and stay in control? Is there such a thing as bump technique on a snowboard? Do snowboards ruin bumps/ bump lines? Do snowboarders even enjoy bumps?

The folks I know tend towards the no moguls side of things.

I was wondering what people here thought.

I've only ever seen one snowboarder really slay the bumps, and he was really really good.
Most competent snowboarders can do the bumps just fine, but the ones who are not good absolutely ruin bumps IMO.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I have seen some boarders do a decent job in the bumps. here in PA they just ruin them

I have too, but it's extremely rare. Bumps and flats are like a snowboarder's kyptonite.

 

[dmc]

I can rip down SOME bump lines on my snowboard... Out west in cruising bumps I can fly!

But the real tight ones just aren't fun.. Leave them for my skier friends..

 

[jimmywilson69]

I can rip down SOME bump lines on my snowboard... Out west in cruising bumps I can fly!

But the real tight ones just aren't fun.. Leave them for my skier friends..

Thanks!

See the kids here in PA try and do them and then bail about 1/3 of the way in to the goomed side of the trail. Then a giant icesheet forms on the backs of the moguls 1/3 of the way in and it's impossible to stay in rythm. Although I must admit, I don't exactly "slay" the moguls.

 

[planb420]

I'm with DMC, I love to ride around in the bumps and know a Guy by the name of John Pierce that can BOMB some bumps on his board. I am no super ripper but I do have fun with my skier buds in the bumps (none of my boarder friends will mess with em), and I leave the tight lines alone and only really try a zipper run every now and then....

 

[dmc]

I also like bumps when i can stay on top of them...

All the good snow in on the top...

 

[Hawkshot99]

There are few riders who can look really good in the bumps, but there are not that many skiers who truly look good in them either. You see lots of both skiers and boarders just sliding through them trying to survive.

 

[dmc]

I can tell you that my previous life as a bump skier makes it way easier to navigate bumps on a snowboard

 

[Cannonball]

Can a boarder really rip it down through the bumps and stay in control?

Absolutely. Everyone I ride with does.

Is there such a thing as bump technique on a snowboard?

Yes. Similar techniques as skiing bumps....but looks different.

Do snowboards ruin bumps/ bump lines?

Maybe. They can change them for sure. Some would call that "ruining". But as you and others have pointed out a lot of riders avoid bumps so I don't know how big an impact there is overall.

Do snowboarders even enjoy bumps?

I freak'n LOVE 'em. I would say that is the skier in me coming out, but my wife is 100% boarder and loves bumps more than I do.

 

[KevinF]

I believe that bad skiers ruin bumps just as much as bad snowboarders do. i.e., if your bump technique consists of a massive pivot on top of a the bump followed by a slideslip down the other side, followed by a slam into the next bump, etc. -- well, the bumps are going to be "interestingly" shaped no matter what's on your feet.

 

[mediamogul]

I believe that bad skiers ruin bumps just as much as bad snowboarders do. i.e., if your bump technique consists of a massive pivot on top of a the bump followed by a slideslip down the other side, followed by a slam into the next bump, etc. -- well, the bumps are going to be "interestingly" shaped no matter what's on your feet.

I personally agree. Any group of people side-slipping moguls will ruin the lines be they snowboards or skis. Shaped skis also contribute to very strange mogul spacing.

On the other hand, a snowboard seems to be an amazing tool for wiping bumps clean off a hill. I have literally seen a group of snowboarders eradicate moguls from a trail to the point where it was flat again where they had gone down.

 

[k123]

Do snowboarders even enjoy bumps?

I definitely enjoy riding bumps, but only when the conditions are good. I can't handle icy bumps.

 

[gladerider]

I can tell you that my previous life as a bump skier makes it way easier to navigate bumps on a snowboard

+1

also, i think you tend to see more of good bump riders on mountains with challenging terrains. i saw a few riders on castlerock part of sugarbush that just rip.

 

[AdironRider]

First off, skiers beater around and plow snow just as much as snowboarders do. In both instances, the rider/skier is not that good, doesnt matter whats beneath the feet. I guess snowboarders are just louder and look like they are taking a dump when it happens, so it sticks out.

That being said, snowboarders can do just fine in bumps. I know Ive become pretty good at em living out west. You cant escape bump runs unless you want to ski lower level groomers at Jackson, Bird, even Targhee (if it ever really bumps up). Bumps tend to space out a bit more here though, which I admit, makes them easier.

Im with DMC though, tight bumps just arent fun on a snowboard. Snowboarding is about flow, not bashing through rock hard, vertical trough, moguls. I can see why most snowboarders dont really bother to learn.

 

[BenedictGomez]

First off, skiers beater around and plow snow just as much as snowboarders do. In both instances, the rider/skier is not that good,

I just dont see how that's true.

Side slipping is conducive to snowboarding, not skiing. Even when you see poor skiers side slip, they usually do so for a bit, then move a bit over and change edge and do it some more, repeat process. So the same area isnt getting repeatedly hit. When a snowboard does it, he/she can sideslip a football field of distance straight down....no problem. A snowboard is just a more effective scraping tool than skis.

And for whatever the reason, I see this done MUCH more by snowboarders than by skiers. My guess is that it's because among the very young (who are more apt to be beginners) snowboarding is very popular and "cool" right now, but again, that's just a shot in the dark.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I just dont see how that's true.

Side slipping is conducive to snowboarding, not skiing. Even when you see poor skiers side slip, they usually do so for a bit, then move a bit over and change edge and do it some more, repeat process. So the same area isnt getting repeatedly hit. When a snowboard does it, he/she can sideslip a football field of distance straight down....no problem. A snowboard is just a more effective scraping tool than skis.

And for whatever the reason, I see this done MUCH more by snowboarders than by skiers. My guess is that it's because among the very young (who are more apt to be beginners) snowboarding is very popular and "cool" right now, but again, that's just a shot in the dark.

that is not a shot in the dark, it's spot on.

 

[thorski]

I don't think snowboarding is as "hot and popular" as it was just a couple years ago. The best kids in the park that i see are young kids on twin tips doing just insane stuff.

 

[dmc]

I just dont see how that's true.

Side slipping is conducive to snowboarding, not skiing. .

Think what you want...
All I can tell you is there was ice and scraped off snow LONG before snowboards showed up.