Could someone please explain moguls to me?

[JimG.]

Some of it is the technical aspect. Moguls expose the flaws in a skiers technique like no other terrain. If you want to be a better skier, be a better mogul skier and you skiing will improve everywhere. Agree with others that the pay pay off comes when you get the flow and rhythm going. That is a great feeling.

This.

 

[SkiFanE]

For me much of the joy of skiing comes from the feeling of weightlessness. On teles, at least the way I ski, each bump offers an instant of that thrill. I don't care about zipperlines and can't ski them. Irregular bumps and trees provide an opportunity for exuberant self expression.

I love all bumps, even zipperlines..but the irregular ones with challenging terrain and obstacles are the best - I get air from bump to bump (tend to try to avoid ice/crust by taking my own oddball line lol, and this makes it easier). Going down a flat groomed run is so boring to me, don't see the point. It's all a challenge, used to only like soft bumps, then started to get through vw-bug sized bumps and like those now.

People that get tired after 10bumps...take a decent rest. Do 10 more. Rest. Do 10 more...no shame in stopping, b/c getting on your tails and out of control is bad...before you know it you'll be up to 20 bumps...but w/o conditioning you'll never get better.

 

[thinnmann]

Most of the snowboarders I see on mogul trails are kids sliding down on their butts.

Yes - quite amusing.
I think the top of mogul trails should have a sign that says, "1.) No rental equipment. 2.) Snowboarders who can not execute a carved turn on steep terrain will be subject to ridicule from people riding the lift." :lol:

 

[Grassi21]

:lol: I miss you too pookie.

 

[mondeo]

Reading through posts someone mentioned flow, I think that's the nail on the head. When you get a rhythm going and conditions are right (no snowboarders), moguls become the mountain's harmonic resonator for oneness.

"Harmonic resonator for oneness?"

I have no clue how this pertains to skiing bumps.

 

[Grassi21]

"Harmonic resonator for oneness?"

I have no clue how this pertains to skiing bumps.

You just need to expand your mind maaaaaaaan.... ;-)

 

[jrmagic]

There are more snowboarders in this thread stating that they enjoy and/or ride moguls than actual snowboarders I've ever witnessed on mogul trails.

Interesting. I see plenty of boarders riding down mogul tranis at Magic also see plenty of boarders wherever I go riding the bumps in the trees.

 

[mister moose]

There aren't very many people that can "fake" the bumps.

Seems to me that if you can fake the bumps well, you aren't faking anymore.

I think the natural ski turn IS the bump turn. It's the quick weight/unweight, side-to-side rhythm that forms the bump turn.

Grasshopper, you have caught the stone.

 

[Cheese]

Seems to me that if you can fake the bumps well, you aren't faking anymore.

Lol ... I avoided saying nobody as someone always comes back with somebody.

 

[arik]

when the bumps are soft and not too huge it feels incredible to hit them just right, like a pachinko ball bouncing down, really fun

I especially like the attention of mogul runs under the lift when people yell at me

I am sure they are yelling "you suck, go home!" but with my headphones on I can imagine them all yelling how awesome a bump skier I am on my 158s
:wink:

 

[C-Rex]

I always thought a boarder would do better in the bumps, only having to worry about one board. I've seen boarders very competent in the bumps.

The problem is that our feet are spread apart so while a skier has to tuck both knees at the same time to absorb the bump, snowboarders have to do it in sequence (front foot, rear foot). This means we are limited as to the angle of approach and departure we can achieve in a tight space. Skiers can let that angle pivot at their ankle but we have to achieve it by tucking one leg and extending the other. Add in the stiffness of boots and bindings and we are even more limited. We also need to have our weight on our front foot in order to swing the back end of the board back and forth to make turns. This is hard to do when you are also performing that sequence to absorb the bumps. Then add in the side to side leaning required to keep the proper edge on the ground. Plus we don't have any assistance from poles.

I dont' know if explained that well or not. It's kind of hard to do without visuals. But it kind of explains why tall, tight bumps are that much harder for boarders. Not that I won't keep trying anyway. :wink:

The bottom line is that our sports are actually very different, dispite the fact that we occupy the same playing field. The strengths and weaknesses of our respective equipment cause us to look at terrain very differently. What seems easy on skis can be very hard on a snowboard and vice versa.

Take jibbing for instance. Skiers really only have one way to slide a rail, sideways. Whereas snowboarders can slide at a variety of angles and also perform things like presses. This makes sliding things like bent over trees pretty easy for a snowboarder but near impossible for a skier since the tree will have knots and the nubs of broken off branches that will probably cause him to catch an edge.

Riding steeps is the same way. On skis, you have the advantage of 2, usually longer, edges to our one shorter one. You can use your poles to help unweight your skis so you can make turns without the blast of acceleration that we get from having to point the board strait down in order to get to the other edge. It might not seem like much but just being able to steady yourself with your poles makes a huge difference..

 

[mondeo]

Take jibbing for instance. Skiers really only have one way to slide a rail, sideways. Whereas snowboarders can slide at a variety of angles and also perform things like presses. This makes sliding things like bent over trees pretty easy for a snowboarder but near impossible for a skier since the tree will have knots and the nubs of broken off branches that will probably cause him to catch an edge.

Riding steeps is the same way. On skis, you have the advantage of 2, usually longer, edges to our one shorter one. You can use your poles to help unweight your skis so you can make turns without the blast of acceleration that we get from having to point the board strait down in order to get to the other edge. It might not seem like much but just being able to steady yourself with your poles makes a huge difference..

Also, there's something between your legs to prevent the rail from taking a direct path between them.

And it's more the quickness you get with having your feet right next to each other that helps with steeps, like bumps. Poles are there for mental reasons, not weight bearing reasons.

 

[2knees]

It might not seem like much but just being able to steady yourself with your poles makes a huge difference..

Poles are not load bearing structures. At least they arent if you're doing it correctly.

 

[steamboat1]

Mo·gul (mgl, m-gl)
n.
1. also Mo·ghul (m-gl, m-) or Mu·ghal (m-gl)
a. A member of the force that under Baber conquered India in 1526.
b. A member of the Muslim dynasty founded by Baber that ruled India until 1857.
2. A Mongol or Mongolian.
3. A very rich or powerful person; a magnate.

 

[Nick]

Yeah but the real question is can a snowboarder ride the zipper!

 

[powbmps]

Ultimately, what's not to love about bumps.

That's hot. I too find that shaving from the shins up helps reduce pant/leg friction in the bumps.

 

[abc]

I think the natural ski turn IS the bump turn. It's the quick weight/unweight, side-to-side rhythm that forms the bump turn.

I think that's THE biggest difference between skiing and boarding bumps.

The natural turn radius of boarders are much larger than between bumps.

 

[Nick]

That's hot. I too find that shaving from the shins up helps reduce pant/leg friction in the bumps.

lmao

 

[2knees]

That's hot. I too find that shaving from the shins up helps reduce pant/leg friction in the bumps.

Chicks dig it

Any epic pong matches lately?

 

[AdironRider]

I used to avoid them like the plague back East.

Now that Im out west if I want to ride any of the cool stuff when it hasnt snowed for a while, Ill be riding at least some bumps every run. Ive gotten pretty good.

I think the biggest difference is not having your feet apart but rather trying to go down a zipperline sideways. I can rail bumps, but no matter what snowboarders just look like doufus' doing it. Theres no comparison when watching people rip bumps, skiers just look better, look more in control (even if they arent), and can go faster. Whatever, we kill em in powder for style.

It doesnt matter what method youre using to get down the hill, a good skier/rider can ski it all. There are just as many beater skiers in bumps as there are boarders, you just dont see it as much when you arent forced to ski them.