Do some mountains just make you ski better?

[Dr Skimeister]

As I drove home from Hunter yesterday, I got to thinking about the different skiing on different mountains. I concluded that over the years, I've had very few really good days of skiing on many mountains. Most of these mountains are the more geographically challenged ones, hence less likely that I've been on them in optimal conditions.

Then I recognized that skiing on harder snow as opposed to more forgiving natural and on mountains that have trails more slashed into their faces as opposed to flowing with their topography may make one a better skier. If one is able to ski well in less favorable terrain and conditions, do you think that translates to then being better able to ski better terrain and conditions?

 

[Paul]

Interesting. I'll have to think on that a bit. My initial response would be that I think I tend to ski better on the "better" mountains, and sloppier on the easier ones. Not entirely sure that's true, though...

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

. Most of these mountains are the more geographically challenged ones,

I'd like to get into this thread, but you need to clear some things up for me like what does geo. challenged mean?

Then I recognized that skiing on harder snow as opposed to more forgiving natural and on mountains that have trails more slashed into their faces as opposed to flowing with their topography may make one a better skier?

Of course it's easier to ski in better snow conditions, but your trail slashed take has me lost.

. If one is able to ski well in less favorable terrain and conditions, do you think that translates to then being better able to ski better terrain and conditions?

I don't think so. Let's take an Eastern skier who grew up skiing "packed powder" and put him in deep snow for the first time and see how he does. I'm thinkin not too good.

I grew up skiing Hunter when it could get pretty icey. I can ski over ice like it isn't really there because that's what I had to ski alot. I just think it's what you're use to.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Interesting. I'll have to think on that a bit. My initial response would be that I think I tend to ski better on the "better" mountains, and sloppier on the easier ones. Not entirely sure that's true, though...

So if I saw you ski say Castlerock I'd think you had skills, but on a blue at Stratton not so much? I'm not entirely sure that's true either.

 

[ta&idaho]

Skiing on bad/less good snow makes you better at skiing the same type of terrain with better snow, but I don't think it translates across terrain type. For example, if you spend a lot of time skiing wet, heavy powder in the Pacific Northwest, you'll tear up light, dry powder in the Rockies. Similarly, if you spend a lot of time bashing icy, misshaped moguls at Hunter, you'll feel really comfortable in softer, well-spaced bumps at a mountain with better conditions. But no amount of time at Hunter will make you comfortable in deep powder if you've never experienced it before, and no amount of time in tricky--but not bumped up--snow will teach you to ski moguls.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I'd like to get into this thread, but you need to clear some things up for me like what does geo. challenged mean?



Of course it's easier to ski in better snow conditions, but your trail slashed take has me lost.



I don't think so. Let's take an Eastern skier who grew up skiing "packed powder" and put him in deep snow for the first time and see how he does. I'm thinkin not too good.

I grew up skiing Hunter when it could get pretty icey. I can ski over ice like it isn't really there because that's what I had to ski alot. I just think it's what you're use to.

By geographicall challenged (I admit to having pilfered the term from a post of Greg's I read recently) I mean a mountain that because of it's location is more dependant on snow-making than natural snowfall and that is that much more at risk of freeze-thaw-freeze cycles.

As far as "trails slashed", it seems to me that smaller and more southern mountains are forced to make trails fit onto their property. The limitation of vertical seems to necessitate making trails where they might not otherwise be. Trails that don't follow the natural fall line of the mountain.

Your comment about ice is along the lines of my original point. Do you think someone that becomes accustomed to more sketchy conditions is better able to adapt to better conditions? Or will a person that is more used to skiing powder more readily adapt to those harsher conditions?

 

[Paul]

So if I saw you ski say Castlerock I'd think you had skills, but on a blue at Stratton not so much? I'm not entirely sure that's true either.

No, because in your example you're adding in the perception of the viewer, who would be jaded based upon their own abilities and experiences. Whether I was on Castlerock, or on widdle bunny boo-boo twail you would say "Jeebus! that guy sucks! He aspires to gaperdom"
However, if I were skiing down Castlerock, I would be trying as hard as possible to ski to the best of my admittedly limited ability. Conversely, if I'm cruising down the Sunrise Stoopidtrail at Stratton, I'm not. I'm probably being pretty lazy and yes, looking like shit in the process.

 

[riverc0il]

The spirit of what you are suggesting is spot on. More challenging mountains make you a better skier over all. Mountains that offer more challenging terrain force skiers and riders to step it up a bit whether they consciously are working on their technique or not. Even though who consciously work on their technique work harder on a tougher mountain.

However, certain improved techniques do not transfer over as HPD suggested. I.E. skiing Chute/Liftline at Mad River on eastern hard pack will tighten you up on those conditions but will not make you ski powder or groomers any better.

Also, if you push your terrain comfortability too far on harder terrain, you end up practicing bad habits and that does not make you a better skier... it makes you a hack that can safely get down hard trails. So there is clearly a balance.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I feel like I ski the best at Blue, Stowe, and Jackson Hole..I've skied those three areas the most..the last several years at least so I know the best lines to take and am more confident..pushing my skis to the max. At areas I haven't skied as much..I tend to ski a little slower and more cautiously..due to unknown compressions..rolls..and terrain traps..

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke and Sugarbush are my picks. Pico also has demanding terrain. And Sugarloaf is just frickin' steep!

 

[ckofer]

I think learning bump skiing techniques and using them in the woods makes you a better skier. Pick your location accordingly.

 

[billski]

I make me ski better, not the hill. It's my attitude, tenacity and willingness to push myself outside of my comfort zone that makes me improve most. Of course, a bit of instruction must be added to the mix, and 95% of practice/experience to let that head knowledge stick.

What I enjoy the most about this point in my "ski career" is being comfortable skiing pretty much any terrain and knowing I have a good enough skill set to get me though most any terrain or conditions.

 

[riverc0il]

I make me ski better, not the hill. It's my attitude, tenacity and willingness to push myself outside of my comfort zone that makes me improve most. Of course, a bit of instruction must be added to the mix, and 95% of practice/experience to let that head knowledge stick.

While the individual along with physical fitness and athletic ability does indeed drive technique and skill, your thought carried out to its end would suggest a skier that only ever skied a hill like Ski Bradford could be just as good as another skier that only skis Mad River Glen (given similar number of days on the "expert" terrain of each mountain). I believe that available terrain does influence how good of a skier you can ever be. You can not learn to ski bumps, trees, powder, etc. if you rarely if ever encounter those circumstances and you certainly can not learn to do so well without repetition on that type of terrain.

 

[hardline]

this is my take:
great mountains with great terrain make you a great rider and you will be able to handle any thing thats thrown at you. now its when you are dealing with the smaller feeder hills that that the mountain/hill does not make you a better rider. its how you ride at these terrain challenged areas that will make you a better rider. at these icy areas you are relageted to riding on the side of the trail but this is a good thing it allows you to work on keeping a tight line which is very handy if you like the trees of the east.
however if all you do i ride at feeder hills a very infrequently go the larger places no amount of technique and practice will make you a better rider there. whileyou may be able to get down the hill your not going to be able open it up aflow down the hill.