Everything the Instructors Never Told You About Mogul Skiing

[JimG.]

Bump (I know, bad pun).

I know it's early and the bump lines are in their infancy, but has anyone had a chance to work on any of this? I'm very interested in any feedback anyone might have.

 

[Greg]

Bump (I know, bad pun).

I know it's early and the bump lines are in their infancy, but has anyone had a chance to work on any of this? I'm very interested in any feedback anyone might have.

Working on the "home position". I'm a big time croucher so this is a good item to nail first. I've been trying to really concentrate on absorbtion too on the few cruddy bumps and snow piles I come across as well.

 

[JimG.]

Bump (I know, bad pun).

I know it's early and the bump lines are in their infancy, but has anyone had a chance to work on any of this? I'm very interested in any feedback anyone might have.

Working on the "home position". I'm a big time croucher so this is a good item to nail first. I've been trying to really concentrate on absorbtion too on the few cruddy bumps and snow piles I come across as well.

It shows in your avatar...you look much more relaxed and extended in that shot. And remember that absorption is only half of the equation...extention is key also.

 

[Sky]

re: had a chance to work any of this....I've been out twice, and worked ONE piece of the guidance on the second event.

I was completely enjoying the great conditions @ Wa...and cramming in runs before going to work. However, there were some bige snow-piles (I assume stockpiles for the coming crowds...to be spread out as needed). Going over these big bumps, I actually absorbed and extended (errraahhh...once or twice in a row) and it felt quite natural.

I'll need to practice the swing-turns soon...seeing how many times I can rotate the skis in a given distance.

Good BUMP!

 

[bvibert]

I haven't had much of a chance to work on any of it yet. Of course I can't find my copy of the book to review... I have been working on my stance, but thats more for my skiing in general...

 

[Bumpsis]

OK, so it sounds like the book is worth the price, I'll look for it.

In the mean time, anyone cares to share some actual tips on techniques that they found useful in their bump progress?

Here's where I am at:
I can do the zipper/fall line on most intermediate bumps for as long as they not too hard - meaning icy.

I run into trouble once the pitch of the slope resembles something of a more advanced trail.
Here, speed control becomes the issue.

I just pick up too much speed to be comfortable, so after 5-6 zips, I blow the line and have to ski off to the side.There I check my speed by absorb- traversing and hard dig of my tails across the downhill part of the mogul. Then I pick another line.

I'm not generally afraid of speed on even steeper groomers but in steep moguls speed scares me.

So for reference, most of the bump stuff at Loon - no problem.
Starr at Stowe (or similar)- too much speed.

As to equipment - I strongly prefer to ski bumps on my old "straight" K2 Kevlar Comps rather than my shaped skis.

Any constructive suggestions for possible improvement would be appreciated

 

[riverc0il]

And remember that absorption is only half of the equation...extention is key also.

great call jim. i have still yet to read the book, but know my extension has been lacking in my technique and was able to work on this a few weeks back at stowe. i really enjoyed nailing the absorbtion/extension technique, i never really worked hard on extended on the back side and tended to either carve the bump on take a bit of a jolt. extended down the backside of the bump not only was slightly less painfull but also leaves you in full contact with the snow and thus more control. i'll still use both techniques when needed or when i feel like, but i felt slightly quicker with a proper extension which i had not been properly utilizing before.

 

[Greg]

Bump (I know, bad pun).

I know it's early and the bump lines are in their infancy, but has anyone had a chance to work on any of this? I'm very interested in any feedback anyone might have.

Working on the "home position". I'm a big time croucher so this is a good item to nail first. I've been trying to really concentrate on absorbtion too on the few cruddy bumps and snow piles I come across as well.

It shows in your avatar...you look much more relaxed and extended in that shot. And remember that absorption is only half of the equation...extention is key also.

Thanks Jim. I got out tonight and mostly practiced standing tall and confident. I also worked on keeping my head up and actually overexaggerated by keeping my chin waaaaay up.

 

[dipiro]

Bump (I know, bad pun).

I know it's early and the bump lines are in their infancy, but has anyone had a chance to work on any of this? I'm very interested in any feedback anyone might have.

Working on the "home position". I'm a big time croucher so this is a good item to nail first. I've been trying to really concentrate on absorbtion too on the few cruddy bumps and snow piles I come across as well.

It shows in your avatar...you look much more relaxed and extended in that shot. And remember that absorption is only half of the equation...extention is key also.

Thanks Jim. I got out tonight and mostly practiced standing tall and confident. I also worked on keeping my head up and actually overexaggerated by keeping my chin waaaaay up.

Greg,
I was thinking the same thing that Jim says above... you look taller in that new photo, like you've eliminated the bend at the back! Now make sure you're centered over your skis: drive those hips down the hill. (Can't tell if you're doing it in that photo or not.) You want your weight over the balls of your feet, not the heels. Nice work.
-Dan

 

[dipiro]

OK, so it sounds like the book is worth the price, I'll look for it.

In the mean time, anyone cares to share some actual tips on techniques that they found useful in their bump progress?

Here's where I am at:
I can do the zipper/fall line on most intermediate bumps for as long as they not too hard - meaning icy.

I run into trouble once the pitch of the slope resembles something of a more advanced trail.
Here, speed control becomes the issue.

I just pick up too much speed to be comfortable, so after 5-6 zips, I blow the line and have to ski off to the side.There I check my speed by absorb- traversing and hard dig of my tails across the downhill part of the mogul. Then I pick another line.

I'm not generally afraid of speed on even steeper groomers but in steep moguls speed scares me.

So for reference, most of the bump stuff at Loon - no problem.
Starr at Stowe (or similar)- too much speed.

As to equipment - I strongly prefer to ski bumps on my old "straight" K2 Kevlar Comps rather than my shaped skis.

Any constructive suggestions for possible improvement would be appreciated

Bumpsis:

I don't blame you for liking those K2 Kevlar Comps in the bumps; I used to compete on that very ski! They're nice in bumps.

Some advice about the ice/speed thing you describe above... At faster speeds, and in icier bumps, you'll get less control from your edges, from turning. But you can still rely on the balance and speed control you can get from proper absorption and extension. If you absorb bumps smoothly and drive your skis back into the troughs with good extension, you'll keep your skis on the snow and this will help you maintain control, even when it gets icy and steep.
Heading straight down the zipper line on steeps and ice will take some getting used to, but you can practice on gentler bumps. Try increasing your speed in bumps you find comfortable, and really work that absorption and extension. Good A&E are the bumper's best friends. Lots more about this in my book, by the way.
Good luck.
-Dan

 

[dipiro]

And remember that absorption is only half of the equation...extention is key also.

extended down the backside of the bump not only was slightly less painfull but also leaves you in full contact with the snow and thus more control. .

Yes, Rivercoil! Yes! Good work.
-Dan

 

[dipiro]

Going over these big bumps, I actually absorbed and extended (errraahhh...once or twice in a row) and it felt quite natural.

Sky,
Good call. Snow-making whales can be a good place to learn and practice. They're big, so you can really exaggerate the absorption and extension. Even just one whale can be useful. And you can work on driving your hips down the hill on the steep back side of the whale. You can get used to staying centered over your skis on a short bit of steepness, knowing that you'll be back on mellow, manageable terrain as soon as you pass the whale.
-Dan

 

[Marc]

I still have yet to read Dan's book. I know, I really should. It's on my list.

I've been making some good progress in the bumps though, lately, at Attitash and this recent trip to Snow.

I skied Bear Trap a lot at Snow and Myth Maker on Bear Peak. I already had pretty good form down on groomers, that is, good square shoulders, good angulation, etc.

The biggest thing I had to adjust to was turning early!! Much earlier than felt natural! That's the only way you can keep contact on the back side of each mogul. I heard a piece of advice to remember once that went "TGIF, tips go in first." This helps to keep your weight forward and helps you turn early enough. And if you're turning when you should you have to look ahead or you won't have enough time to set up for subsequent turns. And your speed will just naturally stay down.





I went down Ripcord at Snow too. Definitely did no zipper line there. Two or three turns and I had to go horizontal. Man, 35 degree bumps, that's steep. That's about all we said as we picked our way down. "Yup, this is pretty steep."

 

[ozzy]

OK, so it sounds like the book is worth the price, I'll look for it.

In the mean time, anyone cares to share some actual tips on techniques that they found useful in their bump progress?

Here's where I am at:
I can do the zipper/fall line on most intermediate bumps for as long as they not too hard - meaning icy.

I run into trouble once the pitch of the slope resembles something of a more advanced trail.
Here, speed control becomes the issue.

I just pick up too much speed to be comfortable, so after 5-6 zips, I blow the line and have to ski off to the side.There I check my speed by absorb- traversing and hard dig of my tails across the downhill part of the mogul. Then I pick another line.

I'm not generally afraid of speed on even steeper groomers but in steep moguls speed scares me.

So for reference, most of the bump stuff at Loon - no problem.
Starr at Stowe (or similar)- too much speed.

As to equipment - I strongly prefer to ski bumps on my old "straight" K2 Kevlar Comps rather than my shaped skis.

Any constructive suggestions for possible improvement would be appreciated

Bumpsis:

I don't blame you for liking those K2 Kevlar Comps in the bumps; I used to compete on that very ski! They're nice in bumps.

Some advice about the ice/speed thing you describe above... At faster speeds, and in icier bumps, you'll get less control from your edges, from turning. But you can still rely on the balance and speed control you can get from proper absorption and extension. If you absorb bumps smoothly and drive your skis back into the troughs with good extension, you'll keep your skis on the snow and this will help you maintain control, even when it gets icy and steep.
Heading straight down the zipper line on steeps and ice will take some getting used to, but you can practice on gentler bumps. Try increasing your speed in bumps you find comfortable, and really work that absorption and extension. Good A&E are the bumper's best friends. Lots more about this in my book, by the way.
Good luck.
-Dan

i aggree with dan on this. Absorbtion and extention are the most important key components of speed control.
sometimes to combat extension, i also pull back my feet to get back into the BBP (Balanced body position) with the balls of my feet or toes as i'm pushing my hips way, WAY foward. I find this easier to keep your feet under your hips. Remember, your absorbtion can only be as quick as your extention and vice versa. Absorbtion comes naturally for most, it's the extension that takes more coridanition and balance. Somewhere between the A&E a turn or as mogul coaches have sometimes refered to it as a "micro edge set" is included in there
Also, a very good visual is John Smart's "Smart Mogul Skiing". i've gone through two copies over the years. It's well worth it.
That's my advice on mogul skiing. It's like chess a short time to learn, a life timem to master. get out there and get r done!

 

[JimG.]

Great stuff! Keep up the good work!

 

[SkiDork]

I got the book. I was practicing the slip and grip and quick turning drills (from the first chapter) a lot this past week. Those seemed to help me with quicker turning (duh!)

One thing I noticed - it's VERY hard to stay in the front seat (shin pressure) at all times. I've REALLY got to work hard on being more consistent with that. Also, staying tall is a big problem for me. I find myself crouching a lot.

I also tried going across the hill doing A&E. I suck at that. My timing is so crappy as to be laughable.

Every once in a while I get in a groove and am able to actually make 5 or 5 bumps in a row. But that happens so infrequently :-( The next run I usually herb it up again.

There are so MANY things that go into successful mogul skiing, if I forget just one of them it's herb city for me. And that happens most of the time. Back-seat is just so big a problem for me. And vision - I find myself staring at the mogul directly in front of me. Plus the damn crouching problem.

When I put together those 3 things I am able to zipper line for a TEENY bit.

Yesterday on Needles Eye at K, all the bumpers were out there because it was the place to be. I totally fell apart and couldn't put together 2 turns. Feh.

I'm gonna continue to work on it, though. My wife (Tyrolean Skier) thinks I'm dumb to put so much practice into becoming proficient at bumps. But I'm gonna get them some day.

 

[ozzy]

Hey dorque,
to help stay in the driving position and out of the back seat, try to pull your feet back with your forefoot(toes and balls of your feet). this gives you continuous shin pressure throughout your A&E.
Crouching can be worked on by standing tall with your chest out and a pronounced lower "C" in the small of your back. this gives your core a foundation. a coach once told be to pretend that you have eyes under your nipples and they always try to look foward or down the hill.never down at the snow.
to bad i missed you guys on needles yesterday. those bumps were fun once i was ready for it bhhy warming up on some groomers for a almost an hour or so. small soft kneebanger bumps are always a fun time.

 

[SkiDork]

Hey dorque,
to help stay in the driving position and out of the back seat, try to pull your feet back with your forefoot(toes and balls of your feet). this gives you continuous shin pressure throughout your A&E.
Crouching can be worked on by standing tall with your chest out and a pronounced lower "C" in the small of your back. this gives your core a foundation. a coach once told be to pretend that you have eyes under your nipples and they always try to look foward or down the hill.never down at the snow.
to bad i missed you guys on needles yesterday. those bumps were fun once i was ready for it bhhy warming up on some groomers for a almost an hour or so. small soft kneebanger bumps are always a fun time.

Pulling me feet back is the method I actually use to obtain shin pressure. Too bad I don't actually do it more often...

I'll try the nipple eyes tip next time.

Can't visualize the C back thing, though.

 

[ozzy]

have a strong pronounced arching lower back

 

[SkiDork]

have a strong pronounced arching lower back

sort of like sticking out the gut?