Everything the Instructors Never Told You About Mogul Skiing

[JimG.]

P.S....

Jim,
Nice pics. #3 is looking especially good.

-Dan D

Thanks Dan! Pic# 3 is my screensaver. I'm a big believer in using visualization techniques and that shot does my brain good.

what kind of skis are those? The tops have some pretty wild graphics. Can't place them...

Dynastar Candides...pretty old too. I bought a pair of Dynastar Concept 178's 5 years ago and absolutely loved them. Turned out that this was the same ski as the Candide which was from one season prior. So, I went onto Ebay and found a pair of the Candides (couldn't get the Concept 178 anymore) real cheap. They were brand new, still in the wrapper. This is my second season on them.

 

[JimG.]

I've also found that sometimes stills don't do a skier's technique full justice. One little bobble, or a split second where the skier's skis splay apart and you can easily look like an intermediate. Considering the fact that in this series of pics, Jim looks very controlled and confident in all four, likely taken only seconds apart, it speaks highly of his form. At least on that run...

So true...I've seen more than my share of HORRIBLE pics taken of me. Like Dan said, for every good one there are about 100 losers.

 

[dipiro]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition in the rain. Could be a little tough as I stand at the top of the course all day getting the kids ready for their runs. I'll wear waterproof layers and bring multiple pairs of gloves. See if I can stay dry. Maybe, at least, the snow will soften and ski well in the rain. Or maybe the weathermen will be wrong!

-Dan D.

 

[SkiDork]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition in the rain. Could be a little tough as I stand at the top of the course all day getting the kids ready for their runs. I'll wear waterproof layers and bring multiple pairs of gloves. See if I can stay dry. Maybe, at least, the snow will soften and ski well in the rain. Or maybe the weathermen will be wrong!

-Dan D.

Dan, what is the age range of the kids on the team?

My son is 8, he's done 2 years with the K Alpine Racing hopefuls and is now in his first year of freestyle hopefuls. I'm just wondering at what age they actually start competing on freestyle...

 

[dipiro]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition...

Dan, what is the age range of the kids on the team? My son is 8, he's done 2 years with the K Alpine Racing hopefuls and is now in his first year of freestyle hopefuls. I'm just wondering at what age they actually start competing on freestyle...

SkiDork,

I believe he could start competing next season, at 9 years, but most Eastern Qualifying Series (EQS) competitors seem to be between 10-14 years.

You've got a good program over there at Killington. Matt Gnoza and his crew held a great B-level (EQS) season opener in December.

-Dan D.

 

[JimG.]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition in the rain. Could be a little tough as I stand at the top of the course all day getting the kids ready for their runs. I'll wear waterproof layers and bring multiple pairs of gloves. See if I can stay dry. Maybe, at least, the snow will soften and ski well in the rain. Or maybe the weathermen will be wrong!

-Dan D.

I know misery loves company, but it's near impossible to be miserable skiing. I'll be out there Saturday looking for rain soaked but probably soft lines to ski. I don't envy you having to stand at the top of a bump course watching instead of skiing, but getting soaked all the same.

But enjoy it anyway!

 

[bvibert]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition in the rain. Could be a little tough as I stand at the top of the course all day getting the kids ready for their runs. I'll wear waterproof layers and bring multiple pairs of gloves. See if I can stay dry. Maybe, at least, the snow will soften and ski well in the rain. Or maybe the weathermen will be wrong!

-Dan D.

I know misery loves company, but it's near impossible to be miserable skiing. I'll be out there Saturday looking for rain soaked but probably soft lines to ski. I don't envy you having to stand at the top of a bump course watching instead of skiing, but getting soaked all the same.

But enjoy it anyway!

If it makes you feel any better I'll be stuck working the bottom of a lift in CT for 9 hours in the rain on Saturday...

 

[Marc]

Well, I'm off to Sunday River tonight with the Waterville team for a Saturday mogul competition in the rain. Could be a little tough as I stand at the top of the course all day getting the kids ready for their runs. I'll wear waterproof layers and bring multiple pairs of gloves. See if I can stay dry. Maybe, at least, the snow will soften and ski well in the rain. Or maybe the weathermen will be wrong!

-Dan D.

I know misery loves company, but it's near impossible to be miserable skiing. I'll be out there Saturday looking for rain soaked but probably soft lines to ski. I don't envy you having to stand at the top of a bump course watching instead of skiing, but getting soaked all the same.

But enjoy it anyway!

If it makes you feel any better I'll be stuck working the bottom of a lift in CT for 9 hours in the rain on Saturday...

If it makes any of you guys feel better, I got much worse to do tomorrow...


I'm going to spend the whole day... um... drinking beer and watching football.



Ok, that's not nearly as bad as it first sounded. Nevermind then.

:dunce:

 

[Sky]

Ok, that's not nearly as bad as it first sounded. Nevermind then.

:dunce:

I really think your missing an opportunity by NOT being on our race team @ Wa pal. Too funny!

 

[dipiro]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

 

[JimG.]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

I'm practicing on rock hard ice bumps just in case :lol: .

 

[dipiro]

I'm practicing on rock hard ice bumps just in case :lol: .

Always a wise move when planning a trip to Cannon.
-dd

 

[Greg]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

I'm practicing on rock hard ice bumps just in case :lol: .

Seriously though - forcing yourself to ski an icey bump run over and over can really help you improve. Plus it makes those days you score some hero bumps that much sweeter!

 

[JimG.]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

I'm practicing on rock hard ice bumps just in case :lol: .

Seriously though - forcing yourself to ski an icey bump run over and over can really help you improve. Plus it makes those days you score some hero bumps that much sweeter!

Wow Greg, you know you're starting to sound like a tried and true bumper.

 

[Greg]

tried and true bumper.

Someday maybe. Looking forward to riding the new boards through some bumps...maybe Sunday!

 

[dipiro]

tried and true bumper.

Someday maybe. Looking forward to riding the new boards through some bumps...maybe Sunday!

New boards? What'd you buy, Greg?
-dd

 

[JimG.]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

Ooops, forgot to mention that my 9 year old son Peter will be joining us. He's an aspiring ripper and skis everything.

I think we should have no trouble keeping up with him.

 

[Greg]

tried and true bumper.

Someday maybe. Looking forward to riding the new boards through some bumps...maybe Sunday!

New boards? What'd you buy, Greg?
-dd

05/06 Volkl Unlimited AC3 in 170 cm. Not a mogul ski by any means, but hopefully a decent compromise for skiing bumps, crud, trees and groomers. I've been on 02 K2 Axis X Pros in 182 cm which are stiff and heavy and probably not a great choice for bumps.

 

[Marc]

Balls. I'd be there Fri if I could but our annual Kick Off meeting is the 10th. I'm not really allowed to miss.


Unless you want to write me a note...?

 

[awf170]

So, who'll be skiing Cannon on February 10th? I know JimG will be there. If we're lucky, we'll have a few soft bumps to ski.

-Dan DiPiro

I might be there, but I hate bumps...