How do you Ski a Run??

[Angus]

A comment in the thread of mountains that "ski bigger" made me think of something that may be worth discussing.

How do you all ski a run? Do you make frequent pauses and stops or do you ski straight to your next destination (e.g. a ski lift)?

Once I start, I don't like to stop - whether it's a steep or a cruiser, I like the rhythm of the turns, the feeling of freedom versus the herky jerky start-stop. I think it may also something to do with my desire for a "work-out" - if my legs are burning, I think I'm getting exercise!

For me this translates to lots of runs which makes me feel better in turns of amortizing the cost of the lift ticket!

Comments?

 

[dmc]

I look to really ride the terrain... Not just shoot down the middle...
I like to enjoy the edge of the trail... Maybe dip into the woods.... drop a rock or two...

 

[AdironRider]

I bomb pretty much everything, with little to no stops. However, usually Im with a group of people and that means more frequent stops at trail divides, etc.

 

[kcyanks1]

It really depends on the run and how many people I'm with. For a cruiser that's not obsessively long I will ski rather quickly and with few stops, especially if I'm alone. If I am faster than others I'm with I will stop more, and if I'm slower they might stop for me. If I'm with others and the trail has intersections we'll often stop at the intersections. If it's a bump run, even if alone, I generally need to stop a couple times to catch my breath.

 

[smootharc]

I'd like to think....

....a lifetime of experience.....
mixes with a current assessment of conditions....
which meets up with an assessment of how I'm feeling there and then...
which meets up with "are any cool ski chicks watching me from the lift....
which mingles with what would happen if I fell....
and then I go.

Luckily, I don't overthink things. You see, I do all of the above in the blink of an eye, superhero style. Think Wonderdog meets Eddie Munster....

 

[JimG.]

Point tips downhill.

Turn 'em or burn 'em.

Repeat.

 

[Angus]

I enjoy skiing the edges of the trails too but don't ski off - my son and I were skiing the spring and he kept telling me that I skiing off the trail (back of my skis - of course, I tell him not to imitate me). One of my best runs of the year was on the trail under the stowe gondola where I was right on the left side edge with thin snow - lots of quick turns avoid obstacles.

I've also found that as I've gotten older, my need for speed has diminished and I like to turn a lot more - I'm definitely a more controlled skiier than 15-20 years ago.

Even on bump trails, I try to keep going until a) fall b) have to stop to prevent falling or c) legs feel as though they will explode.

 

[Ski Diva]

For me, part of the enjoyment of skiing is the scenery. So I usually like to stop about half way down for a couple minutes to enjoy the view and say anything that needs to be said ("Did you get aload of......"), then continue.

 

[Greg]

It really depends on the run and how many people I'm with. For a cruiser that's not obsessively long I will ski rather quickly and with few stops, especially if I'm alone. If I am faster than others I'm with I will stop more, and if I'm slower they might stop for me. If I'm with others and the trail has intersections we'll often stop at the intersections. If it's a bump run, even if alone, I generally need to stop a couple times to catch my breath.

This is usually my approach too. I tend to make short snappy turns right along the sides of the trail. Anyone that thinks you have to link true carved turns every time would likely hate the way I ski. I've been trending towards slower and slower skiing and more turns lately, especially on the steeps. Anyone can open it up and let 'em fly on a steep run, but for me it's more satisfying to take many turns and control my speed. Like DMC, I like to ride as many changes in the terrain as possible. Shorter turns usually result in covering more slightly variable terrain which to me is more interesting. Unless I'm in the bumps where I'll usually stop more often, when skiing solo I usually stop every 800 - 1,000 vertical feet to rest and simply take in the view/plan my route. As mentioned above, when skiing with others I usually let them dictate the frequency of stops. Great thread!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Great question

I use to perfer short swing turns left or right side of the trail. Now I find myself mixing it up more. I've really learned to enjoy big GS turns. Sometimes I like to see how few turns I can take and still maintain control. Of course we're talking carving on the groomed.

I love skiing in trees, bump runs, and natural terrain. The more technical the terrain the better I like it. Of course how I ski depends alot on who I'm with.

One thing I can't tolerate is people I'm with who want to stop and chit chat. There's plenty of time for that on the chair.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

I straightline tree runs.

 

[wintersyndrome]

How I Ride

I was a skier until from 11-18 yrs
Then I tried snowboarding and loved the g-forces that came along with it, though the mechanics were difficult adjusment at first as I kept trying to land jumps like i was still skiing-unfortunatley that translates into an edge/toes/knees/chest/face plant.

What i love about snowboarding is setting up on the left hand side of the trail, being goofy-footed (right foot forward) this sets up a rider to approach that small mound of snow on the edge as I would the lip of a wave (surfing was my inspiration to try snowboarding). I love just cruising down blasting short little turns in some real "lippy" kind of trail edges,interspersed with Super-G and long carving downhill turns, Also ive developed quite a love for terrain features, dips, rocks, stumps, anything to mix it up a little.

Moguls can be fun too even on a snowboard

I like riding with with skiers/snowboarders who are better and faster than i am because it challenges me to improve.

That is how I like to ride...

See you in December

 

[SkiDork]

I look to really ride the terrain... Not just shoot down the middle...
I like to enjoy the edge of the trail... Maybe dip into the woods.... drop a rock or two...

What he said... In a big way...

 

[JimG.]

I straightline tree runs.

A man after my own heart.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I straightline tree runs.

A man after my own heart.

Hmmmm.....these quotes got me thinkin of something for next season, but it's too far off so I'll bide my time.

 

[NYDrew]

I tend to only stop if I'm with other people, in in those cases, i stop at intersections so we dont get separated.

Otherwise, I just ski. Turn em, burn em, what ever im in the mood for.

 

[Sky]

Wow...this isn't helping "get over" the end of ski season at all.

But for me...it all depends. Stopping to chat is RIGHT OUT! But stopping to snap a photo is OK. Stopping to check clearance (no boddies below) on a headwall is legit. Wide carving turns when there's no crowd..or quicker turns under the lift...and burnin it up as always an option.

As for "How I ski a trail"...I usually do a recon on the first run. Burn it later.

 

[dmc]

I find myself stopping to chat with friends early in the season and late in the season..

Mid-season I go rougue... Just ride and meet up with people that I know a various points of the day "Hey JimG whats up!?!?!?!"... If there's a lot of chatting going on, I just blow past the chatting knolls or don't stop at all... JimG does that too... HE has no tolerence for chatting and has blown me off many times

But lately I just enjoy doing top to bottom runs until i get tired...

 

[redalienx11]

I take my time and work the sides of the trails. I duck behind a tree here or there and enjoy working the edge that the grommer creates (ln the rare occasion I'm on a groomer). I stop every once in a while to let tailgaters pass me, catch my breath, and enjoy the view.

 

[JimG.]

I find myself stopping to chat with friends early in the season and late in the season..

Mid-season I go rougue... Just ride and meet up with people that I know a various points of the day "Hey JimG whats up!?!?!?!"... If there's a lot of chatting going on, I just blow past the chatting knolls or don't stop at all... JimG does that too... HE has no tolerence for chatting and has blown me off many times

But lately I just enjoy doing top to bottom runs until i get tired...

I blame my kids...they get pissed at me if I stop too long.