Is skiing fast on groomers something to brag about?

[ctenidae]

I'm pretty sure there's an inverse relationship between bragging and skill levels.

Neither groomers nor bumps take any special level of skill to do, but both require skill to do well. A bumper doesn't do groomed, and a groomer doesn't do bumps, unless they're a double threat, and do have both skills.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

The best thing to be is an all mountain skier..an all mountain skier who skis fast and in control..

 

[mattchuck2]

I'm pretty sure there's an inverse relationship between bragging and skill levels.

Neither groomers nor bumps take any special level of skill to do, but both require skill to do well. A bumper doesn't do groomed, and a groomer doesn't do bumps, unless they're a double threat, and do have both skills.

It's not bragging if you can back it up. . .

On the original topic, though, going fast on groomers is nothing to brag about. By going fast, I assume you mean what the majority of people do, which is bomb down with little to no control and questionable turning ability (sometimes in the peculiar tuck/wedge combo). That DEFINITELY is nothing to brag about. Ex-racers, carving fanatics, high level instructors going fast on groomers (usually in control, just cranking out badass turns on badass equipment) is better, but I still wouldn't "brag" about it. There's a lot more sense of accomplishment to look back up at a couloir (or even a steep bump pitch) and say "Yeah, I just skied that". I can't remember ever doing that for a groomer.

 

[bobbutts]

Skiing fast on a groomer, in and of itself, doesn't take any special skill. Lord knows I've straightlined a couple groomers in my time; i.e., going way too fast for my actual ability.

Skiing fast on a groomer while making truly round turns (not even necessarily railroad-tracked) -- now that takes some skill. It certainly takes much pressure-management and edge-control than the vast majority of skiers out there possess.

I think the reason most people ski fast on groomers is because they don't have the skill set to not ski fast. Speed up, slam the brakes, speed up, slam the brakes, speed up, slam the brakes, the whole way down the hill. No speed control, no direction control, just a menace to themselves and everybody around them.

Hah, that was my style as a teen-ager. Down the groomed cruisers at Loon. Skill set of balls and ability to stop. I didn't cause any harm to myself and others though, and eventually gained *some* skill doing it.