Mogul Technique?

[Nancy]

Okay, first let's just say, I have none! :lol:

But I did do some moguls last week--my real first time--and was sharing my experience exhuberently with a VERY experienced skier/instructor/friend. I told him to get around the mogul (not over) I had to lift one foot to facilitate the turns. He said that was wrong, that I should use my legs like shock absorbers to absorb the terrain. Okay, I can see that if I'm going over the moguls, but if I'm going around them, I couldn't quite grasp his analogy of the shock absorbers.

I had such fun on these runs and was so proud--and now I'm wondering if I'm learning bad technique?

Any tips to share, oh wise and more experienced mogulers? Thank you!

 

[KevinF]

He's right -- do NOT lift a foot in bump runs. Both feet down, knees acting as shock absorbers just like he said. Even if you're going around the bumps, it still isn't a smooth ride -- it's a little smoother then going over the tops of each one, but not by much. Truthfully when I'm skiing bumps well, I don't even know if I go over the tops or around -- it's all just snow, and I just turn wherever I need to.

If you're picking up a ski, then that's an indication that you're still stemming your turns -- i.e., you pick up one ski to get it out of the way of the other ski which you are probably about to rotate as quickly as possible. You need to develop a smoooooooottttthhhhhhhh parallel turn entry. Do you do the "pick one ski up" thing on groomed slopes as well? If you're about to say "NO !", then try to find a way to get yourself video'ed or really pay close attention to what your feet are doing on groomers. Offhand, I can't think of a single normal skiing situation where picking a ski up is the right thing to do (assuming you're not trying to get air).

 

[Nancy]

Hey Kevin, thanks for the reply. Nope, don't do the 'pick one ski up' on the groomers...just did it on the moguls. Weird! I agree with the video suggestion-hoping to get that soon! Just hope my ego can take it: I know my skiing will benefit from it!

 

[JohnL]

Truthfully when I'm skiing bumps well, I don't even know if I go over the tops or around -- it's all just snow, and I just turn wherever I need to.

Nice point. To take your point even further: For some out of the box thinking for advanced skiers, how about turning where you want to in moguls, not where you need to? This will require some athleticism, controlled air, and an ignorance of where others have skied. (I.e., stay out of the troughs.)

Competitive mogul skiers will probably disagree with the above point, but free skiers may not.

 

[skibum1321]

Keep your shoulders square to the fall line and keep your hands out front. Always plant your poles to facilitate this. The easiest way to find yourself in the backseat is by not planting a pole.

Also, there is a thread somewhere back there about Dan Dipiro's book about bump skiing, but I'm too lazy to look for it. I haven't read it but it's supposed to be good.

 

[bvibert]

As skibum1321 said, check out the thread titled: "Everything the Instructors Never Told You About Mogul Skiing" and the book of the same name by Dan DiPiro. Its a very good read and well worth the $11 IMHO

 

[JimG.]

As skibum1321 said, check out the thread titled: "Everything the Instructors Never Told You About Mogul Skiing" and the book by the same name by Dan DiPiro. Its a very good read and well worth the $11 IMHO

Nancy, this book is the bumper's bible. Covers all the bases.

 

[Sky]

Nancy, 1) Congrats on your experience. Certainly technique is important, but in my ignorant but supportive (parent-like) voice and perspective....it certainly has to feel good to have had a positive experience vs a lousy one...nes pas?

2) The Mogul book mentioned above is supposed to be the deal. As a non-bumper (yet), and a recent purchaser/reader of the book...I'm hopeful that I will enjoy a success similar to yours. I offer you one other book. The All Mountain Skier. It discusses a complete "Toolbox" of skiing skills, then utilizes that terminology for the variuos skiing conditions you encounter on the slopes...to include moguls.

I would think (not to put words in other posters' mouths) that most folks posting in here on this topic would support Dan Dipiro's approach (and book). I'm just giving you a divergent/minority opinion so you can chose your path.

Again, congrats on the positive experience. Hope you progress successfully.

 

[Nancy]

Wow, thanks for all the information! I'll put these books on my Christmas list and maybe Santa will put one (or both!) in my stocking! And if not, there's always Amazon.com!

I did some research on 'stemming' and I think I do that on steeper terrain or when I'm less certain about my turns, so that could explain why it was easier for me to pick up that ski to turn in the bumps.

And Sky521, it absolutely felt great to get through that mogul field, NOT fall (let alone have a yard sale-yikes!) and have my family say, "wow, you did it!" I just beamed and said, "Not bad for an old broad! Now let's go do it again!" Whee!

 

[JimG.]

Truthfully when I'm skiing bumps well, I don't even know if I go over the tops or around -- it's all just snow, and I just turn wherever I need to.

Nice point. To take your point even further: For some out of the box thinking for advanced skiers, how about turning where you want to in moguls, not where you need to? This will require some athleticism, controlled air, and an ignorance of where others have skied. (I.e., stay out of the troughs.)

Competitive mogul skiers will probably disagree with the above point, but free skiers may not.

Competitive bumpers will certainly agree..."trough hopping" is a skill addressed at length in Dan's book.