Seeded Moguls: Yea or Nay?

[Greg]

My little local haunt is in the process of seeding some mogul runs as we speak so I have bumps on the brain. I know some of the purists hate them; while other aspiring bump skiers like me love them. So what are your thoughts on seeded bumps?

Personally, I love them. Especially at the smaller local feeder hills. Bumps left to form via skier traffic on low-angle terrain often times results in erratically spaced moguls with broad areas of scrape in between. That ain't fun. I look at seeded bumps as practice so when I get on the terrain I really love, i.e. bumpy natural snow trails on moderately steep pitches, I have the skills to truly enjoy the run. Big yea from me!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Yea, cause they're fun to ski. That pix you posted looks like a blast. Of course natural are much more technical and challenging to ski, but it's all good by me when talking about bumps.

BTW, you always have bumps on the brain. :smile:

 

[Greg]

BTW, you always have bumps on the brain. :smile:

Indeed. Just need to learn to ski them like you and Colin...

 

[jack97]

Several seasons back, I was at Crotched. They generally don’t groom under the main lift on Pluto, I was doing laps right in this section making short radius turns. Another skier was the same. After lunch, we got some med bumps going on a short stretch. However, within a couple of runs, other skiers and riders just plowed them down. I think seeded bumps are needed to protect themselves against these type skiers and riders. I don’t fault the people for trying and improving, it part of the game. But since areas have so few mogul trails, they need to preserve the lines as best they can.

 

[JimG.]

Hunter had a short (25 turn) course set up on intermediate terrain at midstation this past weekend.

I hit those lines every chance I got.

I prefer seeded bumps that are formed using stubbies as opposed to groomers.

 

[jack97]

I prefer seeded bumps that are formed using stubbies as opposed to groomers.

What are stubbies??

 

[2knees]

Jim, what are stubbies?

 

[JimG.]

Jim, what are stubbies?

Ankle high poles that are set up to make the course. You don't ski around the poles, you ski between them and the bumps form where the stubbie is set.

 

[2knees]

As far as the original question, yeah, why not. They're fun and we do ski for fun right? I know i've heard (read?) people say real bumpers can ski both. Funny how people jump to the conclusion that because someone likes seeded bumps, they somehow cant ski natural ones.

I love em both, but there is nothing more frustrating then having lines blow up 6 or 7 turns in cause everyone under the sun has skied or boarded a particular bump run into a mangled mess. At least seeded runs tend to maintain their integrity longer then ones created naturally. And as far as speed, there is no comparison. what seeded bumps may give in terms of uniform lines, its the obligation of the skier to up the ante by cranking up the speed. :smile:

 

[jack97]

.... but there is nothing more frustrating then having lines blow up 6 or 7 turns in cause everyone under the sun has skied or boarded a particular bump run into a mangled mess.

That comment just reminding me of the vid on bump tips from Miller and coach McNichols (?), around 8 minutes into the 9:40 vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qH5Cpr3Kc0

 

[Bumpsis]

I must admit to some ignorance here. So specifically, how are bumps seeded?
What comes to mind is a machine with a big ice cream scoop that plops perfect Julia Child snowy half peaches in a regular pattern. I know that's not how it's done, so please, explain.

As to preference, seeded or not, I love them all, as long as they are not icy and have some rythm to them. Quite often, especially on steeper terrain, instead of well set bumps, one can encounter something I call "wild bannanas". These are bannana shaped bumps that go sideways. They get made that way when a lot of people do long traverses across the hill rather than snake down the fall line. Of course, I'm a bit less fond of those.

I use to see it on a run at Jay called Derric Hotshot. I don't know if that name is still in use - I haven't been to Jay in years.

 

[2knees]

I must admit to some ignorance here. So specifically, how are bumps seeded?
What comes to mind is a machine with a big ice cream scoop that plops perfect Julia Child snowy half peaches in a regular pattern. I know that's not how it's done, so please, explain.

the way i'm aware of is with a snowcat. They work backwards down the hill dragging the snow with the plow and the pushing it into piles. I've skied these before they were really broken in once and it isnt much fun. I think usually they are worked over with boot packing and such before they are opened to the public.

 

[dmc]

I must admit to some ignorance here. So specifically, how are bumps seeded?

Small drawfs are imported from South America to create bumps that anyone can ski

 

[Grassi21]

Small drawfs are imported from South America to create bumps that anyone can ski

I didn't know there were different size dwarfs. I assumed they were all small. You learn something new everyday.

 

[dmc]

I didn't know there were different size dwarfs. I assumed they were all small. You learn something new everyday.

these guys are really little - more like garden gnomes...

 

[Greg]

the way i'm aware of is with a snowcat. They work backwards down the hill dragging the snow with the plow and the pushing it into piles. I've skied these before they were really broken in once and it isnt much fun. I think usually they are worked over with boot packing and such before they are opened to the public.

Often times patrol will ski them in. Here are the Nor'easter bumps Pat and I skied last year:

I think that was the day after they were made. You can see they still have a "synthetic" shape to them. Each line needs several passes by an actual skier before they ski well. Top dressing them with fresh snowmaking also helps.

 

[Grassi21]

these guys are really little - more like garden gnomes...

Are they as fierce as these guys?

http://www.newturfers.com/mwf/attac...onMutilates42MidgetsinCambodianRing-Fight.htm

Check Snopes.com for more details...


Back on topic.

the way i'm aware of is with a snowcat. They work backwards down the hill dragging the snow with the plow and the pushing it into piles. I've skied these before they were really broken in once and it isnt much fun. I think usually they are worked over with boot packing and such before they are opened to the public.

Do ski areas ever get regulars to help with that boot pack or ski them in?

 

[goldsbar]

All for them. I love the real deal but they're often impossible to find under the usual hardpacked conditions we have in the East.

 

[2knees]

Are they as fierce as these guys?

http://www.newturfers.com/mwf/attac...onMutilates42MidgetsinCambodianRing-Fight.htm

Check Snopes.com for more details...


Back on topic.



Do ski areas ever get regulars to help with that boot pack or ski them in?

not sure actually. I would think patrol does it primarily.

 

[JimG.]

not sure actually. I would think patrol does it primarily.

Patrol does not slip, shovel, or pack moguls...that's up to the bumpers who ski them.

THAT MEANS YOU!