Skiing bumps the Zen way

[highpeaksdrifter]

Like flowing water is to pebbles in a shallow stream so you, grasshopper, must be to moguls. As you come up to each bump, absorb, control, balance, slip....flow down the fall line.

Many people try to do too much, too soon in each turn, and way too much edge. As a result a very herky jerky look to the run.

Comments?

 

[Greg]

Comments?

Don't quit your day job....

Seriously though, sort of embracing the fall line, while absorbing and extending is definitely the key. I think beginner bump skiers are simply afraid of going too fast and tend to really carve in the bumps (too much edge as you say). I still do this quit a bit. You need to push past that comfort zone in terms of speed and really rely on A&E to control speed. Easier said than done. I'm getting there though. It's all about the miles....

 

[riverc0il]

i read a lot of eastern philosophy. specifically taoist writings but i have dabbled in zen budhism and the like. no one philosophical perspective ever got things right, zen is no different.

my own approach to skiing is much like my approach to life... a mesh between the nietzsche will to power and taoist approach of wu wei (effortless action, essentially). the doing of great things requires bringing an extraordinary sense of will, purpose, and talent to the table. but you can't force the proverbial square peg into the round hole. so there is a balance between strong willed work ethic and letting the turns happen as they naturally should. they never will happen naturally without that first over powering will to increase technique. skiing done correctly is a beautiful thing to watch and behold, but it is never completely effortless. several people have commented on how smooth my turns usually are, but i am constantly working each turn to a superior degree. when it feels right, it feels right and it feels good... but it isn't zen. it is knowing when and how to utilize the right technique to work with the terrain and produce the desired results. that about sums up all of skiing, let alone bumps.

 

[SkiDork]

the few times I've ever had any sort of rhythm in the bumps. this is what I _felt_...

I was sort of like making a quick little "hop" onto the bump in front of me.

Not sure if that makes any sense,,,, But at the time it did to me...


FWIW....

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

the few times I've ever had any sort of rhythm in the bumps. this is what I _felt_...

I was sort of like making a quick little "hop" onto the bump in front of me.

Not sure if that makes any sense,,,, But at the time it did to me...


FWIW....

U either bangin the sides or popin the tops. Both work.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

i read a lot of eastern philosophy. specifically taoist writings but i have dabbled in zen budhism and the like. no one philosophical perspective ever got things right, zen is no different.

my own approach to skiing is much like my approach to life... a mesh between the nietzsche will to power and taoist approach of wu wei (effortless action, essentially). the doing of great things requires bringing an extraordinary sense of will, purpose, and talent to the table. but you can't force the proverbial square peg into the round hole. so there is a balance between strong willed work ethic and letting the turns happen as they naturally should. they never will happen naturally without that first over powering will to increase technique. skiing done correctly is a beautiful thing to watch and behold, but it is never completely effortless. several people have commented on how smooth my turns usually are, but i am constantly working each turn to a superior degree. when it feels right, it feels right and it feels good... but it isn't zen. it is knowing when and how to utilize the right technique to work with the terrain and produce the desired results. that about sums up all of skiing, let alone bumps.

U a deep thinker Oil. I never really give alot of thought to what I'm doing when I'm skiing. I just do it and it all seems to come out OK.

 

[riverc0il]

i don't think too much when i am actually skiing. freedom from thought is a good thing. i am just reflecting and thinking it out while i am sitting here.

 

[2knees]

Like flowing water is to pebbles in a shallow stream so you, grasshopper, must be to moguls. As you come up to each bump, absorb, control, balance, slip....flow down the fall line.

Many people try to do too much, too soon in each turn, and way too much edge. As a result a very herky jerky look to the run.

Comments?

old chinese proverb says man who runs through turnstile Bangkok.


In bumps, dont listen to everyone and anyone. You'll KNOW whats right for you. Funny thing about bump skiing is that everyone has opinions, but few know what the hell actually works.

That being said, keep your weight forward, hands forward, dont crouch, keep your speed up, absorb, dont edge too much, look down the fall line, keep a silent upper body, skis together, shin pressure, light pole plants....................

those are the internet bump technique cliches. lol.

Greg is right in that repetition and practice are the most important things.

 

[dmc]

I ski bumps best when I'm agressive on the falline.
It makes for horrible crashes..

 

[kingslug]

For some reason I ski bumps way better out west than here. I think the lack of ice is key. It's fun th blast through them rather than bounce over them. Problem out west is the length of the runs, as in forever. Jackson especialy.