What snow conditions allow you to ski a longer day?

[cbcbd]

A post on the powder thread got me thinking... and questioning.

Now lets assume that:
-You are using the better equipment for the conditions
-You are skiing said conditions in generally accepted good style and skill - sideslipping, long traverses, straight-lining, etc don't really count
-Bumps don't count since we already know they are the most tiring and destructive to your body


What kind of snow conditions do you find it less tiring to ski in? Pick some conditions you generally ski in and compare.

 

[billski]

What kind of snow conditions do you find it less tiring to ski in?

Hmm, It's not really the snow conditions that tire me, but what I do with them. I honestly can't answer such a question, since I'll ski in any *snow* condition. If I'm in good form, I won't tire so quickly.

Bluebird, windless days are the most enjoyable from a comfort point of view.

This is very hard to write about when I'm looking at 18-24" of pow tomorrow !

 

[hardline]

it really has nothing to do with conditions. its more about how you are riding. on a great day i charge do more demanding lines so i will get tired after 4 to 5 hours. in the spring its all real laidback and im just out enjoying the good weather on the snow. there are days in midwinter where im just exploring the woods so i will be out all day. its about what your doin, not whats it doin

 

[icedtea]

i know if i end up hiking a lot for the goods through powder my day will usually be shorter... but a lot sweeter.

 

[Brewbeer]

For some reason I've found that corn snow is the least tiring.

But the one thing that has lengthened my ski day the most is taking ibuprofen I at the beginning of the ski day, and then again 4 hours later.

 

[riverc0il]

Untracked. I could ski open to close without stopping for a few days in a row for completely untracked. Like that would ever happen :lol: Essentially, when I am totally amped up about the skiing and well rested and skiing conditions I love, I ski far longer into the day with minimal if any breaks. Generally, that means there is a decent amount of untracked to be found.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Groomed Hardpack is the easiest on my legs...50,000 vert of groomers is easier than 20,000 vert of powder but I'd prefer the 20k vert of powder..it all comes down to how much snow I'm pushing around. Besides powder days..I like cooler spring days where it's fast refrozen groomers in the morning and corn snow..not quite mush in the afternoon..

 

[cbcbd]

For some reason I've found that corn snow is the least tiring.

You know, I completely forgot about corn. I think you have a point and if you think about it it makes sense - thawed and frozen and thawed corn is generally smooth and even - so not a lot of small or big leg compressions needed for adjustments. Corn is very easy to edge since you only need a small layer of it and don't need to really dig in like you would for a groomed carve - you can also skid a lot more on it and still scrub off necessary speed.
It does give a good balance between enough depth and resistance for getting an easy edge but not being too deep where you are pushing a lot of snow.
Plus, it is a far more enjoyable form of snow than groomed, IMO. Also with corn you assume that it's nice and sunny out, which helps

But yeah, I do have to agree that everyone has their favorite conditions and they will be out in it all day if the getting is good.

 

[Trekchick]

The things that impact my ski day, and lend to longevity are, social climate and sunshine.
I find that I can ski a long and intense day a whole lot easier when I'm in the company of friends and the sun is out!!!
Bluebird days ROCK!!!

 

[hardline]

yesterday because we where riding slow lifts i could have riden from 10:30 to 6 or 7 at least

 

[Skimaine]

Hard pack groomers with no ice, temps in the 20's and blue bird sky's. Slow lifts and short runs help too.