Ski Technique - Lost Art Of Slushy Bumps - Tell us your mogul skiing issues?

[@BoolaBear]

I like it. It's good to see a ski school that doesn't pretend that fast mogul skiing doesn't exist.

[@blameitonben]

My main mogul issues: The resorts don't leave mogul sections on any intermediate terrain. So for me practice bump skiing, the mogul lines are on generally 40+ degree slopes. I'd love some 20-30 degree slopes to practice my moguls on vs the super steep stuff.

[@Benzknees]

The number one issue in moguls has to be speed control, leading to that feeling of the bumps coming up at you too quickly. The skis often feel 'locked' into the trough, and so cannot easily be swung sideways to scrape off speed and pivot into the next turn. Videos of experts flowing down a mogul run, saying absorb here, tilt the shovels down there, plant pole on top of this, are nice to watch, but really don't help at the speeds shown. It would be good to show a moguls noob being taken from a state of incompetence to one of reasonable control and flow.

[@section8ski]

+Benzknees Thanks Benzknees for you comment. That is something I hear from a lot of would be bump enthusiasts. Speed control mostly comes down to line and turn shape... Choosing a line that best utilizes the terrain.... but also timing of your flexion/absorbtion. Essentially resisting just enough to control your speed but not so much that you get tossed out of balance. There are a few too many variables to give a complete answer in a comment but I will definately address this in detail in the video.

[@alexsoco8777]

Benzknees you have said what I have always thought. Watching pros doesn’t help as much as I wish it could

[@jamesdunn9714]

I always try for a rounder line in slushy bumps where possible, skiing the outside of the trough. No high edge angles and a lot of steering.

[@section8ski]

Nearly there folks... It has taken much longer than anticipated but P2P2 is days away from completion. Now if we can just find those days!

[@MorganBrown]

When they get huge, with deep, hard troughs, I find my chest deviating from the fall line. It's good to see your skier do the same at times (0:32). He looks a lot smoother than me, nonetheless! When the bumps are perfectly spaced, symmetric, and not too deep, it's easy to ski like the other videos tell you. ;-)

[@section8ski]

The turns you mention in this video have some deflection across the slope so the upper body fallows the momentum. In this case keeping the toro facing directly down the fall line would get the skier over countered and locked up... the line that competition mogul skiers take keeps the momentum running nearly straight down the fall line which is why the upper body does not deviate much in that type of turn shape.

[@mihuuuu]

when skiing those bumps is it normal to go into backseat for a bunch (to damp the impacts) or are you all the time in the forward stance?

[@mihuuuu]

+mihuuuu I ask this because I started skiing this season and moguls are the funnest shit there is. However, I feel like the bumps tend to throw me around too much, leading to me tensing my quads and falling into backseat very often. Idk if this is supposed to happen but after a few runs my quads burn like hell (I'm new so it's probably a technique issue, I've never had lessons)

[@section8ski]

+mihuuuu ...It is common to get thrown out of balance in the bumps as you need to constanty be adjusting your stance to deal with the constantly changing forces. If your feet are about to hit a bump and slow down then you'll need to push them slightly ahead... on the backside of the bump the slope steepens so your feet will take off... unless you pull them back underneath you. Mobility in all your joints and precise timing is key to staying in balace in the bumps.

[@eniomatheus8956]

+Section 8 Snowsport Institute thanks for the answer! can't wait to try again next weekend

[@alexsoco8777]

One thing no one seems to mention when learning moguls, is go out and ski them. For a while I was terrible and scared of moguls mainly because I couldn’t ski them well. So, watch some videos, get some tips and go ski moguls with trial and error

[@section8ski]

Please help us complete the final bump skiing instructional video by commenting on what your biggest hurdles are when it comes to skiing bumps or moguls. We'll use your feedback when putting the final cut together... and just maybe we can solve your mogul issues;)

[@opensourcecurrency]

Oh, I don't know... Here in the East when you refer to the "Art of Slushy Bumps" we think look-ma-no-brakes tight zipper line top-to-top hops. Yeah, and hops on the deck.

[@89makiavelo]

when you down moguls you focus the force on your ski tails or on your ski tips ? Seems like you press it more on the tails.

[@section8ski]

When the tip of the ski hits the bump it starts to bend and form the arc.. the tail of the ski typically finishes the turn but my main focus is when my feet hit the bump and that balance is through the centre of the skis.

[@KaloqnBankov]

Hello, I am struggling with `absorbing` the bumps I cant avoid. I know its all about letting the knees get it all and trying to maintain your shoulders ... but sometimes I can barely do it. What would be a good drill to practice for this? I have 88 underfoot and 188 all mountain skies

[@section8ski]

By not being able to 'absorb' the bumps, do you mean you lose contact with the snow or get thrown out of balance? Good timing and range of motion in all the joints is key to being able to manage forces in the bumps... but quite often it comes down to tactics. Are you sliding sideways into the bumps or are you gripping early and using the terrain features to help steer your skis? In the later case your equipment will do some of the absorbing for you.

[@KaloqnBankov]

I am used to lean forward and my core is not really active, It is like my knees are not relaxed enough to absorb whichever bumps I miss. What would be good drills for the knees to get that muscle memory? Tnks

[@misterfunnybones]

What about those big huge ugly icy moguls in Whistler bowl after a two week bump out with no snow, then top to bottom rain event & then -10°C . ICE. I say just avoid it and give it with tuned Super GS skis on the groomers. What say you?

[@section8ski]

+misterfunnybones ... Super slushy slow bumps this time around... Ugly icy bumps coming up next!

[@MorganBrown]

@@section8ski Let's see those ugly bumps! (BTW, I like the dolphin jump video)

[@tobinleopkey1753]

Morgan Brown Maybe one day the stars will align;)

[@tinyskier6250]

lol, only way to learn moguls is ... fall 10000 times, lol ... but honestly, technique is most important, pole plants, fall line approach, body positioning (always always always facing downhill), turn shape ( i mean, you can ski the sides and tops of moguls, too), learning how to use your legs as shock absorbers just like a car and speed control (which is all about pressure and edging), but as i say .. skiing them is most important and not being afraid to push it, and yeh, sometimes you will wipe out, lol ... most people when learning go too fast in them, and are afraid to turn, do quick turning drills on baby hill runs, that will soon fix "moving your feet" problems most people have ... there are many ways to "ski" moguls, not just the zipper runs ...

[@zzebowa]

The most important thing in moguls is not to be overweight. :)

[@Zeyn1111]

Awesome technique and video! I think my biggest hurdle is strength! Even though I try to stay fit by running and exercising regularly, somehow it takes so much energy to ski big moguls continuously! I love them though, so much fun! BTW, I do not like the look of the new skiing style. I was a teen in the 80s and love the elegance of the style from those days.

[@2drsdan]

+Zeyn1111 I miss the VW bug sized bumps from back in the day. As for the energy and strength, Wall Sits. If you can work up to doing a 10 min. wall sit, you can handle any bump run with ease.

[@TheGpatters888]

Best way to get fit for skiing is to.... go skiing! Wall sits, squats and yoga will help but there's nothing like the actual activity to work all the relevant muscles. Legs harden up after about 3 to 4 weeks of skiing, probably quicker for youngsters. Of course the next issue is how to get to ski for several weeks in row. :-)

[@farnumbp]

I don’t have enough leg strength and endurance