Tips for Skiing in A White Out

[@PhoebeGrigor]

Skied for the first time in years in white out conditions on Big White the other day and it's an experience like no other - felt like I was the only one on the mountain, and I was on marked runs (not that I could tell until the flag barriers were 1m from my face)

[@stuartgray467]

Good stuff, need these tips for dear old Aotearoa NZ, land of the long white cloud.

[@JB91710]

The primary thing to focus on is hitting snow conditions that will affect your balance forward and back and especially vertically. Slamming into a bump that you didn't see coming will make you collapse at the waste same as having your skis suddenly slow down or speed up when you hit piles of snow or ice. Keeping your leg muscles loose rather than tense will help you absorb bumps in your legs rather than your waste and having an athletic body position will help catch you when the skis accelerate or slow down. Feet slightly apart with your hands in front of you. Keeping your body too far forward is much better than to far back. Your skeletal and muscular structure will resist and forward movement but if you are back, it will take a lot of effort to pull yourself forward. If you are on a slope for the first time in a white out, your pole plant will help you very little in determining the steepness of the slope. Going very slow is the best thing when you are visually and mentally skiing blind. The amount of grip your edges have when you are standing mostly erect will tell you what the steepness is. The least grip you have, the steeper it is. So you adjust your upper body down the hill and your hips into the hill to create more of a leg angle and more edging.

[@noneyagdb2756]

If below tree line, ski along edges so trees give contrast.

[@natskis]

Woudn't step 1 be "switch to your low light lens"? :)

[@section8ski]

I suppose that would be a wise tactical decision provided you have the advantage of have such equipement... and you're nice and cozy in the daylodge.... buttercup;)

[@Dubmcbogie]

@@section8skiWhat the hell kind of answer was that..? The correct equipment includes goggles that come with a low light swap out lense...and u dont need a tosty fireplace in a lodge to swap them.....cupcake.;)

[@section8ski]

@@Dubmcbogie Maybe I went too far with the buttercup comment. It was meant to be facetious, but in hindsight just looks kinda mean. Sorry natskis! If you happen have a low light lense, then I agree that is certainly optimal. If it happens to be one of those fancy ones with the magnetic attachment then it’s probably pretty easy to swap out. Most goggles however, are pretty finicky to swap out in the middle of a storm without getting moisture inside (which will cause them to fog). Regardless of your lense, in a proper white out it’s still gonna be a hard to see any sort of definition... at least it is with my crappy eyesight.

[@inquistive]

I love it that you don't wear a helmet. I think they are totally overrated. Perhaps another tip, which you do perfectly, is to keep turning and keep the rhythm, as you have to be positive. One of the worst things you can do is turn and then traverse. Keep up the good work, love your skiing.

[@djj6452]

Thanks...

[@jonsamuel4550]

Helmet?

[@section8ski]

Might help if you wipe out... Probably won't help you ski through a whiteout.

[@djj6452]

Great video’s ... do you ever fall over !

[@section8ski]

Thanks... I'm definitely not immune to the occasional face plant:)

[@djj6452]

Section 8 Snowsport Institute : all the best from Lech Voralberg.

[@NzSw4t]

This is terrible advice... Ski near rocks or a cliff line so you can see definition in the snow. Go slow and take your time especially if you don't know where you are going. Follow someone else. Sit in the backseat more (use your thighs and knees as extra 'suspension') to take the blow from unexpected mounds of crap :)

[@heladar]

NzSw4t sit in the back seat? Terrible advice. You lose control over the ski