Zipper line moguls with Bobby Aldighieri

Olympian coach Bobby shows how the recreational skier can successfully ski the zipper line. Bobby also discusses the best ski choice for skiing moguls. www.skistrong.org/store/

[@jllaforce]

World cup skier and Olympian and some people's egos are so big they still give a thumbs down. Good grief.

[@yotusi8aol]

"We're gonna take this one really slow" *proceeds to ski moguls faster than I ever have*

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

HA. have fun

[@RyanDfreestyle]

This is awesome content guys! Very in-depth, yet accessible. I think reliable mogul knowledge is difficult to come by for many skiers. Keep it up!

[@LeemeSeeYaJAZZhands]

Thanks for the tips! Keeping the hips and shoulders square with the fall line was a game changer for me in the bumps. Also helpful - looking 2-3 turns ahead. This helped my flow tremendously.

[@PaulJurczak]

Kudos to Deb for steady camera work on moguls!

[@fluid164]

Loved the slow, short runs at the beginning. Those are the most helpful for us newbies! Nice work Deb!

[@brightonluke3280]

Yeah, it was great to see that as most people see the pros and think zipper lines are all as fast as they are and think it’s too scary, so seeing a slower zipper line seems less intimidating for all the non-olympians.

[@willmcgregor7184]

Great tips. I love moguls & they keep you humble 🤪wanting to improve.

[@wladimirs7166]

4:30 it's hard to be passive. Thanks! It is good to hear it once more.

[@munkeepilot]

Fantastic. Love the presentation, both in front of and behind the camera. Thank you! We’re in Steamboat for 3 weeks so hopefully I’ll run into you :-)

[@brightonluke3280]

“Uh oh he’s lost me!” Was hilarious as he turned on the speed. Excellent smooth camera work though!

[@wallstreetoneil]

I've been recovering for 3 years from a bad break + surgery / ripped all knee ligaments injury. Starting just a few weeks ago, I finally feel like I can almost get back to thinking about hitting a mogul run again now that my left foot can respond fast enough when my brain tells it to do something. There simply isn't anything better than being able to send it down the moguls. Really appreciate this video - it is helping me build towards tackling this goal mentally - my surgeon would lose her mind but life is too short not to ski moguls. My current ski is a 170 Volkl Racetiger SL 13 radius - might be a little stiff for the bumps initially so might borrow my daughter's 167 Rossignol Hero Multi Turn Carbon 14m radius and see how that works.

[@donaldfiesta8666]

Great Deb and Rob very good and entertaining 😊

[@TG-pd3ft]

That flat light makes moguls impossible for me! Also enjoyed the comedy moment at 3:27 when that geezer does a back door exit .

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

That was a hipster. Probably Antifa.

[@HS-ob3fz]

awesome tips and bobby seems like a cool dude

[@peterharris3096]

This is one of the most confidence inspiring mogul demonstrations I have watched ...Thanks

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

You are welcome! I appreciate Bobby

[@OleMartinLyng]

Ha ha ;) A bit abrupt ending. "His left me" Great videos! Snow looks great, hardly any here, and kids I teach gets training on what I call icecube

[@vanlivin3066]

Hi Bobby!! Nice to see you! Awesome skiing as always, and good tips for folks. My boys are 9 and 12 and love moguls when we can find them.

[@bobbyaldighieri5333]

Hi Justine! Sorry for the crazy late reply! Any time you're in Steamboat with the fam... let me know!

[@maurimoma4464]

Top content! Thanks 😍

[@alexthekunz]

I really enjoyed this one. I feel like the more videos I watch of yours, the better my holistic understanding of skiing becomes. I'm still new to it, but I'm getting better thanks to your videos. I appreciate that you make them!

[@ianholmquist8492]

The more i watch the more i'm like: that's not how people ski anymore

[@ocsteved]

Nice stuff Bobby!

[@sandratessem9980]

Great video

[@tinyskier6250]

that's the main problem i see when people are in the moguls - body positioning following the skis as they are turning in the moguls, which either sends them off balance or sideways ... bobby is absolutely right, square to the hill (i call it facing the hill) at all times is the most crucial element of controlled mogul skiing ... as well as ski to snow contact, absorption, steering (speed control), and most important - rhythm.

[@dianeboross6978]

Are you suggesting I pull out my old red sleds? Love how he explains everything.

[@mrslkungpowchikn1206]

Really good stuff, especially about being mindful of being early with that “new ski” just before the turn. After watching this video now i realize that my husband has been confusing me with info about skiing, and whats “faster” and “stronger” position. He kept saying it was better to ski with both edges, 2 skis, vs just the one that i was used to where you just transition from ski to ski quickly. He also got me practicing rotaing my hips and even upper body slightly more in alignment with my skis, vs just straight downhill where i was trained to keep my shoulders and upper body straight without rotating at all, kind of like a robot! Maybe i need to do some high performance lessons again after all these years and retrain myself because ive found the crud more difficult these days.

[@brendanoconnell9620]

Great video. This helped me a ton, including pulling in your side which was probably in another of the series. But...i haven't seen any videos that talk about A-framing. If you look at the technique in this video and others, each turn is a mini wedge. The turning ski doing the work but with both skis breaking at the same time. Check out videos of the great French skier from the early 90s, Grospiron. Might have started there. Even at that speed there's a wedge break check. Ski tips are planted and knees right there, while the tails spread. Racers get trained to out of it. For moguls, it seems essential. Any thoughts?

[@joem8496]

awesome video

[@daltonlis9645]

Gotta stay glued just ask Frendel🤣

[@bionicsjw]

Back in 78-79 I was on the Lake Eldora Freestyle Team. I remember a competition at Steamboat. The moguls and the aerials were on Howelsen Hill. The run in to the jump,( inverted wasn’t allowed and neither were 720s.), went through the trees. How far we’ve come since then.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

bionicsjw: Yep. Inverts weren’t allowed as we lost so many great skiers to paralysis in the mid-70’s. Great skiers mixed with booze, drugs and zero modern trampoline/air pillow/pool training lead to a lot of tragedy.

[@danblumel]

Funny, just stumbled into this video. Bobby and his (family) sister, older brother and parents were my next door neighbors in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey ~52 years ago, my family moved to Utah and they moved to Albuquerque, NM about 1970. Bobby must be 57 now, I'm almost 64.

[@danblumel]

Just spoke to Bobby on the phone a couple of hours ago, blast from the past. I prefer a GS ski about 195 cm and 65 under foot.

[@armchairsportsman4108]

fun - skiing should be fun....Deb, thats why I watch ur vids!

[@markburg3323]

Nice Bobby!

[@mattsmith1185]

Yea!!! Another mogul video!!! Someday I will be able to rip it!!! Thanks, Deb!!!!

[@markdezuba]

Thank you

[@philipwatkins8157]

Your videos are sp good I'm struggling to get work done! I learn something at every viewing - keep it up Deb! Amazing, informative & refreshing to watch. Question: I have a 50/50 piste/of-piste ski (Movement Jam) with 136/85/117 width & 15 rocker. Is this suitable/comparable for use instead of a slalom ski? I had some fun with a slalom ski last week in France (hired them) but I'm now doubting the benefits or capabilities (& hence confidence) of what I want to do in powder, with the skis I have?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

So glad you are enjoying the videos. I am not familiar with the ski you describe. The dimensions you describe are not ideal in my view. Take care.

[@dlevi67]

"Is 1[36/85/117] suitable/comparable for use instead of a slalom ski? I had some fun with a slalom ski last week in France (hired them) but I'm now doubting the benefits or capabilities (& hence confidence) of what I want to do in powder with the [136/85/117) I have?" Are you talking about suitability for moguls or for powder? (I'd also say it's not particularly suitable for either, but what to do/buy/hire next depends on where you want to go...)

[@barrygoldkind99]

I miss Norther. Great vid. P.S. My Atomic Access 100 under foot rock in the bumps.

[@garyschomberger2291]

Pure madness! 100% worth a like and subscribe!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love this. Thanks!!!

[@Tappertee2]

The best tip I ever got for skiing the moguls was using the backward bicycle pedaling move with both feet. That really drives the tips into the troughs.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks for the comment

[@Tappertee2]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong I love watching all your videos. That’s coming from a ski instructor of over 30 years.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@Tappertee2 LOVE it. Thank you

[@harrycally2565]

Her camera work there is unbelievable

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks!

[@paulwhetstone0473]

Nice tutorial.

[@rickcrispell1405]

Great instruction for moguls! Thank you Deb and Bobby. I have found practicing the Dolphin turn and finding the sweet flat spot on my skis has helped me with my mogul skiing.

[@KaloqnBankov]

Amazing stuff! Too bad our local ski resort is super small about 800 ft vertical and the moguls there are super icy cause we don't get much snow :(

[@LanceTalkington]

Great video. Curious to know more about the ski choice. He said a slalom ski would be a good choice. Do you want a ski that stiff? Also, doesn't a low turn radius(lots of shape) make it more difficult to smear your turns because the ski wants to be on edge? I'd love a recommendation for an all-mountain/on-piste ski that leans towards a mogul ski. For an aggressive skier, but not world cup.

[@bradpevans]

For me SL skis are too stiff in the shovel / too much sidecut. Softer shovels allow you to “stuff the tips” into the frontside and shed some speed

[@firegodlive]

By far your best choice is to go demo a few skis. Everyone has different preferences and styles. Most skis can hit moguls just fine. I did a day of mogul runs this past weekend on some Line Sir Francis Bacons with no issues - and they're definitely not made for that

[@normalizedaudio2481]

It's tough to stay narrow. With a big rock or tight trees on both sides, you have to deal with it. I bail sometimes.. It would be nice to see a video about these 'tight' runs. It can be hard to deal with and you have to commit.

[@marg1919]

Fantastic

[@cabinetpeyramond5064]

Very nice ski

[@Mars_Life_and_Beings]

Bobby, A puma cat from Utah showed me absorption haha. -Randy from Killington

[@rafaburdzy449]

Great video 👍

[@weirdbeard1980]

Great follow cam work!

[@tonymallis2185]

Question: Your camera work, given you were following through the bumps, was awesome. Did you use a gimbal of some sort to steady the image?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Gopro 8

[@cbrooks2767]

Is that you filming it Deb? If so, you are the best steadycam ever! Very nicely done.

[@jllaforce]

I would like to see one of these videos on hard packed/icy irregular shaped moguls like the ones we see in the east.

[@grizzkid795]

Every instuctor video Ive seen, they are on perfect snow.

[@jbosseur]

Hi Love the video, but in a bit better weather conditions with descend light would be so much better

[@MorganBrown]

I have trouble "feeling" the dolphin-type move in the bumps. It's easy to feel it on rollers or jumps. In bumps, I have trouble knowing when to absorb and when to push down.

[@bradpevans]

Absorb the front push down the back - maintaining ski to snow contact os cruicial

[@Kenny-lbaum]

When it come to skis and boots, I realized, the softer the better for moguls. I don't buy anything harder than 75 shore, which becomes more and more difficult as everyone seems to love as hard as possible.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

True, expert skiers often ski boots that are too stiff!!

[@musicmakelightning]

I liked when he said it was doable by "older" skiers. Well, I'm wondering - how old? I think I fit the bill, and I would sure love to ski bumps. Maybe only once per day. Doubt I could handle more than that. But I sure will try!

[@kevinberger3501]

Don’t worry Bobby, if you never mess up a turn it means you’re not trying hard enough 😂

[@huntspoint3442]

I used to say, if you don’t fall, you’re not trying hard enough.

[@anthonysears871]

Totally from your hips!

[@anthonyb.9336]

I am from the east, perhaps this year you can teach how to ski solid ice moguls?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I did a video last year of me skiing icy moguls. Yes, they are tricky!!!

[@zipperboy2008]

About edging, so much of the pitch creates edging.

[@Kenny-lbaum]

Nice demo - you do it slow enough, that we can see what's happening. Still I'm not sure, if it would be enough watching it. It also needs a lot of practice in the snow - right ?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Yes. we learn in so many different ways. It helps to see it. It helps to understand why we do what we do. It helps to practice it. so watch the videos and then practice if you can. take care

[@Mars_Life_and_Beings]

On the steeps, trees and crud how far can I push my stance forward.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Don't want to be forward of a balanced place balance. Don't want to be back and certainly not forward, but in balance.

[@Esperluet]

3:10 Seems slow motion

[@achiltsompanos447]

All is well and good in the video, but personaly, whenever i hit the moguls, all my plans go south after the first few bumps... Reference to Iron Mike...

[@milomirkrunic5971]

Good job.Thanks for this tipe

[@jazz19101]

Excellent video. LOL "try to stay slow" yet he is zipping by people and is probably skiing faster than 95% of the people who are watching this video. What do you mean by foot steering in order to turn? Are you just twisting your feet side to side? Are you putting all your weight on your downhill ski? What is the very first move you do to initiate a new turn? He is a great athlete and bump skier to make it look so easy.

[@Osnosis]

You foot steer (mostly) by timing your turn at the top of the bump (where the tips & tails are both released). No stemming into the top of,the bump (to slow you down)! You still ski 80/20 (downhill-outside ski/uphill-inside). Wait until the downhill foot has crested the bump; this way you don’t hook the inside ski.

[@jazz19101]

I get it now thanks but I don't think I could do it comfortably. This is the opposite of carving. Foot steer smear is a great phrase. This guy is just insanely talented, quick reflexes, strong, yet agile. I like how he talked about the skis. Because many people think 99 mm under foot is good for the moguls but it is not. Skinny skis are much better. I was demoing 99 mm under foot and telling someone my old 70 mm were much better in the moguls and they didn't believe me. Another great video by Deb and now Bobby. So cool how they are willing to convey their expert knowledge to the rest of us.

[@Osnosis]

David, slow your self down first by coming into the bump from the side. Get your continuous rhythm first, then increase the speed-always slow first! Learn to ‘get low’ (drop the center of gravity as you approach, by letting the bump compress your knees), and extend into the turn (preparing for the next bump’s compression). Stemming is the enemy in bumps (actually, almost everywhere); use angulation and counter-rotation to set your edges and preparation for the subsequent turn. Do not focus your eyes at your feet (which is a bad side-effect from stemming in the bumps).

[@jazz19101]

@@OsnosisThanks again.

[@dlevi67]

@@jazz19101 Ski width isn't everything. Torsional and longitudinal stiffness matter as much... I was skiing (the same) moguls better yesterday on a 102 than I was today on a 68, but the 102 "freeride" ski was significantly lighter and more flexible than the GS 68 mm...

[@DBscooperPoker]

You aren't using your edges much in the demonstration, so why does it matter if it is hard to get a wider ski on edge?

[@andrewgreer5778]

First. I love your videos! I’m 54 and in my second year returning to regular skiing. Of course, I tore my meniscus and acl last march, so this has been a solid rehab year. Plus side is I am really fit. Hiking, xc skiing, and lots of downhill. While feeling so fit and capable climbing in the white mountains, I am consistently running out of wind in moguls. So frustrating! Any thoughts? Thanks!!!!!

[@tallboii8467]

Moguls are easy. This video could help newbies but i say just send it and youll be fine.

[@keith2076]

But Bobby......how old is "older"? I've been wanting to learn how to "zipper" since I was a kid...and now I'm...."of a certain age"...and still want to zipper.

[@zachtbsa3791]

What resort is this at?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Steamboat colorado

[@zachtbsa3791]

Deb Armstrong I had a feeling it was steamboat. Thanks for the reply my queen.

[@jiros00]

Zip line skiing comes more naturally to those who learned skiing in the pre-carving era.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

jiros00: Out of curiosity what do you define as the pre-carving era? I suspect you must be very young and don’t know better.

[@jiros00]

@@mrsmartypants_1 That made me laugh. I'm ancient. What I mean is the era before shaped skis. Hope that helps.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

jiros00: Gotcha :)

[@roberts.2536]

It's interesting what Bobby says at 0:55 about going 80/20 foot-to-foot and not 50/50 that I often see suggested for bump skiing. Also in the "Three Mogul Fundamentals" vid he suggests getting on the uphill ski very early. Sometimes I've heard that it's a bad idea to pressure what will become the "new" downhill ski too early. Thoughts?

[@kayakutah]

This seems like a very reasonable "every man" approach to skiing bumps. You have to listen to Coach Aldighieri carefully to really absorb what his is saying and understand what he' not addressing. I'd add, if you watch world cup mogul skiers and you want to ski like them...forget it now. You can't. I can't. Even they can't (for long!). These are athletes who are young, strong, at the top of their game, the absolute best in the world, and they still blow out their knees. I'm 67 years old, have lived in Park City Utah, for 30 years, have always been an enthusiastic bump skier and get in about 90 days a year, average maybe 7000 feet vertically (about 8 to 10 runs) of dedicated bumps per day. I've never had knee problems, so my advice is only on how to ski the bumps such that you will be able to for 50 years. A couple of observations. First, everyone asks about skis and I'd absolutely agree that narrower and shorter generally are better. And modern "turny" skis even down to 14m turn radii are fine because designs allow for skids as well as carves these days. But, I'd argue boots are more important. If you are going to absorb a bump, you have to "hinge" or bend at two joints. A stiff boot with a lot of forward lean will force you to bend at the knee and at the hip. This will force you into what looks like a seated position. It will also force you to use muscle strength - especially in the quads - to maintain an upright position. Much better, in my view to have a softer, more upright boot. You'll stand up straighter and hold the weight more in your skeleton, Vs. muscles, and you'll be able to flex primarily at the ankles and knees, taking a huge amount of weight off of your quads and carrying the weight through what becomes more like a column of bone. (And good orthotics aren't a luxury. They are essential for stabilizing your foot in the boot.) This "zipper line" approach is also just one tool in a tool box of skills. You also have to be able to carve turns, and if you only use the zipper technique, you will be forced into the troughs. That is restrictive and burns through oxygen fast. You rarely see anyone using this technique, exclusively, for more than about 20 turns. Most of the time when I see people doing this, they get in 5 or 6 turns, then go out of control. You need to be able to turn where you want, when you want, not where the mountain says you need to turn. The mountain is there for YOU; you own it, not the other way around.

[@dlevi67]

I agree with everything you say except for the last sentence and a half.

[@kayakutah]

@@dlevi67 That leaves out :"...you want, not where the mountain says you need to turn. The mountain is there for YOU; you own it, not the other way around." 😉 I can live with that!

[@dlevi67]

​@@kayakutah Big thumbs up then! May you keep enjoying the mountains in good health for another 67 years!

[@kayakutah]

@@dlevi67 and may the force always be with you as well!

[@ArcFixer]

Hello. Moved to Park City in 1983 myself. Was a pretty hard core bumper in the 80s & 90s. Spent a lot of Time making laps on Thaynes back in the day. Probably saw you there. I might even know you. I ski tele gear so that might ring a bell. There weren't many tele skiers making laps on Thaynes. Still aren't. I had never seen the term "zipper line" before I saw this video. Among my friends, skiing ruthlessly down the fall line does not require a special name. We consider it the only proper way to ski for an expert. Zipper line is not a ski technique , and will not force you into the troughs. It is simply a choice of line. The most difficult line, & it is usually best skied carving high on the side of the bump, not the trough. It's the only line I would ever choose in the bumps or anywhere else. I would accept a crash before I bailed out of the fall line. I call it the bop til you drop method. But whether you carve or smear is determined by the snow conditions, not by your choice to ski the fall line ruthlessly, & can vary turn to turn. You rarely see anyone skiing the zipper line because very few skiers today have the chops. But the only valid way in my book to prove you own the mountain is to impose the zipper line upon it. Not meander around the tough spots as you suggest. There seems to be a self contradiction in your philosophy. At 67, meandering a little bit might be the right approach. But I'm 64, and I haven't got there yet. 30 years of skiing the zipper line in the bumps on tele gear has had no ill effects on my knees. The only thing that hurts my knees is skiing an alpine ski over 90mm wide. I'm definitely with you on the orthotics. Bob Shea, CEO of Surefoot Boots, made my custom orthotics when he was still working in the shop at Park City Resort in 1984. The best thing that ever happened to my skiing equipment wise. Those 36 year old orthotics are still in my ski boots. The toes are broken off because of the tele skiing, but they still work great. Unlike modern orthotics, they're made of cork and are very hard, and what's left of them will last forever. I wouldn't ski without them. Anyway, it's good to hear from a true old school Park City local, and that you're still out there shredding it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for another geezer like me still making laps in the bumps. It would be fun to ski together, I'm sure. Cheers.

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Awesome. So when you say your ‘smearing’ on the morals. What is the best waist to have to smear good ? 68, 75 ?? And if I can clarify when you are smearing you are not edgy at all ? As you mentioned ?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I ski a 68 and a 75. both smear just fine. smearing is an edging skill. it means less edge. making the movements necessary for less edge is within the edging category of skills. these movements are generated out of the ankle and lower leg. more tipping generates more edge, less tipping generates less edge. with less edge one can ski more of the bases of the ski. smearing is done by skiing more of the base of the ski and less edge of the ski. How is that? make sense? have fun out there!!!!

[@TimTheMusicMan]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong nice. Yes. Thanks.

[@ianholmquist8492]

And how is 100mm underfoot not a performance ski? This isn't 1972 anymore, folks.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

as always, it depends on the situation of course. 😊 Watch my video, skis! Time to gear up. Take care.

[@PR-rh9qm]

Great videos, and there are so many more helpful ones out there, including some with animations. As a "lifelong learner" and C- student of moguls, I would like to recommend Dan DiPiro's book (yes, an actual book), entitled Everything the Instructors Never Told You about Mogul Skiing. DiPiro was not the world-class competitor that Bobby Aldighieri and Deb Armstrong are, but he did compete nationally and teaches bump skiing on the east coast. He writes beautifully and has thought a lot about bumps. The exercises he recommends will help with those swivel turns, line selection, absorption. The "pull back" motion is barely mentioned, but it is. Look carefully. The differences between carving and steering (rotary turns) are discussed (his view is rather purist...something I can aspire to but not yet achieve). Ironically, my copy of the book, bought used but in nearly new condition, came from the library in Salida, Colorado, close to Monarch Ski Area. Probably few people read it because if you live 15 minutes away, practice can accomplish a lot!

[@kkeelty64]

It isn't that you can't ski moguls; you can't ski, and the moguls just prove it. :-)

[@grizzkid795]

Don't let that little punk beat you down!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ha

[@ayumiwaru]

What

[@geotechnicalengineer6088]

This is 'Wedeln' skiing. Change the name to mogul skiing, and pretend its new. Typical unimaginative under 60 generation thing to do.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Confused🤪

[@anthonysears871]

Ugh. Seriously? Horrible. Swishy!