Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !
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Started by Pavelski in Ski Technique 21-Mar-2012 - 24 Replies
Verbier_ski_bum
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Another reason for few skiers on top level runs by 13h is that most skiers start moving to sunny terraces and not always because they can't ski the slushy bumps. This week it's still good though as freezing level stays 'reasonable" at 2200-2400m but when it starts pushing back to 3000m next week terraces will become busier than slopes again from noon. People who chose this week for their holidays got it right. Lets see what Easter brings.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 24-Mar-2012
Pavelski
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Verbier Ski Bum,
Spring skiing is so short and is so wonderful that most "good skiers" want to get most from "Spring Experience" ! They can tan any time during Summer !
Those "slushy bumps" do not exist higher up !
Why you ask ?
There is a pattern to how skiers at various levels ski! Those "slushy bumps" are created by skiers who want to slow down, who want to make quick "windshield wiper"turns! Thus pushing snow to side! If you look to the sides,,,the edges of the trail, no "bumps" there !
Now go higher up,,to steeper runs and look at the "lines" of the skiers who passed by ! Very different !
Why pay for a lift ticket to get a sun tan near a resto ?
Still skiing Spring snow and at 3 pm few skiers on slopes!
Spring skiing is so short and is so wonderful that most "good skiers" want to get most from "Spring Experience" ! They can tan any time during Summer !
Those "slushy bumps" do not exist higher up !
Why you ask ?
There is a pattern to how skiers at various levels ski! Those "slushy bumps" are created by skiers who want to slow down, who want to make quick "windshield wiper"turns! Thus pushing snow to side! If you look to the sides,,,the edges of the trail, no "bumps" there !
Now go higher up,,to steeper runs and look at the "lines" of the skiers who passed by ! Very different !
Why pay for a lift ticket to get a sun tan near a resto ?
Still skiing Spring snow and at 3 pm few skiers on slopes!
Edited 1 time. Last update at 24-Mar-2012
Scapula
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Thats uncanny Pavelski that you mention this ...
I was skiing today and was noticing exactly the things you describe.. the flat edges of the piste and the slushy bumps in the middle (ideal for bouncing off and turning while your weight is off your skis!)
Also higher up, the black runs are deserted after lunch and in much better condition but also easier to ski the "wear pattern" is much more uniform.
I am really quite enjoying the spring and its becoming easier to ski as I adapt the techniques you have outlined in other spring skiing posts.
Thankyou for your insights
I was skiing today and was noticing exactly the things you describe.. the flat edges of the piste and the slushy bumps in the middle (ideal for bouncing off and turning while your weight is off your skis!)
Also higher up, the black runs are deserted after lunch and in much better condition but also easier to ski the "wear pattern" is much more uniform.
I am really quite enjoying the spring and its becoming easier to ski as I adapt the techniques you have outlined in other spring skiing posts.
Thankyou for your insights
its all going rapidly downhill!
Edited 1 time. Last update at 24-Mar-2012
Twofish
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Only been skiing for three years so my earlier point was.......the red from Aberg to Hintermoos mid-afternoon was practically a 2km mogul run. Hard work.....but great experience for me and my 'buddy' to get down unscathed.
The girls in our party enjoyed the afternoon sunshine, but I saw it as a new test of my ability.
I enjoy the last hour of sunshine from 4pm-5pm with a beer or two in my hand.
The girls in our party enjoyed the afternoon sunshine, but I saw it as a new test of my ability.
I enjoy the last hour of sunshine from 4pm-5pm with a beer or two in my hand.
OldAndy
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Agree with Pavel and pleased to have my thoughts followed by Scapula.
In spring conditions the blacks are often in a much more skiable condition that the reds next door.
I find the most troublesome bits are any bottlenecks where skiers congregate. For me I don't have the precision in very soft snow that I have on firmer pistes and find it harder to ski slower and avoid others. Bit of a catch 22 ....
Slush/melting snow needs a degree of comittment and speed to both power through the lumps and to enjoy it and when the piste gets narrow and/or crowded I find it harder to navigate through/past other skiers with a sense of control and safety that is there on firm pistes.
But I do enjoy spring skiing :thumbup:
In spring conditions the blacks are often in a much more skiable condition that the reds next door.
I find the most troublesome bits are any bottlenecks where skiers congregate. For me I don't have the precision in very soft snow that I have on firmer pistes and find it harder to ski slower and avoid others. Bit of a catch 22 ....
Slush/melting snow needs a degree of comittment and speed to both power through the lumps and to enjoy it and when the piste gets narrow and/or crowded I find it harder to navigate through/past other skiers with a sense of control and safety that is there on firm pistes.
But I do enjoy spring skiing :thumbup:
www
Snow dance !!! my snow dance on youtube
Dave Mac
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
A couple of points on spring snow.
Ski right on the edge of the run. This is an area that many skiers avoid, hence the snow and terrain level remain in the best relative condition.
And then, if you can do it, or are prepared to try it, instead of trying to power through the turns, hence taking the slush hits on your knees, ~ try downward unweighting.
Approaching a turn, sit down and forward, plant the stick near to the tip of the ski, make the transition with the knees, and then push the skis away round the turn.
The main advantage is that the turn is more fluid, and there is very little shock ~ because by pushing the skis away, you are controlling the pressure onto the snow.
Ski right on the edge of the run. This is an area that many skiers avoid, hence the snow and terrain level remain in the best relative condition.
And then, if you can do it, or are prepared to try it, instead of trying to power through the turns, hence taking the slush hits on your knees, ~ try downward unweighting.
Approaching a turn, sit down and forward, plant the stick near to the tip of the ski, make the transition with the knees, and then push the skis away round the turn.
The main advantage is that the turn is more fluid, and there is very little shock ~ because by pushing the skis away, you are controlling the pressure onto the snow.
Pavelski
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Dave Mac,
Again some "pearls" of wisdom ! Your post made me think of another sport,,,windsurfing !
In high high winds you must learn not to fight the wind by adjusting the sail angle,,,,,very much like adjusting the ski angle to allow flow of ski!
That is the result of "experience" !
Adjusting the ski angle or adjusting the sail angle comes from hours of "practice"!
Happy Spring skiing !
Again some "pearls" of wisdom ! Your post made me think of another sport,,,windsurfing !
In high high winds you must learn not to fight the wind by adjusting the sail angle,,,,,very much like adjusting the ski angle to allow flow of ski!
That is the result of "experience" !
Adjusting the ski angle or adjusting the sail angle comes from hours of "practice"!
Happy Spring skiing !
Tony_H
reply to 'Why Spring Skiing makes you a better skier !' posted Mar-2012
Dave Mac wrote:
Ski right on the edge of the run
Nearly always do irrespective of the time of year
Topic last updated on 21-September-2012 at 11:55