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October, 2024

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Building the perfect back country jump. A n00bs how to guide.

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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
There are always a ton of threads asking for tips to build jumps. I was thinking that a "how to" guide might be helpful.

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Hope this makes your next crunk session epic.
Oct 24 2013 11:49PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
A for effort and info for sure.



But if you have no idea how to build a jump in the first place. Stay our of the back and side country. Go build one somewhere else.
Oct 24 2013 11:59PM
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Michael_Thatcher
Posts: 523 - Karma: 3,469
Awesome Guide, Very well done!
Oct 25 2013 12:09AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
I think he meant that n00bs should not build off piste. I get wear he's coming from, but if you don't try it, you won't get better. If you are building a quasi urban jump somewhere, the methods are the same.
Oct 25 2013 12:20AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
This.

Do it right. Learn it. Safe.

Don't gong up the BC with your shi jump and lack of smarts and kick a slide down and kill me. Thats all Im saying
Oct 25 2013 12:29AM
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geist
Posts: 493 - Karma: 984
i like it. decent tutorial
Oct 25 2013 7:18AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,067
when in doubt build it bigger :)
Oct 25 2013 8:59AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Ideally, anyone going into the back country should take an avalanche safety course, dig some pits and learn about snowpack. It helps you read terrain and conditions, which will help with your building. It's worth the time and effort.
Oct 25 2013 10:14AM
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Faction
Posts: 336 - Karma: 15,897
Great things in there
Oct 25 2013 10:38AM
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skicowboy
Posts: 775 - Karma: 873
Example of your stepover when I was learning dub back: https://vimeo.com/33850262
Oct 25 2013 11:40AM
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FigNewton
Posts: 2459 - Karma: 5,783
I will be using this, this winter. Thank You Sir
Oct 25 2013 11:51AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Zactly. You guys built the lip on the front side. Can't tell you how many times I have seen a natural roller like that and someone has built a kicker right at the top. This makes it so much harder to land on the sweet spot of the landing hill. You still had plenty of hill left.

Nice floaty dub BTW.
Oct 25 2013 11:52AM
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cgoal_in
Posts: 89 - Karma: 366
thank you
Oct 25 2013 12:04PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Great guide.
Oct 25 2013 1:21PM
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original
Posts: 377 - Karma: 877
Amazing guide! Looks like you put a lot of work into making this, thanks
Oct 25 2013 1:38PM
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BBurt
Posts: 1588 - Karma: 3,779
Threads
Oct 25 2013 1:40PM
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Tonetti.
Posts: 733 - Karma: 1,311
Lol at bringing the scope shovel into the backcountry. You can build a jump with an avy shovel so easily if you brick out the snow.
Oct 25 2013 1:59PM
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Hughes
Posts: 1023 - Karma: 940
that was a beautiful dub, but imo the kicker looks a tad flat...
Oct 25 2013 2:01PM
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norgeanders
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 367
I like it, I've built many jumps but this just makes you remember the basics of the foundation, location and whatnot, quality thread right here I know a lot of kids who can't build jumps at all they don't even know where to start
Oct 25 2013 2:21PM
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White_raven
Posts: 211 - Karma: -62
Pros of step-downs:

* Less snow and building effort needed for the amount of air time compared to a stepover jump. A lip might be enough.
* They can be built almost everywhere. A stepover jump spot with right dimensions and abilities to get enough speed is rare.
* Almost no speed needed in many situations = less hike and more comfortably for take off. Stepover jumps require high speed in an often bumpy inrun why its harder taking off switch etc.
* Its badass with step downs :)


Downs of step-downs:

* Fast speed in landings.
* It might be more impact in landings.
* Very different feeling in air compared to park jumps why it might be more difficult taking park -> backcountry.
Oct 25 2013 2:24PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,067
How is there less snow building a step down than a stepover? A step down you're building a stand alone kicker on a flat pitch. A step over you already have the transition of the roll to work with witch can be 90% of the jump depending on the area you have to work with.

Some hills already have the perfect tranny you just need to pull it up a little and give it a nice lip to soar over the thing.
Oct 25 2013 3:13PM
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E2W13
Posts: 155 - Karma: 997
threads
Oct 25 2013 3:43PM
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CART.__.
Posts: 848 - Karma: 597
threads
Oct 25 2013 5:51PM
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luc
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 607
A
Oct 25 2013 7:16PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,820
holy shit you did a killer job on this guide. great work.
Oct 25 2013 10:31PM
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k3ndall.goodman
Posts: 224 - Karma: 666
great guide. should be very helpful
Oct 25 2013 11:02PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
That's a pretty big honor coming from you. Thx.
Oct 25 2013 11:43PM
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Laughterbang
Posts: 215 - Karma: 728
Threads
Oct 26 2013 1:29AM
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ZeechMcHuck
Posts: 456 - Karma: 579

thank you Mr. Huck.  I will take your knowledge to the backcountry with me and hopefully not fuck up

also threads

Oct 26 2013 1:36AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
Epic thread!
Oct 26 2013 9:52AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Here's another tip for getting your angles right.

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Oct 26 2013 1:38PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Another reason that the ski pole is really helpful is it helps you figure out if your jump is level. You should be able to side step up the jump and side slip back down in the direction that the pole is pointing. If your skis aren't perpendicular to the pole, your jump isn't level. In order to go in the direction you want, you will have to be carving. If you are carving in, you need to factor in that it may sap some of your speed, especially if your jump isn't really solid.
Oct 26 2013 1:45PM
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mcarmazzi
Posts: 431 - Karma: 708
Threads thanks yeeee
Oct 26 2013 2:16PM
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,201
this gives my approval rating

noobs it should be simple; find the tranny
Oct 26 2013 2:38PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
Threads for sure
Oct 26 2013 3:27PM
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danica
Posts: 49 - Karma: 594
Thanks. +k for sure
Oct 26 2013 10:07PM
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-Robert
Posts: 2000 - Karma: 1,491
Where is that!
Oct 27 2013 5:21PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
yeah no

I'm calling you out on this one

knowledge about building a jump in the backcountry has nothing to do with backcountry safety
there isnt an AIARE certified jump building course.

so while I really appreciate your effort to try and look more wise than everyone else, please just fuck off
Oct 27 2013 5:55PM
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Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,814
Wow. Tons of solid info here. Can't say there's any substitute for experience, but I sure wish I'd read this when I was 12.
Oct 27 2013 6:56PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
Thanks Brotha. That's what was behind it. We all build or built jumps as kids. I was hoping to save the youngsters a few self inflicted beatings caused by bad jumps.
Oct 27 2013 7:21PM
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jkauffman22
Posts: 2592 - Karma: 1,150
Threads. Very nice work man
Oct 27 2013 8:22PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
You won't be saying that after we find you in May thawed out finally under 20' of snow
Oct 27 2013 8:50PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Are you serious? A jump can set off a slide just as easily... Everything to do with backcountry skiing has to do with backcountry safety.
Oct 27 2013 9:20PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,067
I feel like if you can't point the jump in the right direction or figure out how far you're going to travel, you probably should be building a huge jump, especially a big gap.
Oct 28 2013 7:56PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
It's not that it is hard to figure out the direction, but it is easy to lose your reference while you are shaping and then realize that your jump isn't pointing in exactly the right direction. Even 5 degrees can make a difference on a large gap jump. Yes, you will probably figure out the mistake before you go off, but this can save you all the additional time of having to reshape the lip. It really is a good trick for helping you to match the take off angle you want while you are shaping and also helps to keep the lip level and consistent across.
Oct 28 2013 8:06PM
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DR.SHRED
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 503
never put this much thought into building a jump, but it all makes perfect sense
Oct 29 2013 12:19AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51626 - Karma: 162,067
Idk if anyone else does this or if it's even the best way to do it but it's worked for me before so I like it.

Sometimes once it's getting closer to the right size I'll use the snow in the lower center to built the top and sides to the perfect height/angle nice and flat. Then all I have to do is fill in the center which isn't that hard. I haven't built a backcountry booter in years so don't even know if I'd still do it that way or if that's good advice but it's something that worked for me in the past. Also if you're with people who don't seem to know what the hell they're doing it's easier to have them throw snow in the center than have them putting it different places where you're going to have to cut this down here and add this or that there later on.
Oct 29 2013 4:26AM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
Such a quality thread!
Nov 2 2013 7:40AM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
my threads for the winter!!
Quality stuff, never thought of jump building as being this complicated before :)
Nov 2 2013 8:35AM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,175
Great info! Threads
Nov 2 2013 9:12AM
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