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Skiing Bumps. Advice!

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snugs
Posts: 966 - Karma: 4,090
Hello NS,
I work at a ski resort as a lifty and wanted to do patrol next season. I talked to the man in charge and he invited me out to ski with them one day to test my skills and what-have-you. Everything was great and I skied like a champ except I faltered in the bumps. I was told I did a good job and had what it took but I did need to work on riding bumps so I am asking you guys on some advice about how to tackle these bumps like a boss.

Unfortunately I only have one pair of skis and I am mounted dead center which seemed to work to my disadvantage but that is me just making excuses. The problems I felt was mainly fatigue. Over worked my legs so my movements got lazy which led to me being thrown off balance and having to wave hands in the air to get steady again. It was apparent I didn't have bumps mastered. Tomorrow I am off to get some practice in them and ski around with patrol again before the end of the season to show my improvment. Even if I don't have it mastered, it still shows I am a hard worker and am driven.

Tips on tackling bumps? I do get free rentals so I might rent so I am on skis thats are not center mounted. Suggestions on that?

Thanks guys!
Mar 20 2014 8:24PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,057
according to doug bishop, dont use park skis...
Mar 20 2014 8:33PM
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raddar
Posts: 681 - Karma: 65
Look out for AT-ATs
Click for larger image

But really, keep your upper body as upright as you can or you'll collapse over yourself. Pole plant on the top of each mogul and jump right after so you can land on the back sides instead of letting the trough turn you and kick you into the back seat.

For more professional advice, seek out the consult of one Glen Plake.
Mar 20 2014 8:58PM
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Twerk
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,059
Being mounted center really does make it more difficult especially if your skis are long. I'm not the great at bumps but I also feel a better edge on the ski would also help.
Mar 20 2014 8:59PM
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JustStartingPark
Posts: 76 - Karma: 124
loving the at-at's
Mar 20 2014 9:12PM
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a_burger
Posts: 5247 - Karma: 20,886
look forward dude, 5-6 bumps ahead. It lets you know whats coming so you don't just get launched all of a sudden. also pole plant
Mar 20 2014 9:16PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10845 - Karma: 57,762
Remember to pole plant, spot you line and follow it. It's gonna be harder on center mounted skis.
Mar 20 2014 9:18PM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161
Pole plant into the top of the mogul is essential to start your transition into the next mogul, keep your skis on the ground and absorb the bumps as well as you can, try your best to keep your head from bucking around. I have found it is kind of like a pump track for biking and whatnot, absorb the bumo and pushing of the back of it.
Mar 20 2014 10:44PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,105
What if you don't use poles?
Mar 20 2014 10:46PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
^^i love skiing without poles but skiing moguls effectively is damn near impossible without them. I'd love to see it done well though!
Mar 20 2014 10:58PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
I mean obviously the biggest thing is to just practice in the moguls. Get a feel for absorbing em, bashing into em, or sorta curving around your pole plant and flowing yhtough them. (depending on the mogul spacing and steepness) Once you get the technique down, leg strength is HUGE. I consider myself to have the technique down pretty well (east coast.. we live by iced up mogul runs) but after awhile I feel it in my legs and it feels tough. hit the gym for those squats or whatever leg workout you've got going. I think it would help with the endurance. zipperline through several moguls is one thing, top to bottom is another..
Mar 20 2014 11:14PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
oh and soft, buttery skis will help you flow through moguls easily. BUT they're also not gonna give you that stability if you're trying to ski someone down a steep slope in a heavy sled. you've gotta make that trade off.
Mar 20 2014 11:16PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
oh and soft, buttery skis will help you flow through moguls easily. BUT they're also not gonna give you that stability if you're trying to ski someone down a steep slope in a heavy sled. you've gotta make that trade off.
Mar 20 2014 11:16PM
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dan1080
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 913
Stay tight and be a man and charge it. I don't mean for that to come off as an asshole statement but its true. As much as I loved skiing park, it would have been nothing if I didn't have technique outside of it(bumps, downhill, etc.). Workout and build some more core and leg strength. As far as skis go, the rental option is ok, but you it would be ideal to have your own pair of skis for outside the park. Hope everything works out for you and you get the job man!
Mar 20 2014 11:25PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22714 - Karma: 76,758
Well, you CAN use park skis, they just aren't ideal for bumps.


Mar 20 2014 11:42PM
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snugs
Posts: 966 - Karma: 4,090
thanks for the feedback guys! super helpful! im going to rent some classic skis and go to work today on them
Mar 21 2014 7:04AM
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slaagmaster
Posts: 129 - Karma: 63
be sure to ski bumps under a lift so you can get some real time advice!!!!!
Mar 21 2014 10:27AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i actually got lots of good advice in this thread

https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/763342/
Mar 21 2014 10:33AM
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BroBomb
Posts: 500 - Karma: 1,726
Shredding bumps now that no one skis back-mounted Harts with a 60-cm waist is way harder and less fun than it used to be, and doing double twister spreads feel way weirder than they did in the 90s when we were all wearing Spyder vests and Fate pants with eyeballs on the knees. Nonetheless, the fundamentals remain the same:

Click for larger image

-The real key is keeping your shoulders square, pointed down the fall line, driving forward, and quiet. They are your "rock" as you try to manage all these tiny quick wiggles down the zipper line. Keeping your shoulders driving forward will keep your balance more than anything, and to that extent, reaching out much farther than usual to tap that next mogul with your pole will keep your shoulders where they need to be. Shorter poles make it way easier.

-Keep your eyes focused about 4-5 bumps ahead. Again, steady eyes/head will keep your shoulders level and help maintain your balance.

-Keep your feet as close together as possible and think mostly about pushing the snow into the trough before the next mogul. That will help control your speed and rhythm. Since no one knows how to actually carve anymore, it should play to the lazy slarvy turns we all know and love.

That stance is really key though. Park skis and most modern pow skis want you to ski in a neutral stance and standing straight up, while skiing in the bumps demands you keep your shoulders out in front and over your knees and ankles. Reaching out for the next mogul with your pole and keeping your shoulders steady, square to the fall line, and even will make moving your feet around a lot easier. As soon as you let your hand get close to your waist, you'll start losing control.

-From the College of Bust 'N Burn, Class of 1997.
Mar 21 2014 11:39AM
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Sun_Ra
Posts: 983 - Karma: 279
Spot a line, grow some balls and commit to a straight line.
Mar 21 2014 11:52AM
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BBurt
Posts: 1588 - Karma: 3,781
Advil
Mar 21 2014 1:39PM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
I rip my Moment park skis through the moguls but I'm always in gorilla steeze position. I got some weird looks but hauling ass past everyone never gets old
Mar 21 2014 1:40PM
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Wolfgang.
Posts: 807 - Karma: 866
Forward pressure.
Mar 21 2014 2:00PM
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NMMedia
Posts: 982 - Karma: 1,700
Here are the main points I was taught when I learned how to ski bumps and to be able to instruct/coach otheres:

1) Look about 3 moguls ahead of where you are, don't fixate on the mogul you're navigating at the moment.

2) Try to keep your shoulders square down the hill and feet together moving as one.

3) The motion you are going for can be imagined like one of your legs pedaling a bike backwards, as your leg extends into the valley of the mogul it should move forward as well, then when it contacts the side of the next mogul you compress to absorb the mogul, and foot moves backward again.

4) Light pole plant on top of every mogul. This will help your timing, BUT you do not want to brutally stab each mogul, or you can put yourself off balance.

Other than that practice will make you better, just keep shredding the moguls and you will get better over time.
Mar 21 2014 3:00PM
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Darbyflier
Posts: 26 - Karma: 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXptXeeCTD4
Mar 22 2014 1:01AM
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Darbyflier
Posts: 26 - Karma: 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXptXeeCTD4
Mar 22 2014 1:02AM
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Stinkey_egg
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 75
Flow like water
Mar 22 2014 3:44AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13150 - Karma: 19,451
spot on. Its the fundamental of skiing bumps.

Make sure you can change your skiing radius on a second notice. You can ski the rut, or better, ski on top of the mogul. I have to show you in person, but make your turn on top of the bump. Avoid the rut because of the ice. Instead, use the ridge that forms between 2 moguls.


Mar 22 2014 10:41AM
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b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
probably not helpful but i remember when i was like 7 and in ski school the instructor told me to imagine the bumps as butts and stab them with my poles. made me laugh at least.
Mar 22 2014 10:54AM
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Gr0mo
Posts: 707 - Karma: 3,663
Pole plants are the absolutely key and something that most people who struggle in the bumps fail to do successfully
Mar 22 2014 7:29PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,135
Why would you ski bumps? Bumps are only for two kinds of people: women.
Mar 22 2014 7:42PM
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tmeade007
Posts: 7 - Karma: 8
Keep your skis as close together as possible and move them as a unit
Mar 23 2014 12:02AM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
you know how i know you suck at skiing bumps?


OP the only answer when asking how to ski bumps is to ski straight and dangerously. bumps are not so much about turning around the bumps as conventional wisdom would tell you, as much as they are about jumping and bounding from one to the next.
Mar 23 2014 3:30AM
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ColinB
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 2,236
Eyes up(looking at the next bump you're going to hit will be the end of you.)
chest up, back straight.
hands in front-but don't reach out for the pole plant.
weight centered on your skis.
whatever you do, don't get backseat.
Mar 23 2014 3:43AM
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snugs
Posts: 966 - Karma: 4,090
thanks for advice everyone. they are looking for me to be able to be in complete control through a long bump run, not speed or 360 iron-crosses off the big ones. control. ive been working on pole planting and looking ahead of me to bumps ion advance. (this is silly but i use to play guitar hero when i was in high school and i kind of think of that.. you have to look at the "chords" ahead of the one you are currently playing lol) advice was good and i am improving but someone mentioned hitting the gym and right now i think its the leg strength that is really holding me back. my legs just want to stop after 20-30 seconds of going hard down the bumps.

thanks again errbody
Mar 23 2014 10:38AM
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