Skiing in apple sauce?

[lovebug]

Divas! Need some help here ....

We played hookey from work yesterday to get one last day on the slopes for the year. The snow was complete goop by noon. Several people looked awesome skiing regardless. I decided to tackle a harder run (Razor's Edge at Blue Mtn, PA) and got totally kicked by the stuff. I wound up falling and sliding headfirst down the headwall. No one was there to help me retrieve my ski - i climbed up to get it and then slid down past the other one (repeat - climbing and getting ski) and finally got them on and back on the run.

So - anyone have any hints on how to survive the gloop? Or should i just convince the DH that we need a trip out west for some decent spring skiing? ;)

 

[MaryLou]

I hated it once too. Then, my laziness kicked in...and I realized I could actually use the weight of the snow and bumps to slow me down and save my muscles. I'm horrible at teaching sking or describing technique...but usually during my first run down the slush I'll really work on getting my stance to attack the stuff. I'm trying to remember...you need to lean forward and when you hit a pile of slush/mogul somehow use it to slow you down. Some instructors here could probably give you the right tips, but once you've figured out your stance and how to use the mush, you'll love it - especially since it's usually a nice warm day in those conditions.

Whenever I feel like conditions are getting the better of me...I regroup and work on my stance - it always seems to be a balancing issue (for me at least). And in New England - it may be totally different day to day, so it's key to be able to change it up based on conditions.

ETA: This is no way means you should still not try to convince your DH for a trip out west...

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Or should i just convince the DH that we need a trip out west for some decent spring skiing? ;)

Yes! Convice DH to come out West (read: COLORADO) next Spring for the "Diva Summit!" :cheer:

 

[Kiragirl]

as in Summit County?

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Yup!

 

[pinto]

The right wax helps, too.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

The right wax helps, too.

Oh yeah....that too!

 

[Severine]

I agree that stance makes a huge difference. I hated the glop and spring skiing my first season. Didn't know I was in the back seat so much and that was why. This season, I worked a lot on forward stance ... and found that I was better equipped to handle the stuff that normally would make me frown. Granted, this was earlier in the season, but it was still stuff that would normally slow me down excessively when I hit it and make me really cranky. Stance matters.

 

[lovebug]

I knew i could rely on the divas for some help.

Hmmmm! Diva summit - sounds fabulous!!

 

[volklgirl]

In spring glop, keep all your movements slow and gentle. Any abrupt turning of the skis will dig the edges in, burying them and throwing you to the ground. For each turn, count 1...2...3...4 and keep your turns even, rythmical and close to the fall line. Just like pow, the farther out of the fall line you go, the more likely it is that you'll catch and tip over.

Fat skis help a lot as well. Look for a stiffish ski around 80-90mm under foot. These should blast through the crud and keep you afloat.