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Spring/Slush Skiing
- Thread starter Gina23
- Start date
tcarey
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hey Gina23!
Great question! This is the type of conditions that alot of my clients have trouble with! First off-balance is critical here! Being able to move in all directions from the cuff of your boot.Too far forward and you are going to hit a pile and go over the bars! Too far back and you have lost all control of the sweet spot of your skis.
One tip that I like to give is this-think tension in the ankles! You need to have the ability to open and close the ankle joint when the conditions are variable.Be the captain of your skis.The ski will slice through the snow if you can get them on edge.Also functional tension of the core.Tummy tight!! Terry
Great question! This is the type of conditions that alot of my clients have trouble with! First off-balance is critical here! Being able to move in all directions from the cuff of your boot.Too far forward and you are going to hit a pile and go over the bars! Too far back and you have lost all control of the sweet spot of your skis.
One tip that I like to give is this-think tension in the ankles! You need to have the ability to open and close the ankle joint when the conditions are variable.Be the captain of your skis.The ski will slice through the snow if you can get them on edge.Also functional tension of the core.Tummy tight!! Terry
persee
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Gina,
Yes. I've always found slush to be "harder" to ski in. If I'm on my game I'm usually fine in it, but if I'm off it's miserable. When I responded to the "I forgot how to ski" thread I mention my first day on the snow after lessons - it was Feb 4th or so, but 50 degrees out in NH and I was just miserable and almost gave up skiing. Glad I didn't tho!
Yes. I've always found slush to be "harder" to ski in. If I'm on my game I'm usually fine in it, but if I'm off it's miserable. When I responded to the "I forgot how to ski" thread I mention my first day on the snow after lessons - it was Feb 4th or so, but 50 degrees out in NH and I was just miserable and almost gave up skiing. Glad I didn't tho!
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Put those skis up on edge, get your weight on the fronts of your skis, and slice forward. (Carve, carve, carve.)
Otherwise, you're riding a bucking bronco, banking flat skis against walls of resistant slush, working your quads like a gym jock. That's no fun unless you like that kind of work. Plus you fall a lot.
Skis up on edge, slicing forward. That's the key.
Otherwise, you're riding a bucking bronco, banking flat skis against walls of resistant slush, working your quads like a gym jock. That's no fun unless you like that kind of work. Plus you fall a lot.
Skis up on edge, slicing forward. That's the key.
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hmmmmmm. Up on edge means that you have both of your ankles tilted inside the turn, and your skis thereby tilted up on edge. The inside edge of each ski will be dug down into the snow. (Inside means towards the center of the circle that your turn is making).
The outside edge of each ski will be up in the air. Your body will be bent and tilted in interesting ways to keep you from falling over as your feet/skis tilt this way. Your weight will be forward on the skis, with your center of mass somewhere near the ball of your foot or even forward of that. Your skis will be slicing forward, like a knife, carrying you forward through the snow in the direction the skis are pointed in. The skis will naturally carve a round turn because of the sidecut they have (assuming you are not on old straight skis, of course.) This is "carving", and it makes spring snow (a.k.a. "mashed potatoes") a pleasure rather than an obstacle.
If you are used to skidding your turns, that technique won't work well in soft spring snow. The snow will simply stop your skis from skidding, and you will tumble forward, or do deep knee bends continuously to recover from near-falls.
If you are a noobee you may not be used to carving. Lessons help, and hours on the slopes working to master the technique and asking questions of seasoned skiers will get you there. Once you can carve, then you can get through a long day on spring snow and not complain of leg cramps.
The skis you are on will also have an effect on your ability to handle sloppy snow. Other Divas may be better equipped to identify skis that handle spring snow well. I suspect the skis are probably not as important as the boot fit and the technique you use.
Best of luck! Sunshine and warmth puts us all in a great mood, no matter what the challenge underfoot.
The outside edge of each ski will be up in the air. Your body will be bent and tilted in interesting ways to keep you from falling over as your feet/skis tilt this way. Your weight will be forward on the skis, with your center of mass somewhere near the ball of your foot or even forward of that. Your skis will be slicing forward, like a knife, carrying you forward through the snow in the direction the skis are pointed in. The skis will naturally carve a round turn because of the sidecut they have (assuming you are not on old straight skis, of course.) This is "carving", and it makes spring snow (a.k.a. "mashed potatoes") a pleasure rather than an obstacle.
If you are used to skidding your turns, that technique won't work well in soft spring snow. The snow will simply stop your skis from skidding, and you will tumble forward, or do deep knee bends continuously to recover from near-falls.
If you are a noobee you may not be used to carving. Lessons help, and hours on the slopes working to master the technique and asking questions of seasoned skiers will get you there. Once you can carve, then you can get through a long day on spring snow and not complain of leg cramps.
The skis you are on will also have an effect on your ability to handle sloppy snow. Other Divas may be better equipped to identify skis that handle spring snow well. I suspect the skis are probably not as important as the boot fit and the technique you use.
Best of luck! Sunshine and warmth puts us all in a great mood, no matter what the challenge underfoot.
SnowGlider
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
The trick to spring skiing
STEP 1. Get up at 5 a.m.
STEP 2. Arrive at ski area 30 minutes before it opens.
STEP 3. Be the first person in the liftline. Elbow your way past the oldsters, but don't actually knock anyone down.
STEP 4. Start on the side of the mountain that receives the morning sun first. Ski that, and when the sun hits it, move to the side of the mountain that's still in the shade. Stick to the side of the trail that's in the shade, ignoring lack of visibility.
STEP 5. Ski like crazy. Don't take any breaks. Every minute is precious as the mercury rises.
STEP 6. It is now 11 a.m. Temperature is 45 degrees. Trails are a mess. School children are arriving. You've had 2 hours of decent skiing. GO HOME.
STEP 7. Remind yourself to live closer to a ski area so you can easily ski half days whenever you want.
STEP 8. Starting doing a tune up on your bike because in your heart of hearts you know it's time to say good-bye to another year of skiing.
I'm serious, this is the only way to get any decent skiing done in this kind of weather.
STEP 1. Get up at 5 a.m.
STEP 2. Arrive at ski area 30 minutes before it opens.
STEP 3. Be the first person in the liftline. Elbow your way past the oldsters, but don't actually knock anyone down.
STEP 4. Start on the side of the mountain that receives the morning sun first. Ski that, and when the sun hits it, move to the side of the mountain that's still in the shade. Stick to the side of the trail that's in the shade, ignoring lack of visibility.
STEP 5. Ski like crazy. Don't take any breaks. Every minute is precious as the mercury rises.
STEP 6. It is now 11 a.m. Temperature is 45 degrees. Trails are a mess. School children are arriving. You've had 2 hours of decent skiing. GO HOME.
STEP 7. Remind yourself to live closer to a ski area so you can easily ski half days whenever you want.
STEP 8. Starting doing a tune up on your bike because in your heart of hearts you know it's time to say good-bye to another year of skiing.
I'm serious, this is the only way to get any decent skiing done in this kind of weather.
Ha, so true. The last few times we've gone skiing we've made an effort to get out at 8am, and the skiing from 8-11 or so is BY FAR the best skiing we do all day.
Even when it's not too warm, just beating the crowds out and getting in a ton of runs before everything gets skiied off is definitely worth it. We (unfortunately) only ski weekends and holidays, so crowds are usually an issue.
Even when it's not too warm, just beating the crowds out and getting in a ton of runs before everything gets skiied off is definitely worth it. We (unfortunately) only ski weekends and holidays, so crowds are usually an issue.
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
SnowGlider said:
I did that yesterday! Delivered the bike to the shop, and picked it up. Counted the bikers on the road as I drove about. They are legion.
Thatsagirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
SnowGlider, you are so funny! :D
But...spring skiing is actually my favorite time of year to ski. It's WARM, we Easterners have waited ALL WINTER for this!
I ski spring/slush snow like it's powder/cut-up powder. I do not carve, I roll my knees and ski "soft" on my skis, like I am balancing on a ball. I use my midfats or fat skis, they ride on top of the snow, instead of sinking and getting caught in the variable conditions. (Not that I can't ski this kind of snow on carving skis, just that I like to use the best tool possible now that I have a "quiver.")
Strong core muscles help immensely in this kind of snow. It keeps your body "quieter," so it's harder to get thrown off balance.
Try not to let your poles get behind you. Your arms should be forward to help you continue moving down the mountain.
Thatsagirl
But...spring skiing is actually my favorite time of year to ski. It's WARM, we Easterners have waited ALL WINTER for this!
I ski spring/slush snow like it's powder/cut-up powder. I do not carve, I roll my knees and ski "soft" on my skis, like I am balancing on a ball. I use my midfats or fat skis, they ride on top of the snow, instead of sinking and getting caught in the variable conditions. (Not that I can't ski this kind of snow on carving skis, just that I like to use the best tool possible now that I have a "quiver.")
Strong core muscles help immensely in this kind of snow. It keeps your body "quieter," so it's harder to get thrown off balance.
Try not to let your poles get behind you. Your arms should be forward to help you continue moving down the mountain.
Thatsagirl
This is the BEST instruction for spring skiing.tcarey said:
I've skied spring time for .....forever......Love it!
Of course, I love any kind of conditions.
First and foremost, make sure you have the right wax on your skis. If you're using a cold temp wax on a warm day,the skis will stick to the snow/slush.
Follow Terry's instructions, Trust your equipment but be the master and commander, last but certainly not least, and as nolo says............clench your cheeks.......both sets:D
Thatsagirl said:SnowGlider, you are so funny! :D
But...spring skiing is actually my favorite time of year to ski. It's WARM, we Easterners have waited ALL WINTER for this!
I ski spring/slush snow like it's powder/cut-up powder. I do not carve, I roll my knees and ski "soft" on my skis, like I am balancing on a ball. I use my midfats or fat skis, they ride on top of the snow, instead of sinking and getting caught in the variable conditions. (Not that I can't ski this kind of snow on carving skis, just that I like to use the best tool possible now that I have a "quiver.")
Strong core muscles help immensely in this kind of snow. It keeps your body "quieter," so it's harder to get thrown off balance.
Try not to let your poles get behind you. Your arms should be forward to help you continue moving down the mountain.
Thatsagirl
I think I'm more in your school of spring skiing.
1. Use fat skis.
2. Carve when you want to, smear turns when you want to... it's all fun.
Little Lightning
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Hmmm, all the advice is good, however, the time change threw everything off an hour. If you get out too early you're going to have ice. We skied Keystone today and the snow didn't loosen up until 11:00.
I haven't skied spring conditions for awhile so I was a little confused with the soft snow also. However, my ski instructor has been working with us to stay balanced by opening and closing our ankles to pulling our feet underneath us. It didn't make sense until I got on a mashed potatos, flat run and could feel the skis moving ahead of my body. When I pulled them underneath me they turned perfectly.
By using this technique I didn't feel the need for carving. I'm sure tomorrow will be similiar conditions and my instructor will give us more guidance on this.
Gina23, Copper's Women's Wed. classes are $94, all day lesson and lift ticket. Come on up tomorrow or next week. I'm sure skiing slush will be a hot topic.
Kathi
I haven't skied spring conditions for awhile so I was a little confused with the soft snow also. However, my ski instructor has been working with us to stay balanced by opening and closing our ankles to pulling our feet underneath us. It didn't make sense until I got on a mashed potatos, flat run and could feel the skis moving ahead of my body. When I pulled them underneath me they turned perfectly.
By using this technique I didn't feel the need for carving. I'm sure tomorrow will be similiar conditions and my instructor will give us more guidance on this.
Gina23, Copper's Women's Wed. classes are $94, all day lesson and lift ticket. Come on up tomorrow or next week. I'm sure skiing slush will be a hot topic.
Kathi
:(
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Tomorrow I'll be skiing in 70 degree weather, so I'm curious about all this info on skiing mashed potatoes (it will more likely be soup) without carving. Why not carve??????
I'll try what others have discussed. Will report!
I'll try what others have discussed. Will report!
liquidfeet said:
Carving is certainly fun. But, the way I see it, you need more in your repertoire than just carving to be really good everywhere. If you're in tight chutes, picking your way through rocks, etc... if you only carve - you'd be picking up some HUGE speed when there's no space to make round turns. Effective use of smearing turns is one of the most useful things I learned in the last camp I did. One of our coaches advice was to "quit stopping". When you're not lined up right for a chokepoint (or bump, or tree, or whatever), take advantage of your fat skis and throw them into a sideslip, line it up, and then dive back into a regular turn. In difficult snow, it really is a skill to be able to do that on command and stay sideslipping (and not traversing... into a rock wall on the side of a chute). So I practice things like that. Carve, carve, sideslip straight down the fall line, carve, smear, big turns, little turns...
