Tackling the steeps...

[Sheena]

Back in my humble beginnings, skiing the mid-atlantic, I could ski almost anything there, (moguls and tight tree lines did and still do trip me up a bit.)

So now that I am here in Utah I have been a little fearful of the steep slopes. Some of the stuff here seriously makes my stomach drop! So I have been practicing at my little hill here near Logan, UT and can make it down the black diamonds, but it is 2-3 turns at a time. I would like to work up to skiing down the slope without stopping every 2-3 turns.

So those of you who have conquered the steeps, what are things you did? Or was it just natural from the first time you tried?

 

[Gloria]

If I ever get apprehensive I just say to myself - Tap and Go. Sometimes if you think about it too hard it messes you up more than it helps. One mistake people make on steeps is to over rotate their shoulders, this cause you to overturn and then it's a heck of alot more work ( physically and mentally ) to get your skis pointed back down a steep slope and into that next turn. So concentrate on keeping your shoulders square to the fall-line and look ahead, not down.

 

[abc]

I would like to work up to skiing down the slope without stopping every 2-3 turns.

Short or long radius turn?

 

[Sheena]

Short or long radius turn?

combination of both. Depends on the trail conditions.

 

[Kano]

So, Sheena, I'm probably in your boots!

When I feel like challenging myself to a run that "scares" me, I enlist my poor husband. I find it helps to have someone lead the way. This doesn't mean I tackle the whole slope! What it means is that I get to see where he chooses to go and I cuss a lot on the way down. I talk to myself a LOT!

Once in a while, I try them out on my own, but usually I've been on them with him before...

Sometimes I'm doing really well to link 2-3 turns! I do that thing that Gloria wrote about, no matter how much I tell myself not to. I have this feeling that the "real" skiers can't stand when I'm on "their" runs, that I'm in their way, y'know? So I try to stick to the "edges" of the run, which maybe is the hard part? I don't know -- maybe someone can tell us? I keep telling myself "ski like you know how," and I break up the run into several little pieces. I try to be sure I'm stopping facing the run -- rather than the "walls," when I pause to regroup. Sometimes this means a short, single turn after I stop, y'know?

Poor DH is remarkably patient with me. Last time I dragged him -- no wait, that time HE dragged me! -- he said I was doing really well, better than he was. It didn't feel that way to me as I watched him and cautiously picked my way down!

Eventually, I get to a point on the slope where it gets easier, or for some reason, suddenly I can ski the whole rest of the run. When I get to the bottom, no matter how challenging it was, for some odd reason, I almost always feel like "let's do it again!" So far, the scariest ones I challenge myself to are never easy, they're always nail biters, but if I DO make that run again, they're always easier the second time! Maybe, a couple of times, instead of 2-3 turns, I'll link 3-4 turns, and I consider that a success!

Oh, wait -- no, that's not right. I've got runs that USED to be nailbiters that are favorites of a sort now. Maybe by the end of the season, with enough attempts, I'll ski them in just a couple of pieces -- what was a really scary run a couple of years ago isn't so much anymore, and someday my current demons will shrink too!

I figure, like powder runs, which also challenge me, if I keep at it, eventually I'll be able to ski on steeps. You will too!


(Then there's that other thing that's niggling in the back of my mind after getting that speed limit thread going the other day: maybe it's my skis that make it hard to ski the steeps? Maybe they're "blue" skis instead of "black" skis?)

Kano

 

[abc]

combination of both. Depends on the trail conditions.

If you can't do more than 2-3 turns, you may have a weak spot for speed control. Do you find yourself picking up speed after those 2-3 turns? Are the surface icy? (I doubt it, in Utah, that is)

 

[Sheena]

When I feel like challenging myself to a run that "scares" me, I enlist my poor husband. I find it helps to have someone lead the way. This doesn't mean I tackle the whole slope! What it means is that I get to see where he chooses to go and I cuss a lot on the way down. I talk to myself a LOT!

oh. my. gosh. I laughed when I read this because this is EXACTLY what happens to me.

I remember cursing to myself when I got to a part on the slope midway down the steep part, and I stopped to pick my line. It was powder/chopped powder/powder covered moguls with some trees and bramble sticking up. I stood there cursed then just talked my way through three turns.

I guess the only way to do it is to keep trying. I get bored on the blue runs, but can't quite gracefully ski the steep slopes at the pace I want.

 

[SnowHot]

I am happy you started this thread. I have been challenging myself more and more but, due to location, not been exposed to significant steeps. This is something I would like to "do".

I've gotten a lot better at looking ahead, but I still overthink.

The toughest distance to get over when you ski is the 6" between your ears.

Let me rephrase:
The toughest distance for me to overcome when I ski is the 6" between MY ears!!

 

[Little Lightning]

I had this problem when I lived in Ohio and skied the big western resorts. It doesn't help that I'm afraid of heights and when the run had an open view I really freaked out.

Since I now live and ski in Colorado I've found that over time I'm skiing runs without a problem that used to really bother me. I believe that part of it is getting used to the terrain but the other part of it is taking lessons and learning to make better turns that keeps me under control.

When I was fighting the steepness I had a habit of traversing the hill and not setting up for my next turn. It is now a habit that is very difficult to break but I also am aware that when the turns aren't coming right that I'm looking at the trees not down the hill.

I'm also finding that good turns helps to build confidence and I'm able to ski runs and variable conditions in control and with confidence that 2 yrs ago I was struggling with.

Give yourself time and don't feel you have to be comfortable right away. They'll be there when you're ready for them. Be in control of the mtn don't let the mtn control you.

 

[Sheena]

When I was fighting the steepness I had a habit of traversing the hill and not setting up for my next turn. It is now a habit that is very difficult to break but I also am aware that when the turns aren't coming right that I'm looking at the trees not down the hill.

I am fighting that habit as well. I am getting much better and forcing myself to ski more directly down the fall line, which really is easier than fighting the turns and forcing the skis into a traverse.

I need to get over the mental block that it is "scary" and just do it. I love the feeling that I have accomplished something when I get down something that I thought was too hard or too steep.

 

[SueNJ]

My sweetie gave me a tip that was such a revelation to me the first time I tried to ski a steep run. He told me to reach straight down the fall line to do the pole plant, to the point where it felt exaggerated a bit. This seemed to do 2 things--first, it prevented me from leaning back into the mountain and instead, kept my weight more forward, and second, it helped me to initiate each turn while keeping my shoulders squared to the fall line. This technique enabled me to ski the whole way down the steepest part of the run without stopping. After the first couple of turns, I realized that the technique was working, and I skied my first black diamond run without wiping out. I'm sure I had a look of utter terror on my face at first, but by the time I got to the bottom, I was grinning.

 

[dloveski]

Just keep trying new terrain and don't get too hung up on your form--as your comfort level increases, your form will as well. And check your speed. In 40 years of skiing, I have gained the confidence that I can get down most anything--it may not be pretty, it sometimes requires my trusty side-slip, but I know I will get down--on my terms. The challenge is to mix it up with a little fear factor--but also follow your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it's also OK to bail out that day and try something else.

As you conquer your fear factor, keep your hands in front and down hill---I have acquired a habit of wanting to lean in and hug the hill when it's steep or I lose confidence. By keeping my arms out in front, my balance is better (there are other form tips--but when it's all happening fast---I seem to be able to work on my hands which quiets the rest of my upper body somewhat.)

Sheena, I admire your sense of adventure, keep at it at your pace. I have enjoyed skiing more in my 'older' or more mature years when I got over the need to compete and compare myself with others. Skiing as a personal journey is way more fun.

Last week, in Honeycomb,with two young telemarkers, on the high traverse, I bailed about 3/4 way. I was done hiking and felt I was holding them up. I told them to go on, I'd just lay down and die on the traverse, don't mind me. I took a nice line down and let the youngster climb and hike further. No pressure these days to keep up. At 55, I want to remain injury free, so I'm pulling back a bit, but loving every minute of my ski life.

 

[dloveski]

Oh, and Sheena, next time you are down here at Brighton or Solitude, PM me, I may be hosting or skiing that day. You can gain confidence by skiing new terrain with an old lady.

 

[Gloria]

I am happy you started this thread. I have been challenging myself more and more but, due to location, not been exposed to significant steeps. This is something I would like to "do".

I've gotten a lot better at looking ahead, but I still overthink.

The toughest distance to get over when you ski is the 6" between your ears.

Let me rephrase:
The toughest distance for me to overcome when I ski is the 6" between MY ears!!

Tap and Go! I swear it works, try it.

 

[SkiNurse]

I love steep!

That being said, what I considered steep when I first moved to Colorado in '91, hardly seems steep at all now. And I agree, I think some of those wide open views, the 1st time you see them, can be intimidating. It is what you are used to.

You need to learn to trust your skis, trust your self and your abilities. And sometimes, it is just a mind game you play with yourself. I agree with snowhot The toughest distance to get over when you ski is the 6" between your ears. There are areas, for example at Blues Sky Basin in Vail, that I can routinely ski very well and confidently. Then, for some stupid reason, I will freeze (and I don't mean that I'm cold!) and not be able to take the same line I have done numerous before. It is totally a mindset. I lose my confidence and feel SO STUPID! And I think us gals do it more than the guys.

So, when that happens, I make it down the line the best I can (if I can't find a way around it!) and then tell my friends I'll meet them in the bar, cuz obviously, I have pysched myself out and I'm now useless. And, I really try to avoid injuries!

So, my advice, would be to conquer a run that intimidates you. For me, back in '91, that would've been Paliviccini (sp) @ Abasin. Still gets my heart racing. And once you feel confident on that run, apply that to another steep and conquer that!

 

[SnowEssie]

Hi all,

I am a bit surprised only one of you said it here.
My advice would be: take grouplessons! And not like you and the hubby at the same level but really you have to be in the group thats right for you! And not have him around in this group when he is actually another level.
You have to find yourself a skischool where you trust the instructors so much that if they tell you you can do something you'll believe it.
If your level is high enough the groupinstructor will take you down a certain slope in longer runs than 2-3 turns, if he doesn't, you and the group are not up to it yet. Once you have done a certain slope a couple of times from beginning to end with an instructor you know you can do it so the next time you go there you already know you can do it!
I enjoy myself much more with an instructor/guide since it will always be challenging. When I ski on my own or with the family automatically I ski as I am already able to without challenging myself to more (thats also cause in my family I am the best skier most of the time so no one to lear anything from).
I guess lessons in the States are just as expensive as they are over here in Europe but it makes you enjoy it so much more that I think its very worth while. It also makes you ski in bad weather and conditions where you would otherwise not go up the mountain but thats maybe when you learn the most! Imagine going of anything you are actually scared of in thick mist and looking down at it with sunny weather the next day and than realize thats what you did the other day in ugly conditions! It makes you feel like you can do anything but you would not have done it if it wasnt for the skicourse where you were expected to be there and you paid dear money for. Most people stop taking lessons when they have passed the beginners level which is really too bad.
(No, I do not have any shares in a skischool!)

 

[abc]

My sweetie gave me a tip that was such a revelation to me the first time I tried to ski a steep run. He told me to reach straight down the fall line to do the pole plant, to the point where it felt exaggerated a bit. This seemed to do 2 things--first, it prevented me from leaning back into the mountain and instead, kept my weight more forward, and second, it helped me to initiate each turn while keeping my shoulders squared to the fall line. This technique enabled me to ski the whole way down the steepest part of the run without stopping. After the first couple of turns, I realized that the technique was working, and I skied my first black diamond run without wiping out. I'm sure I had a look of utter terror on my face at first, but by the time I got to the bottom, I was grinning.

That's GREAT TIP!

It works wonderfully in steeps, ice and bumps!

I learn that tip when taking a mogul lesson some years back. Like you, I realized it accomplish two things all at once: moving the body forward and down the hill!

It works particularly well in icy conditions. The body position require to plan the pole down the hill pretty much force a very strong angulation at the hip and knee, setting a very strong edge hold. Absolutete neccessary in icy conditions.

When I'm out of balance and sitting in the back seat? "Reach down" with the pole. When I feel I'm suddenly picking up too much speed but there's no room (or simply don't want) to traverse? "Reach down" with the pole. When I feel intimidated by any terrain, I "reach down" with my pole. 99% of my problems disappeared as soon as I do that.

 

[abc]

I love steep!

I'm not particularly bothered by steep either unless it's icy, bumped up or super-narrow (less than a couple of ski length wide).

In fact, I tend to get lazy on the easier terrains...

In 40 years of skiing, I have gained the confidence that I can get down most anything--it may not be pretty, it sometimes requires my trusty side-slip, but I know I will get down--on my terms.

I've only skied 20 years.

But between side slip and jump turns, I can pretty much get down most of anything in good control. The challenge for me, is to get down gracefully and speedily, leaving me still fresh for more. :D

 

[SueNJ]

That's GREAT TIP!

It works wonderfully in steeps, ice and bumps!

I learn that tip when taking a mogul lesson some years back. Like you, I realized it accomplish two things all at once: moving the body forward and down the hill!

It works particularly well in icy conditions. The body position require to plan the pole down the hill pretty much force a very strong angulation at the hip and knee, setting a very strong edge hold. Absolutete neccessary in icy conditions.

When I'm out of balance and sitting in the back seat? "Reach down" with the pole. When I feel I'm suddenly picking up too much speed but there's no room (or simply don't want) to traverse? "Reach down" with the pole. When I feel intimidated by any terrain, I "reach down" with my pole. 99% of my problems disappeared as soon as I do that.

"Reach down"... I sometimes say it out loud, especially if I feel like I'm off balance, picking up too much speed, or hit a steeper or icier spot on a run. So simple, but it accomplishes so much!

Another tidbit SO shared with me when he saw me struggling (and over-rotating my upper body) in soft bumps surrounded by ice on a steeper run was to either do, or simulate, a double pole-plant reaching down the fall line. Like magic, I stopped struggling and survived the chaos, albeit rather slowly. I didn't actually do the double pole-plant, but I made like I was going to plant the second pole and it really kept my shoulders square to the fall line while my lower body rotated to make the turns.

It's amazing how those little gems can let us ski things as intimidating as steeps, bumps, and ice.

 

[abc]

I know a guy who actually double pole plant in bumps. ;)

It looks comical. But he seem to be able to ski the house size bumps in total control!

No, in reality, I don't think both poles touchs the snow. But I can clearly see he rotates his shoulder down the hill and THAT is the trick to maintain control...