TR: Day 3, Powder Epiphany

[Lori_K]

Every once in awhile the conditions, weather, and equipment come together in a perfect storm, and provide the type of ski day that you only dream about, or see in ski movies.

Today was that kind of day.

As of Thanksgiving, Wolf Creek, CO had only 18" of snow for the year, and two bunny slopes open.

Over the last two weeks, they received 9 FEET of new snow, with 30" of that in the last 24 hours. We went up last weekend, and had an awesome day of skiing in 12-18" of fresh snow. Little did I realize that was only practice for today.

We left our house at 5am this morning so we could get to the parking lot by 8am. The cars were rolling in, and it looked like it would be a beautiful day. We got our tickets and were on the 3rd chair when lifts opened at 8:30am. We scoped out lines on "Blueberry Hill" on the ride up. The headwall was fairly steep, but the powder was deep and soft. Turns were effortless, and we laid out tracks in thigh-deep snow almost all day, getting chest-shots and face shots. This was snow you could do no wrong in.

For this East-coast/midwest transplant to the Rocky Mountains, powder had never been my strong suit in my limited years of skiing. Not at all. I was capable in 6-10", but I just didn't "get it". Powder was an effort, and I'd get two good turns and then stop for a breather.

Today, I got it. I was immersed in fluffy snow. I made swooping turns in 24-30" deep powder. I hardly saw my ski tips all day. My new boots and Volkl Auras just clicked with my new-found skill, and I hooted and hollered with the rest of the powder pigs on the hill.

I felt like I was living in a Warren Miller movie, and loved it.
THIS is what they are talking about, I thought. THIS is all the excitement that gets people up at 4am to be first on the lift.

Truly an amazing, blue-bird powder day. I wish each and every Ski Diva an epic skiing experience this season. Merry Christmas!!

 

[Bravosarah]

:jaw: WOW! nuff said...

 

[ski diva]

Ditto! ^^^^^^^

 

[Sheena]

Sounds like a fantastic day!

As an aspiring powder skier, its a bit of an inspiration to me. What was it that finally made it work for you?

 

[tradygirl]

Nice pic...makes me happy.

This Saturday was stupid deep in Salt Lake. I got up to Solitude around 11:30 right when they opened the Powderhorn lift. My friend had been there all morning and was telling me how ridiculously deep it was. I didn't believe him until we dropped in on our first run....up to our chests! Let's just say we could not make a turn on a 30 degree slope because we couldn't keep enough speed. It was a combination of picking up speed in someone else's track and busting a turn out into fresh as the snow blew up over our heads. At one point I had to stop because I was literally CHOKING on snow. Unreal.

30"+ of new snow overnight. I don't want to say it was too much snow, but it was close. After a week of settling and a few more storms this week, it's going to be so $$$$.

I didn't have the camera because it was puking snow all day and I was scared to get it wet. This weekend, perhaps??

 

[Pequenita]

Wow. I haven't had the opportunity to do it much, but I LOVE looking back, pointing at my tracks and saying, "That was me."

 

[Lori_K]

Sounds like a fantastic day!

As an aspiring powder skier, its a bit of an inspiration to me. What was it that finally made it work for you?

You know, I'm not quite sure if there was ONE single thing that clicked, but rather a combination of things. My Auras are stiffer than my old Pocket Rockets. My Salomon Instinct boots are stiffer and have more forward lean than my old Lange CRL70 boots. I've noticed quite a bit of improvement in my technique with the new boots this year-- my husband has seen it as well.
I've learned to keep my feet together and equally weighted in powder. And probably the biggest thing in powder is to let the skis go, and not force them into a turn. You need speed to float in the powder, and the lack of solid ground under foot can be a bit disconcerting as well! I found that having to ski powder meant giving up some of the control and instant feedback that I had on the groomed slopes, which really put me out of my comfort zone at first.

 

[ski diva]

Nice pic...makes me happy.

This Saturday was stupid deep in Salt Lake. I got up to Solitude around 11:30 right when they opened the Powderhorn lift. My friend had been there all morning and was telling me how ridiculously deep it was. I didn't believe him until we dropped in on our first run....up to our chests! Let's just say we could not make a turn on a 30 degree slope because we couldn't keep enough speed. It was a combination of picking up speed in someone else's track and busting a turn out into fresh as the snow blew up over our heads. At one point I had to stop because I was literally CHOKING on snow. Unreal.

30"+ of new snow overnight. I don't want to say it was too much snow, but it was close.

Holy Moley.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hooray! And to think, most of you were weeping not that long ago, and the east had more snow----as usual, you've exceeded us by....A LOT. Go get it, have fun

 

[Thatsagirl]

Lori, I know I'm late to this post but I wanted you to know that little tears of joy just snuck down my face because yet another Diva has discovered the joy of powder! (you know, we need a little smilie that's skiing in powder!!)

When you finally "get it," it's the most sublime experience you can imagine. It's like you have become one with the mountain and found the perfect dance partner. Skiing powder doesn't come easy, because the best things in life require some effort at first. But if you put in the effort, you reap amazing rewards.

 

[Lori_K]

When you finally "get it," it's the most sublime experience you can imagine.

Yeah, I "got it" all right. And now it's like I'm addicted to crack! Opening day at Taos was very good last Friday, deep snow, good coverage-- but it was much heavier than the blower snow we had at Wolf, and thus a bit more of a struggle. Now I'm a powder snob!

 

[Thatsagirl]

Yeah, I "got it" all right. And now it's like I'm addicted to crack! Opening day at Taos was very good last Friday, deep snow, good coverage-- but it was much heavier than the blower snow we had at Wolf, and thus a bit more of a struggle. Now I'm a powder snob!

One of the best addictions I can think of!

Heavy powder will take some getting use to, but you already know the "feel" you're looking for, so you won't have to work too hard to adjust to it. The heavier snow provides more resistance, so it's harder to stay balanced on your skis. You'll probably find yourself fighting it a bit. You might need a little bit more speed. Try to relax and trust your skis. Also try to remember to keep your hands forward, since they will pull your body forward too so you don't end up in the back seat. This is also a case where strong core muscles come in very handy, so your legs aren't overworking themselves.

Most of all: Have fun! :D