Wet, sticky and heavy snow...

[SkiBunny]

How does one ski in this stuff? Just curious if anyone else has a problem skiing on the mashed potatoes? This weekend here on the East coast, close to DC it warmed up quite a bit. Well I typically ski no problem on icey man made snow...but this stuff got chopped up, baked, wet and heavy. It seriously throws my skis around big time. I typically carve pretty good, esp on my Volkl Attiva 5 stars with a 68 inch middle. Is there something I should work on more to get myself thru this stuff without feeling like my legs are getting a serious workout. Its usually just my calves that flair up after a day of this stuff. I figure I just need to start seriously using some power to get my side cut thru the mashed potatoe mounds...:p

Any suggestions?

 

[smpayne]

The wider powder skis work better in the slush. The extra calf burn sounds about right, that stuff is just a pain to ski. The side cuts used to ski in the ice make it harder to ski the slush, the edges tend to catch easier. Check your wax, the warm weather wax works much better. I tend to turn less in the slush, it's harder and it tends to slow you down, so more turns are not as necessary. I find myself bending my knees a lot more to make turns.

We haven't had much slush this year yet, but 05-06 was slushy in the afternoons nearly all year. 28F in the morning and 55+F by noon. This year we have has nice cool temps, but no snow, just man-made.

 

[SkiBunny]

The wider powder skis work better in the slush. The extra calf burn sounds about right, that stuff is just a pain to ski. The side cuts used to ski in the ice make it harder to ski the slush, the edges tend to catch easier. Check your wax, the warm weather wax works much better. I tend to turn less in the slush, it's harder and it tends to slow you down, so more turns are not as necessary. I find myself bending my knees a lot more to make turns.

We haven't had much slush this year yet, but 05-06 was slushy in the afternoons nearly all year. 28F in the morning and 55+F by noon. This year we have has nice cool temps, but no snow, just man-made.

Whew...I thought I was going nuts there...Glad to hear Im not the only one. Ya know I thought about taking my mid fats-- Elans ...I think 75 center. But they are a bit longer... which could be a good thing...if I shouldnt turn much 160 where my carvers are 154 :P

We have been suffering here with Low temps in am but going up to 50 by afternoon. So our season may be like yours last year. Looks like I'll be taking my carvers and mid fats. LOL so glad my hubby has been a stickler for having skis for every type of condition.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Not professional advice....but it gets me through!

How does one ski in this stuff? Just curious if anyone else has a problem skiing on the mashed potatoes? This weekend here on the East coast, close to DC it warmed up quite a bit. Well I typically ski no problem on icey man made snow...but this stuff got chopped up, baked, wet and heavy. It seriously throws my skis around big time. I typically carve pretty good, esp on my Volkl Attiva 5 stars with a 68 inch middle. Is there something I should work on more to get myself thru this stuff without feeling like my legs are getting a serious workout. Its usually just my calves that flair up after a day of this stuff. I figure I just need to start seriously using some power to get my side cut thru the mashed potatoe mounds...:p

Any suggestions?

I ski it like I used to ski the powder on my old straight skis...bend your knees and lean back! It's like water skiing....you want to keep your tips up! That's the best advice I can give from my experiences....any others?

 

[SkiBunny]

I ski it like I used to ski the powder on my old straight skis...bend your knees and lean back! It's like water skiing....you want to keep your tips up! That's the best advice I can give from my experiences....any others?

Hey Vail Gal,

That might work with my longer ski's that also a bit wider middle. However, I tend to do steeps and leaning back may get me in trouble :P HOWEVER, I think you just reminded me to keep my toes up meaning my tips would go up a bit.

Thanks so much for the advise. I tend to let the mashed potatoes get me stressed. Go figure...steeps dont bother me but Mashed Potatoe snow.....errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr LOL

 

[sleddog]

Don't lean back unless you want to ruin your knees! Your quads should not burn after a day of skiing in the slush. Crud skiing takes a little more patience than hard pack - you want to make sure you're engaging both of your skis in a turn - don't let the downhill ski have too much weight on it - and keep fairly centered on your skis (fore and aft). Releasing the outside ski to start a new turn will help draw your center of mass into the new turn (right ski to go right, left to go left). This will allow the ski to cut through the heavy stuff and not buck you around.

 

[SkiBunny]

Don't lean back unless you want to ruin your knees! Your quads should not burn after a day of skiing in the slush. Crud skiing takes a little more patience than hard pack - you want to make sure you're engaging both of your skis in a turn - don't let the downhill ski have too much weight on it - and keep fairly centered on your skis (fore and aft). Releasing the outside ski to start a new turn will help draw your center of mass into the new turn (right ski to go right, left to go left). This will allow the ski to cut through the heavy stuff and not buck you around.

Sleddog,

What you said makes so much sense to me now. I know its a no-no to get in the backseat, my hubby had a problem with that when first learning to ski and his quads would burn big time. Once in awhile depending on how tense I get...my calves will burn but not awfully. But I do need to get my downhill ski a lil lighter ....that makes perfect sense!

Thanks so much!

 

[smpayne]

Your quads should not burn after a day of skiing in the slush.

Only if you know what your doing. When you have to re-learn how to ski in a new set of conditions, stuff is going to hurt. But your right, once you've got it figured out it shouldn't hurt.

 

[ski diva]

Another thing: it doesn't hurt to get up some speed. That can help you power through the crud.

 

[Lori_K]

I'll second the recommendation to use fat powder-type skis in mashed potato snow! The wider skis will ride up on top of the mashed snow, while the narrow skis try to push it around more. I've ridden the mashed on both types of skis, and actually one day I had quite a lot of fun in the warm afternoon sun slopping around on the Pocket Rockets in the mashed potatoes. There's nothing quite like the SPLLOOOSHH sound you get as you slide to a stop at the bottom. :p

 

[liquidfeet]

I've happened on a way to ski mashed potatoes that keeps me happy while everyone else is crying. It doesn't work those calves/quads so much, because the snow doesn't push on your skis so you have to push back.

Get the skis up on edge (I mean REALLY up on edge, with your body angulated and your hips dropped down near the snow.) Then the skis will slice forward through the spuds like a razor through shaving cream. Well, no, not like that. Like an electric knife through a turkey breast. Well, no, that's not it either.

The skis will arc forward through the slop and you just ride 'em. It's fast, it's fun, and you get to pass everyone else who's down trying to recollect their lost skis. If you can get yourself to do this, then you won't hurt, and you'll like the heavy wet snow, as long as there's enough inclination on the hill to get up some speed.

However, my experience has been that if you try to ski the stuff with skis flat and body tall, forget it. You'll work yourself to death, and fall down anyway.

It takes some work to figure out how to ski this way, but once you can do it, you get lots of payback. The security of feeling the skis arcing through the snow or hardpack is unforgettable. Best of luck finding your way of dealing with our changeable snow.

 

[volklgirl]

Get the skis up on edge (I mean REALLY up on edge, with your body angulated and your hips dropped down near the snow.) Then the skis will slice forward through the spuds like a razor through shaving cream.
It takes some work to figure out how to ski this way, but once you can do it, you get lots of payback. The security of feeling the skis arcing through the snow or hardpack is unforgettable. Best of luck finding your way of dealing with our changeable snow.

I like to visualize hitting my b**b with my inside knee....that really gets you angulated and low. No problem skiing in the crud and slush since (although the big, fat Karmas make it even easier ;) ).

 

[Jilly]

Now that it one visual a few of us can relate to. But its the roll in the middle that hits first!! Actually I like my fat skis in the mashed potatoes and concrete stuff. Staying low is good, balance is important and edging is minimal - sort of like powder but low instead of high.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Ok....so....let me get this straight.....my advice stinks!! :D (giggle!)

Thanks for setting me straight and for helping me to figure out why the heck my quads hurt!

 

[liquidfeet]

You know, quads hurting isn't so bad. It just means you'll be stronger in a few days after the muscles repair and improve themselves. On the other hand, the lure of the bar or hot tub can replace going out and getting a real burn on those warm days.

For me, it's the possibility of losing control in lumpy snow that really counts. When the snow is in control, not you, that's not good. Falls happen, skis twist off, and, well, things sometimes happen. Best of luck on getting those skis up on edge!

 

[SkiBunny]

You know, quads hurting isn't so bad. It just means you'll be stronger in a few days after the muscles repair and improve themselves. On the other hand, the lure of the bar or hot tub can replace going out and getting a real burn on those warm days.

For me, it's the possibility of losing control in lumpy snow that really counts. When the snow is in control, not you, that's not good. Falls happen, skis twist off, and, well, things sometimes happen. Best of luck on getting those skis up on edge!

Yea I hate that feeling of NOT being in control...what you said earlier makes perfect sense. I just have to work on my technique more in the rough stuff...ntm getting my fatter skis out (which means taking my narrow ones for the mornings and my mid fats for the afternoon...oh well got room in the truck...haha)

Thanks for everyone's advice and suggestions. I'll def work on some new things...But now the temps are to be 20's in the day :D But I know it will eventually warm up soon enough again :p

 

[eSki]

I tried this this weekend but i kept feeling like the edges were catching/engaging unevenly. Once that happened I got scared and didn't know what to do next.

get the skis up on edge (I mean REALLY up on edge, with your body angulated and your hips dropped down near the snow.) Then the skis will slice forward through the spuds like a razor through shaving cream. Well, no, not like that. Like an electric knife through a turkey breast. Well, no, that's not it either.

The skis will arc forward through the slop and you just ride 'em.

 

[beckylh84]

Heavy, wet slush was the situation at Wisp yesterday.

Get forward over the tips to steer the skis and keep pressure on the downhill ski.

 

[liquidfeet]

I tried this this weekend but i kept feeling like the edges were catching/engaging unevenly. Once that happened I got scared and didn't know what to do next.

How wet and sloppy was the snow? Were your skis sinking into it? Was it bouncy, like a soggy pillow?
How far apart were your feet?

 

[dividedsky75]

I had a somewhat similar issue today at Blue Mountain in PA. They finally got some real/natural snow last night and today but the base is very icy. So, if the trail wasn't groomed but had been skied, you had mounds of somewhat heavy snow surrounded by giant patches of ice. I have no idea how to control myself properly on those polar opposite conditions right next to each other and my knees are pissed. Any suggestions for that as well?