After some easy carving, Shawn led us in some stretches that worked out any remaining overnight kinks related to Saturday's bouncing where we should have turning. Next, it was into some interesting slipping and sliding drills that forced flattening the skis and feathering the edges - both maneuvers being important in the moguls. Then it was back to the video hut to see what we real looked like opposed to what we thought we looked like.
Viewing at the Video Hut
The video started with Shawn picking a line through the irregular bumps and double fall line troughs that we all thought would be easy to follow. However, what was interesting was that while we did start in his tracks, all of us mapped different lines relative to what was popping up at us. Which is why I personally like skiing in moguls - go where you want to (or can) go.
As we watched ourselves coming down Shawn critiqued each run, slowing the tape, backing it up, rerunning in slow motion, and giving a thorough coaching review of each performance. I know everyone got a lot out of the taping, seeing their own stance and maneuvers through the bumps. I do think Shawn rewound the part where I punched myself in the eye with my pole a few times too many, but it was a little funny.
With good points and bad points fresh in mind we headed back up for a few more hours in the moguls. When we got to one of the same bumped up trails that we spent time on during Saturday afternoon - the same one where we all had made a good long run - it looked nothing like the day before. Here were deeper troughs and bigger, more irregular moguls so much different from yesterday's terrain you would swear it was a different trail.
The Challenge of Mogul Skiing
This is what makes mogul skiing such a challenge. The skiers after you, the wind and whatever new snow comes along all make for a new landscape that requires applying skills in new lines and not just taking a path you mapped out before.
The day's concentration was on short turns to be used in the troughs and even some practice hop turns which Shawn emphasized could come in handy in tight steep areas. Again we skied under his individualized coaching, finding new bumped up trails and honing the quick stop and energy releasing recoil to send us into a non-shopping path downward.
Shawn was always quick to pick up on any indications that we may be getting tired from the concentrated time on the moguls. He interspersed demonstrating and explaining with time skiing so we could catch our breath. We worked up to the noon break with a series of ski crunches, which really brought out how much more edge we could get with a little extra extension.
Over lunch, Shawn's analogy of mogul and tree skiing was entertaining but didn't garnish a lot of enthusiastic response. Although Paul, who seemed to progress the most of the four of us did indicate he would like to try it. Gene, a Ski Patroller from Pennsylvania, was happy for experience on some steeper moguls than he usually sees. Mary Pat, used to skiing the Catskill Mountains in New York, had the most obvious confidence level increase of the four of us.
Looking Down the Mountain
The two areas of concentration I took away from the two days in the bumps, were a lengthening of my stance and a concentration to look further down mountain rather than at the next mogul in front of me. According to Shawn, these two mistakes in my approaching moguls are common defensive moves that puts you off balance from the start.
The two days were eye opening as to how much technique relevant to skiing moguls is helpful all over the mountain but definitely need to be remembered for moguls. Think of skiing a trail halfway down that you didn't know got bumped up and suddenly your in them. This is where the "muscle memory " of two days intensive training in moguls comes through.
