At most ski resorts, you'll find at least one run that is almost totally covered in moguls. Moving up, over and around these manmade bumps provides an experience that is so unique that it has become a competitive sport reaching the Olympic level. Even if you're not determined to bring home a gold medal, you might want to try this exciting style of alpine skiing, which offers an experience that goes beyond the standard downhill slope.
Reinhard Siller began skiing at the age of four, and by 19 was the youngest fully certified instructor in his native country of Austria. Today Siller is a ski instructor at the Sun Valley Ski School in Idaho, where he teaches lessons and trains instructors. His personal goal is to win the Powder Eight World Championship in Canada. Here he offers a basic guide to skiing the moguls:
- Moguls form gradually.
Siller sees mogul skiing as one of the biggest challenges on the mountain. Moguls, or bumps, are actually just piles of snow that get built up from skiers taking similar lines down a slope. Because the runs aren't groomed, the bumps get bigger and bigger until they create an entire mogul run.
- Shift weight forward.
The mogul bends your knees for you. Once you get on top, the challenge is to shift your weight slightly forward and keep your tips pointing down into the trough so your skis stay on the snow at all times.
- Stay on the ground.
It's not a good idea to jump in the air when you're skiing moguls. This will disrupt your rhythm and make you lose control.
- Keep weight off your heels.
Make sure not to "get in your back seat." Keep your weight off your heels and try not to let your hips drop down too low. It may be scary at first, but if you keep your weight balanced, it will help you make quicker turns.
- Anticipate upcoming moguls.
Remember to keep your eyes looking forward down the course so you are aware of the two or three moguls ahead of you. This way you'll be able to anticipate what's coming up.
- Try 'em out.
Skiing "the bumps" is a totally unique experience, and Siller thinks that everybody should give it a try.
For more about skiing and moguls, check out the following websites:
Sun Valley Idaho
www.sunvalley.com
aspenclassifieds.com: Skiing Moguls
www.aspenclassifieds.com
eHow: How to Ski Moguls
www.ehow.com
Ski Magazine
www.skimag.com
Skinet.com
www.skinet.com
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