From: hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi (Henri R Helanto)
Newsgroups: rec.skiing
Subject: Re: Question to more advanced skiers (bumps)
Date: 4 Jan 93 00:55:46 GMT
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

In <9212291554.AA15363@ejvdev4> pwagner@ejv.com (Peter Wagner) writes:

>I ski the bumps okay, but never get enough ski days in to really
>master them (I ski only about 7 days/season, but I've been skiing for
>over 25 years, since I was 3).  I often feel like I'm really fighting
>when I'm skiing serious bumps.  I *definitely* should take a lesson,
>as I'm never quite sure what the proper technique is.  Could some bump
>master explain where and how you want to make your turns in the bumps?
>Thanks!

	Skiing 'bumps' or whatever they are called, is a matter of
	skill. It took me 3 winters (about 50-60 days each) of 
	practise to learn the proper technique but now I feel I 
	can ski on bumps, at least somehow. I've skied full 16
	seasons now and it's a rewarding experience to be able not
	to worry about where you're going or how bad it's going
	to get... ;-)

	The technique I've been taught and what I tend to teach
	is something like this:

	When you hit the bump, let your knees bend as much as 
	required, no matter how big the bump is and simultaneously
	begin the actual turn. After you've started it, complete
	it *KEEPING*YOUR*SKIS*ON*SNOW*NO*MATTER*WHAT* and stretch
	your legs, keeping the balance front. If you let your
	balance go back, it'll look ridiculous and you'll crash
	after a couple of bumps. When you've completed the turn
	there should be another bump in front of you at the exactly
	same distance as the previous one. If not, you're doing
	something wrong. Always look for a good line to ski, because
	there's always tough lines and easy lines and when you 
	practise you probably want to choose the easiest possible.

	This is the easiest way to start; when you really know
	what you're doing, you can make turns where ever you
	want on any kind of surface. Or jump from a bump from
	time to time, it's great to ski a bit faster, mastering
	the bumps and throw a daffy, helicopter, mule kick or
	a combination jump (twister+twister+daffy is one of my
	favourites, requires plenty of air though.. :-)

	And one thing: choose a suitable pair of skis. It's a
	lot harder to ski bumps with super-g skis than shorter
	ones. I use Olin RTC's (200cm) and I'm 6'2" / 155lbs.
	I used to have Olin Trident RS's (203cm) 5-6 years ago
	but they were outrageously heavy (compared to RTCs).
	I didn't realize that before I bought the RTCs and I
	actually learned to ski bumps with them (!). Another
	thing to avoid is too _short_ skis: skis should be
	at least 4" longer than you are tall or they'll be
	too unstable. In the 70's I used to have Rossignols and
	they were mostly just a bit longer than me. That might
	explain why I dislike Rossignols... ;-)

	And, if you're serious about learning, you should take
	lessons. I don't know how qualified teachers are out
	there  but there must be something they can teach you.
	And it won't hurt to take a lesson or two afterwards -
	here we keep an eye on each other all the time and if
	a teacher starts to make mistakes he/she'll hear about
	it if anyone notices. (Everyone _makes_ mistakes 
	sometimes).

-Henri
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From: glenb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Glen Baker)
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 08:10:08 GMT
Subject: rec.skiing FAQ 15/16 Europe
Organization: Toyz R. Me