From: jon@zeus.med.utah.edu (Jonathan Byrd)
Subject: Re: Question to more advanced skiers (bumps)
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 22:15:55 GMT
	<JON.92Dec23150759@zeus.med.utah.edu>
	<Dec28.162315.53844@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU>
	<Dec28.181404.45380@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU>
Followup-To: rec.skiing
Organization: University of Utah

In article <Dec28.181404.45380@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU> johnc@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU (John Cooley) writes:
   In article <Dec28.162315.53844@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU> trzyna@CS.ColoState.EDU (wayne trzyna) writes:
   >In article <JON.92Dec23150759@zeus.med.utah.edu> jon@zeus.med.utah.edu (Jonathan Byrd) writes:

   >>I would advise you against spending too much time worrying about
   >>methods of controlling your speed.  In my opinion, the phrase
   >>"controlling your speed" is really a euphemism for fighting the
   >>mountain.  Good skiers fight the mountain as little as possible by
   >>skiing at the natural speed of the slope.  Thus, they tend to ski
   >>steeper runs at higher speeds, regardless of the presence of
   >>obstacles.  Their eyes can pick a route on the fly, and their bodies
   >>can respond quickly because they aren't wasting effort "controlling
   >>their speed."  Of course, this philosophy presupposes that people have
   >>the sense to stay on slopes that they can handle.

   >While it is true that good skiers ski quickly on steeps, and don't fight
   >the mountain, they also have the capacity to stop on a dime at any point
   >during their run.  I disagree that you should not worry about controlling
   >your speed.  A practiced, reliable hocky-stop is a necessary prerequisite
   >to serious bump skiing.  Note the term "necessary" does not imply sufficient,
   >and that's where the stuff discussed above comes into play.  But the term
   >"prerequistite" speaks for itself.  If you can't find the balance point
   >on your skis and turn them horizontal to the fall line on demand, you're
   >destined for unwanted acceleration.

I did not mean to suggest that you should not worry at all about
controlling your speed.  My point was that the most fundamental way to
control your speed is to stay away from slopes that are too steep for
your ability.  If you find yourself worrying about your speed, this is
a sign that the run is too much for you.

   Contrary to Mr. Byrd's opinion, good skiers can ski the bumps at any speed less
   than or equal to the maximum of which they are capable and still avoid 
   "fighting the mountain."  Just because some young hotshot pounds down
   Derailleur at high speed on the tails of his skis doesn't mean that's the
   natural speed of the slope.  It may be the "natural speed" of his/her style
   and chosen line, but others will ski it differently, more slowly, and, perhaps,
   a good deal more elegantly.

I disagree that any slope can be skied as easily at any speed.  All
other things being equal, you will go faster on steeper slopes.  The
effort that it takes to keep one's speed below terminal velocity is
what I call "fighting the mountain."  Anything that opposes a
straight, fall-line descent requires fighting the mountain a little.
The issue thus boils down to one of degrees.  We all fight the
mountain, it is just a question of how much, and how efficiently we
fight the mountain.

When outclassed by a ski run, some people try to keep their speed down
by letting their skis scrape sideways against the snow, instead of
cleanly carving their turns.  While this does slow them down, the
scraping action is not usually considered good turning technique.

Others will traverse widely, going from one edge of the run to the
other.  This is a better alternative to scraping down the hill
sideways, but not much better.  Because of the long, straight part of
the traverse, the finish of one turn is not linked to the start of the
next turn.

Technical nitpicking aside, my point is this: If you want to learn to
ski safely, stay on slopes that are near your ability, and try to ski
them with grace, and minimal effort.  As your skill increases, you can
ski faster on steeper slopes without difficulty.  Controlling your
speed never becomes an issue.

--
jonathan byrd
jon@apollo.med.utah.edu
Newsgroups: rec.skiing