How To Ski Moguls And Look Good Doing It

By: Blog Tahoe

“How to ski moguls” is the last article in Blog Tahoe’s Moguls Week 2008 series. I planned on writing a few more articles for the moguls series but as you all know, life happens. At least I have a few ideas left for next year, right?

Skiing moguls is something most skiers will try but few will repeat. Why?

Mogul skiing requires a lot of practice, a little luck and a whole lot of courage to do well. While many skiers can get down a mogul run, few look graceful doing so. This guide is not intended to be your one answer to the “How to ski moguls” question but rather a methodology for how to slowly put into practice techniques that have helped me get a little better and a lot more confident when it comes to skiing the bumps.

Step 1. Don’t Start With Moguls.

It seems odd I know, but skiing moguls requires a particular turning rhythm best developed outside of a mogul field. Ski up to a steep blue and point your skis directly down the fall line. Moguls require a fairly constant speed (which is always just a little faster than you are comfortable with) and flexible short radius turns. Practice these two things on flat and somewhat steep intermediate run. It may help to envision a mogul field in front of you. Find your imaginary line and practice making short, consecutive turns of slightly varying width until you can do the whole run under control.

Step 2. Start Small But Start Strong.

Find a mogul field less steep than the groomed run you practiced your short turns on. Don’t try and learn how to ski moguls on a double black under the chair. Ski up to the field with your skis pointed directly down the run. Do not enter the mogul field in a traverse. Pick a line through 5 or 6 moguls. See the line in your head. Push into the mogul field to gain a little speed upfront. Practice your short turn through these 5 or 6 moguls and then stop. Repeat this process down the mogul field. Concentrate on keeping your skis pointed downhill and in contact with the snow. Do not try and hop from mogul to mogul. When you rest make sure you’re off to the side of the mogul run. Don’t rest in the middle unless you want to go for a backwards slide.

Step 3. Let The Bumps Do The Work.

You will be making your turns mostly on the sides of moguls, rather than in the mogul gully or over top. Stay flexible in the lower body. Let the moguls guide your knees up and down (this is probably one of the harder things to do when learning how to ski moguls). Keep your skis pointed down the line and in contact with the snow (allowing the moguls to compress your knees up and down will help this). The bumps are also good indicators of where to plant your pole. Your pole plant should typically be near the top of the mogul favoring the downhill side.

Step 4. Focus On Mogul Skiing Technique

Don’t worry about skiing the whole run when first learning how to ski moguls Practice short sections with the following things in mind: Find the line. Look 3 to 4 moguls ahead of the current mogul. Keep your skis pointed downhill. Make very short radius turns using the mogul’s side to compress your knees up and down. Keep your skis turning and in contact with the snow. Plant your pole near the top of the mogul and turn towards it before quickly planting and turning the other direction. Find a rhythm. Lean a forward. Relax.

Skiing is dangerous. You could get messed up doing it. If you want to learn how to ski moguls safely seek the guidance of a professional ski instructor.

Thanks for everyone the tuned in during Blog Tahoe’s Moguls Week. I hope everyone is having a safe winter and preparing for the wonderful winter season ahead.

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