How to Ski Powder – Tips for Beginners
How to Ski Powder
Skiing can be fun at all levels, be it beginner or pro. Every skiing experience brings with it excitement and adrenaline, and as time goes by, a beginner gets better in the sport, so he looks for more challenging experiences. As a sport, skiing usually involves sliding through marked lanes on snow but as one master the grades of such skiing, they venture into more adrenaline challenging trails. The primary skiing grades include run, blue, red and black. Each of these categories offers unique characteristics and challenges, and it takes time before one can surpass all this. However, skiers are not limited to these skiing grades. There are other options including off-piste skiing which is by nature skiing on anything else on the snow including skiing on slopes that may be far steeper as compared to those found on a black run.
Ski powdering is considered the glory of skiing. It is the apex of all skiing and every skier worth his salt at one point or another dream of hitting a ski powder. Here are a few tips on how to ski powder;
Practice, practice and keep practicing. In as much as powder skiing is fascinating, it takes time and practice to get to the level of ski powder. Additionally, you need to prepare yourself for the adrenaline of ski powder mentally. In this level, you need to ski in very high speeds beyond what you have imagined possible before. The rule of the thumb being, relax and let gravity take charge and keep in mind if you fall, you will be falling into the haven of soft and forgiving snow powder.
Get the right skiing gear and equipment. To make powder skiing more accessible, you are advised to get the proper equipment. For instance, consider getting a ski with a broader width, one with tip rocker. A ski with a tip rocker makes it easier to get it above the snow especially when sliding downhill. While at it, consider getting fat skis. Expert skiers prefer fat skis and there definitely a reason for this. While still talking about gear, consider also getting good quality boots that are well fitting and comfortable.
Learn the fundamental movements. Skiing is about flexing, pushing, pulling and flexing. Powder skiing is three dimensional, and a skier needs to make the tips go in and out. You can practice these moves on a terrain of your choice that has soft snow that you can ski into and out comfortably.
Go straight into the bump-like contours on your terrains. That is right, do not navigate around bumps, hit them straight on. It will help you unweight and make turning easier. However, be careful while choosing your terrains to avoid hitting bumps that are dangerous or those with stones underneath.
Turn with your thigh bone and not off the edge of your ski board. Advisably, do not ski the same way you would on harder snow.
Be flexible and ready to adjust your body. To keep balance, you must always keep your feet on the move. As you start skiing, you will realize that your feet will be slowly slowing down. Therefore, you need to push them a little to keep up the speed desired for ski powder. Again, when the ski makes a turn, you will realize your feet want to take off. In this case, pull them back and adjust them to be underneath your body.
Get more inclination and lower angulation. In ski powder, you need not lay hard on edge; here you are creating a more extensive platform almost the same way as when driving a luge track. What this means is that in powder, you need a little more lean for turns using your whole body while at the same time ensuring minimal edging using your lower joints.
Find the right skiing locations. Most ski locations receive powder each year, what differs is the amount that falls on each site. Look for an area that best suits your skiing needs and also one well known for receiving a good enough amount of snow for ski powder.
Pole planting. In skiing, poles are used to keep a rhythm. Unfortunately, far too many skiers do not know how to make proper use of their skiing poles. To ensure an appropriate use of the poles, ensure your hands are in front of you. It will help you keep the active and balanced position as well as prevent you from leaning backward after making a plant.
Ski powdering is fascinating and very entertaining especially for those who understand how to achieve the best. However, it is essential to realize that in as much as it may be intriguing, there is no guarantee that even with the falling of lots of snow, you will achieve excellent ski powder. Practice is therefore required to achieve it.
