Ski Tip for Bumps #1
NOTE: THIS IS THE EXACT SAME THING I WROTE IN SKI TIP FOR STEEPS #1. IT ABSOLUTELY APPLIES TO BUMPS IN THE SAME WAY FOR THE SAME REASON!
Readiness for the NEXT turn is as critical as the performance of the turn you're in! Near the start of, say, a left turn, I allow my hand, arm, and pole--for the upcoming right turn--to begin swinging down the hill toward the next target. In this way my hand is ready for the pole plant, and my eyes are also drawn down the hill, so I can see what's coming. It's important that the hand and pole move directly down the fall line so when the pole is ready, it will touch the snow directly downhill from the boot--not necessarily next to the tip of the ski. Furthermore, the pole should go in almost directly underneath the pole-planting hand.
At the very minimum, this movement of the pole and hand establishes a position of stability in the torso at the end of the turn, allowing me to not spent too much recovery time so I can launch my next turn. Ideally, this position will become a new pole plant very quickly---thus helping me link the turns seamlessly and confidently.
Posted On: January 06th, 2010 By: Weems Westfeldt
Comments on this blog post
Great tip Weems! Reminds me of what Ron LeMaster has to say about the pole plant, which is that it helps “block” the upper body from interfering with cross-over. If you don’t plant the pole in the right spot and at the right time, then the “block” is ineffective.
Exactly. It is one of the most critical, yet least attended-to issues in bump skiing.
