Falling Forward in Technical Terrain

[JohnSKepler]

Last week, in a race that was way over my head (the very reason I entered) I encountered a fairly steep downhill section that had been reduced to moguls. Conditions were good but the carved up slope caused me some problems. I was skiing Falketind 62 with Xplore bindings and Alfa Free boots using the standard bumper.

I found that when I started to descend into a mogul I'd bring my legs parallel and lean forward. When I got to the mogul I would fall forward due to the rapid deceleration and lack of a locked heel. This happened a few times until I started approaching the moguls with a tele stance, whether I was turning or not. I can't say this was ideal but I stopped falling forward. I can see where some cable bindings with fairly stiff springs, or even the stiff toe bumper, might help in a case like this.

Can anyone share the technique I might want to adopt in skiing this kind of challenging, technical terrain? Namely, fairly steep with moguls. Or, is this to just be avoided!

[fisheater]

I believe such terrain is skiable on FT X and Rotte cable, however I can’t comment on the Xplore binding, I just don’t know. That being said, I think it’s a much better idea learning how to ski that terrain on the heavier gear you are looking at.
My suggestion is to rent some heavier gear. @Montana St Alum is very smooth in that terrain, and he is over by Park City. If I were you I would reach out to him, but he might have enough friends . I don’t know him, but he is smooth in that terrain.
I hope he isn’t PO’d that I mentioned him. It’s just he is smooth!

[mikesee]

Can anyone share the technique I might want to adopt in skiing this kind of challenging, technical terrain? Namely, fairly steep with moguls.

The technique that works for most people is to bring appropriate gear for the pitches and conditions you plan to ski.

There are seasoned pros out there that can survive icy bumps on XC gear. I'm not one of them, and it sounds like neither are you.

[CwmRaider]

I was taught to do the tele stance while going straight ahead in difficult terrain when I started XC skiing for precisely the purpose of front to back balance to compensate for changing forces from the slope and snow conditions. I don't think this is a strange thing to do?

[randoskier]

I found that when I started to descend into a mogul I'd bring my legs parallel and lean forward. When I got to the mogul I would fall forward due to the rapid deceleration and lack of a locked heel. This happened a few times until I started approaching the moguls with a tele stance, whether I was turning or not. I can't say this was ideal but I stopped falling forward. I can see where some cable bindings with fairly stiff springs, or even the stiff toe bumper, might help in a case like this.

A pair of hard toe-bumpers for the Xplore cost 12 Bucks, I would try that first. If that does not work I would try the other recommended solutions.

[Montana St Alum]

but he might have enough friends .

I never have enough friends!

[lowangle al]

Stiff flexors aren't going to help, it's a skill thing. You just need more practice on easier slopes while you aren't racing.

[Montana St Alum]

Skiing bumps on the type of equipment you describe is difficult. Repetition helps, so if you can find a good beginner bump run to get a feel for it, and get in numerous runs, that'll help, for sure. I think if you have more supportive gear that you can use to get the feel for it, you might be able to get more repetition. Getting onsite advice is good. I find that for many people, they already have the skills, and very minor observations on things like pole plant, or even strategy in picking a line can be really helpful.

[wabene]

I find myself using the tele stance in all conditions and all equipment now. Skiing down fast single track in flat light the tele stance saved me from going down many times this weekend. Unseen bumps were just swallowed up. Tele is making me a better skier in every situation, no more straight legged snow plow for this guy. Just more fun.

[Jack]

Just get more comfortable with your tele gear. I ski on 7-tm bindings which are DIN releasable and good solid, downhill tele bindings. I ski moguls comfortably. I am a Nordic Ski Patroller and I ski light Madshus Backcountry skis with 75mm three pin bindings, no cables, etc., just the 3-pins. I've been called to other parts of the mountain while wearing my light Backcountry gear and can ski, including the bumps nearly as well as with my heavier setup. It's technique. Equipment helps for sure, but there are some skills to be learned. Hitting bumps or sticky sections of snow should automatically cause you to jet one of your skis forward, the other to drop rearward, or both move concurrently in opposite directions to get you started dropping into the very stable Tele stance. It will become automatic in time, but practice it to expedited the skill. There are few instances where you should get thrown forward without being able to recover by dropping into a Tele stance.

Skiing irregular or tight moguls require practiced skills to ski parallel, or staying down most of the time in a Tele stance.

The important part is try to stay within your skill set, especially on a race course and keep having fun!

Jack