Tips for Skiing Moguls

I have a love-hate relationship with moguls. I get butterflies before going down them, some runs I nail it, and some I don't but mogul skiing is definitely addicting. Executing a clean mogul run is far more technical and challenging than meets the eye. So if your like me and have a love-hate thing going with moguls, then check out these do's and don'ts to help make your mogul skiing memories things of beauty, not some YouTube accident waiting to happen.

We'll start at the top, your head. Keep your head up and looking down the hill, just ahead of the line you want to take downhill. Don't look at your skis are directly in front of you. Just like driving a car, you need to anticipate what's ahead.

Keep your upper body facing down the hill. If your upper and hips aren't facing down the hill, it's harder and takes longer time to execute the next turn.

Remember to Pole Plant. Not planting your pole means you aren't in balance and are too far forward. Also, don't plant your pole and ski past it. In other words, plant your pole at the beginning/ending of the turn not in the middle of it. Keep your arms in front of you in a fixed position at all times with your elbows slightly bent. This keeps you on balance ready for your pole plant. Make sure to snap the pole back after it plants using your wrist.

KEEP YOUR KNEES BENT. This one should be obvious, but so many skiers get launched from a mogul by straightening their legs, usually out of fear they stand up thinking it will slow them down, but it can be dangerous to do so while skiing moguls. Instead, get low and pretend you are squeezing a tennis ball between your knees while you are skiing. This will help keep not only your knees bent but your legs together, as having your feet too far apart is another mogul skiing "don't". While having your knees bent, keep pressure on your shins, keeping your skis in constant contact and putting pressure on the snow.

Keep your back arched slightly to avoid becoming chest heavy, sit down like you are on a toilet and allow the knees to absorb the bumps, not your waist. You really have to think of your knees as the shock absorbers of mogul skiing.

When one of the moguls catches your eye for some air time remember to pop off the jump. The faster you are heading towards the jump the less you need to crouch, but remember to bend both knees and your weight should be on the balls of your feet. The goal is to time it so that just as you reach the lip of the jump, your legs and upper body are fully extended, the pop! When landing remember to BEND YOUR KNEES. It can't be said enough, but you could cause serious injury if you have straight legs. In fact, go for the four-point landing, where you reach out with your arms in front of you and plant both poles as you land for balance. It will also keep you leaning forward and down the hill so you don't fall back on to your butt.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so putting in long hours skiing through moguls while working on your technique will only make your ski season that much more fun. And you won't be laughed at on YouTube!