SPRING INTO ACTION
Instead of fearing the ice, learn to go with the flow
Spring is here and the New Generation team want to help you make the most of it! Here are some top tips for tackling slush, ice and moguls
The mountain is a playground for everyone, and despite conditions not always being favourable, you can always have fun! We know that far too many skiers fear variable conditions and that feeling of being out of control. We want you to feel confident in any situation this spring, so we’ve put together some tips to help you ski the different snow types that you often get at this time of year: early morning ice, afternoon slush and moguls.
Slush moguls? No problem! Remain cool and absorb the bumps with your legs
ICE
Ski racers love ice, to the point where they inject the racecourses with more water, so it freezes and hardens the snow. It sounds like a bizarre concept, when most skiers we talk to avoid ice at all costs! Instead of fearing the ice, we recommend going with the flow. If you hit black ice in your car, you wouldn’t slam on your brakes, so there is no need to hit the brakes on skis.
Our tips:
Start confidently – you can, and will, get past this bit of ice with a dash of self-belief. It helps if you have sharp edges, so take care of your skis and keep them tuned. Allow your skis to side-slip if your edges aren’t sharp enough to grip (walking down on plastic ski boots will be more complex, and we don’t recommend this!). Stay balanced on the downhill ski throughout the turn to maintain your grip, and ignore the noise! Often the sound of ice makes it sound worse than it is
SLUSH
Spring skiing often means slushy conditions, as temperatures rise and the snow starts to melt. Usually, the snow is pretty hard first thing in the morning, then as the day goes on it gets warmer and slushier, to the point where it can feel like water-skiing by the end of the day. Tackling the slush can be hard work – and a lot of fun, too.
Our tips:
To find the best snow early in the day, select your pistes by their aspect, i.e. the ones that face east, then south, catching the early morning rays. This way, you might enjoy that ‘transformée’ sweet-spot as the snow begins to soften a little. Over the course of the day, as the snow gets slushier and heavier, try and stay balanced by keeping your core strong. Keep your body facing down the hill to help maintain your speed and momentum. To allow enough speed and rhythm, try longer, sweeping turns. Your edges won’t achieve much if it’s slushy, so focus on more rotation to turn. Avoid sudden movements and let your skis flow down the fall line.
BUMPS
With soft snow comes moguls, often big moguls. Skiing in variable, bumpy snow can be physically demanding. This means you must constantly adjust to the terrain and readjust your balance so you don’t get caught off-guard. Balance, looking ahead, and rhythm are the leading players for successfully skiing bumps. Essentially, you want to remain as cool, calm and collected as you can while absorbing the bumps. No one will ever know you’re sweating under that helmet and goggles because you’re keeping it together.
Our tips:
Take a deep breath at the top of the slope and mentally prepare. Pick a line through the bumps and try to look three bumps ahead (or more). Keep your core strong and calm to allow your legs to do the work. Use your poles – consistent pole planting will help with rhythm. And keep moving! Yes, you may get thrown off balance now and then, but fight to get back on balance and keep moving forward.
FACTFILE
‘New Gen’ will help you develop technique, build confidence and have fun in 16 resorts throughout the Alps, from Tignes and Les Arcs to St Anton and Lech. See skinewgen.com.
