A Snow and ski forum. SkiBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » SkiBanter forum » Skiing Newsgroups » Alpine Skiing
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

"Taking the waves out of the ocean"



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 28th 06, 02:38 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default "Taking the waves out of the ocean"

Somebody once said that "Grooming is like taking the waves out of the
ocean". I never quite got that until yesterday.

Spent the day at Bretton Woods, NH, a hill that's a lot more famous for
its eponymous Monetary Agreement. I'd never been there. Very small,
flat hill, but I did get something out of it.

There were some trails that didn't have snowmaking or grooming or even
many other skiers. A few inches of fresh snow over small bumps. There
were bare spots with grass poking through, with lots of sticks and twigs
and other vegetable detritus scattered everywhere to steer around. And
I had a blast. Suddenly, my stance was a lot more centered, I was
absorbing terrain variations better, I had good independent leg action,
I wasn't looking down at my skis, and more. Some of those lessons I
had in the past year were finally clicking. A good feeling.

Dave

Ads
  #2  
Old February 28th 06, 03:03 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Good for you!
Glad you got to ride some natural terrain, feel it out, and realize
the subtle differences to fresh cut groomies.
The world is now open for some off piste skiing, hope you get out
more and get to experience it......
Every jouney begins with one small step.

  #3  
Old February 28th 06, 03:07 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Dave Stallard wrote:

There were some trails that didn't have snowmaking or grooming or even
many other skiers. A few inches of fresh snow over small bumps. There
were bare spots with grass poking through, with lots of sticks and twigs
and other vegetable detritus scattered everywhere to steer around. And
I had a blast. Suddenly, my stance was a lot more centered, I was
absorbing terrain variations better, I had good independent leg action,
I wasn't looking down at my skis, and more. Some of those lessons I
had in the past year were finally clicking. A good feeling.


Right you are. Fun stuff dealing with snow-covered natural terrain.

And grooming ruins more than just the small bumps, when there's
significant snow. Over a season the shape of the terrain changes,
hollows are filled in, the round-overs shaved off, and the whole thing
become homogenized. Note very inviting at all. Three ways to get the
whoops and dips and hillocks back; ski in between the runs; if it's
trails only, ski on the very sides smack against the trees - the groomer
does less damage there; get the hell out of the resort and see what
nature intended.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Taking off the gloves and throwing down. Was: Ken's Video Makeover Nathan Schultz Nordic Skiing 38 May 2nd 05 03:10 AM
Birkie Waves Dave Mayo-Kiely Nordic Skiing 11 April 4th 05 03:45 PM
Taking a 6 year-old skiing on your own FionaG European Ski Resorts 23 March 7th 05 10:03 PM
Anne McLellan looks forward to taking up the biathalon John Locke Nordic Skiing 0 June 11th 04 05:32 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 05:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SkiBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.