Skiing Technique: Ride a Pillow LineThe classic ski movie sequence is some North American dude blasting a series of steps without stopping, using deep powder to keep speed within semi-sane limits.
Wooded slopes are the usual hunting grounds, and a recent snowfall is somewhat critical. You don't want to be doing this under lifts as there will be a load of tree stumps, which are a bit ouchy when you run into them.
Well, we're not letting the Yanks have all the fun.
In this instance you're watching park and big air maestro James Woods testing his skills druing the Jib Vid competition in Mayrhofen's Baby Tour, or rather the bits in between!
Woodsy isn't using fat skis this time, probably because he was just tooling around the resort looking for things to do, like most of us. Skis over 100mm underfoot make life easier when you're dropping into powder because you don't disappear.
When scoping a line like this, look around, If there are trees either side and lines overhead, there will be stumps. If there are grassy tufts or small bushes, you should be fine.
We said 'should'...
Dropping
Set your speed to clear the lip rather than plop off it.
Stay Centred
We say this a lot because it is the key to landing well.
Extend
You're landing, sort of. Stay square and you'll be set for the next drop.
Compress
Not collapse; you need to recover quickly.
Extend
And stay centred; don't let rapid leg movements send you off-balance.
Be prepared
This could be the end of the line or there could be another shelf under here. Keep those legs extended!
Bye bye
It's quite deep, but that means soft. Use your athletic core strength to haul you upright. (Note it is time and effort well spent to probe a landing of a cliff or pillow line where possible to see if there are any nasties lurking under the snow).
And off you go
Unbelievably Woodsy skied away from this.
Photo credit / James Woods boosting in Mayrhofen / Photography: James Bryant
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Skiing Technique: How to ride your line
Posted by Online Editor - Mon, 28/06/2010 - 12:55pm
The classic ski movie sequence is some North American dude blasting a series of steps without stopping, using deep powder to keep speed within semi-sane limits.
Wooded slopes are the usual hunting grounds, and a recent snowfall is somewhat critical. You don't want to be doing this under lifts as there will be a load of tree stumps, which are a bit ouchy when you run into them.
Well, we're not letting the Yanks have all the fun.
In this instance you're watching park and big air maestro James Woods testing his skills druing the Jib Vid competition in Mayrhofen's Baby Tour, or rather the bits in between!
Woodsy isn't using fat skis this time, probably because he was just tooling around the resort looking for things to do, like most of us. Skis over 100mm underfoot make life easier when you're dropping into powder because you don't disappear.
When scoping a line like this, look around, If there are trees either side and lines overhead, there will be stumps. If there are grassy tufts or small bushes, you should be fine.
We said 'should'...
Dropping
Set your speed to clear the lip rather than plop off it.
Stay Centred
We say this a lot because it is the key to landing well.
Extend
You're landing, sort of. Stay square and you'll be set for the next drop.
Compress
Not collapse; you need to recover quickly.
Extend
And stay centred; don't let rapid leg movements send you off-balance.
Be prepared
This could be the end of the line or there could be another shelf under here. Keep those legs extended!
Bye bye
It's quite deep, but that means soft. Use your athletic core strength to haul you upright. (Note it is time and effort well spent to probe a landing of a cliff or pillow line where possible to see if there are any nasties lurking under the snow).
And off you go
Unbelievably Woodsy skied away from this.
Photo credit / James Woods boosting in Mayrhofen / Photography: James Bryant
Related stories:
Skiing Technique: How to ride your line