Ah-Ha! How to turn on one bump?

A snowHead

In response to rob@rar's question in SnowHot's "Ah-Ha" moment thread, I though I'd expand on one of mine for comment (and/or ridicule). Caveats 1. I am sure this is not the only technique, it just works for me and follows an "Ah-Ha!" moment. 2. I am not an instructor, nor would I want to be seen to pass myself off as one.

Bumps are one of my things. They can offer a great challenge when there's not many other challenges available and I reckon there isn't much better to watch than a good skier zippering a line.

This was around 1996. I was/am reasonably competent, I could hold the fall-line in regular bumps but mostly through momentum and strength. Anyway I went out for a "tune-up" with one of the best instructors I have met (in limited experience of instruction) - Thierry Copreau, ESF Morzine.

Anyway, the "Ah-Ha!" moment was when he asked, "Show me how to turn on one bump. After all, if you can't turn on one, how can you expect to turn on many?"

The lightbulb goes on, "Ah-Ha!". A good question.

Now, I'd read my Sunday Times "We learned to ski" section on "Avalement" turns in bumps and believed that that was what I was doing. But I hadn't considered its deconstruction into a single turn.

So, with TC supporting my pole (poles are almost necessary for this) we set about doing one single turn on one single bump.

Preparation

Start with your skis on the apex of one bump with your skis pointing across the fall line.

Skis together One of the few times where this is necessary. The idea being that one essential element is that your skis can swivel as one on the apex of the bump.

Avalement Literally, to swallow. You bring your legs up as you crest the apex so that the bump is completely absorbed by them. Design faults in the human nervous system mean that until you get used to it, this feels as though you are grossly over-absorbing. In most people I observe skiing, absorption is happening at maybe 20% of what's required.

Fluidity comes with practice. For this single turn though I think you ideally want to be crouched to the point that as you pass over the bump and extend into the trough, your hips follow a straight line down the hill.

Anticipation The idea is that you position yourself so that as your skis slide forward and pass over the apex, they naturally rotate on the top of the bump and you extend into the trough with your skis pointing the other way. In order for them to naturally change direction like this you need to anticipate the turn by extending the arm on the side you want to turn to, out to that side. You don't want to rotate your torso (if you're starting from the fall line) but because your skis are already pointing across the fall line and you are extending your arm in the opposite direction, you end up a little like a wound up spring, ready to trigger the rotation.

Poles Almost essential. Your inside of the turn pole (held in your extended arm) is planted just beside your inside of turn boot.

So for the exercise...which involves a little commitment from both the instructor and the instructee.

Instructor supports the pole and allows the instructee to angulate a little edge into the bump.

Instructee pushes forward a tiny little bit - and provided all the parts are properly lined up - naturally sweeps down the front of the bump extending into the trough and with skis rotated in opposite direction.

Ah-Ha!

A little edge set, more absorption and repeat in opposing directions as required until knackered.

A snowHead

David Murdoch, good write up. It's still very much forms the progression in many ski schools today.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

David Murdoch, Just to clarify, which part of the bump / turn are you calling the apex ?

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And to continue useful bump help: the very best bit of advice I've ever had WRT skiing moguls was to ignore the bump and focus on the hole! 'look for the hole/trough with your toes' was actually what he said. What a difference. Very Happy

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

first thing to say is that moguls are probably my weakest element of skiing... but this rings true for me. i'd spent ages with people telling me to absorb the bump and pivot on top of it, but it was when i got the idea of driving my ski tips into the hole on the other side that i started to ski them with some semblance of technique

there was one run where i was really letting rip in bumps and that ended with me tearing my ACL. tend to avoid them if i can now Sad

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Wow, this could turn in to a 'bumps theory' thread Very Happy

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

THANK YOU!
This is amazing!
or should I say AH-HA!

After all it is free

I agree. The trick is to turn 'one bump at a time'.

david@mediacopy, the "flat" bit on "top" - or if not flat, the area where you'd stand if you were standing straight upright on it.

Whitegold, indeed, cos then any bump becomes that one bump and you can ski any line fluidly.

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Snowhot,

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

comprex, Makes perfect sense. Now we'll see if I can actually put it into practice.

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SnowHot, sorry, bee/bonnet.

Last weekend I was talking to a guy who was surprised that I thought his Voelkl 6*s were a good ski, apparently they chatter at speed Shocked

then I saw him walk away to sell them, every step he took had that little heel pull inwards as his ankles stopped bending.

David Murdoch, thanks mate, appreciated.

You know it makes sense.

David Murdoch, nice one, good explanation, will have to give it a go sometime.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

For the record I'm printing this out to keep it handy when I'm getting geared up for bumps.
I am impressed with the simplicity of this explanation, and very grateful.

A snowHead

SnowHot, come ski with Pierre, eh and he'll show you the other way to do it, flexibility not required.

A snowHead

comprex, I want to have lessons with this guy when I get home.... he works at my home resort... and is friends with a young friend of mine...

http://youtube.com/v/o1LWqiBsUxw

unfortunately I fear I am too old to ski bumps like him Evil or Very Mad

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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After 3 pints of strong continental lager and a few of ropey red...the result of the coaching described above can be seen here...

Some of you may have seen this before.

Apologies.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

David Murdoch, looks good but when do we get to see some video of the 6' amazon camerawomen Laughing

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

David Murdoch, nice keks

After all it is free

skimottaret,

I've asked him this loads.... I think it a fantasy.. Laughing

Nice write up. Moving on from one bump I think a top tip is to look ahead 2 or 3 bumps or at least the next one. As with many aspects of skiing and other sports - "head up, stop looking at your toes" - can make a world of difference.

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waynos, oh absolutely - just like in gates your mind should be well ahead, letting "muscle memory" deal with what your body is up to IMHO

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SnowHot, ohhhhh, I soooo wish I could do that. Wicked! You will have fun keeping up with him!

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Rusty Guy, hmm, if you are describing my sequence,

1. thank you for your comments and kind words wink

it's always good to hear from you!

2. this was on the side of the Leisse in Tignes - a double black diamond in US terms.

3. The camera angle doesn't accurately represent the size of the bumps IMHO . Leisse has a less steep section in the middle - in general, while not as gnarly as say the Olympic bumps in Deer Valley, they were not small. I think it' slightly confusing that the amazonian photographer in question has sensibly chosen a relatively flat area to stand on for obvious reasons. So all action closest to the camera is slightly unrepresentative of the rest. But a fair point! Observe the higher and lower section for bigger bumps!

At the risk of exposing innocent friends to the SHs criticism, this clip might illustrate conditions better

Fitz La Leisse from DM

here

But you raise another interesting point. From a static start, I submit that my at the start of the thread description is accurate. From a dynamic start however, the point of greatest force is on the side of the bump not the top (otherwise I would guess you'd slide off?) so yes, side action is what we're up to. I could imagine that you could describe this as the effective apex, as opposed to the top.

??

A snowHead

JT, skimottaret, here you go...might even be able to dig up some vid if you like...

A snowHead

tall, good looking, AND can ski, my ideal woman, bring on the video Laughing

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

skimottaret, alas my friend, we were at her wedding a few weeks ago...and a fine old bash 'twas too!

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David Murdoch, i'm sure it was a great bash, the good ones never last too long do they Laughing

I hope her husband skis!!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

skimottaret, he didn't really when they met but has applied himself with huge dedication. So he is getting there - and manges to enjoy what could otherwise be a tricky old learning curve.

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

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Rusty Guy, hmmm, you might be right. Certainly, video never (at least not when I'm driving) does justice. The cheerleader can be seen here-->

Help!!

Ah-Ha! How to turn on one bump?

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