Mogul skiing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article.
Please improve it or discuss changes on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.

Moguls are bumps on a ski slope formed when skiers push the snow into mounds or piles as they execute turns. They can also be built purposely on a slope for freestyle skiing competitions. Once formed, a naturally-occurring mogul tends to grow as skiers follow similar paths around it, further deepening the surrounding grooves. Since skiing tends to be a series of linked turns, moguls form together. In most ski resorts certain pistes are left un-groomed to allow moguls to develop.

Mogul skiing is a type of freestyle skiing where skiers try to pass different bumps or moguls. Mogul skiing is the most exciting event in freestyle skiing competition because of the complexity of the sport where a competitor will try to pass moguls or bumps, sometimes as big as a car, while riding down the approximately 25 degrees inclined slopes.

Competitive mogul skiing arose soon after aerials became popular. During a moguls run, skiers must turn around large bumps (moguls) and also perform two jumps. The slope is very steep, usually between 22 and 32 degrees, and about 660-890 feet in length. The jumps in a moguls competition are smaller than those in aerials, and until recently inverted maneuvers were banned.

Many skiers enjoy the challenge of attacking a mogul run. Snowboarders typically favour them less, although more advanced or technical riders do sometimes enjoy the prospect.

Judging: Turning technique counts for 50% of a skier's score; jumps and speed each count for 25%.

1 Basic techniques on mogul skiing
2 Mogul skiers
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Basic techniques on mogul skiing

1. Begin at the top of the mogul run by looking down the hill. Look for a even path in the snow, where the turns are symetrical in distance.

2. Face directly down hill. Hands and chest should remain facing down hill for the entire run.

3. Push off with your polls to start momentum down.

4. Bend your wrist back towards your bicep, and plant your pole in the ground.

5. Bring knees to your chest as you go over the top of the mogul. This action helps to absorb the shape of the mogul.

6. Use edging techniques from skiing, putting a more weight on the ski that is on the outside of the turn. This action will cause your skis to be at a diagnol position to your body as you are beginning and ending the turn.

7. After you pass over the top of the mogul, lift the back of your skis slightly to mimic the angle of the snow on the back side of the mogul.

8. As you go down into the mogul, extend your legs fully, with weight forward on the balls of your feet.

9. Keep upper body still the whole time as only your legs and your wrists move.

Practice turning on small bumps first before going into bigger moguls.