Skiing Tips - Good Edge Control Is Essential For Mogul Skiing

Edging and edge control are two commonly used term in skiing. But, do you know what edging and edge control mean - and why this understanding is important for mogul skiing and powder skiing?

Edging and edge control are commonly viewed as being synonymous with having the ability to create high edge angles - a technique that produces carving. But, edging and edge control really isn't about high edge angles. Having good edging or edge control skills actually means being able to dial in the appropriate edge angle (whether high or low) for the task at hand.

High edge angles can be very appropriate for skiing at high speed on groomed runs. But high edge angles in off-piste terrain can be disasterous because high speed and 3-dimensional terrain don't mix well unless you are young and have lightening fast reflexes.

Ski runs that contain moguls and power are usually steep. If you are standing upright on a mogul run and your skis are perpendicular to the fall line your skis are automatically at a high edge angle to the snow because of the steep slope of the hill and/or the steep face of a mogul - much more so than if you were perpendicular to the fall line on a green or blue run. Therefore, to reduce this high edge angle, you will need to make a conscious effort to tip the base of your skis downhill in order to create a lower edge angle between the ski and the snow.

If you are a Baby Boomer, and you want to to ski mogul and powder terrain, then developing good edging and edge control skills is about learning how to choose a low edge angle (flatter ski) because the low edge angle will help you moderate your speed in moguls and powder.

The bottom line: skiers with good edging and edge control skills know how to operate across the full range of edge angles - from high edge angels to low edge angles.

To your success in becoming a better mogul skier and powder skier.

Skiing tips are brought to you by BUMPS FOR BOOMERS ® - an Aspen skiing program for Baby Boomer and Senior skiers who would like to quickly learn the skills to enable them to get off of over-crowded groomed runs. BUMPS FOR BOOMERS ® is an Adult Specialty Program Of The Ski & Snowboard Schools Of Aspen • 1-970-989-2529

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