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shaneo 
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Post subject: Steeps (particularly Powder)
 Posted: Jan 26, 2009 - 09:19 AM
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First post: Dec 30, 2006
Total posts: 285
Location: Billericay....Essex
Status: Offline
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Is there a technique for turning in the soft stuff on steeps?
Im refering more to the already chopped up soft stuff.
I just got back from chamonix, and (when i got the chance to get up high enough!) the powder and off piste was mega, but pretty tracked out from days before, even with the new snowfall we got. Ive no problem riding the soft stuff or steeps, its just when im riding through the choppier stuff i always seem to loose control (going from toe to heel edge) as the speed picks right up as i turn onto the fall line, then because its chopped up i end up launching off a mound of snow and landing on my arse...stand up and repeat!!!
I spent a bit of time watching others and i cant tell if on the steep stuff, people are "jumping" into the turn rather than actually carving round (does that make sense!?)
Im off to Courchevel in march so im gonna have another play see if i can sus something out, but any pointers from you guys to try out would be good......i think an off piste course is on the cards for next year if im still gash! |
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philw
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Post subject: RE: Steeps (particularly Powder)
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 07:12 PM
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First post: Nov 30, 2004
Total posts: 519
Location: uk
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Cham is pretty steep. There's no "jumping" involved; if you're seeing people trying that then they'll not be doing it for long. You can absolutely carve on steep cruddy stuff, but it's just harder to do than in soft forgiving stuff. In fact boarders can ride it better than skiers.
Probably you just need more practice... it's hard to say what you're doing without seeing you doing it, if you see what I mean. |
_________________
powder mountain CoC snowboarding safety
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Harvey
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 08:06 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2006
Total posts: 1241
Location: East Yorkshire
Status: Offline
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| The fact that you say you are launching of a mound suggests that you are not bending your legs and keeping them flexible through the turn. Keeping them flexible allws you to soak up the undulations without getting airborne and losing grip/balance/dignity. |
_________________
http://www.myspace.com/harvey_faceplant
Dedicated to "Team Pants" since 2008. Winners extrodinaire!
Vous êtes la merde, et vous savez que vous êtes !
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shaneo
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 08:16 PM
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First post: Dec 30, 2006
Total posts: 285
Location: Billericay....Essex
Status: Offline
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I'll keep at it then.
After reading what you wrote harvey, ive been trying to go over in my head what im doing when riding this terrain and i probably could do with bending my legs more, im so concerned with getting round onto my heel edge in not concentrating in doing the turn correctly, im just trying to do it quickly....probably out of fear!
i think the other thing im doing is keeping too much preasure on the back foot of my heel edge when i do get round and thats kicking the nose up a bit too much allowing the board to launch over the mounds......does this sound like a possible cause?
I'll have another play when im Courchevel in march and i'll let you know how i get on |
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Harvey
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 08:40 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2006
Total posts: 1241
Location: East Yorkshire
Status: Offline
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If you imagine how a surfer rides their board in water, steering from the back of the board with knees bent. Your weight should be slightly to the back of your board to allow the nose to float. It is usually better to bring the front binding back slightly as this reduces the strain on your back leg.
Several factors influence the ease of riding in powder, not least the board that you ride. A board that is good in the park or indoors may not be much use in powder. My 157 Darkstar is great all over the mountain, but I find it lacking in deep powder. I ride a 163 midwide to get that floaty light feeling without having to put too much effort in. |
_________________
http://www.myspace.com/harvey_faceplant
Dedicated to "Team Pants" since 2008. Winners extrodinaire!
Vous êtes la merde, et vous savez que vous êtes !
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shaneo
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 - 08:56 PM
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First post: Dec 30, 2006
Total posts: 285
Location: Billericay....Essex
Status: Offline
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you see this is my problem
I have a Burton Blunt for the fridges and messing about on piste/kickers and a malolo for the piste and soft stuff and to be honest im kind getting a bit fed up taking 2 boards with me everywhere so i was gonna sack one of them off (the malolo) and get a decent all mountain board for me holds and keep the blunt for the indoors! Now youve said that though im pretty certain it is down to techinque now coz the malolo is a pow board with a 20mm setback and nice big nose! so i may keep it.............argh too much to think about!!!
I love riding the deep stuff which is why i got the malolo. because of the taper and the setback it was spot on for my puny weight.....all of the longer boards i cant ride as i dont fall nicely into the weight brackets for them which is why i dont have just the one decent all mountain board....actually thats not true, there are a fair few out there that are suitable i just wanted a piste specific and a powder specific board, but i gotta be honest, carting 2 boards and 2 bindings around is a pain in the arse!
I really fancy one of the new Lib tech or Bataleon boards............might just go for it anyways!
Anyone want a malolo?  |
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philw
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 30, 2009 - 12:53 PM
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First post: Nov 30, 2004
Total posts: 519
Location: uk
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The Malolo is a brilliant powder board, assuming you're riding the correct length (see Burton's recommended sizes). Some powder riders I know also hack the piste with no hassle on those.
The reference stance (which is set back anyway) should work fine. If you need more than that then I would look at how you're riding.
I've ridden various Malolos and also the Lib Tech Snow Mullet, which is not disimilar. I'd not swap from one to the other if you have to pay for your boards. The Fish is a little easier for people having trouble in the powder.
Carrying two boards: I think that's better than carrying three... I can't travel with fewer than two. What works best on hard pack is not what works best in over-the-head powder. If you're unsure about the "jumping" thing above then I'd invest in some lessons before switching boards. At least ride what you're intending to buy before you lay out any cash - I doubt you'll find anything much better than a Malolo for this use.
Here's my mate Kenny rocking a malolo 158 (he weighs about 62kgs) in December:
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_________________
powder mountain CoC snowboarding safety
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Bog
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 30, 2009 - 02:10 PM
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First post: Dec 14, 2004
Total posts: 1009
Location: Huddersfield
Status: Offline
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Malolo162
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 25, 2009 - 05:39 PM
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First post: Aug 10, 2008
Total posts: 5
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
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I've ridden my Malolo on BASI courses before, so it is versatile enough to ride piste as well as powder, and I would NEVER give it away!! It's my baby!!
Spent a week slashing the powder in Banff in January, and the best way to ride fresh or chopped stuff is to make sure your range of movements and speed of movements is suitable for the terrain. On steeps fore and aft plays a big part in controlling your board, but it is easy to find yourself stuck on your back foot (aft) on steeps, thus when you hit a bump, you fly!!
A good trick to keep your weight on in the right area for steeps is 'feeling' your pressure on the outside of your front foot. I like to 'steer' with the outside of my front foot on steeps - feeling my heel is driving me onto my toe edge, and my toes are driving me onto my heel edge. You can rotate your front knee in the direction of your turn also to achieve the same effect!
As Harvey said as well, making sure you flex & extend your knees will absorb the bumps better too!
Happy powder hunting! |
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