Worst. Conditions. Ever.

[motogreg]

Hi all,

I came across some delightful conditions this weekend and I'm wondering how the pros ski them. What I found was large-ish, rained-on, refrozen bulletproof ice bumps with wind-packed fine-grained cement in the troughs. I'm able to pick my way through stuff like this just fine, but I wondered about what the "right" way to ski something like this and make it look good. Thanks for any input!

 

[graham418]

The pros head straight to the bar, and let the rest of the people thrash about

 

[locknload]

The pros head straight to the bar, and let the rest of the people thrash about

This!!!!

 

[Tony S]

Yup. What they said. Tactics are as important as technique sometimes. And in this case the right tactic is retreat.

 

[KingGrump]

Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to ski it.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

 

[KingGrump]

And in this case the right tactic is retreat.

Technique and tactics. They go hand in hand.
Most here discussed skiing technique ad nauseam. OTOH, tactics are seldom discussed.

Instead of calling it as retreat. Which carries a rather negative connotation. I like to think of going around as as a flanking maneuver. Often used in battles to gain a tactical advantage.

 

[SKI-3PO]

Hi all,

I came across some delightful conditions this weekend and I'm wondering how the pros ski them. What I found was large-ish, rained-on, refrozen bulletproof ice bumps with wind-packed fine-grained cement in the troughs. I'm able to pick my way through stuff like this just fine, but I wondered about what the "right" way to ski something like this and make it look good. Thanks for any input!

Another one of those "I’m keeping my secret stash to myself" posts.

 

[motogreg]

Well good to know I wouldn't be the only one to nope out of that trash! I just wondered if a true expert would have some jedi technique to make it look good, ya know?

 

[Tony S]

Well good to know I wouldn't be the only one to nope out of that trash! I just wondered if a true expert would have some jedi technique to make it look good, ya know?

The true experts just GAVE him the Jedi technique and he didn't even realize it.

 

[KevinF]

I remember Robin Barnes once told me that “if you want to be the s—-, you got to ski s—-“.

But yeah…. There are times it’s just not worth it.

 

[crgildart]

It shouldn't be "open" if it's not "skiable". Legit sleet that hasn't been busted down to death cookies should be roped off as closed. If you can't get from the top to the bottom without having to hop 5' + dirt patches it should be closed.

If it's "skiable" I'm in for at least 2-3 runs before bailing.. This includes POURING RAIN.

But, if I have a good reason to believe it's going to be like that before I leave the house I'm staying home instead.

 

[1Turn2Many]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you’re having difficulty in those conditions, you should check your ski for an edge high base. Winky Smiley Face.

 

[fatbob]

I believe the answer is Stockli. ( or Peak or whatever brand du jour is being plugged)

 

[KevinF]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned that if you’re having difficulty in those conditions, you should check your ski for an edge high base. Winky Smiley Face.

You seem to be new here (based on your post count), but you'll fit right in. Welcome.

 

[dbostedo]

I wonder if covering your bases with sandpaper first would help?

Or just stay in the troughs and prepare to ride it out at a very high rate of speed...

 

[Tony Storaro]

I believe the answer is Stockli.

It will be. When they start making snowcats.

 

[cantunamunch]

Hi all,

I came across some delightful conditions this weekend and I'm wondering how the pros ski them. What I found was large-ish, rained-on, refrozen bulletproof ice bumps with wind-packed fine-grained cement in the troughs.

Can you send some of it down south? 'Coz that would be a 10x improvement over the mud and rock slush...

to ski something like this and make it look good. Thanks for any input!

Retro skis...and onesies

 

[ThomasH]

"Always keep your hat screwed on real tight...
Well, that's one of the tricks that you must employ
If you wanna be a cowboy"

 

[no edge]

I skied at Mad River Glen with a girl/woman I used too ski with a lot during the late 70. It had rained and she took me into the woods. My edges were sharp but it was so slick that I couldn't get bite. So we went to the Chute and oh baby it was the worst I have ever been down it. She skied it like it was packed power. Those conditions were down right dangerous, but I was glad to ski it since it gave me perspective - to this day. But had I known there is no way I would have done that.

In 1977 she was a blue skier at best. She got better! This was 1983.

The rest of the day we skied the groomed trails, the ones with less angle. They were fine.

I don't ski in the rain, or the very cold days.

 

[Tony S]

I skied at Mad River Glen with a girl/woman I used too ski with a lot during the late 70. It had rained and she took me into the woods.

Now come on. You open a story that well you gotta finish it properly.

Like, "And we are still married." Or, "How we ended up back at the car I don't remember clearly, but at one point we were definitely in stocking feet, carrying our skis and boots through the snow." Or, "When the ambulance finally arrived it was just a white and red VW microbus owned by one of the patrollers. They had to take all the guy's sap buckets out before I'd fit in the back."