How do you ski a blue run?

Question

Hi

I accidentally turned into a blue run @Hunter Mountain today even tho I am a beginner. I had trouble controlling the speed and the run was narrow lined with trees. It made me freak a bit cos I couldn't employ the snow plow to stop. I kind of went straight down and when that was too fast I turned but that was pretty fast too.

Question:

1. How to stop on steep slopes? Use snow plow?

2. Are you suppose to just continue down w/o any breaks as it's so fast?

3. Are you suppose to plant your poles to turn on steep slopes?

4. I was going so fast that I felt out of control. At one point I just fell on my butt to stop cos the snow plow didn't work.

5. Is part of the reason I felt out of control because I was wearing rentals and lacked control of movement?

6. should I wear more 'snug' boots to control movement?

7. I wear ladies shoe size US7. Is that a 23 or 23.5 ski boot?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Lessons will help you gain the confidence to ski blue runs.  

The snowplow will work, but more advanced techniques like the hockey stop, will help you deal with steeper runs.  Pole plants are part of these advanced techniques.  They will not help much by themselves.

Do one turn at a time.  Wait until you are comfortable with your speed before initiating the next turn.  If you stop, try to stop on the edge of a run and not the centre.  There is nothing wrong with stopping.

Rentals may have been part of the problem, but mostly it will have been technique.  Snug boots help a lot.  If your boots are not snug, tighten them or get the boots replaced.

Most importantly, try to stay in control.  You are more dangerous to yourself and other riders if you are not in control.

Read and follow the Alpine Responsibility Code.  It will almost certainly be on the trail map.

Answer 2

On  a steep, narrow run, you need to carve with your skis parallel, not the snow plow.  Fast, short carving will help keep your speed down.  Yes more snug boot will help with control.  As for the poles, whichever way you are turning, plant with the corresponding pole (if you are turning right, plant with your right pole).

Answer 3

Traverse the full width of the slope, turn as neatly as you can and traverse back again.

By using the full width of the slope you effectively flatten out the angle of the slope and minimize the time that you are pointing directly down the hill. (Know as the fall line) No pun intended.

This minimizes the amount of skill and effort required to get you out of difficult situations.

Learning how to side slip is essential for when you take a wrong turn and end up on something even steeper.

Also, don't get too hung up on pole planting. They are there for a bit of balance and to aid timing, you can get by just fine without them.

Answer 4

7.  US 7 in a man's boot is a 24, women's one number smaller, the .5 is a half size.  

6. Your boots should be very Tight, no movement of the foot in the boot, only your foot and your sock in the boot.

5. Your lack of control with rental equipment is typical if the boots are loose or the edges dull, or both.  The boot straps can be adjusted in the shop so they are very tight, by moving the buckle and strap.

4. The snowplow is not designed to stop you at a medium or higher speed or on a steep slope, turn your skiis more uphill to slow down.

3. Proper pole use is a skill that must be learned for advanced skiing, but they are not required.

2. Slow down and stop every time you need to. Neer be afraid or embarrassed to walk back out of a run that is too steep for you.

1. Use an uphill christy or a hockey stop on a steep slope.

  Take a set of lessons from a qualified professional instructor.