Better Skiing: Bump Skiing

Welcome to this edition of Better Skiing, I’m Bruce Ruff.
I love skiing the long bump runs at Vail and Beaver Creek. If you’re going to be an all mountain skier and ski bump runs like these here’s how to make it easier.

The first step is being able to recognize your line through the bumps. Look for two rows of moguls to come together and form a series of tight turns right down the fall line. To ski this line you must have consistent turns to control your speed. The single most important movement all good bump skiers have is the up / down absorption and extension of the lower body. This absorption and extension is done aggressively with the rhythm of the bumps. This keeps your skis on the snow. This can only be done if your hands are out in front of your body (Your hands are the key to your control). Make sure you keep your chin up and look ahead. This will keep you from bending at the waist to absorb the bumps and forces you to absorb from the waist down.