February 10, 2007. Snow in Breck, finally

Very nice day to ski. Light snow until 2. It was very nice to be skiing with the temps in the 20’s. Skied with the level 9 group today. Very fun bunch of folks.
The south facing runs hosted firm snow. We tried a few ways to minimize the struggle of firm snow in the bumps and trees. We allowed for a little skid, but mostly played with ideas of turn the legs to an edge rather than the approach of pushing the legs out to the side to create edge.

We then skied some very good snow on E-chair. It was the busiest I have ever seen E. We skied the runs which offered us a corridor. We wanted to create an imaginary corridor. Having the highest edge angle at the sides of the corridor, and a smooth transition (moving through flat) through the center of the corridor. The progressively moving to a higher edge on the next side of the corridor.
Sharon B. making some kind turns down the Queen

We also played with other focuses. Wherever you tend to focus, you will also tend to have the highest edge angle. So if you are focusing at the bump in the center of your corridor, then the tendency is to have a the highest edge angle there. That is ok if you want to slow down at the bump. But not so good if you are trying to flow from turn to turn.
Going out to Whale’s Tail

Since we were level 9’s, there is really nothing off limits. So we headed for Imperial Chair, and out to Whale’s Tail. Visibility was very limited. We used a few other tactics. Double pole swings for rhythm and proprioception. Holding a firm core, and relaxed extremities. The idea here is to rely on vision less, and on “touch” more.
Steve letting some powder fly in Queen

A very fun day of skiing with a very good learners. Thanks everybody for you enthusiasm.
Jon
Enjoy the brief Video