How to ski in moguls?

Knowing the right techniques for skiing in a mogul field proves very practical when you have to descend a slope that has been heavily trafficked, on rather soft snow. Repeated passages of skiers tend to dig into the slope and create these famous moguls. And this can quickly become complicated for beginner skiers who don't know how to take each turn properly or brake correctly on this uneven terrain !

But learning to ski in moguls is also essential to move from an intermediate skier to an expert skier. By mastering this type of terrain, you will be able to enjoy more technical slopes: you will be more comfortable on the incline and in turns, safer, and able to gain more speed on black runs and mogul fields.

For this, use the turning technique. With bent legs, skis together, torso turned towards the slope, back straight, put your body weight on your right ski to turn right, or on your left ski to turn left. Plant the pole in front of you, on the side you wish to turn to contour the mogul. Push on the pole to give yourself momentum, while contouring it and bringing your legs up towards your torso. Choose a flat area, near the mogul. Then repeat the same movement as soon as you encounter a new mogul.

While, at first glance, knowing how to ski in moguls by contouring them seems the simplest and least tiring solution, it is nevertheless a deceptive good idea. Indeed, given the many skiers contouring the moguls, the slope is often icy. This makes turns more unpredictable and perilous to negotiate at high speed.

Moreover, it is not practical to brake with skis perpendicular to the slope when there is little space, which often happens in narrow mogul fields...

We therefore advise you to favor the second technique explained below.

How to ski by turning once at the top of the mogul? By making maximum use of your legs and torso ! They act as a spring, constantly flexing and extending, both to turn and to cushion your descent and allow you to maintain your balance.

With skis together, torso straight and leaning forward, incline your legs forward (pressing on the tongue of your boots), with your knees deeply bent, plant the pole on the top of the mogul, taking maximum support.

But then, how to ski in moguls by turning at the top without taking off? Adopt a position where your body and skis are facing the slope. Bend your knees as much as possible to avoid taking off when you reach the top of the mogul. Once at the top of the mogul, bring your legs and knees up (the famous flexion-extension) as soon as you have contoured your pole, in order to orient your skis parallel to the slope and be ready to tackle the next mogul, by inclining your legs and torso further forward.
In short, turning during your jump is the secret to knowing how to ski in moguls.

Try to keep your feet as straight and flexible as possible, without pressing on your heels, so as not to fall backward (even if your knees are deeply bent to initiate the top of a mogul).

Remember to anticipate: keep your arms well forward and plant the pole far in front of you. Look ahead to analyze the condition of the snow and moguls, and not at your feet. Control your speed. The flexion-extension phase is crucial in this: the more you bend your knees before the top of the mogul, the more you slow down when you bring your knees and legs up to turn.
While the movements may be a little jerky at first, you will find that you will quickly get into the rhythm and be able to make the most of your descent on bumpy terrain.

With all these tips, you now know what position to adopt and what movements to make when you find yourself in a mogul field. Enjoy the natural or groomed mogul runs inresorts like Font-Romeu, La Clusaz or L'Alpe d'Huez !
Remember to book your ski rental online before your mountain stay, to benefit from the best Sport 2000 rates and only have to pick up the equipment in store upon your arrival!