How to improve when your home mountain is super tiny?

michigang

michigang

Member
I'm trying to get better at carving, but I feel like I need better runs to do it. The black at my home mountain is a super easy run that you can finish in literally 40 seconds, and isn't that steep at all past the first 50 feet. I went up north and did some better runs for 2 days last year at the beginning of the season, and I improved so much just in those 2 days bc I was on better hills, and I'm worried that I'm gonna go back to how I was this year, bc it looks like I won't be getting away from home at all. suggestions?
 
Kind of a tough situation. I've spent alot of time on those types of mountains when I was younger and you can definitely progress pretty far by just lapping the runs all day and focusing on technique. But you'll definitely hit a plateau at some point, sounds like you're just about there.

I wouldn't worry about regressing in skill, that never happens as long as you get out there. For now I'd focus on just enjoying the mountain as much as possible, focus on technique, and try as much as you can to get up north again. Maybe your mountain has intermediate / advanced lessons? Those could help you nail form even if the mountain isn't great.
 
Buy 10m turn radius slalom skis?

I mean I'm from new jersey and I'd probably do well bashing gates. Just build up some speed, lay down some turns and stay on edge, even if it's for the last 15 seconds of your 1 minute run. You're probably better off on longer blues than blacks since a black here is basically a straight steep section that lasts for all of 10 seconds. If you can get speed a longer blue should let you keep it.
 
13954118:Willgum said:
Kind of a tough situation. I've spent alot of time on those types of mountains when I was younger and you can definitely progress pretty far by just lapping the runs all day and focusing on technique. But you'll definitely hit a plateau at some point, sounds like you're just about there.

I wouldn't worry about regressing in skill, that never happens as long as you get out there. For now I'd focus on just enjoying the mountain as much as possible, focus on technique, and try as much as you can to get up north again. Maybe your mountain has intermediate / advanced lessons? Those could help you nail form even if the mountain isn't great.
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That's good advice, thank you. It is a tough situation :( You're also right about hitting that plateau, I'm trying to keep going.
 
13954128:DrZoidberg said:
Buy 10m turn radius slalom skis?

I mean I'm from new jersey and I'd probably do well bashing gates. Just build up some speed, lay down some turns and stay on edge, even if it's for the last 15 seconds of your 1 minute run. You're probably better off on longer blues than blacks since a black here is basically a straight steep section that lasts for all of 10 seconds. If you can get speed a longer blue should let you keep it.
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My black is like that too, you're right and I'm gonna stick with blues for a bit I think. Thanks!
 
If I were you I’d spend a lot of time working on skiing switch until you can carve down that run without an issue. Would be super fun and helpful for the park.
 
13954152:J_S said:
If I were you I’d spend a lot of time working on skiing switch until you can carve down that run without an issue. Would be super fun and helpful for the park.
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yesss great idea I started working on switch a little bit last season and I'm gonna keep that going
 
start racing? Theres a lot of hate on this forum for racers but all of the strongest skiers I know are former racers.
 
13954159:Rum_Ham said:
start racing? Theres a lot of hate on this forum for racers but all of the strongest skiers I know are former racers.
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ugh I totally would if I could but it's literally so small that there aren't even chances to race :(
 
There is a lot more to skiing than jumps and rails. Practice everything like moguls, carving, switch skiing, butters, flat ground tricks, etc.
 
topic:emilymarie said:
I'm trying to get better at carving, but I feel like I need better runs to do it. The black at my home mountain is a super easy run that you can finish in literally 40 seconds, and isn't that steep at all past the first 50 feet. I went up north and did some better runs for 2 days last year at the beginning of the season, and I improved so much just in those 2 days bc I was on better hills, and I'm worried that I'm gonna go back to how I was this year, bc it looks like I won't be getting away from home at all. suggestions?
Click to expand...

13954118:Willgum said:
Kind of a tough situation. I've spent alot of time on those types of mountains when I was younger and you can definitely progress pretty far by just lapping the runs all day and focusing on technique. But you'll definitely hit a plateau at some point, sounds like you're just about there.

I wouldn't worry about regressing in skill, that never happens as long as you get out there. For now I'd focus on just enjoying the mountain as much as possible, focus on technique, and try as much as you can to get up north again. Maybe your mountain has intermediate / advanced lessons? Those could help you nail form even if the mountain isn't great.
Click to expand...

Yea man, i really think it just depends on where you are at in life. Judging from your post I'm guessing your under 18 which means you likely have limited access to funds for moving, travelling etc.

If I were you I would just try and be as creative as you can be with what you have. Theres always a more challenging way to do something. Best of luck to you with more challenging terrain mah friend
 
creativity is where it's at. i grew up skiing a mountain where i could do a little of everything. when i visited a small hill last year i noticed how differently the people there ski/snowboard. they try to be more creative and make something out of nothing. wish i could help you out, because i would get really bored riding a small hill like that every day, hope you'll figure it out
 
13954200:Gryllz said:
Yea man, i really think it just depends on where you are at in life. Judging from your post I'm guessing your under 18 which means you likely have limited access to funds for moving, travelling etc.

If I were you I would just try and be as creative as you can be with what you have. Theres always a more challenging way to do something. Best of luck to you with more challenging terrain mah friend
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yep I’m under 18 so it’s hard to get anywhere else. Thank you though
 
The key to skiing any small hill is greating as creative as possible. Fit every side hit and make a try weird ones that no ones done before. Theres always something.
 
13954247:lil.Boye said:
creativity is where it's at. i grew up skiing a mountain where i could do a little of everything. when i visited a small hill last year i noticed how differently the people there ski/snowboard. they try to be more creative and make something out of nothing. wish i could help you out, because i would get really bored riding a small hill like that every day, hope you'll figure it out
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Haha dude so true. You learn to appreciate every little side hit, tree stump, rollers etc...
 
13954152:J_S said:
If I were you I’d spend a lot of time working on skiing switch until you can carve down that run without an issue. Would be super fun and helpful for the park.
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13954153:zman420 said:
Do one ski
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These are great advice. I grew up skiing a very flat and icy 800 vert hill and we did the most ridiculous stuff to stay entertained. Ski a whole run switch, ski with one ski, do uncut tree "runs" that have like 2 inches of snow on them with multiple creeks you have to jump over.

The best small hill inspiration I've ever seen is definitely the Yawgoons. They snowboard at Yawgoo valley, which is like the tiniest hill ever in RI, but they think up the craziest stuff and really make the most of it.

[VIDEO]https://vimeo.com/117767750[/VIDEO]

I'm going to be skiing at a tiny hill in Maine this winter after spending a couple years in Utah and honestly I couldn't be more stoked
 
Just ski across the hill down fam roflmaobbq why y'all thinking so hard XD

HERE LET ME HELP YOU :3

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My hill is tiny too, 11 runs (4 at night) and 330 vertical feet. I just focus on technique and change one thing at a time, they say you have to consciously do a certian movement every day for a month before it becomes subconscious. So think while you ski. Also we have a thursday night "Beer league" race where people just set up gates and we go to town. It's only timed like a quarter of the time.
 
13954247:lil.Boye said:
creativity is where it's at. i grew up skiing a mountain where i could do a little of everything. when i visited a small hill last year i noticed how differently the people there ski/snowboard. they try to be more creative and make something out of nothing. wish i could help you out, because i would get really bored riding a small hill like that every day, hope you'll figure it out
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That’s solid advice thank you
 
start focusing on rolling your knees into the turn and angulating your hips while keeping your upper body upright. that will help you carve at slower speeds/on less steep terrain
 
13954431:-skian- said:
My hill is tiny too, 11 runs (4 at night) and 330 vertical feet. I just focus on technique and change one thing at a time, they say you have to consciously do a certian movement every day for a month before it becomes subconscious. So think while you ski. Also we have a thursday night "Beer league" race where people just set up gates and we go to town. It's only timed like a quarter of the time.
Click to expand...

This. Trying to improve one thing at a time is the best way to eventually improve your overall technique
 
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