Noob powder question/help

N

Nooblet

Member
I'm sort of new to skiing, and I can ride all over the mountain pretty well do 540's, and slide rails and stuff, but I seem to have a problem with powder. Whenever I would ride powder for extended periods of time last season my thighs would burn so bad, they would get so tired and I don't know why. And I'm in really good shape so that's not it. I have a few theories that could be the reason, my form is probably wrong, so what are some good pointers. Also could it be because my skis are too skinny(80 mm) and could it be that my boots are too big and soft? they were rossi soft 1s and I weigh 160 pounds, also they were about 1 size too large(I'm gonna go see a boot fitter and get new boots soon). Thanks for the help
 
it's because you're sitting back to keep your tips up. this is something that you have to do, but much much less so with wider skis and mounting back from center. it's also because whatever sort of shape you think you're in, you're leg muscles are probably not used to that specific type of stress/work. you'll just have to ski more powder. wall sits are probably the best approximation exercise that i can think of.
 
Yea, backseat is really tiring. It's the one time in skiing where you sort of have to lean back a bit. Some skis are designed to prevent tip dive, but I'm assuming your using your park skis for pow. If they're mounted too far forward (e.g. Center) you could have trouble with tip dive, and have to lean back.
 
Ok, yeah thanks, I'm using almost center mounted 2005 trouble makers. I'll try to work out my legs more, but seriously my legs would burn so bad from like 15 minutes of riding powder, then I would hit a groomer and they would feel so much better, but I run for like 90 minutes straight during soccer, it's crazy.
 
Personally, I find powder easier to ski with stiffer boots. They are more responsive.

Also, I lean back. Normally I have racer form when Im skiing anything else, but for pow, it allows more spray and I ride my pow skis at dead center. Try to only lean back if you're doing sharp turns though. If you're charging you generally dont have to lean back.

sharper turn = less strain when leaning back

charging + leaning back = hurty thighs

get wider skis too.
 
Think about like this... If it's not to deep say 1ft of fresh. Start out in a good athlectic stance keeping your feet shoulder with a part and hands out in front. Try to be nice and balenced in the middle of the skis and remember to keep your hands out and up in front. Focus on pole planting on every turn. I think powder gets easier with the more speed you have. If you can float on top you can rip powder like you skiing a gromer.
 
get to the gym and do your squats, definately high rep-low weight like 4 sets of 15 at 185 and if youre really strong go 225 (thats what I do come ski season, but I'm maxing at 400)
 
The whole reason you hurt, as said above, is because you are leaning back. In light powder, your ski width isn't much of a problem, but it will be harder to ski heavier snow with them. The faster you go, the easier it will be, and it is alsolo  easier to keep your tips up if you are making turns, and standing up on your edges. I would say, go faster, ski stepper stuff, and get wider skis. 
 
I hate powder. I always have to shovel out the rails and boxes in the park and pack out the tables. So much work....
 
also going alot faster helps, the faster i seem to go the better i do at staying above the snow, and the less burning i have. i eat shit alot too though, but its fun that way too
 
if u cant ski powder like the guy 2 up from me ur pretty much a noob and prob cant ski very well all over the mtn casue pow is not hard to learn to ski in
 
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