To wrap this up, in all honesty, a lot of your really sound ex-
pert skiers will not go out of their way to ski extension-reaction
turns in advanced big moguls---in fact, we will avoid the hard ones
when there is softer snow to be had somewhere else on the moun-
tain. We will go out of our way to ski extension-retraction turns in
advanced soft powder, but not hard moguls. If there are moguls
where we are glad to have fun with extension-retraction, it is in
intermediate moguls---slushy ones in the spring are fun and make
us feel tough, like the smoother saddle-bronc all the rodeo cowboys
hope to draw. Here's a challenge for you: Mogul-eights, synchro-
nized skiing in the moguls---I'm probably the only guy to ever
think of it.
I'll never forget one of the legends of Bridger Bowl in the early
'80s, a guy named Johnny Mogul. He used to ski the bumps of the
Deer Park Chair-lift so fast it was scary. He was a heck of a skier,
no doubt, short and big-boned compared to some of us, so he was
never intimidated by the beasts. But, I noticed, whenever he got to
the intermediate hard-pack below the steep bumps, his skiing was
anticlimactic, and his only purpose in life was getting back to the
lift to ski those moguls. Then, one day in the lift-line, I noticed his
skis were kind of limp like spaghetti, like they didn't have any
spirit in them---one even had a slight upward bend in the tail. He
was such a hard skier that it didn't take him long to wear-out a pair
of skis, I'm sure---I actually think that was one of the keys to his
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 223
success, that his skis were so dead it was like he was skiing on flat
tires. His skis looked like they had no camber left in them whatso-
ever; they were like long underwear with no more elasticity in the
waist-band---"No wonder his skis never come off the snow," I
thought. A new pair of expert skis can buck you off like a good
saddle-horse full of spirit, even a top-hand ski-boy. I don't write
this to put the guy down; I only write it because it's interesting: he
loved skiing moguls more aggressively than anyone, and I believe
he found a way to do it on his terms on almost drugged-up skis
that had the quietest disposition.
Oh, I'm getting worn out: I do believe it is more tiring writing
about extension-retraction turns than actually skiing them---that
was a long run from the top of the mountain non-stop to the bot-
tom here, and in several different snow conditions.
Well, we have made it through the whole Heinsian Downhill
Skiing Schedule. The next thing to do now, if you are becoming an
expert, is to upgrade to expert equipment meaning your highest-
stiffest boots, your longest-stiffest skis, and your strongest bindings
to keep you in---all this gives you all the support you will need for
your best skiing. Your ski poles become a little more personal and
could be lighter and quicker as your balance becomes less needy.
And maybe your ski poles could the type that doubles as an ava-
lanche probe, with adjustable-length too. Double-check your pole
length from time to time to make sure it's your optimum length---I
ski with mine a tad on the short side to keep my legs working,
while others go a tad on the long side. It takes awhile, I know, to
find out what your tastes are and what equipment is right for you,
especially skis.
In my earliest years, I used to ski on long slalom racing skis,
which were fine on hard-pack, but I finally realized I wasn't getting
along with them in powder or moguls. I spent a lot of years on the
more even-flexing long giant-slalom racing skis, which didn't carve
as sharp and often required more skidding, but they never let me
down in powder of even moguls or the steep-n-narrow. A lot of
good all-around experts don't have much use for specialty skis
made just for powder or just for moguls, because they will let you
down on the ever-prevalent hard-pack snow. (In the olden days, in
the 'straight-ski' era before 'shaped skis,' it was common for ad-
vanced and expert skiers to have less confusion in picking their
skis: advanced skiers did well with a not-so-stiff recreational racing
model, while true experts usually chose between slalom or giant-
slalom models---the brand seemed to be the factor we debated, but
224 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
often the brand was just whoever gave us the best deal. Nowadays,
there is more smoke-n-mirrors in ski models, "decaffeinated," "sug-
arless," "unleaded," and whatnot, so you might have to read a
number of brochures and magazine articles, and do some test-rid-
ing, before you figure out what you want.) At any rate, I do believe
that one model of ski should get the job done for everything you
do, from skiing the steep-n-narrow powder . . . to cruising fast on
intermediate hard-pack . . . to teaching first-day beginners, like a
good ranch-broke horse that you can trust to help you do every-
thing, or a trusty old medium-to-light-caliber lever-action rifle that
will do everything from harvesting dinner . . . to fighting off vicious
wolves or cut-throat bandits---I don't fall for the expensive mar-
keting ploy that you need a different ski model for every occasion.
(Again, don't get bogged down in what ski length is correct,
because the manufacturers can change things from year to year,
manipulating lengths, stiffnesses, and shapes---if they change one
variable, they usually have to change several others to get the ski to
function like a normal ski in the same old mountains and snow
conditions. Anyway, in 2010, it is likely that expert skis are at least
up to your nose or as tall as you are, maybe even taller---in the
olden days, our expert skis were up to our wrists and stiffer than
advanced skis. . . . I am going to go out on a limb here: way back in
the wooden-ski era, it was common to have only one size available,
skis up to your fingertips, even for the poor beginners; but now,
2010, when expert skis may be as short as your nose, beginners and
intermediates could almost get by with them---I say almost, or
maybe even maybe---as long as they are game and agree to skid
more than usual till they get things figured out. There's something
you should know about FIS World Cup and Olympic Ski Racing
that affects the whole ski industry: their skis are highly regulated as
to length and stiffeness and all that, and it can be political, as one
little change can make the whole racing community have to go out
and buy new skis, making somebody rich. One reason you might
see some racers not totally committed to the outside ski like the old
days: when they do get totally edged-n-pressured on that outside
ski, the ski bites so well they can have some horrific accidents:
some flip themselves upside-down in a split second even in the
less-hairy giant-slalom, or they can tear their outside knee all to
pieces, or they have been known to shove their own knee into their
chin so as to bite their own tongue off. Sudden random changes
can put skiers at risk---I believe Sonny Bono may have been a vic-
tim, and also a host of other skiers, including ski instructors and ski
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 225
racers. It won't surprise me when skis start getting longer again
soon, just like mini-skirts.) . . . Remember, beginner equipment is
something you outgrow in a hurry like baby clothes, intermediate
equipment is something you outgrow before too long, advanced
equipment might last you quite awhile, but expert equipment is
something you won't ever outgrow----and you've got to be pretty
strong to wear it out,---and then, as we get old, advanced equip-
ment may be more of a match once again. Again, one of the things
holding back a lot of skiers, beginners through advanced, is that
their equipment might be holding them back---as always, be careful
when getting to know strange equipment.
(The winter of '07-08, one of the older expert skiers on a ski
school was selling a pair of his last-season skis, and two of us were
interested. An advanced older gentleman on the ski school took
the pair out for a test ride and came back telling us how "dead" the
skis were; . . . but, when I took them out, I found they weren't dead
at all---it was just that he hadn't gotten them "loaded-up" at all,
which requires a lot of edge and pressure resulting from high-
enough speeds. So I was the one who bought them; and, even then,
I noticed, free-skiing difficult terrain and snow conditions, I didn't
dare be complacent or lazy skiing them.)
After you get your equipment upgraded to reach your full po-
tential, go back and constantly review all forty-eight assignments
on our chart, especially if you have the kind heart of a good
teacher. If you're young enough, you might find yourself leaning
toward a specialty, in racing or extreme skiing, or whatever, be-
yond our forty-eight foundation check-points.
"Greens, Blues, Blacks:
Don't judge people
. . . by the . . .
Color of their Skiin'"
---GH
226 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
stem turns medium, traverse-slips
for first-time Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Crud or Bumps
---again, the easy task for new steepness with difficult snow
---Do not belittle this task here in the advanced segment:
you must take into account the difficult context!
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 227
linked down-stem turns
for Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Crud or Bumps
---you did these on Int Hard-pack, but now you do it steeper-n-cruddier
pre-turns . . . wi poles
for Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Crud or Bumps
228 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
linked J-stops long
for Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Crud, maybe Icy snow
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 229
roller-coaster carve
for Adv-skiers back down on Int-slope Hard-pack or Crud
---similar to the lower-level intro exercise, but bigger-n-faster
patience turns long-n-round
for Adv-skiers on Int-slope Hard-pack and Ice
---with simultaneous-leg action, weight transfer is more subtle
---use letting-go and inclination to rise up and into the new turn
230 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
parallel-step turns medium
for Adv-skiers on Int-slope Hard-pack and Ice
---emphasis is on independent-leg action
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 231
linked side-slips, medium-long parallel skids
for Adv-skiers on Int-slope Hard-pack, especially Ice
---ski patrol does this when hauling a toboggan with an injured skier
---rounded out, the slips easily evolve into medium-long skids
232 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
Meet Mr Gravity
Here I am simulating an exaggerated turn-finish for short-swing
. . . and getting ready for the steep-n-narrow.
Here I use a stake in the ground to hook my ski-poles around
---it's like a mild tug-of-war with Gravity pulling you down.
On Int-slope Hard-pack, it is common for a good instructor
to play the role of Mr Gravity, pulling on your ski poles.
This is one of the best simple stand-still exercises you can do,
to simulate and feel what you need to do to for better turns
in short-swing or for future turns down the steep-n-narrow.
Standing still, the skis are totally turned,
and my right ski simulates the outside-downhill ski,
where most of the edge-n-pressure needs to go at turn-finish.
Though here it is simulated on flat ground,
picture it being done on the same steepness as the pole angle:
the only difference, besides the poles, would be my left ski higher,
maybe even some daylight under it.
The beauty of this exercise:
either the student does everything right, pressure-edge-rotary,
or Mr Gravity takes over, telling you your weaknesses.
Notice: the skier is coiled, and release uncoils into the next turn.
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 233
parallel turns sharp, or short-swing
for Adv-skiers on Int-slope Hard-pack and Ice
---these turns, even expertly done, are skidded, not carved
Texas train-track carves
for Adv-skiers back down on Beg-slope Hard-pack or mild Powder-n-Crud
---this is fast real-skiing mode, not slow practice mode
---with skill-n-confidence, you'll do this on some low-Int terrain
---This is what you most likely see the experts doing
when they aren't up skiing the steep-n-deep
234 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
skating faster-n-longer, thousand-steps
for Adv-skiers on Beg-slope Hard-pack
---again, let the arms pump hard when skating
---while skating, you should almost never have a downhill ski
safety stop . . . wi pole
for Adv-skiers on Beg-slope Hard-pack, especially Ice
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 235
skate-step turns, GS recreational racing
for Adv-skiers on Beg-slope Hard-pack
---again, a public race course should be safe-n-easy,
to accommodate game beginners and low-intermediates
---tighter slalom gates would be equivalent to pole-bending with a horse
wedge-swing hop, hop turns
for Adv-skiers on Beg-slope Hard-pack, sometime Powder-n-Crud
---shown here is the task using simultaneous-leg action
---in the wedge version, you hop from one ski to the other
---each version is a true test of feel, timing, and balance
. . . and the quality of your ski socks
236 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
parallel turns short-n-slow, or short-n-faster
for Adv-skiers on Beg-slope Hard-pack
---skidded, these turns focus on balance-n-timing
missing element
probably on Beg-steep cat-walks on Hard-pack, Powder, and Crud
---probably something to do with Spirit,
what good students do with down-time, er cross-time, on cat-walks
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 237
parallel turns long-n-round, maybe medium
for Adv-skiers in Int-slope Powder-n-Crud
---carved when possible, skidded when necessary
---not a lot of bounce because of the lack of abrupt action
---and notice the upper-body inclination or trust into a new turn
---I may not talk about physical inclination enough,
but it's basically faith and confidence manifested
and comes natural when more basic things are done right
bouncy traverse
for Adv-skiers in Int-slope Powder-n- Crud
---to feel the buoyancy of your skis, and the effects of momentum
---a good way to get reacquainted with powder and avoid trouble
238 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
powder turns medium-to-short
for Adv-skiers in Int-slope Powder-n-Crud
---the more turns, the more skidding
extension christy
for Adv-skiers on Int-slope Hard-pack, maybe Crud
---a J-turn stop, only done from-short-to-tall rather than tall-to-short
---a rare backwards exercise, not natural in this context,
but may help you feel what happens in extension-retraction turns
---linking them is even weirder, especially as slow speeds
---Sorry, no ancient drawing available,
but you can use your imagination
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 239
leaper-lander turns, constant-pressure turns
for Adv-skiers in Int-slope Crud
---to juxtapose heavy-n-light vs finesse of a smooth ride
---carved when possible, skidded when necessary
---catching a little air and landing smoothly
teaches keeping the skis in contact with the snow
---momentum helps, use the piles, but try to be round
240 --- Heinsian DOWNHILL SKIING
linked J-stops short
for Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Crud
---quality first; but: the tighter you can make them, quantity,
the more skills you demonstrate
bumpy traverse
for progressing Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Bumps
---"suck up the bumps, and fill-in the holes"
---skier will be tall and short, tall and short, not just medium
---it's safe-n-permissible to slip below the most jagged bumps
Who&WhatTurn, When&Where&Why---Not Just How! --- 241
sharp extension-retraction turns, constant-pressure turns
for progressing Adv-skiers in Adv-slope Powder, Crud, Bumps
---powder vs moguls, up-down is similar bu