Variable Off-Piste Skiing

What

Variable snow conditions refers to any altering snow condition, chopped-up powder, wind-packed snow, breakable crust, rain-affected snow, or spring slush. These conditions are mostly found off-piste, or on a slope that has not been groomed. The snow generally varies in density, causing the skis to speed up and slow down as they travel through or on top of the snow during each turn.

Why

Being able to ski variable snow conditions allows skiers to continue to enjoy skiing off piste days after a fresh snowfall or in the springtime where there may be slush piles and patches of ice.

How

Using a variety of open and closed turns to suit the snow conditions, develop the skier’s ability to control the fore/aft and vertical relationship between the COG and the BOS.

Skills

Situational Understanding

• Develop awareness of how the ski will travel through/on the different variable snow conditions
• In chopped-up powder the ski will travel in and out of the snow, speeding up and slowing down
• In wind-packed snow the ski will stay on the surface, moving quickly with a chalky grippy feeling underfoot and potentially finding patches of wind-loaded aspects on leeward facing slopes
• In spring slush the ski will sink and travel through the snow, slowing down and building a platform similar to in powder snow
• In breakable crust the ski will break through the surface layer and travel under the crust, making it hard to turn
• In rain affected snow the ski will travel slowly over the surface of the snow due to the high water content of the snow
• Use a variety of blue, black and double black on and off-piste slopes
• Travel at a speed that the skier is comfortable with, helping them remain confident in the variable conditions

Active Stance & Balance

• Develop fore/aft movements that will control the placement of the BOS relative to the COG, keeping the skier centred through all variable conditions
• Increase core stability to maintain a stable upper body, this will help the skier adjust their legs and feet more freely
• The range of vertical movement will vary between each condition; however, vertical movement is required to manage pressure from one turn to the next in all variable conditions

Outside Ski Balance

• Continue to time the weight shift to the new outside ski during the transition of the turn

Edging

• The snow consistency will impact how much edging is required to create a round turn shape. If the snow compacts quickly under the skis then more edging will be required; slower compacting snow will mean the COG will need to stay more on top of the BOS

Steering

• The intensity of steering needs to match the type and texture of snow the skis are moving through during each turn

Ski Snow Interaction

• The rate and range of steering angles will vary between each condition; however, a steering angle will need to be developed in all variable conditions
• The rate and range of edge angles will vary between each condition; however, edge angles will need to be developed in all variable conditions
• We can expect to see platform angle reach 90 degrees at the end of the control phase in most variable conditions; however, snow that is tough to penetrate will likely cause the platform angle to remain greater than 90 degrees

Terrain

Lots of different variable terrain options are available so match the terrain to student skill level. Easy blue slopes with variable snow are a good place to start.

Class Handling

There are many different types of snow that you and your students will experience, from skied-out powder, to wind-blown, to sun-affected… the list goes on. So you might need to ski the snow yourself and “feel” what is it that you are doing, in order to work out what skills you need to help develop in your students.