Powder days are like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in a ski town, especially Snowmass. The weathermen do their best to predict powder days, but the truth of the matter is they can happen at any time. Early, mid, and late season powder days are all a possibility. At the Stonebridge Condominiums you can ski directly onto the slopes, but will you be ready to shred the knee deep snow?
What equipment is best for powder? The best equipment according to active.com is a rocker ski with an early rise. A double-rockered ski, when placed on the ground, will touch the ground in the middle part of the ski and the tips and tails will not. This allows for for the tips to be kept above and out of the snow to float through the deep fluffy powder. Our ski concierge and rental shop can help outfit you for the pow day! Picking a jacket with a powder skirt in the liner and adjustable sleeve openings will ensure that the powder is not sneaking its way inside your outer layer as well.
photo courtesy of railriders.com
Powder skiing techniques via section8ski.com
- Put even weight on your skis
- Round and wide turns-short turns will dig you into the snow
- Go fast! Speed is your friend in powder as well as steeper graded runs
- Make rhythmic turns
- Keep your core tight
- Keep your feet moving to maintain balance
- Just like skiing bumps-extend your legs in the middle of the turn and flex on the way out of your turn
- Narrow your stance to avoid your skis going awry
- Less edging, more leaning-focus on leaning your body into the turn not gripping with your edges
- The steeper the better-speed is your friend in powder
- The right skis-as mentioned before wider skis in the rocker shape will keep you above the snow
Now you are ready to go out and have the best powder day whether it’s planned or unexpected!
