Snowboarding :: Moguls on a Snowboard |
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Updated Nov 12, 2005
We've all been there. Took a turn-off to a run we haven't been down before only to end up at the top of mogul field. Moguls can suck on a snowboard. But, they can also be fun. There's several things you can do to help get through moguls unbruised.
Most importantly you have to keep your lower body loose. Your legs need to act as shock absorbers. They can't do that if you stiffen-up, so relax, and just look at it as a challenge.
Secondly, you need to be able to switch direction quickly. Moguls generally form such that the space in between them is essentially a criss-cross pattern. The easiest way to get down is to ride in the space between the moguls, doing a zig-zag down the run. Depending on the spacing between moguls you may need to change direction every mogul, or every few moguls. Slow or carving turns won't work here, you need to be able to basically turn on a dime. To do this, you need to jump a little, twist your board 90 degrees, then dig the edge in as you land. You can also use the side of a mogul to land on. Sometimes it feels like you're jumping from one mogul to the next.
As you're starting-out beware of your speed, it's far too easy to lose control, hit a mogul the wrong way and you get launched. The landing usually isn't pretty. So, stay in control, use your edges and the sides of moguls to scrub off speed.
Since moguls are fairly dynamic and the tactic can change depending on the snow conditions, icy or powder, there's no set rules. All you can do is keep loose and alert, ready to switch direction or absorb a bump with your legs without notice. After a while, they stop being intimidating and you can actually have some fun on them.
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