Navigating Moguls on a Downhill Ski Slope

Michael “Mike” Kunka currently attends Western Colorado University in Gunnison, where he studies finance and business. An avid skier, Michael Kunka enjoys advanced downhill runs and excels in a variety of snow conditions.

One of the critical skills on popular ski runs is navigating bumps, or moguls, which require quick adaptation to rapidly changing terrain. Moguls naturally form anytime a large number of people traverse the same slope. Each turn shifts snow from the skier’s line and creates an indent and small mound. The next skier naturally slides into this ski-created indent, and it gradually grows into a trough, while the adjacent mound increases in size. These moguls are particularly pronounced in steeper sections, where skidding turns and sudden breaking hasten the process.

The key with moguls is to focus on timing turns precisely, in such a way that you maintain balance across the center of the foot throughout the turns and bumps. Use the legs as suspension to adjust to the changes in terrain, while keeping the shoulders and head as level as possible.

Add a little downward pressure to increase resistance just before the bump. This will serve to shift momentum upward and may create lift that results in airtime. Take advantage of this time in the air to re-center the feet and prepare for a turn into the next mogul. When turning, try to keep the skis steady and make the turn rounded and clean, instead of skidding. This will allow you to maintain greater speed and add control as you prepare for lift off the next bump.