7 Tips for Being a Better Powder Skier
Making the Most of Alta’s Infamous Snow:
It’s one of those glorious powder days you’ve heard so much about, and you’re in just the right spot: Alta Lodge. You get going early, load the Collins lift as soon as it opens, and then, suddenly, you’re staring down at an untracked face, wondering, OK, what do I do now? Maybe you’re not used to skiing deep snow conditions, or maybe it’s been a while since you’ve scored a big powder day. Either way, it’s not unusual to feel a little out of sorts when the snow conditions change from packed to waist-deep overnight. It can be harder than it looks to float through a foot or two of fresh snow.
For tips on making the most of a powder day, we called up Jen Scott, a ski instructor with Alta’s Alf Engen Ski School since 1994. Scott is the lead coach for Alta Lodge’s co-ed Powder Tracks, along with other multi-day, immersive group ski camps offered by the Lodge every winter. Jen offers up the following pointers to help you have more fun and ski powder like a pro.
1. Sign Up For A Lesson
Ski lessons aren’t just for those learning to ski. We can all benefit from some expert instruction, no matter how long we’ve been at this. “Refining technique is such a fun and pleasurable thing to do,” Scott says. “Even if we don’t have fresh snow, we can still talk about and practice the skills that allow powder skiing to happen. There’s always something we can work on.” In addition to honing your skills with a professional, skiing with a coach offers the added benefits of a private guide leading the way to secret powder stashes and priority in lift lines.
2. Demo Some Powder Skis
Sorry, but those skinny, decades-old skis you’ve been toting around aren’t going to cut it today. “Having the right skis makes a huge difference in your day,” Scott says. “Wider skis have opened up powder skiing to so many more people.” Luckily, Deep Powder House Ski Shop, literally next door to Alta Lodge, has heaps of powder-specific skis you can demo for the day or the week. (If you sign up for Powder Tracks, demo skis come included.) They’ll customize your ski choice to your ability, and you can always swap the skis for another option to try out something different.
3. Choose Your Terrain Wisely
Even if you’re an expert skier, you may not want to start on the steepest, longest run on your first lap of the morning on a powder day. Give yourself a warm-up run to get initiated and to get a feel for the snow. “What terrain you choose should depend significantly on the day’s conditions,” Scott says. “If powder is new to you, ski terrain that you’re completely comfortable with. Never put two new elements together at once. Set yourself up for success by introducing only one new thing at a time.” Maybe that means skiing alongside a groomed run and venturing off-piste to test snow conditions. Or maybe it means skiing a shorter pitch with an exit option if your legs get tired.
4. Lean Forward (Not Back!)
If it’s really deep, you’re going to have this sensation that you should lean back in your boots in order to keep your ski tips above the powder. Trust us, leaning back isn’t in your best interest. “Never let your friends tell you to lean back. It seems like a good idea, but it’s not,” Scott says. “You want to be able to control the ski, which happens in the front of the ski, so you want to stay balanced over the ski and look where you want to go with your whole upper body.” (Imagine doing a wall sit all day long. That’s how your legs will feel at the end of the day if you’re in the backseat.) You want to maintain that forward-leaning active position, with your knees slightly bent, your body squarely over your hips, and your hands forward, using a “ready” pole swing. That way, you’ll be ready to react to whatever the terrain throws at you.
5. Prepare for the White Room
If you haven’t experienced a proper face shot on a powder day, you’re in for a treat. It’s hard to describe in words how magical and wondrous powder skiing can be. It’s like snorkeling in the ocean and flying at the same time: you feel free and weightless, like you’re floating through a cloud or a puffy marshmallow. That’s also what it can look like from the inside of a deep turn: complete whiteout. “There is definite joy that comes with powder skiing,” Scott says. “Remember to stay on terrain that you’re comfortable with, so when snow is flying up in your face, you still feel confident on the slope.” Also, a reminder that it’s fleeting, so if you’re blinded, it’s only temporary. You’ll come out of it as soon as you went into it. Enjoy the ride.
6. Plan Ahead in the Flats
There’s nothing worse than skiing a deliriously deep, untracked slope, then getting stuck in deep snow in the flats at the bottom. Look ahead so you know what’s coming. If the run flattens out, look for a track that you can glide through, versus cutting trail yourself. That’ll make the exit a bit easier. “Chances are, a skier has already gone ahead of you on the run, so there should be a track somewhere to follow,” Scott says.
7. In Case You Fall…
Deep snow is super fun—until you’ve fallen, and you can’t get up. It can feel a little like being in a swimming pool with skis on: disorienting and hard to move around. If you’ve fallen and are stuck, don’t take your skis off—those will give you leverage to stand up on. (If your skis have come off in the crash, you’ll need to find the skis and make a flat platform to put them back on.) Your best bet is to wiggle around until you can emerge from the pile. Grab your poles and put them into an X position on the snow, and use that to push yourself up. “Always ski with a partner and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” adds Scott. If needed, call for a friend to help pull you back up to a standing position or to aid in untangling.
And most importantly, have fun!