Adapting to Various Different Conditions in Snow Sports

Written by Byron Jonas

Thursday, 05 November 2009 09:00

by ByronJonas

Snow sports in general are tremendously entertaining and fun, although truth be told they can be incredibly physically grueling as well. Skiing and snowboarding professionals are people in peak physical form, without exception, and despite the fact that you may not be intent on matching their prowess on the slopes you will want to be in relatively decent physical shape yourself before strapping yourself in and hitting the trails.

Whether you plan on skiing or snowboarding, you simply need to meet a minimal level of physical conditioning to be able to engage in such sports (much less enjoy them). In knowledge of that, it is also true that the particular snow conditions present on the mountain will determine just how physically demanding your day of skiing or snowboarding will be. Hence, it's important to always be aware of just what the conditions are in the area you plan to hit for action, and what the implications are of each kind of condition.

A widely held notion among snow sports aficionados is that nothing compares to getting to ride down a slope decked with perfect, undisturbed (well, up to the point you got there) powder snow, or "white gold" as it is often called. The physical demands are quite significant here, as a field of powder completely hides the obstacles that lie beneath the surface such as bumps or depressions. Skiing down such a slope means greater use of the body in the hips and legs than in other conditions, and a person needs to literally turn their body into a gigantic shock absorber. It is quite challenging, but powder skiing and snowboarding is perhaps the most addictive variety of snow condition.

Quite unlike powder, there is a distinctly "rough" feel to man-made snow. It is much easier to compact and therefore the risk of sliding and slipping on stretches of man-made snow is higher than on other surfaces.

Similarly, icy patches of trail (whether dealing with natural or man-made snow, it doesn't make a difference) are areas that must be handled with extra care. Avoid panicking when you reach such areas of the trail, and do your best to carefully brake without making any abrupt movements.

In a category of their own with special physical challenges and demands, spring snow conditions tend to be more like "soup" or "sludge" as avid snow sports lovers tend to put it. You will feel like you are much heavier in the snow, and movements will require you to exert yourself more than would be the case in more wintry conditions. Of course, the bonus is that you get to hit the slopes in your shorts and t-shirt!

One issue that needs to be considered very seriously is whether or not to leave the tended skiing trails to venture beyond the markers/flags out into the "wild" snow fields. The depth of the snow may be a treacherous detail, not to mention the risk of people getting lost or causing avalanches.

Finally, if you are going to be doing some tree skiing, be sure that you have practiced your braking skills over and over again to perfection! Tree skiing is relatively more dangerous than regular trail skiing and you may need to come to abrupt stops without warning. Tree skiing is therefore very physically demanding, and requires you to control your speed and take it easier than you would otherwise do on an open, long trail.

Remember that if you bring children with you, you should make sure that they get a training session or two in before taking them out on the courses. Finally, keep in mind that you should always assume that other people out on the slopes are beginners and have little control?just as with driving, you can?t afford to give anybody the benefit of the doubt!

About the Author:

When Byron Jonas goes skiing Japan, he enjoys a lodge which he invariably uses for snow accommodation Japan Its called The Hooting Owl Lodge.