Ski Tips

Ski Tips

Upper Body Tip - Mogul Pole

Mogul Pole
Goal: To develop quick pole plants in moguls.
Body Position: Hold both poles with index fingers pointing down the fall line.

This drill moves all the upper body drills into a new level as you begin skiing more challenging terrain: the mogul fields. Now you're going to see how effective pole pointing can be.

Mogul skiing depends on a quiet upper body. Watch any good mogul skier and you will see their legs pumping like pistons, but their upper bodies are calm, upright and facing straight down the fall line. Mogul pole helps you learn how to use your poles to maintain upper body poise while your feet and skis are flying over and around moguls.

Quick, precise pole plants are essential to successful mogul skiing. Begin skiing a small mogul field that is not too steep. Be sure your upper body is facing downhill, with your arms out in front of your body, holding your poles easily your index fingers pointing down the fall line. The goal is to focus on your poles plants and not worry about turning.

Plant a pole and then use the same movement you learned in Pole Plant. The action is point, plant and push. Move your wrist forward as you aim for the backside of the mogul. You should always have your hands in sight. Always plant or try to plant the tip of your pole on the backside of the mogul. If you plant on the front side, you will jam your pole plant and as you ski by the pole, your arm will be forced out to the side and beyond your body. Planting on the backside has many benefits. One, it allows natural hand and arm movement. Two, it keeps your shoulders square to the hill. Three, it allows the skier to better anticipate the next mogul. And four, it forces the skier to reach down the hill which will keep the body perpendicular to the hill.

You should be experiencing a flowing sensation as you ski with your pole plants from one mogul to the next. Remember to point your finger to drive home the point of this drill. Keep your speed down so that you can concentrate on your pole plants. To ski like the pros concentrate on your hands, and your feet will follow.

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