How to Ski Moguls: Bumps Without the Bruises

Moguls are not built on purpose. They form on their own when many skiers turn in the same places, pushing the snow into mounds with a hollow in front of each one. By the afternoon, even an ordinary busy piste can turn bumpy. Steep mogul fields look intimidating, but small bumps are a great way to improve your balance and turning, and once the movement clicks they are a lot of fun.

Before you start

You should be able to link parallel turns on a blue run and stop whenever you want. Start on small, soft bumps at the side of an easy run rather than a steep field of big moguls, ideally in the afternoon of a sunny day, when the snow is softer.

1. Look ahead

Do not stare at the bump in front of your skis. Look two or three moguls ahead and plan your line. The bumps you are looking at are the ones you are about to ski; the one under your feet is already too late.

2. Turn on the top

The easiest place to turn is on the top of a mogul. There, the tips and tails of your skis are in the air and only the middle touches the snow, so the skis pivot with very little effort. Ski up onto the bump, turn your feet as you pass the crest, and slide down the back of the mogul to control your speed.

3. Let your legs absorb

Think of your legs as shock absorbers. As you ski onto a bump, bend your knees and hips and let it push your legs up towards your chest; on the other side, stretch your legs to keep your skis in contact with the snow. Your upper body travels at almost the same height while your legs do the up-and-down work.

4. Plant your pole

Use the pole plant to set your rhythm. As you reach the top of a mogul, touch the snow lightly with your downhill pole on top of or just behind the next bump, then turn around it. Keep your hands forward: if a hand drops behind you, your weight goes back too.

5. Keep your upper body facing downhill

Your legs turn under you while your chest keeps facing down the slope. This lets you go straight into the next turn without twisting your whole body each time.

Drills that help

• Single bumps: Pick one mogul, ski onto it, turn on the top and stop. Repeat until it feels easy.
• Traverse the bumps: Ski across a small mogul field, absorbing each bump without turning.
• Follow a line: Watch a good skier and copy their line through the bumps.

Common mistakes

• Sitting back: The skis shoot away down the back of each bump. Hands forward, shins against the boots.
• Stiff legs: Without absorption, every bump throws you into the air. Let your knees bend.
• Going too fast: Moguls punish speed. Turn more often and use the back of each bump to slow down.
• Looking at your tips: You lose your line and your rhythm. Look ahead.

Practise at Erciyes

On any busy piste, small bumps form by the afternoon, and they are the best place to start. Our guide to skiing different snow conditions explains how the snow changes through the day. On our Experienced packages, our leaders ride with you and help with technique.

• Ski technique
• Moguls
• Intermediate
• Advanced