Big Mountain Turning: Art or Science?
Tavo Sadeg finding the edge on first lap groomers at Alpine Meadows Resort, CA December 2022. pc @tavo.sadeg
Big mountain riding may offer monumental rewards for those who are successful. But it always creates unique challenges for those who try. Challenges rarely encountered on a routine day at the resort.
Big mountain slopes open riders up to extreme terrain with their natural obstacles, features, and highly variable snow. What worked on the groomers has little chance on these rowdy faces unless you make some adjustments to your game. My goal here (working off the superstar opinions of Jeremy Jones and Neil McNab) is simple.
Learn how to control your speed by carving arcs that flow with the mountain.
The application, however, is more complicated. That’s why I passed the question off to someone who knows a thing or two about big mountain riding and carving effortless arcs, the 2022 junior freeride world champion Tavo Sadeg for his take. Here’s a summary of what he had to say.
Tavo using some of the natural terrain features at Alpine Meadows Resort, CA pc screenshot @tavo.sadeg
Visionary
Like a sculptor who first visualizes his/her masterpiece and then takes the step-by-step actions to carve it, big mountain riders must do much the same. Start with a really good visualization of the face. Take your time to look at the ridgelines. Inspect for cornices, seracs, chutes, and rocky outcroppings, and then ask yourself some questions.
How big are they?
Where are they?
What’s at risk?
Where can a rider drop in safely?
Get a sense of where the fall line is and where the snow (avy debris) has come down. Appreciate the many contours of the face with their varying shapes and sizes. Paraphrasing Jones from his book The Art of Schralpinism, ‘inspect the area from as many different angles as you can until you feel totally comfortable about your line.’
Now switch over and consider how riders might shred that area, specifically how they would make flowing arcs matching the terrain all the way down. This technique takes some practice, but it’s well worth the repetitions. It’s also helpful to watch others successfully link turns down what you anticipate hitting. This example conditions your brain with respect to the speed, size, shape, and rhythm needed for the line.
Scoping out a great line may be the first step, but it’s certainly not the last. Learning how to carve these types of arcs is the next piece to solving this big mountain puzzle.
The Art of Schralpinism, big mountain snowboarder Jeremy Jones sees his turns as connecting with the terrain. pc Art of Schralpinism
Dynamic (Dynamite!) Turns
One of the biggest challenges is learning how to control your speed by carving arcs that work with the mountain. This means being able to carve any number of turns in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. When developing this skillset it’s important to remember one of McNab’s fundamental truths about turning (also one Tavo subscribes to) and that is,
“The more you finish your turns, the more you’ll control your speed. This is the link between control of speed and the line you ride.”
This asks successful big mountain riders to learn how to carve both “S” and “C” shaped turns (and everything in between) when needed.
The other key to controlling your speed and carving smooth arcs is truly finishing your turns. Bringing your edge completely across the fall line and even a bit uphill checks your speed and keeps you riding your line.
Tavo Sadeg carving our some deep pow tracks, Palisades Tahoe, CA December 2019. pc screenshot @tavo.sadeg
Mastery… Art & Science
Learning how to do this might a sport in itself. Being able to visualize your line with smooth carving turns and then go execute. It’s where the pros separate from the rest of us and where the art meets the science. Next time before going big mountain riding, you may want to consider taking a few moments and truly visualize your line. Imagine how you would link turns down the face and watch others who do it well. It will not only give you a greater appreciation for the freeride pros, it just might up your game!
Thanks again for following along! Stay tuned… tomorrow we’ll be back with more from On Tour with Tavo!
Tavo Sadeg (left) and Free Soul Skier Ryan Kime (right) shares smiles after a session at Alpine Meadows Resort, December 2022. pc @freesoulskier
We’d like to extend a special thanks to Tavo’s sponsors for their amazing support!