From Ye Olde School Whinery: What Ever Happened to Moguls?

Sep15
by fritzski on 09/15/2016 at 6:58 pm
Posted In: DSJ Articles, News, Events, & Opinion

moguls2Well, nothing actually.  Other than changing shape over the years as skis have become shorter, they’re still alive and well and flourishing at most ski resorts, thank you very much. 

So why is it that the modern skiing establishment would lead you think that moguls don’t matter anymore?  And by this, I mean the notable lack of attention from magazines, movies, ski marketers, and designers.  Well, I think moguls do matter and not only are these guys missing the boat here, but it’s doing us all a disservice in the process. 

moguls1

Moguls still matter because, without grooming, they happen to be on about every ski run with enough pitch and skiers to form them.  Given enough time, this creates moguls on most all expert runs.  At my home resort, even the tree runs start to get bumped out after a few days without fresh snow.

SKI Magazine’s 2014 Buyer’s Guide only mentions the word “bump” or “mogul” in less than half of their front-side ski reviews.  And I take issue with combining Quickness and Bumps as a single category.  While stiffness and high side-cut can create a lightning bolt on groomers, it can also make for a hooky buckin’ bronco in the bumps.  At best, true mogul performance is treated as an afterthought.

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When did Ski Reality become Irrelevant?

Aug26
by fritzski on 08/26/2016 at 11:27 am
Posted In: DSJ Articles

In our previous blog, “What Ever Happened to Moguls?”, we discussed the unfortunate and rather perplexing demise of moguls as they pertain to the modern ski scene.  Could this issue be a symptom of a larger problem?  That being the growing disconnect between industry media/marketing and reality.

scott-markewitz-18-082011[1]I’d bet most outsiders these days probably associate our sport with what they see on the X Games more than anything else.  There seems to be this relentless push to market our sport as “extreme”, when 99.9% of all skiers are anything but extreme.   This disconnect is notably evident in the lack of attention to things like every-day moguls and the converse over-attention to big air and deep powder. 

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Ski Resort Economics: What really works?

Aug01
by fritzski on 08/01/2016 at 5:16 pm
Posted In: DSJ Articles

Ski Real EstateI remember a guy once explained to me some years back that “Ski resorts are just like golf course communities.  The golf course itself is a money loser and is only there as an amenity to attract real estate development”.  Over years of casual conversation with other armchair experts, I have been led to believe a few of these supposed axioms regarding resort economics.  One of the most enduring may be –

“The true economic driver of any big resort is not ticket sales, but lodging and real estate”

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Review: Pocket Ski Carriers for “Hike-To” Skiing

Jul30
by fritzski on 07/30/2016 at 4:33 pm
Posted In: DSJ Gear Tech, DSJ Reviews

mg3DSJ, like a lot of folks these days, has joined the growing trend and decided to get more adventurous with our skiing this season.  Unless you’ve been living in a tree well for the last five years, you’re no doubt aware of the exploding popularity of backcountry skiing.  But how many of us are actually able to commit the time, the money for special equipment, and the safety training to do it properly?

There is a compromise available, however, in the form of inbounds “hike-to” or “side-country” terrain that is being embraced by many big western resorts and requires none of the commitments above, but only a good set of thighs and a sense of adventure.

I’m excited about the idea of earning my turns, and wherever, and whenever, I get the chance to take on any hike-to terrain, I have resolved to maximize it.  But, what I don’t have is a pack to carry my skis.  Actually I do, but I won’t use it because I hate wearing a pack for resort skiing!  It’s extra weight, a hassle on the lift, and everything I normally carry fits easily into my pockets.  As a matter of fact, in the past I just carried the skis over my shoulder.  This leaves your poles as extra baggage rather than tools for optimum efficiency and balance, and just basically sucks.

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Is Skiing Really Too Expensive?

Jul08
by fritzski on 07/08/2016 at 4:17 pm
Posted In: DSJ Articles

skiing-on-money[1]Well, it certainly is expensive.  Isn’t everything these days?  In an absolute sense, depending upon one’s particular financial situation, it may be just too much.  No argument there.  But if you’re reading this, you’re probably the type that isn’t going to give up an active lifestyle that you enjoy, no matter what. So, in a relative sense, how does skiing compare to some other forms of recreation?

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