TIMING IS EVERYTHING WHEN HARVESTING SWEET CORN BY ROBIN BARNES
here are two kinds of skiing; good skiing and good-for- you skiing. Corn snow – that Slurpee-like surface that forms when springtime freeze-thaw cycles turn existing snow into bigger crystals – can be the ultimate in good skiing. It’s forgiving and relatively easy to ski if you time things right. T e search is part of the delight, since the transformation from
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frozen chicken heads (too early in the day), to hero corn, to mank (too late in the day) can be a fi nicky process. Orientation, exposure, and angle to the sun determine where and when it’s going to be good skiing vs. good-for-you skiing! (For insights on the safety considerations that can make or break a day on corn, see the accompanying sidebar.)
IT’S ALL ABOUT PLAY & EXPLORATION
Corn snow is probably the most forgiving of all conditions, so when I’m inbounds with students and have found the right slope at the right time I let them know it’s okay to take risks. Maybe try a shorter turn. Go faster. Let the skis catch some air. T ey can have a complete blast with very little consequences for technical “fl aws.” Corn skis more like groomed snow than ungroomed in that it has a consistent and smooth texture. It’s about playing, exploring, and relishing the pure delight of the slushy surface underfoot. T at said, the same things that make a solid turn elsewhere will be rewarded when skiing corn: 1. Keep tension in both ankles to maintain a strong stance. 2. Take your time steering your skis into the fall line and shape the fi rst half of the turn.
3. Commit to the outside ski.
4 MORE CORN CONSIDERATIONS You’re almost ready to help students feast on the corn, but keep four more things in mind. 1. If you’re headed out to ski corn on steep pitches, go over self-arrest protocols ahead of time. T e corn snow may not provide enough depth to slow down a sliding skier.
FIRST THINGS FIRST… ASSESS SNOW SAFETY
%HIRUH VHWWLQJ Rff RQ \RXU RZQ RU ZLWK VWXGHQWV UHPHPEHU that spring conditions can be dangerous. The sun that thaws the snow also heats the rocks above the slope. When the rocks heat up, the surrounding snow will melt, which may create an unstable surface that can slide. If you’re seeking corn in the backcountry, know how to evaluate snow, terrain, and avalanche risk. Don’t forego being avy savvy because “my friend has lots of experience and knows what he/she is doing.” What if something happens to your friend or you get separated? Be smart, know what you’re doing, and be able to stay safe independently if the need arises. Slides can occur inbounds, so even if you’re at your home
area continue to use common sense and sound judgment. Of course you’ll adhere to terrain closures, but also look uphill
during traverses for snow sloughs or big pinwheels of falling snow – both of which are signals to steer clear. ΖI \RXȇUH KHDGLQJ WR DQ DUHD WKDW PD\ QRW EH VRIWHQHG \HW fi QG a spot with a similar exposure where you can make a traverse in and out to assess the snow conditions before committing to a long pitch. Also keep in mind that an area shaded by large rocks or trees in an otherwise sunny pitch can still be frozen. Approach those areas with caution and slow it down a bit until you know how the snow feels. Tactically, be vigilant and look for surprises that may be MXVW EHQHDWK WKH VXUIDFH (YHQ RQH GD\ FDQ PDNH D GLff HUHQFH LQ exposing objects that weren’t visible the day before. Pay attention, too, to the previous day’s tracks. If they’re deep, they can redirect your skis and wreak havoc with your descent. – RB
THESNOWPROS.ORG | 27 For a great day of spring skiing, play, explore, and just feel the rush of the slush.
2. Keep your students safe and coach them on a great experience, but relax on the notion of making perfect turns. Play should take priority over perfection.
3. Getting to a corn fi eld too late in the day can bring you to a pitch with knee-deep mank. Deep tracks in deep slush may freeze like that, marring the slope for the following day, so practice good etiquette and think quality over quantity.
4. Whenever possible, ski the corn fi elds a day before a lesson to discover when various exposures will ski well. At a minimum, get a report from someone who has been to the slope you’re considering. You want your students to experience the good skiing vs. the good-for-you skiing whenever possible.
Robin Barnes is a member of the PSIA Alpine Team, the ski and snowboard school director in Portillo, Chile, and an instructor at California’s Heavenly Mountain Resort. Email:
robinbarnesusa@netscape.net
On ONE CONDITION
JONATHAN SELKOWITZ
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