Catch Some Air

Photo by Marie Freeman

Skiing and snowboarding are thrills that split atoms in the power plant inside of us. This surging adrenaline is pure energy without a prescription, unadulterated vigor. Quite often these feelings are enhanced by catching air off of jumps and feeling like birds (strapped to hundreds of dollars of equipment), soaring over the snow below. The issue we now face is if you don’t wish to hike up an icy terrain park and wait in line for the jumps with ruts, where can you find big air and stay on the good side of the ski patrol?

It’s time to respect yourself while respecting others on the mountain and find places to jump inside the boundaries. Ski patrols don’t want to take your pass for jumping as they have better things to do with their time; though they enjoy a good aerial as much as the rest of us. But by altering our perceptions we can turn that granny slope into a hit parade and still show consideration for others on the mountain.

Looking at the mountain’s terrain there are a few surefire areas where jumps develop naturally, either by way of the snow Cats (groomers), the snow guns, or the lay of the land. However there are imperative principles that govern slope jumping, freeride style. Safety is the first, middle, and last rule when it comes to slopeside jumping. If you hurt anyone else jumping will be strictly prohibited (and you’ll feel the guilt that comes along with it) and if you hurt yourself you won’t be jumping anymore either. So pay attention to a few basics that give us peace of mind on the mountain:

1. Trailside jumps are coincidentally where many people like to stand. Be sure to scout the jump from all angles to make sure it is safe.
2. Set up a buddy system where you can be signaled when the jump is clear and you can continue free of the fear of someone skiing in your way.
3. The landing is more important than the jump. Make sure it has a sufficient downhill angle, a decent snowpack, and room to ski off your speed.
4. Wear a helmet and wrist guards (and maybe use cheaper goggles) to prevent injuries and keep you on the slope.
5. Before you try anything wild, practice it first on a control jump (like in a park) so you get comfortable and can do it anywhere on the mountain.
6. Learn to roll with the falls, ninja-style, but when you do fall hard (and you will) know when to say when, there is always another day.
7. Always respect closed trails, your equipment will thank you, as they are usually closed for good reason.
8. Carry a ski/board tool, as landings will apply high torque to your bindings and can loosen mounts or straps, especially if you crash.

The number one place to find a decent jump is where the slope is intersected by a Cat track. Traversing trails created by Cats create inclines when they cross a down mountain trail. Many east coast slopes run parallel and are grid crossed by the Cat tracks, so one can gain speed coming down one slope, take a tight turn onto a Cat track and launch off of the Cat track onto the next downhill slope. The pros to this are that you have speed, the landing is usually a good downhill angle, and you’ll have plenty of room to run out the landing (ski off your speed). The cons are that you must be wary of bystanders.

In second we have the mountain maintenance crews who usually put snow guns on for long periods of time without changing their direction. This causes gross accumulation of snow mounds. Hmmm, smells like a jump to me. These are usually ephemeral jumps, since groomers are usually deployed the night after the snow is blown to reduce it to flat land. These hits (jumps) are usually on the side of the trail (out of skier’s way) and offer a clear view of landing areas and plenty of room to run out the landing.

Snow mounds sometimes require some alteration to reduce the angle of lift off so you don’t sky rocket straight into the air. If you’re a snowboarder then you’ll be appreciative of the duality in the choice of your snow-riding vehicle. The nose and tail of a snowboard are wonderful makeshift shovels with which to shape the snow mound to a jump of your choice (don’t forget to angle it away from the woods at the trail’s edge). Once the proper shape has been readied you can hold your board by its bindings and use the flat bottom to smooth out a track to the jump and the takeoff of the jump.

An easy third place finisher is the mountain itself. Ski slopes normally are made up of headwalls that drop into the slope that lead to another headwall and more slope. These headwalls are great because they drop off to the slope beyond, guaranteeing decent air for a jump. Snowguns are also placed at the top of headwalls so there is adequate malleable snow to form a jump. Unfortunately these headwalls make great spots for people to stand and preview the trail ahead of them, so keep this in mind. Headwalls are usually better during first tracks, at lunch, and late day when the volume of skier traffic has diminished. Respect the people around you and they’ll respect you, and enjoy the show.

Remember, this information is the tested opinion of a freeride veteran, not this publication; we just want you to enjoy your mountain endeavor. Snowsports are inherently dangerous, so use your head; we are responsible for our own actions. This new view of our east coast trails will revitalize your motivation and prepare you to ride anywhere. Now you’re on the trail to better all-mountain experience, savor it and enjoy.