Spring ski holidays are all about skiing in a t-shirt and enjoying the warm sun whilst sipping a drink on an outdoor terrace. Early risers will find the snow is often still quite decent, especially at higher altitudes. But spring skiing is often about wading through slush as the snow melts progressively throughout the day! Don't worry, skiing in slush can still be loads of fun (and more fun than skiing on ice, in many ways). Here are our tips for successfully skiing on slushy snow.
It's hard work to push your way through the slush and you might find yourself having to lean slightly backward to keep moving. Keep your balance by bending ze knees, which will lower your centre of gravity. If you stand up straight, the first bump you hit will likely send you flying.
By keeping pressure on both skis, you'll avoid getting one ski "stuck" in the snow. You can ski with your skis slightly closer together than usual to make it easier to carve a path through the slush.
This isn't the time to practise your short turns - if you slow down too much in the slush, you'll eventually come to a complete stop. Keep your speed up by keeping a steeper trajectory instead of weaving horizontal turns from side to side. This is the perfect time to practise turning if you're a nervous skier, as the resistance from the slush will slow you down naturally, allowing you to fine-tune your form in slow motion.
There are different kinds of ski wax that are suited for different temperatures and different types of snow. If you're still using winter wax on your skis, you might find it doesn't allow you to ski as smoothly as you would like. Try changing to a more appropriate wax for spring skiing.
Your thighs will be burning after just a few runs through the slush, affecting your ability to keep your balance, hold the proper stance and ski smoothly. We strongly recommend doing some strengthening exercises in the weeks leading up to your ski holiday - try the wall sit, squats, lunges, etc. to whip yourself into shape. Your legs will thank you!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
