Fall Line Skiing

Steve White

New member
This term is thrown around often. Could someone please clarify. I take it to mean "Steep Skiing". It's rather confusing because the fall line runs straight down the hill but when you see any accomplished skier in action they are always turning. Is it more of a technique thing? In that you keep your torso perpendicular to the fall line (facing downhill)? Is fall line skiing what is required to make those perfectly spaced "zipperline" bumps? Any thoughts appreciated. <BR> <BR>Steve
 
Well, the term will vary widely depending on context. It doesn't mean "steep skiing", for after all, a fall line exists on even the most gentle novice slope. Also, the fall line is not always straight down the hill -- especially on older trails, the fall line sometimes cuts on a diagonal to the hill, and IMHO presents the most interesting runs. <BR> <BR>Think of the fall line as the route a ball would take if you released it on the top of the trail, or wherever you're standing. The upper body should always be facing squarely down the fall line. And yes, watch any accomplished mogul skier -- their upper body is quiet, while facing squarely down the fall line. <BR> <BR>You can tell that the season is fast appropaching, or for some limited folks near Loveland or (soon to be) Killington, it's already here, for traffic in these forums is starting up again. Let the snow fly!
 
Hi Marc! Le Massif 3rd week of March, can't wait! OK, answer me this: when a journo/ski writer is referring to a particular resort or a fave run and they say "a fall line skier's dream"... What are they saying? Also, what is a double fall line? <BR> <BR>"the fall line sometimes cuts on a diagonal to the hill, and IMHO presents the most interesting runs." <BR> <BR>Would you consider "La Martine" at Le Massif one of these? It's my fave!! <BR> <BR>"Let the snow fly!" <BR> <BR>I heard that!! <BR> <BR>Cheers
 
Well, having never used the term "fall line skier's dream" myself, at least not that I can recall (now watch ... you'll come up with an example of where I did <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/clipart/smile2.gif">) I can only speculate ... but I'd presume that it's a run that relentlessly stays in the fall line for a sustained period of time. <BR> <BR>A double fall line is where the trail goes one direction, but that imaginary ball rolling downhill goes another. That's the diagonal reference I made earlier -- I was really talking about a double fall line. <BR> <BR>"La Martine" at Le Massif, if I remember correctly, has a brief and slight double fall line right before the tree island, but it's so slight that it's barely noticeable. Three excellent eastern examples of a noticeable and distinct double fall line would be Goat at Stowe, or Powerline or the entire lower half of Upper Kitzbuehel at Jay. The double fall line of Goat or Kitzbuehel keeps trying to pull the skier to the left side of the trail, while Powerline's tends to pull you to the right. <BR> <BR>If you've ever been on one of those three, you'll know exactly what I mean. My affinity for a double fall line is because it makes you think about your turns -- no blasting straight down the trail, you either make asymmetrical turns or jog back to center every so often. Too bad they don't cut them like that much anymore!
 
Agreed! Too many trails at today's resorts are too much alike. It's so much more fun when the fall lines are interesting and the trails meander. It's why I've taken to the trees!
 
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