AAA

This is probably the best video I've found on actual EC technique, for those who might be interested. A Russian guy presents the technique in a series of building blocks, and does it on a modest-moderate pitch, so things aren't happening too fast to see what is actually going on. Note the signature elements; low outside arm/center of gravity, transition compression, rotation, extension. No glitz or glam in this one; just good, solid video of the technique. Just too bad there isn't more text description of what he's up to in each stage, so you might have to watch it twice to get it.


More Russians. This one is just for fun; more glitzy with a decent soundtrack. (No instruction and thankfully no Euro-techno noise.)

IdahoFreshies

but who would want to



also i want some ski patrol guys to yell at him and try to pull his pass for going too fast and being out of control. imagine the look on his face

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AAA

Really, What kind of question is that? Open minded people for one. I know, I know, it takes a little daring to stray from all the other sheep in the park. Geez.

Seriously, this is cool stuff, not taught in any regular classes that I'm aware of. Come to think of it, this might be the only video I've seen that actually breaks it down.

slyder

Some of the still pics in the 2nd video were pretty cool.

In the 1st video the instructor keeps looking up hill to make sure he doesn't get drilled by some skier. I truly don't think this could be done at our local hills, conditions, and crowds.

Was neat to see it though

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-Slyder

wrathfuldeity

Looks fun to try, I didn't know you could do it at such a low speed. Its too bad that we don't have big open well groomed runs like that....and if thats all you got for terrain it would be something to do.

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IdahoFreshies

I am fairly open minded, and park rat i am not. I am at the opposite end of the spectrum from "the sheep in the park"

i just dont think this is "cool stuff" its the same boring repetitive motion over and over. just extreme carves on groomers. Its not taught in lessons because it is such a specific refined set of skills about 1% of the snowboard community even cares to try. It also is not really feasible at a resort with any number people in it.

i must be your illegitimate kid or something.

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NWBoarder

No, I think it just means you're from the West Coast and ride big mountains. Otherwise all of us West Coast folk might be in the same family. LoL!

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grafta

Like Wrath says, it'd be something to do if you had the runs to do it on... and yeah, if people riding 'normal' weren't an issue to avoid.

Just got back from riding and gotta say, the least exciting thing on any of the mountains around here is the groomers.

Always been meaning to ask a euro-carve type what happens when its chopped up pow or big ol' nasty bumps? Guess it's kinda like telemarking, you see some people just killing it on whatever terrain they're riding.

AAA

Many riders have seen EC clips by everyone from Swoard to Bauer & Nerva, but almost never is any actual methodology described. When there's talk of it, there always seems to be enormous mystery involved. "How do they get so low?" This is the first video I've seen that seems to "lay it out" (pun intended) very well. Again, there is a lack of text, IMO, though.

As with any riding, you need to maintain situational awareness, but especially when doing any kind of serious carving or EC. The reason it that too many straightliners don't pay the same attention or extend the same courtesy, and it's nearly impossible to deviate from your course quickly (if needed) when inclinated/entrenched so low. On crowded weekends, I'll stand at the top of a run and evaluate people and conditions. The mind works at lightning speed. "I'll blow by these people before the bottom of the first steep, but I'll be on those other people like flies on schnit. That other dude is about to bomb the run and will bowl me over if I dive in ahead of him." So you simply find and take your spot in traffic. Checking your six is just second nature.

I too, see very few people actually doing EC. Usually hardbooters, yes. But I don't find it uncommon, especially if I've made a some ECs beneath the chairlift, to see some softbooters trying to mimic it. Very cool to see the attempt, but their method is almost always to just break at the waist to try to get one hand touching the snow. Kind of neat and makes me cringe. I wish there were more instruction out there. Most of it seems to only be available during select events by an enlightened few. God knows, it took me forever to even start to get it and I'm still learning. Thankfully, there's a world of companies catering to one-percenters.

As for the powder guys, offpiste is great, too, but virtually nonexistant here. I practically need to get on a plane to get to it. With VERY RARE exception, if you find anyone offpiste locally, they probably bit it bad and are laying in a heap on rocks and bare earth. You'd need to call the ski patrol, and either a helicopter or a coroner. So, you have two choices; groomed or ungroomed piste. Cut-up EC is possible, but works you like a mofo. As I said, I offered these links "for those who might be interested"... Yes, it's advanced and you need to be up to it.

IdahoFreshies

we are all one big PNW family!

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