Most people try to avoid moguls when skiing, but while they can be challenging, if you know how to tackle them they can also be a lot of fun! Love them or hate them, learning how to ski moguls is a great skill to master! 

In this guide to skiing moguls, Ex-Olympian, BBC Ski Sunday presenter and Maison Sport instructor, Graham Bell, shares his top tips on how to ski moguls to help skiers of all levels tackle moguls with confidence and control. 

What are Moguls?

Moguls or ‘bumps’ are undulations in the snow that can be created artificially or caused naturally from shifting snow as skiers repeatedly carve the same path down a slope. You are most likely to encounter moguls at the end of the day when the snow is a bit softer or if you are skiing on a piste that hasn’t been groomed. There are also dedicated mogul pistes, known as mogul fields, like the notorious Le Pas de Chavanette, otherwise known as ‘The Swiss Wall’ in Avoriaz. Moguls come in all sizes and you are highly likely to encounter them on pistes of any gradient at some point, so it is best to prepare yourself and learn how to tackle them. 

How to Ski Moguls in 5 Steps:

Mogul skiing requires technique, discipline, endurance and confidence. To help you learn how to ski moguls, expert ski instructor Graham Bell breaks it down into five simple steps… 

Step One – Narrow Your Stance

The first step to learning how to ski moguls is to narrow your stance. You need to feel as if your legs are almost touching each other. If your legs are too far apart, you are more likely to lose control of your skis as one ski could be going uphill while the other is going downhill. Keeping your feet close together when skiing moguls helps to keep your skis tracking on the same path and allows you to navigate the bumpy terrain whilst maintaining control. You can practice narrowing your stance on a smooth piste to get used to this feeling before taking it into the bumps. 

Step Two – Slide Slipping 

The second step is to practice side slipping, which will help you to control your speed when skiing moguls. With your narrow stance try to slide slip diagonally across the piste by pointing your skis down the hill then skidding your tails out and repeating this movement while you zig-zag from one side of the piste to the other. 

Once you’ve mastered this, you can progress to braquage: start by side slipping then rotate your skis 180 degrees and side slip the other way and repeat this movement as you go down the hill in a straight line. When doing this drill, try to keep your upper body facing down the hill at all times while your skis rotate underneath you. Extend your legs to unweight your skis and help you pivot in the transition and put a little more weight on the downhill ski when you are side slipping to maintain your balance.

Once you’ve got used to this movement on smooth terrain, it’s time to apply it to some bumps! Start by aiming to make a turn every second mogul and use side slipping to control your speed between your turns. 

Step Three – Pivot and Pole Plant 

Now try to introduce some rhythm into your pivoting action when you are doing braquage, so that you can turn at every mogul. When your skis turn one way your shoulders should turn the other way. You can practice this twisting motion whilst stationary to get a feel for it before putting it into practice whilst skiing.

The next step is to introduce a pole plant to this pivoting movement. You should think about planting the pole on top of each mogul that you are going to turn around. Pole planting will help you to stabilise your body and control your rhythm on steeper terrain. 

Step Four – Extension and Flexion 

The fourth step, and one of the most important, is to add extension and flexion. This aids with control and helps to protect your knees. As you approach the mogul, you want your legs to be extended so that you can bring your knees up towards your chest to absorb the impact of the bump. Once you have gone over each mogul, you need to extend your legs and move your weight forwards. If you are already in a low position when approaching the mogul your weight will be too far backwards and you are likely to get some unwanted air time! You need to time it well so that your centre of gravity remains constant and your skis stay in contact with the snow, helping you to stay balanced and in control.

To get used to this flexion and extension, you can practice traversing across the moguls, going over the bumps perpendicular to the fall line, bending and extending as you go and allowing your knees to come up to your chest. 

Step Five – Put it All Together 

Now it’s time to put it all together! When skiing on moguls, ensure your skis are close together and that you pivot your skis underneath you in a zig-zag motion whilst using your pole plant to help keep the rhythm going in the upper body. You should find a nice line through the troughs and use extension and flexion to absorb impact and help distribute your weight correctly. Remember that you can always use side slipping to control your speed. 

It’s important to keep looking forward and planning your route. Focus on a single point ahead of you and ski your line with conviction. There is no wrong or right path to take when skiing moguls, so pick one and stick with it! Have confidence in yourself!

Watch the Full Video Tutorial Over On Our YouTube Channel

Click below to watch the full video tutorial on how to ski moguls and see Graham Bell in action demonstrating these top tips.

There’s certainly a lot to think about when it comes to skiing moguls, but don’t let this put you off! The more you try it the easier it will feel, and with these top tips in mind you’ll be able to build confidence skiing moguls in no time! Book a ski lesson with Graham B. or one of our top instructors across 400+ European ski resorts for more expert guidance on how to tackle challenging terrain such as moguls, steep slopes or deep powder.