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Ski school: Caution required on treacherous run

Published February 6, 2007 at midnight

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Another skier died on Colorado's slopes 10 days ago.

It happened on Keystone's Mozart run, an intermediate path from Dercum Mountain to North Peak.

It's a sad day when anyone dies or is injured while skiing, but this latest tragedy offers an opportunity to address Mozart, which is one of my least favorite runs in Colorado and deceptively dangerous.

It's deceptive because it lures beginners and intermediates alike who want to conquer a "blue" run as they try to move beyond green-level skiing. Because it's perceived as the only way to get to North Peak and, eventually, the Outback (it's not; more on that later), many skiers fall into the trap of skiing Mozart.

It's dangerous because, at first glance, it doesn't look threatening. It's wide open at the top and offers a gorgeous vista of the Ten Mile Range and Breckenridge.

But as you begin your descent, Mozart narrows into a large gully, with a slot down the middle and a side-hill slope on both sides that funnels you back into the middle.

As you ski three-quarters of the way down the trail and within sight of the bottom, the run narrows and reaches a plateau before it doglegs to the left. It's at the plateau that skiers and boarders stop to catch their breath, rest their legs and regain their composure.

Unfortunately, most - and there's often too many on a run that often is icy/hardpack snow - stop in the middle on this particular section of the run, leaving downhill skiers no way out. And since many are out of control at this point, it's the proverbial bowling ball looking for the pins.

The advice I often give is: Stay off Mozart. If you want to ski North Peak or the Outback, ride the Outpost Gondola, which allows you access to both areas. By riding the gondola, you don't put yourself at risk by skiing Mozart and you'll save your legs and energy for better runs.

If you must ski Mozart, do so with your radar on and all your senses firing. The snow on the run is primarily man-made. Early morning, after Mozart has been groomed, is the best time to ski it because the texture is consistent and the skis can grip the snow.

As you approach the lower part of the gully, where you'll find a double fall line, use a "garland" type of technique to manage both terrain and speed. (A garland is where you turn slightly downhill but consistently back in the same direction, never making a full turn.) Control your speed by using the "drift" technique, and "feather" the ski edge using the little-toe side of the ski. As you approach the plateau, keep skiing. This is not the place to stop and rest because you risk someone running into you. Ski another 100 yards or so through the dogleg and rest where there is less downhill traffic.

By late morning (after 10:30 or 11), the groomed conditions will deteriorate, leaving hard or icy conditions. This is when Mozart is most dangerous.

If you don't have a sharp edge to grip the snow, your skis will slide sideways as fast as if they were pointed straight down the mountain. if you find yourself in this situation, control your speed on each turn you make. This will require concentrated effort and more leg strength to maintain any degree of control. If you fail, you'll be skiing too fast with no way to slow down.

Craig McNeil is a certified Primary Movements instructor. To order his book, How to Ski the Blues and Blacks without Getting Black and Blue, or contact him, go to his Web site, www.HowToSki.net.