The 4 Steps To Confidently Conquer Mogul Skiing

Mogul skiing can feel quite intimidating for skiers who haven’t learned the ins and outs of the bumps but with the right mindset and a simple, controlled approach, even beginners can transform that fear into confidence and start navigating them smoothly and enjoyably.

Shoutout to certified ski instructor George Treble who recently was teaching mogul skiing to a group of strong intermediate adults and found that a sequence that really helped them to feel more comfortable in the bumps. George graciously condensed his tutorial into the following video and we appreciate the tips!

Key takeaways on how to ski moguls more easily:

• Core sequence to remember: Use the mnemonic crest → pivot → seesaw → skid (repeated throughout as a simple, repeatable pattern to navigate mogul fields calmly and controllably).
  • Crest: Look for and ski onto the crests of the moguls. Slow down or even pause/stop here. This position frees up your ski tips and tails, making it much easier to initiate turns without fighting the terrain.
  • Pivot: From the crest, pivot your skis. This sets up the next move while you’re in a stable, low-pressure spot.
  • Seesaw: Perform a seesaw motion, tip your ski tips down into the trough ahead while lifting your tails up toward your butt (essentially extending/extending legs or absorbing/retracting to drop into the valley). This helps control descent and maintain balance.
  • Skid: Finish with plenty of skidding (side-slipping or side-skidding) to keep speed very slow and controlled. Emphasize side-skidding down the slope rather than rushing or bombing your way through.
• Overall approach: Take a chilled out, low-energy approach that avoids slamming into bumps, wasting energy, or getting out of control. Ideal for building confidence in moguls.
• Mindset shift on “shopping for bumps”: Many criticize “shopping for bumps” (picking easier lines) as a bad habit, but beginners should reframe it positively as an art. Actively seek out nice, friendly crests where you can pause, pivot, seesaw, and skid. Shopping helps you navigate the chaos smartly rather than forcing a rut line or high-speed aggressive style.
• Progression advice: Start with this sequence on mellower bumps to make moguls feel manageable. Once comfortable, advance to more tactics, route choices, and techniques.

This method prioritizes control, low speed, and terrain use over speed or aggressive absorption, excellent for beginners to intermediates looking to avoid fatigue and build skills step by step. Thanks George!

About George Treble:

George spent 6 years working as our ski school rep whilst he went through the training system. He gained his BASI level 4 in 2018 and has tought, coached and guided skiing in New Zealand, Japan and Norway. He has chosen Avoriaz as his favourite place and loves teaching all ages and all abilities as he shares his love for the Portes du Soleil. A backcountry specialist and passionate ski tourer, George also loves photography and making videos

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