PNW Concrete Pow

SB the fastest and easiest way to get your powder skills is to have a lesson from a friend because it's one on one and ski lessons at the resort are $$ if you don't want to be in a group with a group dynamic.
I will be glad to give you a pow lesson if you ever come up to White Pass. In two hours of instruction you will understand the dynamics involved and have a strong learning experience that will enable you to practice what you learn and put you on a fast track to becoming a powder skier. I was a ski instructor for several years so I have experience in the field. Hopefully you know someone nearer your own stomping grounds who would be willing to help you. Shoot me a pm if you get over this way.

Thanks for the replies! I'm signed up for group lessons at Snoqualmie on Saturdays starting Jan to improve my skills did a 8 week class. So, I am doing the lessons, but they're still over a month away, and I'd like to learn those fun runs. I have no issues like I said on groomers. I can almost go straight down, or just roll with some nice turns.

I'll start taking some trips out of the groomers here and there to work on heels and balance and work on speed before turning. I figure it'll come, but if I don't do it, i'll never learn

In CO, I couldn't see my skis under my feet it was so nice and was very dry so turning was pretty simple, though not as easy as say groomers. Here it's like skiing in quicksand it seems Though time will help out, thanks for the awesome links.

I'm signed up for group lessons at Snoqualmie on Saturdays starting Jan

Which area up there? There's only one that'll give you what you are looking for.

Second the Ski the Whole Mountain book. Between now and January get it and just give yourself some drills to do each day you go up and go up a lot to get the good variety of snow there. Do some easier tours too so you can learn how to ski with shot legs.

Awesome, I'll try to hit up Rainier some time soon when the weather permits (not a fan of whiteouts). Though Pineapple Pass and Snoqualmie/Alpental area are looking like my go-to places here soon. I hope to head out with Silas some when they get more powder down lower or if he ever tours on a day that I'm not working

Just get out and ski lots of snow types, don't rely on power, respect that learning comes in waves, have fun, and you will get it dialed. The books have a way of making sense once you can do what is being described...

Brian,

If you are still working your crud and steeps technique after working independently with all the good suggestions above, you might be interested in the "Skiing the Steeps at Alpental with the Washington Alpine Club" program.

Saturday and Sunday March 16th and 17th, 2013

Price includes overnight fee for staying at WAC cabin

Weekend intensive session to help you master Alpental’s steep and ungroomed terrain. Over the course of the weekend classes will cover the expert terrain on the upper chair and into the backcountry – (conditions permitting) To enter the backcountry students will need to review Alpental’s Backcountry Safety page www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/Mountains/Saf...9/Backcountry-Safety and have registered for an Alpental Backcountry Card. Students must have avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) and have the equivalent to avalanche awareness and companion rescue training to go through Alpental’s backcountry gate. Overnight accommodations at the rustic and charming Washington Alpine Club cabin along the Alpental road.

Pricing is $170 for WAC members and $200 for non-WAC members

During last year's program we did video analysis of students from the day's sessions and a spaghetti dinner at the WAC cabin Saturday night.   On Sunday we skied through the Elevator gate with a pro-patrol escort the first couple times.

For more info contact me @ SkiWeds@gmail.com