[size=+2]Sticking It and other Cliff Huxtable's[size]

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 02:16 PM

So, since Happy Happy Joy Joy isn't here yet and neither is Take Two, i threw in Immersion. Jeezus. Robb, Holmes, Shane, they're just sticking everything, never sitting down, AND sometimes I barely see their knees flex?!

How do you land cliff air and stomp it, not sit down or hipcheck? Do you know anyone on the board you've seen do this consistently? (Bastards). Probably rub lotioin on their skin or some extra sooper secret, eh? Yeah? I knew it.

I think it's pretty easy to lemming anything and ski away, and lots of good rippers i know do. Air to splat. but just stomping consistently is different. Yes, I've already watchhed Robb's mom's seggie in "Walls". I have no idea how she does it. clearly, it's genetic.

The stompers, that's the elite. I've seen a select few of my friends who can huck and stick it. No one consistently.

SPEED. I know speed helps. Jump out, not down. I've felt it off a little 15'er but have yet to gracefully descend any 30 - 40, or see anyone besides Robb, stick one.

CENTER: Just land centered, over the binders and this will help? I just need to get over that "ohmylawdandbuttahherecomesthegroundshitooomph " fear that puts us in the backseat midflight. "Awesome, I hucked it. Now if i could just look better than a manatee on downers, I'd have it dialed".

VISION: Those of you who've stuck 'em consistently, where are your eyes midflight? And upon landing? Are you focused on your landing zone? Or down the run farther? Eyes make or break everything on turns. The head, neck, back, hips, legs and feet follow. Same on flight?

MIND: If you believe, you achieve. I do believe that alot of the game is in the mind. Eliminate doubt during the trajectory and you can't stick anything. Anyone? Thoughts?

PRACTICE: . . .practice, practice. I've been jumping off strange objects and landforms for a long time and remained unscathed to this day. On alpines for a decade, and now during the last 5-6 years, on tele's. I can go out and practice more and know it's value.

TECH DETAILS: I ride the T3 tele boot b/c i like that i don't have to worry about a highback rear spoiler of my old alpines forcing an ACL injury, leveraging my tibia away from the femur. I realize this makes it harder to land cliff air. I'm also the BFG (Big, friendly giant) at 6' 4".

Neither setback has stopped me yet. Alpine and tele folks alike ask me in the park every time if these low cuffs make my landings harder. They do, no doubt, but i consistently stick it there. I've always put more confidence in technique than gear.

HEIGHT OF AIR: Just curious. I don't think i've ever seen anyone besides mabye Rick Armstrong stick anything close to 50. Anyone know? From how high up can a guy hope to stick a landing? That you've SEEN, not conjectured or heard.

EGO: Do not advise if you dont' know FROM EXPERIENCE on how to stomp a cliff. and please, don't turn this into some bro-brah, 'I rawk it more than the last guy who posted', 'No, I do, you mankstump' " ragout. Blurred, I love ya mang, but keep it to the obligatory flame or two. Then shut up or put up. take your schlonging somewhere else. Others, talk if you understand. Not if you see.

I want to know the details, the real thing, from those who do, not those who know but don't do. do you know how to tell the difference?

edit: vb code jongery.
edit: dammit, why those titles gotta be like dat? can't edit 'em. jong me.

**Game Over** · 10-21-2004, 02:25 PM

I know what your saying about Robb. Clean.

**optics** · 10-21-2004, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Telekóptero

"ohmylawdandbuttahherecomesthegroundshitooomph "

I know what you're saying about this. Not clean.

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 02:30 PM

more backslap pancakes? Why yes, miss. . . yes, I'll take another. Can I get a side of spam with that? thankyou.

**silas** · 10-21-2004, 02:38 PM

Steep landing

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by silas

Steep landing

whoops. that was supposed to be included above. known, but thanks.

"what do you mean i can't land that shit? Ass. Just watch me. . ."

**rightcoast** · 10-21-2004, 02:41 PM

same question...but the opposite for me. i generally dont have the pleasure of hucking into deep snow, but rather a fairly firm surface aka.ice. I think years of mogul skiing have also ingrained a bad habit for me when it comes to landing in pow. I always land way too far forward, well...just weight on the balls of my feet, and end up doing a pretty funny cartwheel or 3. I have been trying to figure out where to center my weight when landing off of a 15-20 footer into a soft landing.

**slippy** · 10-21-2004, 03:01 PM

Sometimes editing makes people ski really well. That said, Robb, Ben Wheeler, and Hugo are good stickers. Gotta be a lot more than these three, but Robb is the best I've seen on film. I've seen 40-50 footers stuck clean by others as well, speed and a good landing helps. Some skiers just are good at picking the right cliff, and have very strong legs. You'd surprised what you can stick if you commit to landing on your feet, anyways.

CS · 10-21-2004, 03:04 PM

Paging Dantheman.

Not that I'm all that skilled, but it seems the key is staying centered and calm whilst in the air, which means you need to be smooth on the takeoff. I think maybe people let themselves drift back while in the air thus the impending hip check or back slap.

When you are centered, and comfy in the air make sure to spot the landing and as it quickly approaches, reach out with your legs and catch the landing, if that makes any sense. Just don't do like me and take a knee to the chin, requiring 15 stitches on a bluebird powder day at Alta.

Coolest thing I've seen was a few years ago after a large storm at Alta and the Collins boys and a few others were hucking all of Bad News and landing on their feet and skiing out like it was 20 feet instead of 80.

**grizzle6** · 10-21-2004, 03:13 PM

Agreeing with CS. For me, it's all in the takeoff. I don't claim to be a Hugo, but when I'm tight right from the takeoff, I'm controlled in the air which allows me to focus on the landing, as opposed to the actual airtime itself--if that makes sense.

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 03:14 PM

thanks slip. very helpful. nice to have names of consistent folks too. i don't think i know of ben wheeler, what's he in? i learn so much more just kinetically, visually. watching, then imitating, etc. spose lotta maggots and athletes are that way, generally speaking.

others? inquiring minds want to know. . .

**basom** · 10-21-2004, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Telekóptero

i don't think i know of ben wheeler, what's he in?

he's in utah.

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 03:19 PM

ah. forgot another one. haven't done too many airs on my zebra chubbs yet but i hear fats is where it's at. anyone have opinions on how much that helps your platform? i imagine it's very helpful. can't wait. i'm so behind the times on fats. . .

**EPSkis** · 10-21-2004, 03:20 PM

Further back.

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 03:32 PM

Yes, paging Dantheman. do tell.

thanks CS. calm definitely fits into the "body follows mind" category and is helpful to hear emphasized.

never known about the reaching down with the legs thing. i don't know if that's something i do or not so i'll have to see. despite the opening post's feel, i don't usually put a lot of thought into an air while i'm actually in flight. I just like the buzz and the madness of going off something fast and not being worried about the landing and if i'll explode. , knowing that if i just roll with it, i'll be ok. aikido.

anyone ever do that? a bit off topic, but man i love that feeling. just going as fast possible from a longer takeoff? this one cornice at vail, one everyone sees back in China or somewhere, its just such a blast to cruise in and sail. but back to our previously scheduled loonery. . .

others?

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by EPSkis

Further back.

thanks EP. clearly you're on it.

**This End Up** · 10-21-2004, 03:38 PM

My old bones fear air time, so I've got nothing valuable to contrib.
However Cliff Huxt-able would make a good alias along with this avatar:
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...osby_Pic1.jpeg

**Telekóptero** · 10-21-2004, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by This End Up

My old bones fear air time, so I've got nothing valuable to contrib.
However Cliff Huxt-able would make a good alias along with this avatar:
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...osby_Pic1.jpeg

heh.

6...5...4...3...2...1...

**robokill1981** · 10-21-2004, 03:53 PM

1. Know where you plan to land, before going stare at it and visualize hitting it like a bullseye.
2. Get some speed, whatever you need to hit intended landing spot.
3. Easiest thing to do is keep yourself tucked up in the air (for a straight air)
4. While in the air STARE at where you are landing, look at your shadow if that helps.
5. Before impact extend your legs to meet the snow (hence stomping the landing).
6. Unless the snow is really deep plan on bending your knees to absorb impact.

7. Watch a snowboarding video to see many examples of how to land, watch a ski video to learn how to butt-check, hip-check and hot tub. Although the new MSP movie did have a lot of stomping.

8. If you want to stick something it also depends on the deepness of the snow. You can get away with harder/worse snow as long as your landing is steep, similarly flatter landings are possible if you have deeper snow but a flat landing into crap snow...fuggedaboutit.

9. DO NOT brag to your friends about dropping something until you stomp it, if you don't land on two feet then it doesn't count...and don't make a movie to send to sponsors that's full of you hip checking and backslapping.

10. Face plants into powder don't really hurt so have fun.

**hev** · 10-21-2004, 03:54 PM

I think it has a lot to do with confidence. If you stomp a cliff your going for the stick, and know this as you come off the lip. I am no huge hucker, but even I size up every cliff differently. often because of sketchy landings, wierd terraing features, punchy snow, or just size, I am not going for a clean stick. landing with all my gear intact, and safely exiting the line is all I am looking for. on cliffs I know better and I am going for a stomp on I try to think about my whole line including exit and am focused on my first turn while I am in the air. your attitude as you come off the lip is crucial, but I also try to be concious of being compact and tight while in the air, to help keep balance a bit forward and ready to rip again once you hit snow. as mentioned extending your legs for impact is key, and just requires practice to get the timing right. Of course in my experience this technique has the potential for a more spectacular wreck, and rather than just a back slap or hip check, a classic head of heals yardsale is likely to ensue

.

shit now you got thinking about hucking cliffs, and it's only october.

**phUnk** · 10-21-2004, 03:59 PM

Close your mouth all the way (important later).
Get your arms loose & out in front of you a bit. This helps you...
Ride off the takeof centered, NOT weighting your heels because you're scared. That causes backslaps.
The feet come up to get you compact & give you a little something to focus on (rather than how much taller the cliff looks when you're coming off the top of it.)
Landing gear extend right before you land. Feet shoulder width apart.
Get ready for a lot of weight on your legs. Like someone said, you can stick more than you'd think if you focus on it.
Push against the snow as your weight transfers onto your legs thinking "STICK IT!"
If your legs can't handle the weight, you'll compress vertically, this is where you'll bite your tongue if your fool mouth is open
Because your legs were shoulder width apart, you avoided smashing your chin into your knees. Congrats.
Ride away clean.

**robokill1981** · 10-21-2004, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by phUnk

Because your legs were shoulder width apart, you avoided smashing your chin into your knees. Congrats.

Good point!
Full face helmets = dental insurance

**elesquiador** · 10-21-2004, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by phUnk

The feet come up to get you compact & give you a little something to focus on (rather than how much taller the cliff looks when you're coming off the top of it.)

So do you pop off the top of the cliff, bringing your feet up one foot right after the other, or just ski off the lip and then pull your feet up? I've always kind of popped off the top since it helps clear rocks and stuff if the takeoff is not clean, but the more I see myself on video I start to think that pushes me into the back seat some of the time.

**Alkasquawlik** · 10-21-2004, 04:13 PM

I think it's a lot about commitment. It takes serious balls and commitment to fall off a 40-50 footer and convince yourself that you can land standing on your feet. Nearly every natural instinct in your body is telling you that it's impossible to land this on your feet. But if you stay commited, stay forward and stay strong, you can usually take things to your feet and ride away clean.

Hugo once told me that you should always land a cliff and be going faster than when you took off. Otherwise it's not a clean stomp

And remember kids, it's okay to stomp it in the powder, but it's not okay to stick in the pooter.