3 Reasons Bigger Jumps Are Sometimes Safer Than Smaller Jumps

Photo via Flickr @kxcd

Yesterday’s blog post got me thinking about jump sizes and safety, so today I’m going to write about why some bigger jumps are actually safer than smaller jumps.

There’s 3 main reasons why bigger jumps are sometimes safer than the smaller jumps in a terrain park:

1) Bigger jumps are typically better groomed

It’s not unusual for the park crew of a mountain to take better care of the larger jumps. I think it’s because the bigger jumps are usually ridden by more advanced riders who give good feedback and have higher expectations for a better built jump.

For example, if you’re the first person to be hitting the large jumps in the morning, it’s very common for the park crew to ask you how the jumps are and if the takeoff/landing is groomed properly.

2) There’s less ‘mess’ and ruts

Bigger jumps are typically ridden by advanced to expert riders. This means that there’s a lot less situations of having people carve huge holes and weird lines all over the take off and landing.

For example, if you compare the large jumps in Whistler Blackcomb to the medium jumps right next to them, the large jumps don’t have holes, ruts and uneven carve lines all over them.

3) Less stupidity

You know those annoying people that sit in the landing of a jump and bring families to ski through the park? That happens a lot less in the large jump line (although unfortunately it does still happen).

I find that most people who hit the larger jump lines have a lot more experience and time in the park. There’s a lot less cutting people off and general stupidity that can cause crashes and injuries.

That said…

Crashing on a big jump can really hurt. While it’s usually no big deal if you make the downslope of the landing, crashing before or after the downslope really does hurt.

You’re usually falling from further up or down, so getting the speed right is a lot more crucial on a bigger jump. While it can be less risky to hit a big jump that’s well groomed vs a medium jump that’s got ruts and nasty spots all over the takeoff/landing, you still do have to be focused and careful when hitting bigger jumps.

Anyhow, that’s just something to think about for those considering stepping up to bigger jumps.

- Jed

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