How fast do you ski or board?

[Streamtracker]

The study below found average speed for all skiers/boarders on intermediate slopes was 26.7 mph. Skiers are faster than boarders, which surprised me. Helmet wearers are faster than non-helmet wearers. Helmets are typically tested well below average speeds. The faster you ski/board, the worse the underestimate of speed. I don't have a gps device, but since I am typically passing 95% of other skiers on a blue trail, my average is likely higher.

Those with a GPS type device, what's your typical daily average?

How Fast Do Winter Sports Participants Travel on Alpine Slopes?
Journal of ASTM International, Volume 2, Issue 7 (July 2005)

Shealy, JE
Professor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Ettlinger, CF
President, Vermont Safety Research, Underhill Center, VT
Johnson, RJ
Professor of Musculoskeletal Research, McClure Musculoskeletal Research Center, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT

(Received 16 March 2004; accepted 4 March 2005)

Abstract

This study was developed to empirically determine the impact of the following variables on the speeds of skiers and snowboarders: activity [skiing versus snowboarding], visibility [clear and sunny sky versus cloudy, overcast conditions], type of resort [day, destination, or combination], and helmets [use or not of helmet]. The study also evaluated differences in speed between males and females and the ability of subjects to estimate their speed.

The authors measured the speed of some 650 individuals at three different ski resorts in the U.S. during the winter of 2002/2003. One resort was primarily a destination resort in Utah, one was a day area in New York, and the third resort in Vermont had a combination of destination and day skiers. The speeds were determined by means of a calibrated radar speed gun. Speeds were gathered on consecutive skiers and snowboarders as they were observed from an uphill, looking downhill position. The speed recorded was the highest speed observed during a several second interval while the observed person went through several turns as the skiers and snowboarders moved away from the observer. All observations were made on wide, straight, well-groomed ‘blue square’ (more difficult) trails. The slopes ranged from 16–20° in steepness.

The average speed for all observations was 43.0 km/h (26.7 mph), with a standard deviation of 11.2 km/h (7.0 mph). The average speed for skiers of 44.5 km/h (27.6 mph) was significantly higher than that for snowboarders at 38.9 km/h (24.1 mph). The average speed under good visibility of 46.7 km/h (29.0 mph) was significantly higher than for poor visibility conditions at 38.3 km/h (23.7 mph). The average speed for helmet users of 45.8 km/h (28.4 mph) was significantly higher than those not using a helmet at 41.0 km/h (25.4 mph). Males ski and snowboard significantly faster than females. Skiers and snowboarders are fair at estimating their speed (r = 0.56), but they tend to underestimate their speeds the faster they go; for example, at an actual 48 km/h (30 mph), they estimate that they are traveling at 37 km/h (23 mph).

The observed speeds are well above the speeds (22.6 km/h, or 14.0 mph) used for ASTM F 2040 helmet testing protocols for recreational snow sports helmets.

[Humpty Dumpty]

I believe Highway Star claims he skis in the 70MPH range. Comical. I'm too lazy to look up the post.

[Stormchaser]

By gps, peak ski rate 55 mph - groomed trail, no bodies to worry about...16 mph in the woods.

I ski a lot of bumps and woods, so my average is likely lower than most.

If we just talk groomers, I pass most folks too...

[Highway Star]

I believe Highway Star claims he skis in the 70MPH range. Comical. I'm too lazy to look up the post.

I've definitely cleared 70 mph on an open ski slope several times. On any average day skiing on trail I'll hit 50 mph at least once. Much of my skiing on groomed trails is in the 30-45 mph range. I used my phone with alpinereplay last year and clocked 55 mph a few times in the double dipper apron, however it would always lose it's tracking lock at the bottom of the canyon, so I don't think it was accurate and cut out before max speed was reached. The time I used a real GPS many years ago I clocked 55mph on an intermediate slope in light crud on powder skis, did not seem that fast.

Most effective way to measure speed without special equipment is to mark off a measured distance and videotape people skiing through it. Count video frames to get an accurate time figure. 88ft works good because 88 ft/sec = 60mph. Be sure to check the video camera by videotaping stop watch, to make sure it is accurately at 30 or 60 frames per second, etc.

[freeski]

When the Franconia Ski Club has speed training on Avalanche they get up to about 75 MPH. I asked a coach one day when they were in speed training because I was curious what they got up to straight lining this very steep trail. I was there on a weekday and the trail was freshly groomed and very smooth. I was about a third of the way down the trail and was moving at a good clip I remember I had only turned 3 times. In the back of my mind I remembered the 75 the coach had mentioned and on a whim I pointed my skis down the fall line and got in a tuck. I think I hit 50 and it was a rush. When I hit the flat at the bottom after my momentum was going flat with the terrain it felt like I was floating. Normally, I am a little faster than others on intermediates and quite a bit slower than average on experts.

[Dr. NO]

Would say my average is around 20 or so. If racing I have been clocked at 55 + and my GPS got me up to 65 going down Needles Eye. May or may not have gone faster at some point. Age is a factor along with some crashes in slowing one down.

[Dr Z]

I go just fast enough that the wind noise doesn't block out the " get out of MY line" coming from behind me. Safety first, you know.

[spanky]

We've been through this before. Using GPS to track max speed is not very accurate. My GPS registers max speeds faster than I know I was going. I've been clocked with a radar gun at 63 and seen people hit the low 70s on the gun.

[Mister Moose]

I've skied so fast the red trail closed ropes looked green from the doppler shift.

[freeski]

I've skied so fast the red trail closed ropes looked green from the doppler shift.

You can't have a Doppler shift if it's cold enough to have snow on the ground. Everybody knows that.

[biged]

Average speed 1 second gps interval in 20's. I pass most. If not on a mission to go fast on gs skis I will hit in upper 30's. 40 and above isn't seen by most skiers. The average seems high for vt skiing unless you had a previous race background.

[steamboat1]

Slow down & enjoy the outdoors.

[pwdrskier]

I've hit 55mph a few times on cruise control

[Humpty Dumpty]

Highway Star's ego surpasses his supposed MPH on the the slopes. Also, let's not forget, he is an extreme tail rider, hence bad form, which would preclude him from such speed. So let's call BS.

Phil Mahre, out.

PS, And Steve Mahre out as well.

[brownman]

Slow down & enjoy the outdoors.

+1

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