When asked what type of skier he is, Ira Riklis will tell you that he’s a mountain cruiser. He loves to strap on a pair of long, stiff racing skis, find a steep, groomed slope and head downhill. When conditions are right, he can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour and make the run down Vail Mountain in 15 minutes. Once he reaches the bottom, he’s ready to head back up and do it again.
Others may prefer bumpy runs, with moguls and lots of tight turns. But it takes mogul skis, designed for carving sharp turns, not for straight-on speed. That style of skiing also places a lot of strain on a skier’s legs and feet, something that can quickly become unpleasant. And Ira Riklis knows that maneuvering through all the twists and turns can tire skiers out, which would leave him with less energy to head back up and make that next run.