COPPER MOUNTAIN - Stephen Karp is the Copper Ski and Ride School's resident bump guru. Nearly four years
ago, he founded the Bump Busters program, a one-day clinic designed to teach people the art of skiing moguls. Before coming
to Copper, Karp competed in USSA for four years and was on the World Pro Mogul Tour for nine years.
"The bottom
line is that if you don't ski bumps, you're missing 40 percent of the mountain," Karp said. This winter will
mark Bump Busters' third full season at Copper. There were 56 mogul clinics held last season and Karp is expecting 700
students to enroll in this season's clinics. Many of Karp's students will be more than one-time acquaintances.
"I ski with almost all of my students at least one time after the clinic," Karp said. "People will call and
ask if I have a half-hour and I will give them a quick bing, bing, bing review of what's going on."
The
only criteria for the five-hour clinic is a desire to ski better in the bumps. Bump Busters costs $69 for pass holders and
$81 for non-pass holders.
The Bump Busters staff includes some of the top skiers and riders in the Copper Ski
and Ride School. All Copper instructors are allowed to try out for approximately nine spots on the mogul-teaching team.
Anna DeBattiste, a Copper Ski Instructor, teaches with Bump Busters periodically. "Its a lot more high-energy than regular
ski school classes," DeBattiste said. "I'm here to get out, sweat and get some exercise."
