realskiers

The "religious absolutism" is really a disconnect between those who have done the things being discussed and those who have not.  The difference between doing a true high C engagement turn versus a full hop turn is incredibly stark.  I remember a run I took when I first started to get it, where things started out nice and roomy and then devolved into a very narrow chute of steep bumps.  Up top, I was able to make high C turns, but when it got narrow, the terrain, shall we say, exceeded my skill level at the time.  As a result, I skied the second half of the run with a combination of hopping and steering turns.  As much as it sucked, I couldn't have imagined a better object lesson.  The difference was so great that my immediate thought was, "I'm never coming back here until I have the ability to ski that entire run with high C turns."  Keep in mind, this was a run I'd skied many times before, and until I understood what was actually possible, my existing technique had seemed fine.  To someone that has experienced a true high C turn, the idea that any rational person would willingly choose any other way to ski is inconceivable.  While that might be a bit of an overstatement, it hopefully sheds light on the nature of the discussion.  There is a way of skiing that really is THAT much better than what most people ever get to experience--even skiers who seem to be skiing at a very high level.  Whether everyone actually desires to reach that level is a different question, but personally I think it is important that the information is at least available so people have the option.

PMTS isn't a rule book for how we ought to ski.  As Heluva said, it is a pathway to developing great skiing.  If you are skiing down the mountain and you have to hop, then hop.  But also understand that developing your hop turns isn't going to help you master the boards strapped to your feet (assuming that is your goal).  It isn't unlike skivoting in racing.  The best racers don't practice skivoting; it is just something they can do when they need it.  Hop turns are like that.  Develop your carving skills far enough and you will have the movements to hop when and if you need to.  IOW, focus on perfecting the turn you want to make, not on the turn you may occasionally have to make.