It seems the only place you can progress if you suck now are on deserted hills or rail set ups at your friends house. Going to the park alone or with some friends when you can barley even slide a rail or are just learning your first switchup is nerve racking especially when you are 18. What did you guys do to get over the fear of going to the park when you weren't a gaper but still sucked at skiing?
Jan 16 2015 11:51PM
Jan 16 2015 11:57PM
Jan 17 2015 2:11PM
Seriously american mountains must be full of assholes.
Either that or everyone who creates one of these threads every week is so insecure that they can't accept not being pro.
I am a total park gaper and with a blown out knee to help me along my way too. I have been skiing laax all week and even just hitting the down rails in the small park roughly people don't laugh or criticise. Same in australia (where i am from) people are more than accepting as long as you know the general park rules.
Either stop being so fucking insecure and man up, im 28 and started skiing park 6 months ago and i dont care what people thing. Or find a nicer mountain.
Jan 17 2015 3:01PM
Jan 17 2015 3:20PM
Jan 17 2015 3:26PM
NegromancerStop caring about what other people think and just do your own thing. If you eat shit under the chair or something it's not the end of the world, pick your shit up and try again.
Yeah I've got a friend that isn't very good at park but he Wil be like "hey let's hike this one" which I'm cool with and as soon aa someone elements comes over to that feature he will be like "yo let's line this one I'll see you at the bottom".
I always tell him dude who gives a fuck what they think but he always let's it get in his hear and he doesn't get better.
Jan 17 2015 4:56PM
jlens05Yeah I've got a friend that isn't very good at park but he Wil be like "hey let's hike this one" which I'm cool with and as soon aa someone elements comes over to that feature he will be like "yo let's line this one I'll see you at the bottom".I always tell him dude who gives a fuck what they think but he always let's it get in his hear and he doesn't get better.
Wut?
Jan 17 2015 5:07PM
My park is really small...2 hittable rails, thats it. The place is empty except for the gapers all day. I found its a great time to listen to some music and practice the easy tricks, then build your stoke and throw something new. Being alone gives you time to work on something before being more comfortable and including the trick in your bag.
Beat fear? just dont think about getting hurt, watch some ski movies before heading out.
Jan 17 2015 5:12PM
Jan 17 2015 6:40PM
I just stepped into the park for the first time yesterday. I was a bit nervous at first as well but honestly if you watch people who are better than you or even ask them for advice on how to throw certain tricks you'll be fine. I watched some kid throw stuff off jumps, and with a little guidance I was able to learn 180s and 360s in no time. Yeah I fell a few times, but it's part of the learning experience. Don't be afraid to step outside of your element. Everyone in the park was in your shoes at one point.
Jan 17 2015 6:59PM
There's a good number of resorts these days offering up free sessions with instructors. The month of January is actually dubbed as "Learn to Ski Month" now and a HUGE emphasis is being placed on park and pipe. This movement is one of the key things Urban Ski Co, who I represent, works on every week.
Give your local mountains a look up on the web or even contact their ski schools and inquire what they are doing to help park skiers learn in an open and non-intimidating environment. The resorts are VERY INTERESTED in listening and acting these days, because the future for skiing is in park & pipe and as the trend moves towards free learning sessions most of the resorts will follow.
If you have a resort or mountain you feel needs a little more persuasion in creating this type of learning environment then let us know. We're actively calling them every week and having these discussions.
Jan 17 2015 8:46PM
Honestly, all these comments are saying go into the park alone but I don't really know if I've ever learned a new trick skiing alone. I almost always have buddies skiing with me who push me to try things or encourage me to keep trying a trick. I feel like having that extra level of friendly competition between ski-friends is really awesome for progression and such. So yeah, I'd say just ski with some guys who are about the same level as you and you're golden.
Jan 17 2015 9:48PM
Are you afraid of the actual features or what people think?
If you're afraid of the features, just push yourself and take a couple soft falls in order to build a comfort zone. I can never land or even attempt tougher tricks until I take one or two wash-outs to settle the nerves.
But if you're worried about what people think, just remember that the guys crushing features were in your shoes at one point too. Even ask for advice, you'll get some pointers and they'll know you're just trying to learn. It's just skiing, we're all on the same team in this sport.
Jan 17 2015 11:28PM
Just stop being so painstakingly self-conscious and this problem, and many others, will completely disappear.
This is the third or fourth thread like this in the last few weeks....why are people so fucking afraid of looking like beginners? So what? You didn't ski race since 6 years old, and you haven't gone to two windell's sessions a year for the last five. So, why aren't you allowed to learn at your pace? And....18? You're a child!! You are NOT too old, man.
No one will give you a hard time unless you're blowing it in terms of etiquette or unless you yourself are being weird and standoffish. I guarantee that if people see you hiking, trying things, slowly improving, you'll be accepted.
See....I think the internet has made people of a certain age terrified of face to face interaction, and especially in the context of being in a humbling circumstance.
Basically, and I mean this with love and respect.....quit being a fucking pussy and worrying about how you might be perceived!
Jan 17 2015 11:34PM
At least for me, my biggest fear is the fear of getting hurt (or more specifically pain). This definitely isn't the smartest way to work past it, but for me I have found two things that work.
A) Send it before you can think. If you roll into a cliff/jump/etc and just say "I'm going to do this" and then shut your head off before the frontal lobe can yell "HEY WAIT THAT MIGHT NOT WORK ENTIRELY RIGHT AND YOU COULD GET INJURED". Potential flaws include: incorrect speed, poorly aimed takeoff, and other risks from going completely blind into what you're about to do.
B) Get irrationally pissed at something/anything, to the point of seeing read. Goal is to get the "fuck everything" mentality to where you're actually skiing super hard and looking to get hurt, because of how rad you're getting. Difficult to find this mental zone, but a low blood sugar can expedite it. Potential risks: damage to personal relationships, and, uh, probably just isn't a good idea. If you are Dr. Jekyll and can switch between the two almost at will, that's perfect.
Jan 17 2015 11:34PM