Try a safety grab, basically just tuck in the air and grab the bottom of your skis. Basically like a Canon ball into a pool.

I'm 16 I don't take park lessons I just go on YouTube and search tutorials or ask people here.

Good luck

it will be harder to pick it up but on the hill/mountain ask the young people around you for advice and just ski and practice as much as possible. Living in MN its easy to get in laps because we have tow ropes. Good luck!

Anguz_liTry a safety grab, basically just tuck in the air and grab the bottom of your skis. Basically like a Canon ball into a pool.

Yup, my problem is I don't have my speed dialed in yet so I don't get much air time most of the time to do even simple grabs.

I wish I was 16 again lol. Feels like I realized a huge hobby wayyyy too late.

GaperGodLiving in MN its easy to get in laps because we have tow ropes. Good luck!

I am in Vancouver, BC so I get the choice of Whistler and the local mountains (Cypress, Grouse, Seymour) for parks but none of them have rope tows.

I'm thinking to just hike the same box over and over for the entire day. Just feels terrible to take 3 seconds to ski with a 3-minute "reset" lol

Im 25, here is a link to Windells adult camp.

http://windells.com/freeski-camp/freestyle-ski-adult-camp/

CrazeIm 25, here is a link to Windells adult camp.

http://windells.com/freeski-camp/freestyle-ski-adult-camp/

Thanks that does look great, but that pricing is going to put me out on the street after my all-mighty Canadian dollars are decimated.

Anyone know if CoC or Momentum at Whistler have similar setups?

michael.hsu.5059Yup, my problem is I don't have my speed dialed in yet so I don't get much air time most of the time to do even simple grabs.

I wish I was 16 again lol. Feels like I realized a huge hobby wayyyy too late.

michael.hsu.5059Anyone know if CoC or Momentum at Whistler have similar setups?

Nevermind, just saw Momentum has adult ski programs too. Not sure about CoC but it does look more impressive.

michael.hsu.5059Nevermind, just saw Momentum has adult ski programs too. Not sure about CoC but it does look more impressive.

COC doesn't have an adult specific camp although there seems to always be people late 20's to early 30's there

michael.hsu.5059Yup, my problem is I don't have my speed dialed in yet so I don't get much air time most of the time to do even simple grabs.

I wish I was 16 again lol. Feels like I realized a huge hobby wayyyy too late.

Your speed will come with practice, it takes time for everyone to know how fast to hit certain features.

In regards to going to a summer camp, I wouldn't (if I was you), but I'd check out alternative routes. A lot of resorts have freestyle training available throughout the season. Also, you should be able to find a couple cool guys that would take the time to give you a pointer or two on the hill.

Also, Jake Muller has some pretty solid and in-depth videos on how to do entry level tricks.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mullski10/videos

It is great to push yourself, but I have had a lot of friends that try to get into park skiing too quick and end up getting hurt. So get the basics down first, then try to learn new tricks, and stop trying new tricks towards the end of the day because that is when you are tired and mistakes happen.

BoardSideDownYour speed will come with practice, it takes time for everyone to know how fast to hit certain features.

In regards to going to a summer camp, I wouldn't (if I was you), but I'd check out alternative routes. A lot of resorts have freestyle training available throughout the season. Also, you should be able to find a couple cool guys that would take the time to give you a pointer or two on the hill.

Also, Jake Muller has some pretty solid and in-depth videos on how to do entry level tricks.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mullski10/videos

Hey thanks for the tips! I have checked out Jake's videos before and they're great, but like I said my progression is slow. I don't really know how much progression I *should* be getting out of how much time I spend on the slopes (~15 days per season), but it's slow each time and I feel that it has to do with age.

One question about Jake's videos though...he talks about how when doing 3s (or any spins etc) you do not turn your head at all - you should turn with your shoulders with your face looking straight ahead. But I've repeatedly seen videos and posts both here and youtube and other forums that you "look over your shoulder" to spot your landing. So who's correct? I honestly think the latter feels more natural especially in the beginning when you need to get a feel for where the landing is sooner so you look over your shoulder. Maybe you stop turning your head after you practiced so much you can "anticipate" where the landing is?

michael.hsu.5059Hey thanks for the tips! I have checked out Jake's videos before and they're great, but like I said my progression is slow. I don't really know how much progression I *should* be getting out of how much time I spend on the slopes (~15 days per season), but it's slow each time and I feel that it has to do with age.

One question about Jake's videos though...he talks about how when doing 3s (or any spins etc) you do not turn your head at all - you should turn with your shoulders with your face looking straight ahead. But I've repeatedly seen videos and posts both here and youtube and other forums that you "look over your shoulder" to spot your landing. So who's correct? I honestly think the latter feels more natural especially in the beginning when you need to get a feel for where the landing is sooner so you look over your shoulder. Maybe you stop turning your head after you practiced so much you can "anticipate" where the landing is?

please don't look over your shoulder, its not a good habit to get into. The best way to spot your landing is to keep your head and eyes up and to anticipiate it like you said

BoardSideDownIn regards to going to a summer camp, I wouldn't (if I was you), but I'd check out alternative routes. A lot of resorts have freestyle training available throughout the season.

I've looked into freestyle training around me (Whistler, Cypress, Grouse, Seymour), but unfortunately I've never found any specific training sessions - not for adults anyway. Vast majority of them, like I mentioned earlier, are targeted towards teens and young adults.

I've thought about just getting a single-day lesson with a personal coach on any of the local mountains. They specify that teaching freestyle is available for private lessons, as opposed to grouped lessons. It's very pricey just for 1 day (~$450) but if close and professional training can get me over the progression trench I appear to be in, then it might be worth it and it certainly is cheaper than committing to a longer summer camp program?

Age isn't what's holding you back, your number of days on snow is. 15 is not really enough. I feel like I don't even have my ski legs back until 10 days in. I didn't start skiing until I was 26, and while I'll probably never throw 1080's, I can at least clear the pro line jumps comfortably at my mountain with solid grabs, and throw 1's and 3's off the small stuff. Age is just a number, there are tons of guys throwing down in the park well into their 40's and 50's. They won't ever be X-games competitors but they can still look stylish and continue to progress in the park.

CyanicenineAge isn't what's holding you back, your number of days on snow is. 15 is not really enough. I feel like I don't even have my ski legs back until 10 days in. I didn't start skiing until I was 26, and while I'll probably never throw 1080's, I can at least clear the pro line jumps comfortably at my mountain with solid grabs, and throw 1's and 3's off the small stuff. Age is just a number, there are tons of guys throwing down in the park well into their 40's and 50's. They won't ever be X-games competitors but they can still look stylish and continue to progress in the park.

Hey thanks for that. How many days per season do you think should be the bare minimum to progress at a fair pace?

michael.hsu.5059One question about Jake's videos though...he talks about how when doing 3s (or any spins etc) you do not turn your head at all - you should turn with your shoulders with your face looking straight ahead. But I've repeatedly seen videos and posts both here and youtube and other forums that you "look over your shoulder" to spot your landing. So who's correct? I honestly think the latter feels more natural especially in the beginning when you need to get a feel for where the landing is sooner so you look over your shoulder. Maybe you stop turning your head after you practiced so much you can "anticipate" where the landing is?

Looking over your should can be needed for some tricks, but not normal spins like a 360. You want to pop off take offs with your shoulders and head square. Turning your head can through you off axis too, this is because people tend to look down when they turn their head.

michael.hsu.5059I've thought about just getting a single-day lesson with a personal coach on any of the local mountains. They specify that teaching freestyle is available for private lessons, as opposed to grouped lessons. It's very pricey just for 1 day (~$450) but if close and professional training can get me over the progression trench I appear to be in, then it might be worth it and it certainly is cheaper than committing to a longer summer camp program?

Yes, this is what I was referencing this would do you more good and be more cost effective.

michael.hsu.5059Hey guys, I am a very new park skier (started near the end of last season). I am progressing pretty slowly because of busy schedules (maybe 15ish days on the mountain per season) and lack of friends in the park scene to motivate each other. I will turn 30 this summer and I'm just wondering if it's too late to pick up skiing in the park? I do very much enjoy it but the slow progression and the lack of chances to progress can be very frustrating.

I am still just doing straight airs off small/medium jumps (knuckling a lot at that) and 50/50 boxes. I have a lot of trouble trying to slide boxes because I just don't get enough air time to clear 90 degree turn most of the time. Not sure if it's because my boots/skis are too heavy or at my age I just can't pop off the ground as effortlessly as I see a lot of younger park skiers do. They barely need to bend their knees before the pop while I basically have to basketball-jump.

I've considered summer ski camps and ski lessons so I can at least get professional help with my progression but it looks like the vast majority of those are targeted towards the younger crowd (between ages 13 to very early 20s). And that just kinda in and of itself indicates to me the intended age for learning freestyle skiing.

Any folks out there around my age in similar situations?

Dude, there is NOTHING that says you can't shred the park starting at 30. The key is... you don't need to worry about going pro. Fuck it! Its perfectly acceptable to just slide a casual box in the baby park, hit a 10' booter or two for shits and giggles. You can learn tricks at your own pace, and not give a fuck if anyone is outdoing you.

The park is incredibly fun. It takes any mountain and makes it amazing. No matter what age you are, you can completely enjoy the experience with minimal injury. Few bumps and bruises, but nothing more than the rest of the place.

Just take it slow and fucking enjoy that shit!

someone get DominatorJacques in here

Nobassettsomeone get DominatorJacques in here

this

There isn't a thing like being to old to geg into park skiing, you just have to take things a bit easier and work your way up to bigger tricks.

Jumps

If you hit a jump for the first time ask someone who already hit it if you can follow him into the jump. Also always remember to pop hard of the lip and don't get loose in the air. Grabs, shiftys or just getting your feet tucked help with this. Absorb your landing on impact and you'll feel alot more confident imediatly.

Rails and Boxes

I guess you could easily complete a 90 ° rotation onto a box, it's most likely just a mental block. Go up to a quite flat down box and step onto it from the side standing on it sideways. Center you weight over your boots and bend you knees a bit. Look to the end of the box while you slide down and keep calm. Once you feel comfortable doing this you should be ready to hit a flat box or down box. Approach the box and pop onto it turning 90 °. Land on it with and shoulder wide stance, slide, done.

Spins

Spins over 180 can be quite frustrating at first. Your first attempts are probably going to feel quite uncomfortable. What really helped me was carving into the jump pushing your shins against the toungues of your boot. Carve hard, pop, look over your shoulder and stay strong and stable in the air. Spot your landing at 270 and go into a wide stance if you are spinning to fast.

michael.hsu.5059I've looked into freestyle training around me (Whistler, Cypress, Grouse, Seymour), but unfortunately I've never found any specific training sessions - not for adults anyway. Vast majority of them, like I mentioned earlier, are targeted towards teens and young adults.

I've thought about just getting a single-day lesson with a personal coach on any of the local mountains. They specify that teaching freestyle is available for private lessons, as opposed to grouped lessons. It's very pricey just for 1 day (~$450) but if close and professional training can get me over the progression trench I appear to be in, then it might be worth it and it certainly is cheaper than committing to a longer summer camp program?

Hey I'm a freestyle coach based out of Van/ whistler. There are a few adult programs that I know of, as you mentioned they are pricey but as the demand increases more options will be available.

One thing to look into is when (or if) Cypress gets their air bag fixed there will be evening jump sessions open to the public. Where do you normally ski? I'd be stoked to give you a few pointers if I see you up there.

michael.hsu.5059Thanks that does look great, but that pricing is going to put me out on the street after my all-mighty Canadian dollars are decimated.

Anyone know if CoC or Momentum at Whistler have similar setups?

COC is sick, GO!!

I feel like general confidence in terms of being on skis is definitely a big help while getting into park. Although I'm sure there are plenty of us on here who learned to slide a box before we could turn without snowplowing (and lord knows there's plenty on the hill), being able to ski properly is gonna help a lot in terms of landings and takeoffs. Having a steady balance on skis helps a lot when sliding a rail for the first time, so keep your stance wide.

From the sounds of it, the boxes you're trying to spin onto don't have much of a lip if you can't get a 90 on, so maybe try something that's not so flat or hit it with a little more speed.

I feel like general confidence in terms of being on skis is definitely a big help while getting into park. Although I'm sure there are plenty of us on here who learned to slide a box before we could turn without snowplowing (and lord knows there's plenty on the hill), being able to ski properly is gonna help a lot in terms of landings and takeoffs. Having a steady balance on skis helps a lot when sliding a rail for the first time, so keep your stance wide.

From the sounds of it, the boxes you're trying to spin onto don't have much of a lip if you can't get a 90 on, so maybe try something that's not so flat or hit it with a little more speed.

Download-My-AppsHey I'm a freestyle coach based out of Van/ whistler. There are a few adult programs that I know of, as you mentioned they are pricey but as the demand increases more options will be available.

One thing to look into is when (or if) Cypress gets their air bag fixed there will be evening jump sessions open to the public. Where do you normally ski? I'd be stoked to give you a few pointers if I see you up there.

Hey man that's awesome! I normally ski at Cypress on weekends. Might be up there on the 21st. If you are up there and can give me a few tips that'd be sick!

Whiteout_Rails and Boxes

I guess you could easily complete a 90 ° rotation onto a box, it's most likely just a mental block.

I think it really is a mental block a lot of times with me and boxes. When I am lining up to a box at a slight decline and I pop onto the box, I instinctively try to land on the box with my skis on edge, like I would on the hills normally when I want to hockey stop or whatever. That's something slowly making progress on.

In terms of doing a complete 90 though, I've watched "professional" tutorial videos that talk about using "counter-rotation" to do the 90 turn. So if you are going to spin to the left, you turn your hips to the left but you kinda turn your upper body and shoulders to the right to counter it and that is supposed to help with the spin. This means that your shoulders are always pointing straight down the box the whole time. While I actually see this a lot on the hills, there are a lot of conflicting posts both here and other forums which say both your hips and shoulders should turn and be perpendicular to the box. So which is right?

Whiteout_Spins

look over your shoulder and stay strong and stable in the air

Like discussed earlier in the thread this is another conflicting advice I see. In Jake Muller's videos he says you do not look over your shoulder doing 3s, and someone earlier had the same opinion. So again which is right?

michael.hsu.5059I think it really is a mental block a lot of times with me and boxes. When I am lining up to a box at a slight decline and I pop onto the box, I instinctively try to land on the box with my skis on edge, like I would on the hills normally when I want to hockey stop or whatever. That's something slowly making progress on.

In terms of doing a complete 90 though, I've watched "professional" tutorial videos that talk about using "counter-rotation" to do the 90 turn. So if you are going to spin to the left, you turn your hips to the left but you kinda turn your upper body and shoulders to the right to counter it and that is supposed to help with the spin. This means that your shoulders are always pointing straight down the box the whole time. While I actually see this a lot on the hills, there are a lot of conflicting posts both here and other forums which say both your hips and shoulders should turn and be perpendicular to the box. So which is right?

Like discussed earlier in the thread this is another conflicting advice I see. In Jake Muller's videos he says you do not look over your shoulder doing 3s, and someone earlier had the same opinion. So again which is right?

For boxes i wouldn say that you should keep your whole upper body facing to the end of the box for the whole time, concentrate on the spin first , then land and just look down the box.

For regular 3's i would definetly look over the leading shoulder whilst for cork 3's, 3's with wide safety etc you have to look between your legs. Not looking over your shoulder on your first 3's wich will probably be quite pencil like will end in spotting your landing way to late. The tip i gave with carving into the jump should prevent landing backseat and help with getting both your feet and upper body to complete the rotation.

Keep skiing in the park! It's sick to see guys that are older than the average park skier age out there killing it

Whiteout_For regular 3's i would definetly look over the leading shoulder whilst for cork 3's, 3's with wide safety etc you have to look between your legs. Not looking over your shoulder on your first 3's wich will probably be quite pencil like will end in spotting your landing way to late. The tip i gave with carving into the jump should prevent landing backseat and help with getting both your feet and upper body to complete the rotation.

Ahh got it. I think it'll feel more natural to try and spot my landing a bit earlier. I'll try that, thanks!

How do you suppose carving into the jump prevents landing backseat? I can see that it helps with the spin because you are kinda setting the spin early when you carve? But how does it help with being off-axis?

Send it! Y O L O

michael.hsu.5059Ahh got it. I think it'll feel more natural to try and spot my landing a bit earlier. I'll try that, thanks!

How do you suppose carving into the jump prevents landing backseat? I can see that it helps with the spin because you are kinda setting the spin early when you carve? But how does it help with being off-axis?

Having an subtle carve with shin pressure( wich an carve should always have) will help coming out on axis again.