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GayWolf420
June, 2025

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Can having no racing background mean I'm not a good freeskier?

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Cincher
Posts: 3409 - Karma: 551
I've been skiing for approximately 4 years, and I'm hearing that a lot of members had some racing background. This kinda makes me nervous, as they always tout it as improving their skiing ability overall. So, as the title says,is having no racing background mean I'm not a good freeskier?

Is there any way to make up for this? I don't wanna be grouped in with those excellent park rats that can't ski for crap outside the park!
15 years ago
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Wobby
Posts: 316 - Karma: 266
Don't be stupid.
Ski outside the park if you don't want to only be good at park.
Racing is a good way to improve rapidly, but you don't have to have raced to be a good skier.
Go out and have fun, ski with your friends and push each other, and don't worry about whether or not you're a "good" freeskier.
15 years ago
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
i raced for 2 years. it really helped me how to learn to ski good.
15 years ago
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DlX
Posts: 397 - Karma: 10
I can see how it would help.  I've skied park the majority of my skiing life.  Up to this past season, I felt pretty solid with my trick book but I had no idea how to ski properly.  This year I took some time to actually work on turns when skiing to and from the park, and this helped a shit ton.  Being able to hold an edge and have good form can save you from crashes, as well as make you way more comfortable and gives you some style points every now and then.
15 years ago
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Masties
Posts: 253 - Karma: 82
if you can ski good in the park i'm pretty sure you can ski good anywhere on the mountain....

and whats so bad about being labeled a park rat? i'd rather be labeled that than a racer.
15 years ago
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.jesus.
Posts: 2288 - Karma: 22
well then don't ski the park alot until you consider yourself to be a good all mountian skier try tricks off cliffs and stuff
15 years ago
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ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2810 - Karma: 507
Joining a race team is not the only way to become a better skier. Ski difficult terrain and push yourself like you would in the park.

and to WVstyle+ease did it help you learn english good? (jokes)

15 years ago
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,257
it didnt teach you how to speak english good
15 years ago
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9096 - Karma: 3,071
Just charge the whole mountain, man!
15 years ago
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JahJahBinks
Posts: 3567 - Karma: 461
I have never taken a lesson in my life and have been skiing for 2 years, one of those years being like 8 days on snow.
15 years ago
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Learned racing technique, skied like that for a few years.

Joined a mogul team, learned that and never looked back.

There is definite crossover material, but I honestly think that a mogul background is way better. Best thing I can suggest to you to improve your skiing if you don't want some mogul lessons is to join a mogul team, or to take instructor courses. The higher level instructor courses will really help you out with your skiing.

I can honestly tell exactly who comes from a mogul background when I watch ski movies - they're the ones that bend their knees.
15 years ago
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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
I have been skiing for 10 years (not racing though). I have only recently moved to park. It defiantly helped not going straight to park, basically any time spent on skis will make you better. If you want to build up your general skiing skills leave the park once or twice a week and just lap the hardest trails you can do. Also I tried racing last year and for me there's nothing that I can see from just trying it that will make you a better park skier.
15 years ago
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
I cruised groomers for 12 years, before taking up freestyle 6 years ago. I never entered a single race, never did any training, and I don't think I'm any worse for it. Messing about on groomers taught as much about balance and ski control as any race training would have.
15 years ago
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Cincher
Posts: 3409 - Karma: 551
Problem: I'm in Manitoba, AKA the Canadian prairies. Cliffs and deep powder is like finding a unicorn.
15 years ago
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Cincher
Posts: 3409 - Karma: 551
Nothing, I just mean those people who suck outside the park.
15 years ago
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PartyHon
Posts: 2019 - Karma: 425
super man does good. you do well hahahahaha
15 years ago
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summersover
Posts: 5777 - Karma: 233
you definitely dont need to have a competitive background to be a skilled technique skier
sure doing something like racing will be beneficial to your technique but I've been skiing since I was three or something and never raced but my technique is definitely well above average (if i do say so myself haha)
the basic skills will definitely help you out in freeskiing but by no means is it necessary
the only thing that pisses me off are park rats that can throw down in the park but put them on a nice pitch and all they can do is bomb it straight down
as far as im concerned the better you are at every aspect of skiing the more fun it is
15 years ago
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willy_baller
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 693
that made me laugh. +K

if you ski outside the park you will be a good all around skier. just ski outside of the park on bad weather days or pow days. and depending on where you are that should even you out fairly well
15 years ago
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Cincher
Posts: 3409 - Karma: 551
Thanks man that makes me feel much better. +K
15 years ago
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StReEtPIRATES
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 138
the main advantage of a racing backround is edge control. 
15 years ago
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 256
never raced in my life
15 years ago
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JahJahBinks
Posts: 3567 - Karma: 461
Good job. Well***
15 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38273 - Karma: 131,844

i'm 15 (inb4 gtfo underage kid) and ive been skiing since i was 3.  i havent raced a day in my life i would consider my self a good all around skier.  theres more to skiing then just park.

15 years ago
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scitti73
Posts: 423 - Karma: -3
no.
15 years ago
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
You're an east coaster huh?
15 years ago
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DlX
Posts: 397 - Karma: 10
Yep, and all aspects of skiing translate into eachother in one way or another.   You're hauling into a jump, groomer/race experience will help you get that little extra speed you need to clear the knuckle.  Putting on some park skis after a while of pow skis makes things much easier.  Shit, I even use rail experience when it's supppppppeeerrrrr icy and you have to side slip down a steep section.  If you're good at any aspect of skiing it's gonna help in other areas too.
15 years ago
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FoxRiderAR77
Posts: 231 - Karma: 12
Theres no reason only racers are good skiers, as others said it helps, but theres a bunch of skiers like me who have never taken a single turn on a racecourse. I like park, but am pretty basic, and want to get better at it, but stay well rounded by skiing the bumps, pow and woods.
SKI MORE, thats how to get better haha
15 years ago
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I raced until I was 18. Even started a team in college.

If you never join a race or mogul team in your life, you will probably be fine and can certainly still become a very advanced amazing skier.

Racing does have its benefits though. You learn how to actually use your poles. Depending on the coach, training is pretty intensive and you end up working out every single day really hard. Some people do this on their own, but being forced to do it does help. You learn how to control yourself at high speeds in many different conditions. You learn proper stance and are a lot less likely to lean back.

It is usually pretty obvious when I'm out who has been trained and who hasn't when the person is obviously under 30. But as you get older, it becomes more difficult to tell because people either have so much experience to make up for it, or they have relaxed their style so you can no longer tell.

My first days in instructor certification i was getting asked constantly if I had raced. I considered it a compliment.

Racing doesn't really help you with powder/big mountain... at least my race background doesnt...... I feel like I'm learning a new sport. :)


And the comment above about mogul skiing...... You guys are crazy amazing skiers.... so impressive.
15 years ago
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2388 - Karma: 2,087
agreed, I think i appreciate and probably respect a skier more, that has taken the time to become well rounded, compared to some1 that laps park everyday of the ski season.

But like mentioned before, as long as you're on skis skiing somewhere, this will build the fundamentals of balance and form in park. my guess is racing could get you there a little faster.
15 years ago
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Scrambles
Posts: 2270 - Karma: 63
My racing background didn't help me as a park/bc skier at all. It just taught me how to look fucking stupid while skiing, I didn't enjoy it at all
15 years ago
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Lemuel
Posts: 14544 - Karma: 11,158
Yes it can mean you're not a good freeskier.
15 years ago
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
racing helps so much with pipe because it teaches you to stay foward. if you have a racing background it makes you a very good skier in general. like everyone on this site can slay the whole mountain(hopefully) but racing helps you be able to "properly" ski it. i put in properly because in racing you learn technique
15 years ago
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13

if you really like to be in the park stay there because nobody is making you leave just so you can practice a less exciting aspect of the sport

15 years ago
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,899
being a racer doesnt make you a great all around skier. It helps you with certain aspects of skiing.

Skiing bumps makes a much bigger difference.
15 years ago
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TOK
Posts: 2931 - Karma: 2,549
I raced for 4 years. The skills I bring into park most that I gained from that background are edge control, core balance, and good form or "style." There is this kid at my local mountain who used to roller blade then his first season jumped right into park. He had the absolute worst style and would just huck 7's off like 40ft tables and flailing everywhere in the process. He was the kid that on one of the best powder days of the year would be scraping an in-run to a rail in the park. Me and a couple of my friends took him to the back country area there and once he started making a few turns he fell in love I guess. He took almost a full year away from park and when he returned his style was so much better. Just charge all of your mountain and you'll see the benefit your exploring grants in your park game.
15 years ago
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FoxRiderAR77
Posts: 231 - Karma: 12
I would think coming from rollerblading he would have some sort of style, but I guess not. I'm with you though, when there's powder you gotta shred it, the park is for practicing tricks to throw in the back country
15 years ago
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Craig114
Posts: 767 - Karma: 311
this thread is pretty close to worthless. not exactly but really close
15 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61969 - Karma: 126,913
There are tons of little shit heads on this site that haven't touched a race course in their life, you'll be okay. Just for the love of god learn how to actually ski, i feel like so many kids don't.
15 years ago
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
yes. and on a side note, racing will help when skiing pipe
15 years ago
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2563 - Karma: 245
I never raced but skied 12 years normally before I even rode through the park, so yeah I'd say I have a pretty good skiing background.
15 years ago
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
nah but you need to have self confidence and creativity
15 years ago
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ASkierNamedJaymz
Posts: 1209 - Karma: 341
It really doesn't matter if you are a 'good freeskier' either, ski for fun, where ever you want, in my opinion its all good and don't limit yourself, but if you just like park, do it.  Don't worry about racing, but if you like racing, do it.  We all ski for fun and thats all that matters.
15 years ago
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Cincher
Posts: 3409 - Karma: 551
Don't worry I can actually carve and do it well.
15 years ago
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Sheets-mmm
Posts: 392 - Karma: 42
i disagree
15 years ago
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Massive difference between carving and good skiing. Anyone can set an edge.

Hit up a mogul course a bunch if you want to get good, and learn from the people there.
15 years ago
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broto
Posts: 9040 - Karma: 25,675
this. i see so many kids at my mountain go straight to the park on their first days of skiing. NOOOOOOOOOO. learning to ski groomers comfortably, carving, and being able to ski high speeds at ease help in the park tremendously. i started skiing when i was really young, so i messed around on groomers for 6-7 years before even trying to hit park features.
15 years ago
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,257
Your meter needs inspection. I ain't s s st stupiiiiid
15 years ago
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Fischer-Addicted
Posts: 1064 - Karma: 30
I took off 1 year from freeskiing to do clinics (and i mean a shit ton of clinics, 30+ by the end of the year) with a few examiners and I had sooo much fun out of the park that whole year. My skiing improved 300%. that was 2 seasons ago. what i found going into this year was how much easier everything in the park was. i went from throwing 3s and just sliding rails 3 seasons ago to doing 5s and and 2s on and off as well as 10s of other tricks this year. just aspects as simple as applying forward pressure to your boots helps you so much. just because you dont have a racing backround doesnt mean you arent a good skier because racing teaches you to be a good racer, not necessarily a good traditional skier. maybe you were taught well but if you know your a piece of shit at regular skiing then its going to be that much harder to get good in park.
15 years ago
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bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
False man. Skiing in the park = straightlining to the jump, do a bunch of spins and flips, land, and ride away thug. That doesn't take much actual skiing ability. I'm sure if you took a park rat who's never skied anything but park and asked him to huck some cliffs, he wouldn't do very well. And really, the only reason I know this is because I basically just described myself. I ski about 95% park because I ski at a tiny mountain, and because of that, my actual skiing ability is pretty poor...
15 years ago
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DaysToCome
Posts: 1601 - Karma: 86
this is false
15 years ago
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,087
The best skier is the one who is having the most fun and works hard to get other people to that point as well. Technical training is totally unnecessary for this.
15 years ago
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