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How did you get good?

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bob.marley
Posts: 102 - Karma: 33

Hi,

 I'm 14 years old and I ski at Alta, this is my 3rd year skiing I think, and I am pretty bummed that I haven't really progressed much how I wanted to since the beginning of last season. I have gotten better but I still am pretty bad compared to a lot of people. I can do 180's and I did like 4 360's last year when I nutted up enough to do them on a small jump, I just can't really get myself very pumped when I am up on the hill and then I just ski too safe and never push myself. I know a kid who's been skiing all his life my age and he's rell

Nov 21 2012 6:46PM
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DizzyG
Posts: 698 - Karma: 296
I got good by using the search bar,
Buuuuut... Don't give up, and how often do you ski? if its 1 day a week, then half that day is making up what you lost after 6 days of not skiing, so try to get at least 2 a week. 3 or 4 and you'd be damn good after this season if you can go up after school.
Nov 21 2012 6:50PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9221 - Karma: 9,939
just tackle one trick at a time, visualizing is key. Even when you're not on the hill think about certain ways to set a spin, etc
Nov 21 2012 6:53PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Well you certainely have a good environment for progression skiing at Alta. Do you ski with anyone? Skiing with people who are better than you (preferably people who will peer-pressure you into trying stuff) will help you sack up and try stuff.
Nov 21 2012 6:55PM
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Thadius.Castle
Posts: 1436 - Karma: 250
I don't consider myself good, but you just have to sack up. Everyone has to at some point or another. I have on slid a couple of rails since I destroyed my shoulder on a rail about a year and a half ago.

But since it is of relevance, how many days a week can you ski?
Nov 21 2012 7:01PM
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bob.marley
Posts: 102 - Karma: 33

Woops, it didn't post the last halfof that.

What I was aying is that the kid is really into it and he just isn't very good at all for how much he goes, he never tries new things and the only thing he really does is little 180's here and there that look bad and you never see him doing 3's or anything. That's how I am afraid I will always be because I haven't gotten much better since last fall, or I should say, how much better I could have gotten. I just am never really stoked when I am actually up there on the hill, so it's hard to try stuff when you're like that maybe some here know. I know a kid who moved here when he was like 14 from somewhere there's no skiing and after about 2 years of skiing in his life, he was throwing big 7's and big smooth 3's a lot and always doing 180's off of little bumps that look sick and not slow and sloppy.

Nov 21 2012 7:01PM
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bob.marley
Posts: 102 - Karma: 33
On average 2 days a week too.
Nov 21 2012 7:03PM
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Thadius.Castle
Posts: 1436 - Karma: 250
The worst thing that can happen is you hurt yourself. And if you do, you just have to jump back on the horse. Two days a week is normal though. Try a couple days a season < lol.
Nov 21 2012 7:07PM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
Park Tips

- Ski Switch as much as you possibly can inside/outside the park
- Learn every trick right side and left side
- Make lists of long term/short term/daily goals
- Ski with people better then you
- Sack up. Even though you might be scared, you gotta take risks to become better. Just visualize the trick, and realize that the risks are totally worth accomplishing your goals.
Nov 21 2012 7:09PM
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A-aron
Posts: 783 - Karma: 248
if your trying to progress on rails/boxes:
Try to make one at your house to practice on in backyard this winter/find someone who has one, if thats not possible hike a box/rail at alta all day and just try new things.

jumps:
try new things on trampolines, get comfortable with different spins/flips, once you can do that on a trampoline you can either just take it right to the jumps or bring it to an airbag or something like that, get it down on that with skis on, and taking it to snow really shouldn't be a problem, Good luck!
Nov 21 2012 7:15PM
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HumanGenius
Posts: 359 - Karma: 228
i got good (by my standards which are very low) by going all out every time i got a chance and building my own rails for my backyard because i only get like 10 days a year if i'm lucky
Nov 21 2012 7:16PM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,468
One thing that camps are really good for is teaching good form. Its maybe not the most fun glamorous thing to do, but reviewing footage and having someone sitting there going, "see how off balance you are at the lip? Put your hands like this. This is why you are landing on your ass, etc... " is kind of important. Its nothing you can't figure out on your own from skiing a ton, but thats my two cents.
Nov 21 2012 7:17PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
you cant be afraid to eat shit. I've noticed that when i ski "safe", i crash, but when I'm charging hard with my much more advanced friends and doing park laps faster than i can second guess my ability level, I end up throwing down as well as my buddies.

on the other hand, one time last year I was peer pressured into trying a cork 7, and I backslapped the landing so hard i went blind for ten minutes.

so just do what you want. Have fun, and if you feel like you want to learn new tricks, just try them. the worst that can happen is you get killed, and being dead is definitely less frustrating than not learning anything new in a season.
Nov 21 2012 7:17PM
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Ronix
Posts: 1396 - Karma: 33
This. Especially the last 2. Set goals for yourself, and once you're at the mountain, follow through with what you said you would try. The most important tip to getting better is to man the fuck up, start throwing new tricks, and getting outside your comfort zone. The only way to improve is to have the courage to try new things. Every time you go out and ride, try a new trick, or hit a new feature in the park. Don't over analyze things once you're in the park, just sack up and throw down!


Nov 21 2012 7:20PM
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HumanGenius
Posts: 359 - Karma: 228
Thats a pretty extreme POV but it rings some truth.


and damn 10 minutes did you pass out? i would be shitting myself
Nov 21 2012 7:21PM
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3002 - Karma: 16,941
Didnt read the replies but Ski with a friend/friends that are on the samle level/slightly better. they get you stoked and you push each other.
Nov 21 2012 7:28PM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
i WAS shitting myself. it took me 10 minutes to calm down. i thought i was fucking dead. once i relaxed though my vision returned. must have been a pinched nerve in my back that released when i relaxed it.
Nov 21 2012 7:29PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
I got to the point I am now by being good at falling, not be afraid to fall, and by throwing myself off of shit like a rag doll.

Do future spins, get paid.
Nov 21 2012 7:43PM
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willysworld
Posts: 2116 - Karma: 5,482
Go to the snogression place in SLC , they have trampolines and a ski ramp into a foam pit .. Huck your meat .. Then on a pow day sack the Fuck up and go land on your head injuries are part of life .. You live in Utah not Michigan and you have acsess to world class facilities .. Go use them .. If your parents don't let you .. Tell them youll end up a heroin addict if you don't get to ski .. That should work .. If it doesn't o bury your head in the sand
Nov 21 2012 8:07PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
i learned how to do a 3 last year on my race skis...some advice: i learned on one of those jumps that come in from the side of the trail onto the trail (my dad calls them "woop de doos"). anyway, on those things you really only have to do a 270 to ski out of it because you're downhill anyway, so i gradually spun more and more until i was landing a complete 360, while still landing them in the process.
Nov 22 2012 1:27AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
learn to actually ski first, then worry about getting good at park.

no offense, but you've only been skiing for 2 years, ski at alta and are worrying about how well you ski park!? there's no way you're an expert skier yet or anything (again, no offense, but it's only been 2 years, you just aren't, especially if you are already starting to spend a lot of time in the park, which is what it sounds like. learn to turn, then carve, then ski moguls, then ski trees, then drop cliffs, then drop cliffs at speed, then all of that in powder, then all of that on ice, THEN start skiing park.

kids these days. growing up in the powder capital of the world with some of the gnarliest terrain you'll find anywhere, and you're trying to learn how to ski park? makes me sick to my stomach.
Nov 22 2012 1:43AM
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erica
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 24,068
Fuck it and huck it
Nov 22 2012 1:47AM
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Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
this.

if i lived near a place like alta, i would'nt even touch rails.

just huck cliffs. its more fun than spinning off an icy jump or sliding on boxes and steel poles.


Nov 22 2012 2:08AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
exactly. the whole mountain is pretty much a natural terrain park, and with all that snow the landings must be pretty soft too.
Nov 22 2012 2:17AM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,468
Honestly, why are you arguing for him to come crowd up your spots? I've seen half my best stashes turn into a fucking Wal-Mart in the last few years, I gotta skin to get any fresh anymore. The more park rats the better.
Nov 22 2012 2:32AM
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SkiFreshPow
Posts: 233 - Karma: 334
I just put on my friends jacket. No seriously, I landed some cork 7s last year in his but never in mine. Go figure. But if that doesnt work I'd honestly just say tell yourself "It's all in my head" because it really is.
Nov 22 2012 2:47AM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
You just gotta keep going. I progress slow as shit too. Wasn't until this past spring that I actually felt like I was landing anything cool. You just kinda gotta figure it out for yourself.
Nov 22 2012 3:48AM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
Why so serious? I ski because its fun. I don't understand why you would go the the mountain, nonetheless alta, with the sole goal of progressing in the park. 99% of skiers arent going to become pro or even sponsored. I myself only started skiing two seasons ago, but have progressed further than most people with my experience all over the mountain because I dont just try and progress in the park. If you're not stoked when you're skiing, then you're either doing something wrong or the sport is just not for you. Ski to have fun, ski with your friends especially. Dont go out there with the sole goal of getting good, and the progressing will just come with time.

/philosophicallatenightnewschoolerspost
Nov 22 2012 4:02AM
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Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
Thats the same situation I'm in currently though I may start to do some seasons soon, a backyard rail or kicker/ indoor ski slope are good for progression.
Nov 22 2012 4:53AM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
OP, did you post this on Epicski as well!?

Anyhow, just ski tonnes, and always be pushing yourself. The kid above who fell over so hard he went blind probably pushed it a bit hard, always be pushing to the point where you take a few falls, but not to the point where you get really hurt. Hard to know the difference I know, but my point is to progress slowly, but still progress, you'll get it.
Nov 22 2012 7:27AM
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Sun_Ra
Posts: 983 - Karma: 279
Retarded search bar comment is retarded.
Nov 22 2012 7:34AM
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Tikayt
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 1,543
I got good by skiing with people stronger than me and these people always kept pushing me! Skiing with a group pushes your limits in a way. Practice practice and practice... When you're home, watch videos, read articles about freesking, check out some "how to" if you're really struggling over a trick.
In a nutshell, you gotta be in it, if you freeski just on the slopes, you'll have a nice but limited level. Really push it, believe in it :)
Nov 22 2012 7:47AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
well i'm from the east coast and have never skied alta before. if it was my mountain though, i would totally be telling him to ski the park more.

if alta is your home mountain, i sincerely apologize. but, lets be honest, kid isn't going to listen. he's just going to claim that, since he can turn and stop without falling most of time, he is an expert skier already
Nov 22 2012 8:58AM
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yippie
Posts: 268 - Karma: 91
Since i ski 1 week a year i can't really practice alot on ski's. Just practice alot on the trampoline, if there is a bigair bag indoor i try to use that to get some feeling of the trick on ski's and then i try them on the snow in that 1 week. This year was my first year i actually had a descent park so i tried cork, front and flat.
Nov 22 2012 9:14AM
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bob.marley
Posts: 102 - Karma: 33
I never said I am an expert skier. Probly %95 of the skiers on here are better  than me. I have never been in a park in my life, Alta doesn't even have a park.
Nov 22 2012 10:26AM
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STAUSS
Posts: 8232 - Karma: 3,311

push yourself, ski the mountain, ski with people that are better than you, crash a lot and learn from the mistakes. 

Nov 22 2012 10:32AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
then why are you worried about doing tricks and not learning how to turn a ski properly?
Nov 22 2012 11:13AM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,046
dont give a fuck about how good the people around you are. make it all about yourself and your own progression.
Nov 22 2012 11:19AM
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ejm
Posts: 794 - Karma: 196
you have decide if you truly want to progress and learn new tricks, or if you feel that you have to. If you truly want to progress for yourslf, then you just going to have to nut up and go for it. Know that your going to fall and it's going to hurt, but thats part of the sport.
Nov 22 2012 1:42PM
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dayinthelifepc
Posts: 242 - Karma: 88
You have to ski a lot for a long time. I've been skiing for 16 years and I go 2 or more times a week. You just have to go and go and go and you'll get better!
Nov 22 2012 1:46PM
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RoofDaRoofieDogg
Posts: 3090 - Karma: 1,989
Buy Saga
Nov 22 2012 2:26PM
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~~~~~~~~
Posts: 2345 - Karma: 2,104
days on snow, as many as you possibly can.

Oh and don't worry about getting "good," someone will always be better just shred.
Nov 22 2012 2:55PM
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manabadman
Posts: 615 - Karma: 255
you cant just "get good". you have to be born good
Nov 22 2012 3:05PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
yeah, friends are pretty key !
friends who are better than you at skiing are excellent because they can push you into doing new things and they can help you out with technical problems...
for example how to (not) get off axis on a rotation and stuff like that

same level friends, go play the game of 'horse' or'skate' or however you wanna call it and try to find new things to beat your opponent ! great and funny way of sacking up to do new stuff !
Nov 22 2012 3:16PM
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ALFYBOI
Posts: 485 - Karma: 2,405
People with brain usually don't progress in extreme sports since it in fact is extreme, hence the name... You have to be fearless pretty much. It's dangerous you know.
Nov 22 2012 3:17PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
hahahaha !
Nov 22 2012 3:20PM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
This brings up a good point when you say "Learn every trick right side and left side."

When I initiate skiing switch, I always turn to the right. It just feels more comfortable and I actually struggle to do it cleanly turning left.

Same thing when I 50/50 rails, I always pop on turning to the right.

I think this goes back to my childhood days of skateboarding, I always skateboarded "Goofy" and I always thought it was easier to 'back on' to the rail rather than 'facing forward' on it.

Should I focus more on doing things from both sides during my 2nd season (this season) really cleanly or just sack up and try things both ways?
Nov 22 2012 3:49PM
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Idshredthat
Posts: 33 - Karma: -3,410
I've skiied for 4 years, I'm 14. I'm a girl, and I pop rails and jump cliffs like it's nothing. I just had to get the balls to push myself.
Nov 26 2012 10:09PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,086
Who cares how good you are.

What matters is how much fun you're having.
Nov 27 2012 1:53AM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11630 - Karma: 24,465
Youv been skiing 3 years and you ski alta. dont worry anout doing tricks. Learn to ski and tear that mountain a new asshole.

Once you do that than maybe worry about some tricks. A lot of people you compare yourself to have been skiing their entire lives which isnt fair to you. Get the fundamentals down before you do anything else.
Nov 27 2012 2:01AM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,359
shoot guns and get full tilts

and practice
Nov 27 2012 2:03AM
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