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PartyBullshiit
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The Younger Generation is failing skiing.

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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
This is just my two cents/a warning about the upcoming epidemic as freestyle skiing grows more and more mainstream.

Ten years ago, you were either born skiing, or if you were going to pick up a winter sport in your teens, become a snowboarder. There was undoubtedly a lack of "coolness" in the freestyle skiing sport. The only people doing it were dudes who had been on skis since they were fetuses and ventured into the terrain park, there weren't people just becoming park skiers out of the blue. With the X Games and extensive media coverage of skiing in todays world, for teens, picking up skis and becoming a freestyle skier is equally as attractive as becoming a snowboarder. What has me in distress is those 13 year olds who are picking up a pair of twin tips to be like Bobby Brown do not learn how to ski first. I've seen it all too much, these kids learn how to make it down the bunny trail and call it good as long as they can ski to the park. From then on only their 270's on matter, not their bowleggedness or pizza-style skiing to the park matters. It's a disgrace. To add insult to injury, I see these kids hiking a jump in the park on a pow day in the east coast, a rarity. While they should be taking advantage of the faceshots, they're in their true park rat form hiking a shitty jump so they can do they stupid penciled 360s on their undersized skis.

I have no clue what's it like out west but I'm assuming this is lesser of a problem as more people tend to start skiing early on there, but this new group of 13 year old wannabee's is destroying this sport, and our reputation as skiers.

Kids, learn to ski the mountain above adequately and then go to the park, you're creating a bad image for yourself and frankly are doing it wrong.
Dec 17 2012 12:20AM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
I honestly dont think skiing is being ruined or doomed by anyone, and if there has to be a culprit NS is just as much to blame.
I hate logging on to this site more and more everyday. All ski gabber is is bickering about how people think the sport should be, when really nobody is right. Our sport will grow and progress despite our influences, and how that will happen is all in the future.
So until their is an "actual" issue with skiing like mtns shutting down, or removal of parks/terrain, take in skiing as how you expierance it and let your feelings reflect your opinions on the sport. Dont preoccupy yourself with a ton of other mixed opionions of kids who are total strangers. Let your day, your experiances, and your skiing affect skiing for you, not NS.
And yeah debates are fun, but i feel like thats all its become.
I also am super overtired after sleeping in an airport so hopefully that
made enough sense.
Dec 19 2012 9:45AM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,940
.
Dec 19 2012 9:51AM
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willice_l
Posts: 85 - Karma: 239
I think I got it right when I was twelve. i had the choice of freesking the park every weekend or joining the race team. I looked at kids in the park and older guys who could ski those scary black diamonds i thought id never ski. I decided to join the race team to become a better skier. BOOM im a dam good skier now. The racing taught me how to really ski. I can ski chutes in big sky, I actually know how to work skis in deep snow, i dont fall on my ass when my skis hit ice, and carving down the steepest run on the mountain.

Park is fun, but skiing in general is more fun. Being able to slide all the rails and spinning off kickers is great but there are other aspects of skiing. Being able to ski the whole mountain what ever the snow conditions are like makes you a skier.
Dec 19 2012 10:54AM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
but what if park is to someone what shredding the whole mountain is to you? i already got shit on in this thread but i love lapping the park and finding natural jibs around trails but just going fast or hitting bigger slopes isn't fun to me. i couldn't care less if i can do perfect turns because it doesn't add anything to my personal experience.
that being said, one of the kids i ride with the most can charge anything you throw at him and do it switch but he isn't as good at park but we both push each other regardless of whether we're riding park or the rest of the mountain and it's that variety and the possibility of having a preference that makes skiing so awesome for so many people. sharing the stoke with your friends, watching each other progress, and developing an individual style is what we should be caring about instead of everyone being able ski perfectly.
Dec 19 2012 11:25AM
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colin13
Posts: 2201 - Karma: 216
I get where you're coming from. I raced for a long time before I focused mainly on park. Skiing is an open sport and doesn't have any set standards, but it's sad to see kids lapping the park with no general skill. They can get good at rails quick, but hit a progression ceiling pretty early on, especially with jumps.
Dec 19 2012 12:57PM
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skichicky3
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 64
Why so much hate on the east coast. Clearly you've never a) been here or b) you're doing it wrong. Sugarloaf just got a foot and a half of freshies last night and 3+ in the last 3 days.

Id also like to point out that your post makes you sound like an elitist asshole.
Dec 19 2012 4:25PM
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jksl
Posts: 12726 - Karma: 737
seems like you know me really well, so i'm sure you know that none of my sponsors pay me (and never have, besides one who never paid me in full, 3 years ago that i no longer ride for), and that i work full time year-round.

next time you want to talk shit, know what the fuck you're talking about, kook.


and that shot at michelle is pathetic, you sound like the real bitter one here.
Dec 19 2012 4:42PM
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jksl
Posts: 12726 - Karma: 737
also if you were referring to my coaching job, it was hardly getting paid to ski...
Dec 19 2012 4:44PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

You know what?  Fkn good! 

That way there will be fewer skiers fighting me for first drops into steep blower, or bagging my fav line through the trees and there will be a multitude of FKS bindings for cheap when the kiddies just throw dialed-up 18s on their 164 afterbangs because it's the baller shit and blow up their knees trying to be cool.  In that sense, the world needs more park skiers and fewer rippers ;)    

Really though, who gives a shit?  If you're having fun, you're doing it right.  There is no right way to have fun. 

Dec 19 2012 4:45PM
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D_War
Posts: 266 - Karma: 34
This is a common misconception. Try taking off in the back seat with your hands at your sides, our core loose, and pressure on the back of your boots. You may not need to do be able to do white pass turns or do pole plants to un-weight your skis in the park, but "form" and proper body position in the park is crucial to success, just as it is in the bumps, trees, or even cruising on groomers.
Dec 19 2012 4:48PM
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 2,058
Being 25 I don't consider myself part of the younger generation. But I went straight from inline onto alpine skis and right into the park. I could ride pipe, rails, and park decent but couldnt ski well outside of the park. I hiked rails and jumps on pow days cause pow didn't mean anything to me. I couldn't skate while it was snowing outside so might as well ski.

The awesomeness of riding park even those early shitty ones made me want to learn to ski so at 16 after riding for a couple of years I started to ask race buddies for lessons. I got better and about a year later I was ripping big lines just as well as any of my non-park riding friends.

It is a crock of shit to be a bitch about technique. Who gives a fuck come to the sport as you are and stay there as long as you are having fun. You can learn technique whenever you want and it doesn't matter how you get into the sport but just that you are into it.

And what the fuck does anyone care how other people ski? If you are so very good with you excellent christy turns pass those kids and stop bitching about it.


secondly.

I run a resort rental shop and my favorite customers are those just coming from some bumfuck place in the south seeing snow for the first time and just getting out there with a beer and falling down the bunny hill. They are the happiest and most upbeat customers we get. The people that are a pain in my ass? You fourteen year old racer kids asking if we have the 192 chetlers and if you can ride them in the park.
Dec 19 2012 6:25PM
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jksl
Posts: 12726 - Karma: 737
all i needed to read to know this would be a stupid post.

the fun argument is a cop out dude, learning new stuff in the park is so much easier once you know how to control your skis and be comfortable on them. learn the basics before you try to get xxxxxtreme.
Dec 19 2012 6:38PM
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
^

More for me. Listen if someone wants to tell me that they're having more fun skiing park than powder I'll listen and kindly tell them that they're wrong. Will I get mad? No, I'll be happy, less bs in the middle of my lines.
Dec 19 2012 7:02PM
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rockersteez
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,199
I agree
Dec 19 2012 7:10PM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
this
Dec 19 2012 7:11PM
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 2,058
You are missing my point by a million miles.

I know allot of kids that get into for park and then get lessons to improve. I would have ditched the sport if I had started in lessons. It's a diverse sport and attitudes such as these are going to hurt us as an industry / business / whatever in the long run and keep it as this exclusive rich boy sport. Open up your mind and celebrate the diversity of experience.
Dec 19 2012 7:16PM
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+Tahoe_Shredder+
Posts: 189 - Karma: 124
learning to ski the hardest terrain on your mountain should always come first before learning a god damned 270 on. The original concept of skiing is to conquer a mountain and get from point a to point b so I really don't consider you a skier if you have trouble making it down the blue square run to get to the park. All pro park skiers eventually become focused on big mountain skiing, and i don't think that its all due to the wear and tear on their bodies. I think they also start to realize what skiing is really about, and they find it more fun and more rewarding to go ski the backcountry rather than ski down to the same park day after day. Im guessing a lot of NSchoolers has never actually skinned up any kind of decent mountain, because the feeling of skiing down a peak that you just skinned up beats the feeling of landing your 270 off.
Dec 19 2012 7:29PM
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KRAMPUSNTROLLZ
Posts: 2715 - Karma: 355
yeee so true ahah
Dec 19 2012 7:31PM
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LLLyon.
Posts: 53 - Karma: 86
it's just how they learn brahs. like times are changing...but when it comes down to it, you'll be the one shredding the gnarly slope they wish they could.
Dec 19 2012 7:46PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
not really. a lot of inline skills transfer over to skiing. i used to ride inline a lot. one thing it helped me with (to some extent, this is when i was around 12) was putting things to my feet and staying on top of my skis. in inline, there is a lot less room for error landing backseat, so you learn not to do it. also rail balance and the feeling of riding are similar.

you wont instantly be able to ski if you are good at inlining, but it will be easier to learn beacuse you are used to the motions and the general feel of things. it sets a really good base for learning how to ski
Dec 19 2012 7:48PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
When I see park rats that can't make decent turns it amuses me, but I'm not about to call anybody out on it. It's awesome that they are having fun skiing whatever they want to ski however it most pleases them.

I spend a few weekends per winter taking kids my age on a backcountry ski day and it's not always pretty because everybody has a different ski background (I've had everybody from racers to park rats to the NJ-native weekend warrior), but it's always fun for all of us because it's my job to do that. It doesn't matter if we do 1 run or 4 as long as a/ everybody is smiling when we get to the trailhead, b/ everyone learned things that day and c/ at least 2 people fall asleep on the van ride home.

I saw one of the kids I took out last year in a local gear shop looking at used touring setups, and I helped another cut skins for the Rocker2/Dukes he bought. It's just that much more satisfying when I knew that I took him out on his first BC day.
Dec 19 2012 7:56PM
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deletedelete
Posts: 474 - Karma: 1,464
I agree with you but it's unfair to categorize all young freestyle skiers as joeys. I'm thirteen and I've been skiing since I was 2.
Dec 19 2012 8:13PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
I have been reading this thread for the past hour instead of doing my homework, and i am amazed that there are really that many dicks out there that want to make fun of beginners. leave them be. I raced for 7 years, and I got honestly say that i have a great turn and have everything down. I kept up Scott Schmidt 2 years ago i utah on a ski trip with my dad, and feel like I have mastered all aspects of skiing excepting park.

This year, I swiched from racing to park because it looked fun. And it is..as long as no one is watching. I am scared now to do a rail or try a 2 on in front of a ton of asshole park skiers because every time I have a run I am even satisfied with, they just laugh at me. it sucks, and this elitist attitude is ruining park skiing for me. Shouldn't someone with the proper skiing background feel comfortable trying a new trick in front of his fellow skiers? I certainly don't, and I want to be accepted but it seems impossible..you guys need to lose the elitist attitude.

That being said, there are a ton of cool guys that i see. even just a guy asking how you are doing really makes you feel good in a park full of jerks who mock your every trick. I saw this one guy at bretton woods who was really good, and was skiing with a guy who could barely turn. I said "hey, its cool you're skiing with this kid" and he replied: "his name is carl. this is his first day trying a box, and he keeps falling, but hes having a great time. that is why i love to ski with carl." this attitude is what every newschooler should have.

Just my 2 cents.
Dec 19 2012 8:17PM
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willice_l
Posts: 85 - Karma: 239
Alright ya thats true, you are like the guy i ski with. What i am suggesting to people is after u just learn how to ski try everything skiing has before you spend all your time in the park. So ya i agree with u
Dec 19 2012 9:24PM
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Rocco_Walsh
Posts: 87 - Karma: 661
all u faggots complaining about form look like are whats wrong with skiing like who the fuck cares


Dec 19 2012 9:44PM
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RoofDaRoofieDogg
Posts: 3090 - Karma: 1,989
Your grammer is worster.
Dec 19 2012 10:00PM
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T-ROB
Posts: 252 - Karma: 649
I don't think this is really an issue because it shows that more people get to enjoy skiing. Everyone has to start somewhere so I think its pathetic of you to rip on 13 year olds. If you're uncomfortable about your inability to do tricks, go practice. Incidentally, this thread has way too many paragraphs

Dec 19 2012 10:30PM
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Sparta
Posts: 226 - Karma: 313
I've always hated the super entitled attitude generally found in team/ball sports, keep it out of skiing please.
Dec 20 2012 9:23AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Hmmmm.... well I live in Quebec and skied most of my life in Ontario. So I'm sorry if I came across wrong - but you are clearly from a more powder-laden part of the east than I am.

You're absolutely right that there are solid east coast powder resorts - but they're the exception vs. the rule no?

Maybe I'm talking more midwest or something. When you have 200'-700' of vertical, there really aren't good powder days.
Dec 20 2012 9:26AM
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Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 850
Ontario no powder. In quebec there is more powder as it is more northern. Places like le massif get decent pow dumps for the east coast
Dec 20 2012 9:36AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
Depends on the resort, and it also doesn't happen all that often. Its not like in BC or something where you're shredding pow all the time...

I mean even the good east coast resorts are super icy and shitty in-between the time they dump.

I'm more making a case that park is a great addition than challenging the fact that it actually snows in the east. I've always loved park for the fact that it makes the 3-4 weeks between times it snows pretty fun.

Dec 20 2012 9:40AM
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jksl
Posts: 12726 - Karma: 737
so you would've ditched skiing if you had to actually learn how to ski before you could start doing tricks?

pathetic, really.
Dec 20 2012 10:43AM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,088
as long as everyone is havin fun, i dont give no shits.
Dec 20 2012 10:51AM
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Finstad
Posts: 59 - Karma: 65
its kids, let them play

Dec 20 2012 10:59AM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
you tell em kid!
Dec 20 2012 12:15PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Amen brother, you're alright by me.

I grew up during the birth of extreme sports and never understood the elitist attitude some people get when they acquire a little skill. Used to see it all the time is skate parks too.

The people I like to ride with the most are the ones that are just having a great time and encouraging others to have a great time. Yea on one hand you shouldn't give a shit about others laughing at you if you fall, but on the other hand you are a complete ass if it really makes you feel good to laugh at someone who is not as good as yourself.

It's honestly part of the reason I'm on park crew at my local hill. It's just a fun environment and I like promoting that good time vibe. Cheer for the little kids eating shit cause it'll help em have a great day. I'm not saying promote unsafe practices of course, but putting someone down never helps anything.

More on topic of the thread though. You're an idiot if you think jib honks are ruining skiing. You're an idiot if you think park skiing hasn't SAVED skiing. People like sports extreme in nature and pushing themselves in jumps and rails. Sure I support learning to ski well before trying tricks, but I'm not gonna put someone down for jumping straight into tricks. And if you care so much about "Real" skiing, well then take Huck's POV and enjoy your freshies and leave the park kids to the rails on pow days.

Hell I wore roller skates, yes roller skates, to cheap skates here in PA the first time I was ever in a skate park. Did I have a clue what I was doing or even how to rollerskate?? Hell no. Did I have a hell of a good time with my buddies who were on boards and blades?? You damn right I did.
Dec 20 2012 1:37PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
if you really care so much about someone else's skiing then you're what's failing skiing.
Dec 20 2012 1:45PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
And in the end, that is the only thing that matters.
Dec 20 2012 1:55PM
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martockpublicenemy
Posts: 2284 - Karma: 11
Technique is unnecessary? Really?
Dec 20 2012 2:28PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
In most places...it's not mandatory, there's just benefits to taking it (i.e. insurance discounts and being able to take a license test sooner).


While I do agree to the most part (especially to the powder day thing...I had a bunch of kids ask me to dig out the rails on a 2 foot powder day once...we never get two feet...I was shocked), it's really not anyone's place to tell people in what order they should learn to ski. For the most part, people who learn how to ski properly end up being better park skiers in the long run (some of the best park skiers I know grew up racing), but it's not impossible to be really good at skiing park without really learning how to ski (I know a kid who slays rails...he learned "how to ski" on a backyard rail set up). Eventually they'll either figure out they need to learn how to ski better to really progress/actually look good on skis or they'll just keep going on with their ways and not even realize the fun they could be having...either way, it's all up to them.
Dec 20 2012 2:56PM
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dayinthelifepc
Posts: 242 - Karma: 88
I've always noticed that skiers are either like 40 or over or 25 and younger. (this is general of course) but there were 15 years or so there where everyone started to snowboard.
Dec 20 2012 5:54PM
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3mania
Posts: 2558 - Karma: 9,851
I like the part about the FKS's.
Dec 20 2012 6:11PM
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Kebec
Posts: 627 - Karma: 74
i know what you mean, i skied for 10 years before ever trying a real trick in the park, and took forever to get myself some park skis. But there are kiddies at my local hill with all the best gear and they can't even slide rails or get off the chairlift without a struggle, let alone them talking shit and screaming when they fail
Dec 20 2012 6:30PM
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jksl
Posts: 12726 - Karma: 737
well other peoples' skiing affects me on the mountain, and especially in the park. most of it is a lack of park etiquette (or skiing etiquette in general), but it's mostly those who can't control themselves on skis that don't have a good sense of park etiquette.

ski within your limits. it's not hard.
Dec 20 2012 7:17PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4748 - Karma: -566
Not posting this to be a dick...but does "park etiquite" really matter. If I am just passing through the park and wanting to hit one kicker do I need to wait at the top of it with all the snowboarders playing with their vaginas before I go? Or can I just sort of time it to go really quick before someone else.

I think both sides have a point. To compare it to other sports an awful skiier skiing park is like someone who sucks at hockey and can barely skate but shows up to an A league pickup/mens league game and expects to play like everyone else. Or its like having to golf behind a couple hackers who lose balls on every hole and spend time looking for them, don't replace divots, don't let you play through, and still think its OK to spend 4 minutes lining up their putt.
Dec 20 2012 7:21PM
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Kebec
Posts: 627 - Karma: 74
haha i reckognize the kid at 1:33
Dec 20 2012 8:02PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
I couldnt of even told you where the park was on any mountain in colorado before i was 14... yep i said it but i could tell you the best places to find powder and steeps.... up until 3 years ago i didnt ski park. every one starts some where all in diffrent places.
Now supporting you, yes i hate them in the park the kids with all the newest expensive shit. yea well most of them are pretty terrible. the worst is the dad and the three little kids taking them down A-51 but they have to start some wheere....


Dec 20 2012 9:08PM
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WPoch
Posts: 1751 - Karma: 3,831
looks like we have a winner!


Dec 20 2012 9:15PM
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3mania
Posts: 2558 - Karma: 9,851
yeah it matters, people can get fucked up, both gapers and experienced riders.
Dec 20 2012 9:23PM
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ChocolateMilk.
Posts: 1129 - Karma: 220
Post modern era
Snowboarding=US
Skiing=China
Boom
Dec 20 2012 9:30PM
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