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June, 2025

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ESPN: The 10 Greatest American Freeskiers of All Time

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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,094
X Games posted the 10 Best American Freeskiers of all time:
http://xgames.espn.go.com/skiing/gallery/11169672/10-greatest-american-freeskiers-all-time

Scot Schmidt
Glen Plake
Doug Coombs
Shane McConkey
Seth Morrison
Tanner Hall
Tom Wallisch
Chris Davenport
Daron Rahlves
Ingrid Backstrom

I think it's pretty on point. How bout you guys?
11 years ago
357 130
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
1candide
2candide
3candide
4candide
5candide
6candide
7candide
8candide
9candide
10candide

not but seriously good list, but it's missing candide and that's sorta pathetic
11 years ago
10 40
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
also jon and sarah
11 years ago
6 17
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caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
RubberSoul1candide
2candide
3candide
4candide
5candide
6candide
7candide
8candide
9candide
10candide

not but seriously good list, but it's missing candide and that's sorta pathetic


.
11 years ago
8 4
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vinnypaz
Posts: 146 - Karma: 540
RubberSoulalso jon and sarah


its only americans,

dumont should have made that list
11 years ago
32 0
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_Tommo_
Posts: 304 - Karma: 641
RubberSoul1candide
2candide
3candide
4candide
5candide
6candide
7candide
8candide
9candide
10candide

not but seriously good list, but it's missing candide and that's sorta pathetic


You wouldnt look silly if you read the post properly
11 years ago
16 1
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,505
RubberSoul1candide
2candide
3candide
4candide
5candide
6candide
7candide
8candide
9candide
10candide

not but seriously good list, but it's missing candide and that's sorta pathetic


ESPN: The 10 Greatest American Freeskiers of All Time.

Candide is French
11 years ago
18 1
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Anti_Panda
Posts: 234 - Karma: 95
I agree with rubber. Candide Thovex and Jon Olsen are the greatest american skiers of all time.
11 years ago
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corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
McConkey is Canadian eh
11 years ago
4 7
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goodnoooo
Posts: 555 - Karma: 2,075
glen plake is the man
11 years ago
3 3
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
Very happy for Tom!!!
11 years ago
14 3
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N.A.R
Posts: 181 - Karma: 357
It's missing Steve Stepp
11 years ago
37 0
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Noddard
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 3,956
goodnooooglen plake is the man


ehh wrong
11 years ago
3 11
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
vinnypazits only americans,

dumont should have made that list


ha oops my b

i thought mcconkeey was born in BC though..?
11 years ago
1 0
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Noddard
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 3,956
People to also consider

Eric Pollard
Pep Fujas
Andy Marhe
Chris Benchetler
Sammy Carlson
Jonny Moseley
Simon Dumont
Sarah Burke
Skohen Sprang
Jaime Pierre

and I'm ashamed no one has mentioned C. R. Johnson.... He should really be on this list.

And yes Shane belongs on this list because he had dual citizenship so he is both American and Canadian, although he spent most of his life in Tahoe so I consider him mostly American.

Reference

"The film has been a hit so far during its tour, especially in Squaw Valley, Calf., where McConkey called home. (Though he was born in Vancouver, he held dual citizenship.) 'Our tour stops have been great,' Gaffney says. 'There were 4,500 people in Squaw Valley.' "

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/mcconkey-documentary-debuts-in-whistler/Content?oid=2482891
11 years ago
30 2
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38215 - Karma: 131,182
dumont should be on there. i know a lot of people that were inspired to ride pipe because of that epic battle between him and tanner.
11 years ago
4 0
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Anti_Panda
Posts: 234 - Karma: 95
DeebieSkeebiesdumont should be on there. i know a lot of people that were inspired to ride pipe because of that epic battle between him and tanner.


The epic battles that lasted for so many years too. Simon went so damn big in the pipe but Tanner was his kryptonite
11 years ago
0 0
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38215 - Karma: 131,182
Anti_PandaThe epic battles that lasted for so many years too. Simon went so damn big in the pipe but Tanner was his kryptonite


im gonna go ahead and say those battles were some of the greatest moments in X-Games history along side tony hawks 900' and all that other crazy shit.
11 years ago
1 0
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Noddard
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 3,956
DeebieSkeebiesim gonna go ahead and say those battles were some of the greatest moments in X-Games history along side tony hawks 900' and all that other crazy shit.


That and travis pastrana's first ever attempted backflip in 2000 and first ever landed double back in 2006.
11 years ago
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HeshTaDeath
Posts: 152 - Karma: 827
MaryOVery happy for Tom!!!


Would you have an affair with TWALL?
11 years ago
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corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
NoddardPeople to also consider

Eric Pollard
Pep Fujas
Andy Marhe
Chris Benchetler
Sammy Carlson
Jonny Moseley
Simon Dumont
Sarah Burke
Skohen Sprang
Jaime Pierre

and I'm ashamed no one has mentioned C. R. Johnson.... He should really be on this list.

And yes Shane belongs on this list because he had dual citizenship so he is both American and Canadian, although he spent most of his life in Tahoe so I consider him mostly American.

Reference

"The film has been a hit so far during its tour, especially in Squaw Valley, Calf., where McConkey called home. (Though he was born in Vancouver, he held dual citizenship.) 'Our tour stops have been great,' Gaffney says. 'There were 4,500 people in Squaw Valley.' "

http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/mcconkey-documentary-debuts-in-whistler/Content?oid=2482891


For someone all up on who holds what passports you think you'd know that Sarah Burke was Canadian.
11 years ago
3 0
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Brocka_Flocka
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 8,744
Uhhh Sage?
11 years ago
10 0
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Noddard
Posts: 2663 - Karma: 3,956
VinnieFFor someone all up on who holds what passports you think you'd know that Sarah Burke was Canadian.


Oops my bad bro, she's definitely Canandian, must of slipped my mind. I actually researched the McConkey thing since I thought Xgames was mistaken but they we're right. Good catch though.
11 years ago
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shin-bang
Posts: 4106 - Karma: 7,038
i would have to say you left out cr johnson :(
11 years ago
7 2
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,887
i'm gonna get hated on for this but wallisch is debatable
11 years ago
3 7
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gerbear
Posts: 435 - Karma: 395
As much as I love Wallisch and think he has done a shit ton for our sport, Dumont should for sure be up there instead of him. I'm sure Wallisch would even agree. Dumont pushed the boundaries so fucking much, whether you like the dude or not.
11 years ago
8 1
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BeefiestExpert
Posts: 2804 - Karma: 3,277
I think they made a mistake.... I couldn't find ClarkG at all?!?!
11 years ago
7 0
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casey_cope
Posts: 675 - Karma: 3,398
Maybe he isn't the most influential skier but should we say joss christensen or david wise. He is the first person to win gold in free skiing (if you don't consider moguls free skiing) on the greatest stage in winter sports. If that doesn't symbolize progression what does?
11 years ago
1 7
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GANDALF
Posts: 6315 - Karma: 6,708
I think having Tom on that list is accurate. He represents a whole new generation of skiing. Kids getting into freeskiing more recently are looking up to Tom Wallisch. His skiing speaks for itself and I lost my train of thought so I'm just gonna stop here.
11 years ago
7 0
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Ribss.
Posts: 3442 - Karma: 3,344
Simon Dumont and C.R. need to be on there.

Maybe take off Twall and Sethmo? Hard choice taking anyone off.
11 years ago
1 1
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vibe.crudo
Posts: 461 - Karma: 4,666
N.A.RIt's missing Steve Stepp


Please tell me you're kidding
11 years ago
0 11
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TBONE902
Posts: 266 - Karma: 711
CR and Skogen should be there too, but impossible to take any of the others off.



...Oh yeah and is BRAD HOLMES from the US? He should obviously be on there too
11 years ago
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
Maybe I'm not understanding her overall influence but I don't think of Ingrid in the same category as to what they have done in free skiing compared to those other names. She would be top tho in my opinion if there was a seperate women's list
11 years ago
2 1
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bpalmer
Posts: 2408 - Karma: 93
Ribss.Simon Dumont and C.R. need to be on there.

Maybe take off Twall and Sethmo? Hard choice taking anyone off.


Whoa, pump your brakes. Seth doesn't just get a spot on that list, he belongs near the top. Definitely wouldn't swap him for Dumont, or probably not even C.R. I guess Wallisch is up for debate but Seth definitely isn't.

It is really tough to take anyone off though. I'd have to say swap Rahlves out. Don't get me wrong though. Rahlves is a badass that charges, but he's mostly an alpine / skicross guy, not really a "freeskier." I acknowledge he's had some movie parts, lines, etc., but that's the one choice that doesn't sound right to me. Eh, opinions.

Has anyone mentioned Sage Cattabriga-Alosa?
11 years ago
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HOTPOSSIE
Posts: 234 - Karma: 2,156
Eric Pollard. He was on top a decade ago and never left.
11 years ago
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HuckNorris44
Posts: 1025 - Karma: 2,394
HOTPOSSIEEric Pollard. He was on top a decade ago and never left.


Totally agree. Also throw in his work in developing skis throughout the last 10 to 12 years. Dude has done so much to get the sport where it is today.
11 years ago
0 0
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pkick
Posts: 154 - Karma: 697
what about right now

Gus kenworthy
Delorme
TYW
Goepper(i know)
Will Wesson
etc
11 years ago
3 4
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mikemurda
Posts: 93 - Karma: -116
can't believe Simon, Sammy and Pep aren't on this list and guys like Daron Rahlves (who the fuck is he?) and Chris Davenvort (can't remember one good segment from him) are. ESPN don't know shit..
11 years ago
1 3
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,137
moneysignwhat about right now

Gus kenworthy
Delorme
TYW
Goepper(i know)
Will Wesson
etc


Who will we remember most in ten, twenty years? Time will tell.
11 years ago
0 0
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ebenezer
Posts: 27 - Karma: 86
1. Andy Parry
2.Andy Parry
3.Andy Parry
4.Andy Parry
5.Andy Parry
6.Andy Parry
7.Andy Parry
8.Andy Parry
9.Andy Parry
10.Andy Parry
11 years ago
4 1
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auski
Posts: 733 - Karma: 1,071
mikemurdacan't believe Simon, Sammy and Pep aren't on this list and guys like Daron Rahlves (who the fuck is he?) and Chris Davenvort (can't remember one good segment from him) are. ESPN don't know shit..


You are clearly 12 years old
11 years ago
3 1
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COskier
Posts: 1066 - Karma: 131
Good list.

I think I'd remove Davenport and Rhalves even though they are both great to make room for others. Davenport because he hasn't been as successful as the others (not 100 percent sure about his carreer, the recent mountaineering stuff doesn't really seem like freedkiing to me though and his old big mountain stuff was really fucking good, but not morrison level) and Rhalves because he is really a badass racer who dabbled in freeskiing. In their place I'd put Mosely and either CR or Dumont.
11 years ago
1 0
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
whoopdeedoo! a list! wow!
11 years ago
2 1
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 12,431
Scot Schmidt
Glen Plake
Doug Coombs
Jonny Moseley
Shane McConkey
Seth Morrison
Tanner Hall
Eric Pollard
Pep Fujas
CR Johnson
Simon Dumont

Even though it's 11, the list is pointless without these skiers included. I wouldn't put Tom on there... yet.
11 years ago
1 0
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COskier
Posts: 1066 - Karma: 131
COskierGood list.

I think I'd remove Davenport and Rhalves even though they are both great to make room for others. Davenport because he hasn't been as successful as the others (not 100 percent sure about his carreer, the recent mountaineering stuff doesn't really seem like freedkiing to me though and his old big mountain stuff was really fucking good, but not morrison level) and Rhalves because he is really a badass racer who dabbled in freeskiing. In their place I'd put Mosely and either CR or Dumont.


Ingrid is def out, Pep or Pollard in. Sorry Ingrid, but if I were to put a chick on the list it would have to be Wendy Fisher anyway, she ripped pretty hard in her day. Ginger or not. But, no chicks in top 10 anyway.
11 years ago
0 0
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pkick
Posts: 154 - Karma: 697
MiomoWho will we remember most in ten, twenty years? Time will tell.


very true
11 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
shane ????
11 years ago
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
snowballsdeepshane ????


fuck just saw it
11 years ago
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3165 - Karma: 18,897
VinnieFMcConkey is Canadian eh


.
11 years ago
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
Dylan
Dylan
Dylan
Dylan
Tom Wallisch
Cuz they spit hot fiya
11 years ago
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