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Have I left it too late?

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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
Hi all. I'm 24, and I've been skiing for about 5 years, with some beginner lessons about 10 years ago, and I'm now at a point where I'm happy with my ability and I'm looking for new challenges. I live in the UK, so pretty much only do one week a year, maybe 2 if I'm lucky, with some time spent in the indoor places.

I've dabbled a bit in park skiing over the last couple of years. I'm confident skiing switch pretty much anywhere except in deepish powder. Last week I spent 2 nights at the nearest indoor ski centre and got confident hitting boxes and gas pipes. I got as far as trying a 270 off but never nailed it. I attempted my first rail but kept either falling or just slipping off. Oh, and I finally got the hang of 'popping' off the lip of a jump (even if it was a tiny one - I rode the BRITS course in Tignes earlier in the year and nearly shit myself when I hit the big jumps - nothing more than a straight air). I did try a rail in Tignes too, and dislocated my thumb when I fell. First skiing injury, but the best, most progressive skiing trip ever.

I know what I need to do, I understand the body movements, but I seem to have got to the point where I know I could hurt myself when I'm trying something new, and it's holding me back - so I'm struggling to commit. That's not something you worry about when you're a kid. So, do I just need to nut up and try harder, or have I left it too late? Help!
Nov 9 2014 1:39PM
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dozerr
Posts: 4007 - Karma: 403
comfort levels and being a pussy take on a whole new meaning when mom and dad stop paying medical bills.
Nov 9 2014 1:56PM
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shotvet
Posts: 302 - Karma: 1,614
For me it depends on how bad I want it. If its a trick I am really psyched about its a lot more likely that I am willing to risk injury. It varies person to person, do what you are comfortable with, but know that injury can come with progression
Nov 9 2014 2:00PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
dozerrcomfort levels and being a pussy take on a whole new meaning when mom and dad stop paying medical bills.


Glad to see this perspective. It's so true.
Nov 9 2014 2:22PM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
dozerrcomfort levels and being a pussy take on a whole new meaning when mom and dad stop paying medical bills.



shotvetFor me it depends on how bad I want it. If its a trick I am really psyched about its a lot more likely that I am willing to risk injury. It varies person to person, do what you are comfortable with, but know that injury can come with progression



Both very true. NHS cover is useful in the UK though. I feel like I'm finding a 'comfortable' level, but it's very basic, and its as though I'm scared to try and progress. I land front flips on a tramp pretty much every time, but I'm terrified to try them on snow. The amount of winding up I do for a 180 is about the same as I see others doing for 720s... Feels like I'm trying too hard!
Nov 9 2014 5:58PM
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Powstagram
Posts: 250 - Karma: 2,556
Kind of an indirect answer here but I would recommend Snozone Castleford on Friday park nights, once I started going there weekly I improved rapidly, also everyone is super helpful there. Just thought I'd throw the idea in there, of course depends on where abouts you live.
Nov 9 2014 6:32PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Well it really depends on what you have going on in the rest of your life. Chances are, you are going to get hurt if you push yourself, so if your day to day life can accommodate that and you don't mind sporting some injuries, go for it!

Personally, I'd rather push the limits of my abilities in other fields (that don't put my physical wellbeing at risk), and leave skiing to lower risk fun times.
Nov 9 2014 7:18PM
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SendyBrendy
Posts: 10 - Karma: 39
Left it too late for what?

You've probably left it too late to get to international competition standard and win an Olympic medal, yeah. But you haven't left it too late to have fun skiing park and continue improving.

From personal experience, when I've been lucky enough to go to snowdomes every week for a couple of months straight, you'll start improving really quickly, to the point where every night you come away having landed at least 2 or 3 new tricks/variations.

If in ONLY two nights you got comfortable hitting gas pipes and boxes and were trying 270s out I'd definitely stick with it. IMO that's fast progression, not lack of commitment...

My perspective is that skiing is about having fun and challenging YOURSELF, not comparing yourself to how good other people are. Unless they're your friends and then some friendly competition can really help you improve haha

Hope this is of some use!
Nov 9 2014 8:10PM
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GrumpisPringle
Posts: 630 - Karma: 728
I takes a lot of time. just keep doin what you can do and don't worry about what you can't yet. It will come. If you feel pressure to try something you probably won't land it. Don't be scared. If you get hurt its okay. that is a part of skiing, the more you worry about injury the more likely it will happen to you.
just go shred
Nov 9 2014 8:14PM
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.CJ.
Posts: 1507 - Karma: 3,657
If you really need to improve your skills in the park. Just ask someone else there, i'm sure they would be more than happy to help.
Nov 9 2014 10:24PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51263 - Karma: 157,437
If your goal isn't to win xgames then it's never to late. You don't have to be the worlds best at everything. Some stuff is fun even if you suck at it. Hell, a lot of stuff is. And you can still get pretty good at it depending on your natural abilities, and how far you're willing to push yourself. Friends+ good hip hop = progression.
Nov 9 2014 10:30PM
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haley666
Posts: 65 - Karma: 808
whenever i see threads like these i just hear three days grace going...

Nov 9 2014 10:38PM
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Mr.noodle
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 4,650
Last year was my first year doing Park and I could 360 and do boxes but I was always scared to do rails and I could never even commit to doing th 90 on. Then I built a summer set up at my friends house with a few rails and kept working on them. Then yesterday at Killington my first day skiing I got all the rails even the DFD. I was super hyped.

Moral of the story : I was 14 and still to much of a pussy so just give it time and keep trying
Nov 9 2014 11:22PM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
I've mostly stopped skiing park now at 25. Had a couple banger days last season but time to wrap er up!
Nov 9 2014 11:25PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22671 - Karma: 75,830
I did my first 360 at about 19 years old, slid my first rail, etc. I went to ski camp at 20 and then my best years in park were from about 23-31. After that, I've admittedly let the desk work and family life get me a bit soft, and become more fearful of injuries... but as long as you stay fit you're perfectly fine.

Just take your progression a bit slower and more calculated. No need to try and huck that switch dub billion spin, as you're likely not hoping to win the X-games one day?

Even if you are hell Mike Douglas was slaying it hard into his 40's.
Nov 10 2014 8:58AM
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InspiredMedia
Posts: 428 - Karma: 40,003
Chris Turpin is 29 in this edit and he did not start skiing until he was 19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg0coTTVGbU

ps. Turpin is the shit and you could be too!
Nov 10 2014 10:53AM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
PowstagramKind of an indirect answer here but I would recommend Snozone Castleford on Friday park nights, once I started going there weekly I improved rapidly, also everyone is super helpful there. Just thought I'd throw the idea in there, of course depends on where abouts you live.


I live in Newcastle, so while Castleford isn't too far away, freestyle nights aren't the easiest to get to. Up at 6 for work, 2 hour drive at 5 to try and get there on time, 2 hours skiing and a 2 hour drive home. I stayed last week which was much better but it was bloody expensive! But I did meet some nice guys there, and they were all happy to help.

BrendanJacksonIf in ONLY two nights you got comfortable hitting gas pipes and boxes and were trying 270s out I'd definitely stick with it. IMO that's fast progression, not lack of commitment...


I've attempted boxes numerous times before, but only last week did I gain the confidence to approach them with speed and commit to spinning on to them every time. Never hit a gas pipe until last week, thought they'd be much worse than they were!

Mr.BishopI did my first 360 at about 19 years old, slid my first rail, etc. I went to ski camp at 20 and then my best years in park were from about 23-31. After that, I've admittedly let the desk work and family life get me a bit soft, and become more fearful of injuries... but as long as you stay fit you're perfectly fine.

Just take your progression a bit slower and more calculated. No need to try and huck that switch dub billion spin, as you're likely not hoping to win the X-games one day?

Even if you are hell Mike Douglas was slaying it hard into his 40's.


Thanks for the support you guys and everyone else! I had worried I'd left it too late to really progress. No worry of me ever wanting to enter the X Games, or any major competition. I eyed up the skier X course at the BRITS though - that might be on the to do list next year. At the end of the day I just want to be able to throw down some nice looking stuff in the park and feel good doing it. Isn't that what it's all about? Having fun?
Nov 10 2014 2:08PM
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deeznuts.
Posts: 173 - Karma: 429
Its never too late man! But also its smart to know your limits and not to push yourself too hard because some skiing injuries can affect you for the rest of your life. It's never too late to shred though man, you don't have to be going huge in the park to have fun. Just ski within your limits and I'm sure you'll have a blast!
Nov 10 2014 5:57PM
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Etnbr
Posts: 182 - Karma: 537
BrendanJacksonLeft it too late for what?

You've probably left it too late to get to international competition standard and win an Olympic medal, yeah. But you haven't left it too late to have fun skiing park and continue improving.

From personal experience, when I've been lucky enough to go to snowdomes every week for a couple of months straight, you'll start improving really quickly, to the point where every night you come away having landed at least 2 or 3 new tricks/variations.

If in ONLY two nights you got comfortable hitting gas pipes and boxes and were trying 270s out I'd definitely stick with it. IMO that's fast progression, not lack of commitment...

My perspective is that skiing is about having fun and challenging YOURSELF, not comparing yourself to how good other people are. Unless they're your friends and then some friendly competition can really help you improve haha

Hope this is of some use!


Really great comment !! APPROOOVED
Nov 10 2014 8:44PM
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