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Quarantine AMA with Tom Wallisch

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Newschoolers
Posts: 453 - Karma: 55,558





The Covid-19 pandemic has meant major changes for pretty much everyone, not least the many of us who are spending our days at home, staying safe. The NS staff are all locked down in various corners of the globe too, so we thought we'd liven quarantine up for ourselves, you lot and some of the our favorite pros out there with a series of Reddit inspired Ask Me Anything threads.

This first edition will give you the chance to ask, none other than @TWallisch himself, whatever it is you've always wanted to know.


The Pretzel Man will be logging in on Wednesday April 8th to answer some of your questions.

**This thread was edited on Apr 3rd 2020 at 11:14:11am

**This thread was edited on Apr 9th 2020 at 2:24:08pm
Apr 3 2020 10:08AM
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P3t3r
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 5,536
If you had to fill a helicopter with 7 people to go skiing with, who would it be and why?

(those people can be anyone from any era in time)

**This post was edited on Apr 8th 2020 at 12:51:28pm
Apr 7 2020 11:38AM
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WisconsinDogfart
Posts: 675 - Karma: 5,522
What other sports are you good at?
Apr 8 2020 3:43AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
fredyferlWhat's your favorite part and favorite park edit you've filmed?


Favorite part to film was probably Wallisch Project just because I finally got to put all my effort from a season in one full part. And tough with favorite park edit... filming the original 4bi9 edits with my best friends probably. So Far So Hood, Look it up, Superunknown etc
Apr 8 2020 10:04AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
little1337What do you think is the scariest trick to do?

**This post was edited on Apr 3rd 2020 at 11:28:33am


Ha probably trying my first triples... but honestly I'm not a big front flip guy, and first double front was pretty damn scary
Apr 8 2020 10:06AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
dan38Your worst crash of all time?


Actually non ski lol - Mountain biking crash, over the handle bars at 40mph+ to broken neck. Don't recommend it ha
Apr 8 2020 10:08AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
AlmostCoolerWhat was the hardest trick to commit to for the first time? First back/double? What age were you at for that send?


First back for sure. Committing to going straight over for the first time was tough. Tried it at like 13
Apr 8 2020 10:10AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
CatdickBojanglesFavorite memory of skiing at the Wisp back in the day?

**This post was edited on Apr 3rd 2020 at 12:27:59pm


Just lapping rails and learning tricks with a good crew. Spent every hour of every weekend with Warnick and our local crew trying to learn tricks. miss those days
Apr 8 2020 10:11AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
Young_IMPCYou ever consider doing something dumb just to see how many kids would copy you?

Also, flat 5 vs rodeo 5? This way we can have a definitive end to the argument.


Ha considered it but never committed to anything too dumb. (i don't think ha)
I use both terms. they are definitely for the most part one in the same. I consider a rodeo to be more flippy and to the side with flat being more upright and around. Definitely too much terminology for what is a pretty basic trick
Apr 8 2020 10:14AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
skiP.E.I.You are killing it at the event commentary. How did that start for you? Was it ever something you thought about while you were competing? What's it like to be in the commentator's booth vs. on course as an athlete?
Will there be more events like Steel City showdown?
Do you have plans to film more big urban parts a la Romance? What about backcountry?
Can you picture having a career outside the ski industry?


Thank you! I just stumbled into it at X Games one year. I've thought about getting into it for years just to help events actually get all the trick calls correct haha. I like being in the booth to stay involved with all the events but definitely enjoyed being on the course as an athlete more. It is nice to have no pressure now and not risk my body every event hana
I hope hope hope! I would love to be involved with more events like Steel City. It was so cool to be a part of and bring to life. Skiing needs way more events like this, rail events, events for the athletes, fun events, non-FIS events, just new and exciting stuff
Hopefully more urban segments and definitely way more backcountry! Had so much fun filming Cruise Control last year and plan to film a lot more pow but still hit the streets. Rails are still the most fun aspect of skiing to me surprisingly. I grew up on that stuff
Apr 8 2020 10:24AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
radsauceIf you had to chooose, would you battle...

A) One 10 ft tall Miley Cyrus

OR

B) Ten 1 ft tall Miley Cyrii



Please explain your thinking.

Yes, they have wrecking balls.


B) Ten 1 ft Tall Miley Cyrus's sounds a bit easier to handle. Though ten little wrecking balls would probably be wrecking my shin bones while i battle them
Apr 8 2020 10:25AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
EnderKnockLiterally made an account for this!

At what age did you know that you loved skiing and that it was what you wanted to do and excel at for the rest of your life?

P.s you've been critical and amazing for the progression of this sport!


Dope! Welcome! I knew by 14-15 that I loved skiing more than anything and that I wanted to become a pro skier! And at that point becoming a pro seemed very far fetched so the dream was to at least work within the ski industry for my life!
Apr 8 2020 10:32AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
calvinajWhy did you continue to work toward a college degree in the midst of your skiing career? How did you have time for that and why was that important to you?


I started college before becoming a pro skier. All my friends were in school at the U of U. It just seemed right to continue my education. I took classes in the summer and fall so that I could still focus on skiing all winter. Education has always been important to me. Only so many years you can ski professionally and lots to learn to learn to improve your live during and post ski career
Apr 8 2020 10:35AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
toastwhich year of your career so far are you most proud of and why?

what would you like to see more of in skiing? what's overdone?


Hmm 2012-2013 was a big one. I filmed for the Wallisch Project all year, Filmed with JP for sherpas "Into the Mind", and still managed to compete in every major event. Was a crazy busy and productive year but some of the best times of my life
I'd still love to see more skiers hitting urban. So many kids just film park rails and it would be awesome to see more urban segments and kids out there getting it in the streets
Apr 8 2020 10:40AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8884 - Karma: 57,068
TWallischH



What were some of the hardest rails you've done? or seen done in person


When are you hitting pyramid or chad's?


what are your favorite urban segments (by other people)?
Apr 8 2020 12:05PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
NewEscuelersAfter getting Simon back for an incredible throwback edit, do you think it’s possible you could possibly mastermind throwback edit with skiers like Simon, Brogan, Henrik, Hornbeck, Delorme, etc.??

Could be the greatest thing to happen in the community ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Sounds like an epic crew to get together! Was really fun skiing with Simon again. Hopefully we can make a few more fun edits. I'll work on getting more of the old crew together as well! I miss making park edits. Everyone just drops clips on the gram these days, its fun to put a few days into an edit, have a theme, or do something unique. lets bring it back!
Apr 8 2020 12:31PM
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little1337
Posts: 8158 - Karma: 45,756
TWallischSounds like an epic crew to get together! Was really fun skiing with Simon again. Hopefully we can make a few more fun edits. I'll work on getting more of the old crew together as well! I miss making park edits. Everyone just drops clips on the gram these days, its fun to put a few days into an edit, have a theme, or do something unique. lets bring it back!


I love the throwwback theme, you should keep it as gangster and ignant as possible lol
Apr 8 2020 12:32PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
CHU-TANG_CLANWhen you were working on your SuperUnknown entry back a while ago, did you work side by side with any of the 4bi9 crew to edit it/ had a vision of what you wanted it to look like? Or did you let them work their magic to create a edit that I would say created a real skiing story?

What was one of the most memorable big park shoots you ever participated in? Watching your Rage Films Enjoy mini part or Level 1's Refresh Mammoth shoot still are some of my favorite to this date


Definitely worked side by side with Napes and Aj on that one. I had the goal of filming a super unknown edit but they helped so much on the songs, style, etc. So much fun filming that season! Most memorable was probably the Copper Shoot with Level 1 for Real Time. It was my first big experience at a sunset shoot and I skied sooo much trying to get shots for the movie
Apr 8 2020 12:34PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
TOAST.Im always curious to what his REAL home mountain is. 7Springs seems to claim it pretty hard but pretty sure its wisp.


Both. I grew up in Pittsburgh. Skiing at both resorts. Back then I would spend weekends at Wisp. And visit Springs for night shred maybe once a week. I now only come home to go shred at Seven Springs because they support park skiing. Wisp couldn't care less about it. Its so cool to me to see the $$ Seven Springs puts into the parks/pipes and events like Steel City Showdown with me! They truly are a big supporter of park skiing/snowboarding in the east!
Apr 8 2020 12:39PM
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GrandThings
Posts: 2927 - Karma: 28,669
...is it over?
Apr 8 2020 3:55PM
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ChadThundercock
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 785
How does it feel to be the greatest skiier of all time?
Apr 8 2020 6:24PM
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Padagucci1920
Posts: 39 - Karma: 317
So my home "mountain" is 7springs and I have been curious about this recently... Did you really grow up riding there because I have heard people say that the story is just marketing hype and you actually grew up riding other places more frequently than springs. Was just hoping to get a response and see whether its a marketing story or if springs truly is your home mountain you grew up riding.
Apr 8 2020 7:08PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
Padagucci1920So my home "mountain" is 7springs and I have been curious about this recently... Did you really grow up riding there because I have heard people say that the story is just marketing hype and you actually grew up riding other places more frequently than springs. Was just hoping to get a response and see whether its a marketing story or if springs truly is your home mountain you grew up riding.


Haha naw no marketing story there. I grew up skiing at Wisp in MD and at Seven Springs. My parents would take me to Wisp on weekends. But I would ski at Springs at night after school a lot as well. Springs is the dopest now and only place to go. They put some much time and $ into the parks!
Apr 9 2020 1:13PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
I mean i'm still bored as hell. So if anyone else has a legit question. Ask away. I'm happy to answer anymore ha
Apr 9 2020 1:14PM
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GrandThings
Posts: 2927 - Karma: 28,669
TWallischI mean i'm still bored as hell. So if anyone else has a legit question. Ask away. I'm happy to answer anymore ha


There were a bunch of questions on the first page still to be answered!

Really curious what the gnarliest thing you've witnessed in person is.
Apr 9 2020 1:19PM
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khaiskebo
Posts: 9 - Karma: 36
what inspired you to follow a career in skiing
Apr 9 2020 1:24PM
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,529
TWallischI mean i'm still bored as hell. So if anyone else has a legit question. Ask away. I'm happy to answer anymore ha


What trick do you think changed your career the most? Like after you landed this trick, your path/focus changed.
Apr 9 2020 1:31PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8884 - Karma: 57,068
TWallischI mean i'm still bored as hell. So if anyone else has a legit question. Ask away. I'm happy to answer anymore ha


What were some of the hardest rails you've done? and seen done in person


When are you hitting pyramid or chad's?


what are your favorite urban segments (by other people)?
Apr 9 2020 2:43PM
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KilaTsunami
Posts: 2475 - Karma: 23,387
TWallischI mean i'm still bored as hell. So if anyone else has a legit question. Ask away. I'm happy to answer anymore ha


You said "you can only spend so many years riding professionally" .. is that because of age? Sometimes, i get bummed out thinking how I'm ONE year older EVERY season. I mean, I'm only 25 & I still get much better every year in the park because i just love bettering myself out there, It just makes me my happiest. I don't want to peak yet Tom!!!

How do you keep your body primed and ready to hit the park harder than you did last year?
Apr 9 2020 3:55PM
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Holte
Posts: 10730 - Karma: 7,743
What's still on your ski bucket list that you haven't checked off?
Apr 9 2020 8:59PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4747 - Karma: -569
How often do you get recognized on the lift?
Apr 9 2020 9:10PM
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3mania
Posts: 2557 - Karma: 9,843
Ambitionz of a Ridda is my favorite song/ skiing edit of all time. Whats' yours?
Apr 9 2020 9:16PM
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bogust
Posts: 669 - Karma: 6,919
what is your NS profile picture
Apr 9 2020 9:45PM
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OCoffey
Posts: 648 - Karma: 3,693
So has your steeze been something you’ve molded to perfection or has it kind of always been a part of you?
Apr 9 2020 10:19PM
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OCoffey
Posts: 648 - Karma: 3,693
Also very important one

Do you play Shredsauce
Apr 10 2020 2:42PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
bogustwhat is your NS profile picture


haha i'm pretty sure it's napes' eye after he burst a blood vessel from puking so hard
Apr 10 2020 3:28PM
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Youngm_IPCME
Posts: 1082 - Karma: 2,848
OCoffeySo has your steeze been something you’ve molded to perfection or has it kind of always been a part of you?


Check out his old stuff and the videos from roundtop riders. It seems like it just sort of existed in 2006, but no time before
Apr 10 2020 3:55PM
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P-wurps
Posts: 215 - Karma: 1,207
What is goes on throughout the weekend during contests (xgames/dew tour/etc.) when you weren't competing? Like was it mostly practice and rest or would guys get together and go rip around or hang out if there was downtime?
Apr 10 2020 4:02PM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
GrandThingsThere were a bunch of questions on the first page still to be answered!

Really curious what the gnarliest thing you've witnessed in person is.


Hmm definitely seen some gnarly things go down. I think one of the most gnarly was watching that one kid poach the JOI jump in Sweden naked that one year. He legit overshot the jump by like 100+ feet. Thought he was dead haha
Apr 11 2020 9:58AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
SkylineGTR_R32What trick do you think changed your career the most? Like after you landed this trick, your path/focus changed.


Hmm tough. Probably wasn't one particular trick... but more learning a collection of jump tricks. When I moved to Utah in 2006 I was good at rails but didn't really have a ton of jump tricks. Learning bigger jumps tricks/grabs that season made me think that competing in slopestyle would actually be possible. I focused more and more on comps after that season of learning
Apr 11 2020 10:01AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
SofaKingSickWhat were some of the hardest rails you've done? and seen done in person


When are you hitting pyramid or chad's?


what are your favorite urban segments (by other people)?


Hardest rails I've done... Definitely the world record rail at 7Springs. That one took way too many trys ha
Not sure maybe at some point!
Lots of favorite urban segments. I grew up watching Dave Crichton's segs in old level 1 movies constantly. Love watching any urban stuff though these days, more the better!
Apr 11 2020 10:06AM
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snowfinder
Posts: 2715 - Karma: 32,902
What's up with your icon? Take a knee to the eye?
Apr 11 2020 10:08AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
KilaTsunamiYou said "you can only spend so many years riding professionally" .. is that because of age? Sometimes, i get bummed out thinking how I'm ONE year older EVERY season. I mean, I'm only 25 & I still get much better every year in the park because i just love bettering myself out there, It just makes me my happiest. I don't want to peak yet Tom!!!

How do you keep your body primed and ready to hit the park harder than you did last year?


Just all about being smart! Age is just a number but I definitely find myself being smarter about when and what i try in the park. Just learning new stuff when you feel good and fresh. And then knowing when to chill and not push yourself. Stay fit in the off season and shred with a good crew that still wants to learn and progress with you!
Apr 11 2020 10:09AM
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TWallisch
Posts: 1482 - Karma: 5,649
HolteWhat's still on your ski bucket list that you haven't checked off?


Still a few urban rails and tricks I'd like to do. As well as some different BC jump tricks. But I also have a few video projects and ideas for events that I'd like to do. Got a lot of ideas. hopefully tick some off next season!
Apr 11 2020 10:12AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
How do you establish yourself when it comes to income and athlete? Do you have a LLC or do you say you are an independent contractor? Or do you let your manager or financial advisor just do it all in your best interest.
Apr 11 2020 10:27AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10622 - Karma: 7,397
What is your off season workout and diet like? Is it cardio or lifting oriented?
Apr 11 2020 12:40PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8884 - Karma: 57,068
TWallischHardest rails I've done... Definitely the world record rail at 7Springs. That one took way too many trys ha
Not sure maybe at some point!
Lots of favorite urban segments. I grew up watching Dave Crichton's segs in old level 1 movies constantly. Love watching any urban stuff though these days, more the better!

Keep up the great work man, love that you’re commentating (well) too
Apr 11 2020 3:06PM
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KilaTsunami
Posts: 2475 - Karma: 23,387
TWallischJust all about being smart! Age is just a number but I definitely find myself being smarter about when and what i try in the park. Just learning new stuff when you feel good and fresh. And then knowing when to chill and not push yourself. Stay fit in the off season and shred with a good crew that still wants to learn and progress with you!


You're the man Tom!! Thanks for the advice!
Apr 11 2020 9:05PM
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,529
Do you think you’re the best/most influential freeskier of all time?
Apr 12 2020 12:14AM
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Whackson
Posts: 466 - Karma: 4,026
What’s your favorite memory skiing you have ever had?
Apr 14 2020 2:44PM
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