A change of perspective on skiing

[skierman_jack]

couple weeks ago home mountain hosted a race. There was a lot of traffic with racers and parents but buddies and I were still getting some laps in. On the rack I spotted a pair of stunning ON3Ps. I never see ON3Ps at my home mountain. I hardly see any other park skiers to begin with. I thought to myself I hope some kid who rips owns those. I just love when a no name shows up and rips it up.

sure enough they were owned by a racer. I started grinding my teeth and getting pissed. But then I thought why? Who cares? Even tho racer homie was still pretty novice at park (being a racer), I had an awesome time taking a couple laps with him.

I was so quick to be judgey about this kid just for his skis. What kind of homie behavior is that? The kid was so stoked just to be skiing in the park with us and his skis weren’t a sign of being a “poser” they were a sign of appreciation for a side of the sport that is unique. That appreciation and that passion for freeskiing was what mattered, not how good or bad he was.

I took some laps with a visiting skier yesterday who’s kinda known as the local legend. I was chatting him up about his ON3Ps and he said this: it’s a cool company with a cool team and they make cool skis. I like them and that’s all that matters to me. That really resonated with me.

just thought I’d share my own personal growth in hopes others feel the same. It doesn’t matter what you ride, who you ride with, or where you ride. If you get out there and you love the sport and you have that energy, that passion, that fire...that’s what’s real. That’s the stuff that makes a good day a great day, and a good skier a great skier.

dont worry about what you or others do or don’t have, just get out there and have some fun!

 

[WoFlowz]

Chip Boyer eh? Yeah he’s the best in the east rn can argue with me idc

 

[BradFiAusNzCoCa]

Honestly, as long as you can recognize you’re doing it, accept that you’re human, and try to correct it - you’re all good in my book.

 

[Treegrabber]

?

 

[mikemac]

i used to hate racers when i was a kid... i totally fed into the stereotypes about them being spoiled, preppy, rich douchebags. There definitely are some aggro dads and some toxic aspects of their culture, but for the most part they're also just out there sending for the love of it.

The ones who stick with it to a high level and also love the freeride/freestyle athlete are gold. Somebody who could kick your ass on any trail, any condition, throw kfeds and dub backies is the type of ski buddy you want. 7/10 times (in my adult/outwest life) that guy was a collegiate ski racer.

Keep an open mind, don't jump to conclusions, and just be good homies w anyone whos stoked to be riding w you, whether thats a racer, a jibber, or a snowboarder, yall can innovate and progress together. feed off the energy and learn from someone who has a different style than you.

 

[Weirdo_Puppy]

Racers are acceptable, kids who race in full tilts are sick because you know they value cool skiing over racing because full tilts horrible for racing.

 

[jompcock]

Racers are acceptable, kids who race in full tilts are sick because you know they value cool skiing over racing because full tilts horrible for racing.

What was the deal with flexons winning tons of worldcups back in the day? Were overlap boots that bad?

I know a few racers that wanted to get into park but their parents thought park skiing was too dangerous (racing can be so much more dangerous even if minor injuries are less common). Knew a kid that would back flip all the park jumps and had all 8 on most rails. His "park skis" were armada JJ's cause his parents didn't want him owning park skis.

 

[dwt802]

Good man, props to that guy for rocking ON3P supporting the culture.

 

[AGOF]

What was the deal with flexons winning tons of worldcups back in the day? Were overlap boots that bad?

I know a few racers that wanted to get into park but their parents thought park skiing was too dangerous (racing can be so much more dangerous even if minor injuries are less common). Knew a kid that would back flip all the park jumps and had all 8 on most rails. His "park skis" were armada JJ's cause his parents didn't want him owning park skis.

Flexons won a bunch of World Cup downhills because the progressive flex really helped for that, as the majority of boots were designed for the stivot move you had to do to get slalom and gs carves around on a straight ski. However that design of boot doesn’t absorb chop well. As side cut skis became a thing more overlap boots moved to a more progressive flex which essentially negated the need for a 3 piece boot in downhill and super g. I think if dalbello or full tilt made a 150+ flex boot they could entice some racers into their boots, but they have enough of a market share that I think it’s a moot point at this time.

 

[Malcolmstoddart]

I ski in Whistler, and I can totally relate. I have always noticed that the locals are often very cliquey, judgmental, and quick to put down others for not skiing at a high level or having "good" equipment. From my experience, many skiing communities seem to unfortunately cultivate and perpetuate these issues. It is what frustrates me most about the skiing community, yet I have caught myself reverting to these same ugly reactions... It is a good reminder to all of us that at the end of the day, for most people skiing is just about having fun, and we should be stoked for anyone that can make it up on the mountain, regardless of the level they are skiing at or what equipment they are using.

 

[percs]

The moment on3p posers get posed on by on3p posers

 

[weastcoat]

Chip Boyer eh? Yeah he’s the best in the east rn can argue with me idc

Def best in New York. That being said Chris Bechtold rips.

 

[WoFlowz]

Def best in New York. That being said Chris Bechtold rips.

Eh chips still my favorite he’s Definitely still one of the best in the east. Chris Bechtold with poles is just so nice to watch

 

[twerkphone64]

in my experience the race coaches are 10x douchier than the racers. also phil if youre reading this im not sorry about snaking you in the tbar line

 

[theabortionator]

One of the best park skiers at the local mtn was a ski racer.

 

[freestyler540]

The ones side hitting everything and trying to go as possible are the ones that need their privelage checked big time.

Ones that treat the park with respect are the chill bros. Sound ya just made a buddy

 

[Weirdo_Puppy]

I am a park/ back country skier who happens to be in my school race team. My coach kept talking about how my boots were the same ones that people were winning world cups on.

What was the deal with flexons winning tons of worldcups back in the day? Were overlap boots that bad?

I know a few racers that wanted to get into park but their parents thought park skiing was too dangerous (racing can be so much more dangerous even if minor injuries are less common). Knew a kid that would back flip all the park jumps and had all 8 on most rails. His "park skis" were armada JJ's cause his parents didn't want him owning park skis.

 

[dolanslebensraum]

sorry op, there was only one thing for it.

Cool story tho

**This post was edited on Apr 2nd 2021 at 4:25:33am

 

[colbysaunders]

im pretty late on this thread but

Ski racers are actually pretty sick sometimes. Maybe sometimes you will encounter a annoying one very once and awhile. I used to be the stereotypical skier who hated ski racers. I joined my school race team this year and I had a blast. It was definitely something very different from what I normally do. A lot of homies of mine are ski racers. Some of them are way better than me too.