I disagree with this statement.... Been skiing since 1980. 31 years ago. I've competed in 4 race disciplines,moguls, slopestyle, superpipe, big-air, big mountain, and rail jams. Skiing isn't what old people do, its what we all do. I don't consider myself an old-school skier, but a NS skier, yet I grew up racing, but was poaching the park since 1992 probably. However, the best competition athletes, the kids who dominate the scene, ARE spending countless hours training to be as good as they are. It's needed, and it should be that way. It's the same with any sport, and IMO it's a good thing. Skiing has grown up fa sho, and is way more in the public eye. If you want to be the best of the best, then you need to work for it. It's why Tanner, Simon,  and even a kid like Nick Goepper have gotten to where they are, they work for it.  I love Ahmet's theory about freeskiing, and putting your ideas to work, and the freedom aspect. There is nothing like being on the mountain, music blasting, and just feeling it. I think people have felt this way for 50 years, it's been prevalent in Squaw, Sun Valley, and Jackson forever. It's why I quit racing. But, skiing has a lot of disciplines, and part of the reason your salary, travel budget etc, is what it is, is because they all see your media...  Cheers to having your own opinion, none are wrong, it's what makes NS great.