Being an Individual RESPECT

spinks

spinks

Active member
I thought I would post an observation that will probably be skewed and destroyed throughout this thread, but I want to point out the total lack of respect most people here have for others.

The most obvious it calling Tanner a gangster and then talking shit about his skiing because you don’t agree with his personal individualism.--A small note, I believe if Tanner wasn't so extreme most people would not know who he is! The way I see it on this site, most people have such a big ego right now I cant imagine what they would be like on top of the skiing world! Lastly, don’t talk shit about people you don’t even know or have never even met, it is just ignorant.

Further, I am so sick of seeing threads that go on and on about how much somebody or some product sucks! This total lack of respect is unhealthy for our sport. We would not have skiing as it is now if it wasn't for Salamon, K2, as well as the emergence of Line, Armada, and now 4Frnt, NinthWard and Liberty.

Rather than ignorantly saying that any of these products or riders involved suck, why not show a little respect. Step back from your personal egos for a second and show some props for the people that make skiing as we know it possible for all of us.

I would like to formally give props to Salamon for taking a chance with the New Canadian Air Force (back in the day) and all the people working for the companies (skis, clothing, accessories, ect) that work super hard every day to make sure we can all steeze out and rip up the mountain.

I don't care if you are stereotyped as a loser, a hippy, a gangster, a preppy, or whatever. The best part of skiing is you can be yourself, go where you want, jib how you want and be your own person.

Be an individual, and respect those who work for your fun. Every individual is entitled to their own opinion but when you resort to derogatory comments you just appear ignorant.

Let's go skiing!

 
This could be the smartest and most truthful thing ever written on NS. At least since I've been here. Props to Spinks, and lets all consider what he wrote in all aspects of our lives, whether on snow or not.
 
I hear you brother.

Unfortunately, I don't see things changing anytime soon.

I ski alone a majority of the time and I generally end up meeting people and skiing with them. This is one of my favorite things as you meet new people and have new friends in different places to rip with. However, the general trend appears to be less friendly, especially in the park. Alot of people seem to be constantly sizing one another up, checking out who's wearing what, what skis they are on and whether or not they are 'good enough' to sport the gear they have. I realize this is all bullshit and everyone should be stoked to be skiing together, but as you stated, egos are getting in the way quite often.

Prime example: I was at Loveland last week on a weekday and there weren't many people around. Just a few random people in the park. As I'm standing there a couple dudes come into the park goofing around pushing eachother and having a good time. One dude lost his balance and bumped into another guy who was also just standing there. The guy immediately goes agro and basically wants to fight the dude who bumped into him. His exact remark was, "If you can't keep from running into people, you shouldn't even fucking be in here!" That comment pretty much sums up the ego-boosted problems.

Anyway, it may sound like a 'make peace not war' hippy comment, but we should all be happy to ski next to one another and if someone is more of a novice in the park than another, give some tips, be cool. Just because someone may not be the best on the mtn doesn't mean they have any less right to be there than you or anyone else.
 
Ive heard shit like that too much in the park. Im glad it pisses others off too.

Ive been thinking this shit for a while, Im glad someone verbalized it - and that the response is good.

It's all about fun right?
 
When I ski alone, which I like to do sometimes, I always seem to see a couple people that are alone, and we usually end up ridin together at least for a couple runs. Seriously, I've made some great friends that way, and I think that we should all try to ride with as many different people as possible because the more influence you get, the more you can improve your riding. Like, if you ride with someone who is better than you, you will probably push yourself harder to not et shown up as much, and therefore, lear new tricks that would have taken you longer to learn.
 
Spinks, I totally agree with you. Let's start a Newschooler's revolution here. Let's put some repsect back into this site and turn it into a better informative community.
 
For sure, the lack of respect on this site is horrible. I mean, sure, the internet in fairly anonymous, but you don't have to slam on everyone anout everything because their opinion is different then yours. Without that, newschool skiing would not exist today.
 
yeah good thread, i agree 100%, people need to chill out and be a bit more easy going, and not be like a load of bitchy girls
 
Great posts first off.

And secondly, it really unfortunate that the new generation of freeskiers, have this badass attitude in the park (not all of them of course, but a growing majority). It makes for a very intimidating atmosphere. Which for some people including myself, espically when skiing alone in the park, is a terrible learning environment. What happened to giving everyone props? No matter what skill level you are.

Show Some Love.
 
I think part of the problem is that alot of kids see how certain idols of theirs (pros) act and they try to impersonate that. For example, Tanner and Dumont are generally acting like hard-asses when they compete and in some flicks, but bottom line, it's all an act. What kids don't understand is that most of these guys are actually super mellow and cool when they are just hanging out and skiing with their buddies and not acting like tough guys all the time.
 
Maybe it's just where you guys are from where this is happening. I live in Minnesota and ski by myself a lot of the time. The atmosphere in MN has been 100 percent chill and i haven't ever ran into the gapers that give people shit for what they wear, how good they are, the type of skis they should have, etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is most of the freeskiers are almost united with one another and there isn't any lack of respect that I have encountered.
 
i think it happens alot more out west then it does to us in the midwest or east. when i see another kid in the park i'm just stoked to actaully see another kid on skis in the park.
 
props spinks.

although that we should get so much more respect, there will always be those few people, who cant give up the chance to put a kid down. I hate it.

a lot of the hating is going down (due to snow actually falling)

I just dont get some people who all they do it hate.

I just hate downers. And all these new kids think they own the place talking down to companies that eolved the sport. Its like, if you dont like most ski companies, for example, salomon. The ajority of the kids say the ski sucks. Just cause its cool to hate on them, when they are dam durable, and blah blah. The point is salomon played a huge part to the sport, maybe they diddnt listen to their athletes back when, but they started some good shit.

Ones more thing, if anyone who is actually reading my post, BE YOURSELF!!! just cause tanner and TJ are doing something new and creative, copying it dosent automaticly make you cool. If you stard wearing...um.....no shirt (meh) and everyone copied you do it, just cause your influential and they think its cool, what would YOU think? but i dont, im just trying to say dont try and be something your not, and spread the love, not the hate.
 
I have to agree with Vicious about the videos and contests. In contests, there is a much different mental game going on, and in the movies the skiers are acting! It would be boring if they were just chillin out like normal.

I'm glad you all have brought up the riding atmosphere and how everybody seems to "size everybody else up". A lot of people look up to the pros and how they "act" but they impersonate the wrong things.

I think anybody that has been to summer camps can vouch for how "pros" act off the camera, much differently than at the X-Games or video segments, since these situations set up for a "lok at me!" type of goal.

Skiing is fun, individual, and anything anybody does on skis should be inspiring no matter what it is! When everybody is throwing down their own stuff, working on things and sticking them, it doesn't matter if it is cleaning a kink rail in the park or throwing cab 9 over Chad's! When you ride with other people and everybody gets stoked on everything, it makes for a much more productive atmosphere!

Anytime any of you are in the colorado area and want to ride, hit me up! I'm always down to ride with new people!
 
great thread, I too see too much disrespect for people on the mountain. I moved to Utah from West Virginia a few years ago. Back home, anytime you saw a skier in the park it was like "holy shit" and you instantly had some kind of bond and you could just ride together (which brings an interesting story of a kid I met at my home resort back home that was from Ohio that I remet on the hill at alta after I moved out here and we became friends, but thats a story for another time).

I've noticed a lot more attitude out here, like people literally laughing at someone who straight airs a jump or does a sloppy trick. Who really gives a shit? Since they arn't a fantastic park skier (which doesn't always say much about how good they can ski, I know some ballistic rippers you can't even keep up with, who can't throw a single trick in the park) does that somehow mean they are a lesser person and don't deserve respect? I just see way too much hate on the hill (the only time it's justified is fighting for first tracks after a storm, which usually involves boot packing full speed up a hill or a traverse, knocking anyone over in your way)

I ski to have a good time and hang out with my friends, I love meeting new people to ski with, they can only bring more to the table, I'm friendly to anyone I meet in the hill, tourist, ripper, whoever. All the time at alta I'll be riding the lift with a father/son combo from Kansas (or something equally ridiculous) and I'll take em on a tour and show em my spots, I'll ski with these guys for an entire afternoon sometime just to ensure they had a great day on the hill and won't they won't forget for a long time. It's fun to do shit like that for people, especially if you're not with your buddies for the day and you're just cruising around.
 
If you really want to ride with some chill guys, come up to Beaver Creek. It is tough to miss the crew of skiers there. Total there is about 10 of us (skiers, lots more snowboarders) that just ride, give each other props, and have a sick time on the mountain.

Hit me up anytime, I'm in Beaver Creek and Vail mostly, but I live in Boulder now so I'm down for whatever.
 
wow, this thread hit so many points right on the head. one thing ive found is that attitudes as a whole seem to totally change depending on where you are. like here in calgary has so much more attitude than back home in van. what do you guys think fosters such shitty attitude changes??
 
why cant every post on ns be this agreeable? keeping things positive is so much more progressive and sensible. thank you spinks.
 
well, at least we got 28 posts or so before someone ruined it and acted like a dumbass. That has to be a NS record!
 
people with huge egos are def. something i hate. sometimes i'll notice some skiiers that ski around thinking everyone should "let the man go through". u know just go staight into a path towards a group of people looking pissed because they have the inconvenience of having to go around someone. u'll see them make fun of people sometimes, and not the good friendly type stuff either. it gets rather annoying.
 
I think what we need to get across is the idea of helping each other out. If you see a kid trying rails for the first time or trying a new trick that you have nailed, help the dude out. Remember, you were once that kid that didn't know how to do shit. If the attitude in the park, and the mountain in general doesn't get better, then no one will want to start skiing, or progress their skiing.
 
Another example of shitty attitudes on the hill:

I was at Copper on Saturday having a grand time. I got to the base and was waiting for my brother so we could get in line when some dude coming down the hill comes straight at me and slashes a turn right before he gets to me spraying me with snow. He then went over to his buddies and I could tell they were all laughing and thinking it was funny. They were all looking at me and it seemed like they were just waiting for me to say something (basically a stare down). I laughed a bit and got in line.

Bottom line, it's dicks like that who give us a bad name.

If the guy I just described happens to read this, I hope I see you again.
 
Well, thats just not the nature of the world :D If we were all "sucking each other off" all the time so-to-speak it would be dull and boring.
 
all the love and comments, but saying he's right and changing is a long way away from acting differently. But i commend u for posting this man! I'm glad u also repersent liberty skis, its good for the company!
 
This should be a sticky without question.

Once again, I'd like to say how this thread is RIGHT ON. Ego is killing all kinds of sports. Look at what’s going on with Terrell Owens right now? Ego goes hand in hand with mainstream sports. I have a background in a lot of these sports as I know everyone else has too, but this is why skiing with your "boys" or your "crew" is so great. Just chillin, having a good time WITHOUT the drama WITHOUT the ego and the bullshit. Skiing provides us with an escape from the mundane everyday.

I would hate to see our sport turn into an AND 1 MIX TAPE VOL. 9000. Where everyone is out for themselves and everyone is saying LOOK AT ME! There is a time and a place for that (cough) contests) but we should look forward toward progression rather than anything else.

To sum it up, SPINKS speaks the truth.
 
I agree totally. i was up at loveland like 2 weekends ago, and i was wearing my brothers leg bag (a product of airblaster) and i was also with my friend who boards. Anyways this group of snowbirders, who thought they were all cool, started making fun of me for having a leg bag. we were just like watev and kept shriding and having fun. Anyways down let them gett u down, just do ur own thang
 
this might've already been said but I've come to realise that the best way to live life, is to always look for the good in people. Don't focus on the negatives but on what they do well and what you like about them. I think you'll find life a lot more enjoyable on and off the mountain.

Good post by the way.
 
i would like to say that i was impressed with the attitude of both snowboarders and skiers in the park on Blackcomb this past weekend. I usually can't stand the vibe in the Blackcomb park. but this weekend was really good. it might have been because everybody was just too stoked to talk shit, but congrats everyone.
 
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