Im pretty sure it isn't in stereotype, but I've seen that as well. it is indeed sad that he fell off when he made the switch to skiing. the difference is more than alot of people can handle i guess, it took me a little while to make the transition. I actually went from skiboards to the mike nick 142s, then to some 168s, and now im riding 178s. Longer skis are where its at, it just took me a while to advance myself up to that level.