Freeskiing is like Middle School.

hank.ski

hank.ski

Active member
If you want to do something different, people give you a hard time and nobody approves (unless you're an iconic figure in skiing already).

If somebody iconic does something different, suddenly everyone and their mom want to do whatever they are doing.

More than half the freeskiers I encounter are one or many of the following: Homophobic, bullies, bad listeners, alcoholics, easily angered, extremely immature, chauvanist.

Style and fashion aren't given breathing room; If you want to try something new or unusual, you are immediately scrutinized and criticized. It's an uphill battle for anyone trying to express themselves.

Yeah, I know I'm being bitchy, but seriously guys and girls, what the fuck is wrong with our sport. There is such a lack of community and a culture of hostility towards each other. I would like to think that it's because middle schoolers actually are the source of all this negativity, but as ns stats have shown, the majority of you are old enough to be in college. It's really disappointing that gay skiers, female skiers, and even people that like different fashion and clothing styles have to function in such a shitty community. /endrant for now, but tell me what you all think, and don't be surprised if my uppity ass decides to write an article about this shit or something.
 
Too seriously? We have like 4 good magazines, one of the most comprehensive niche social networks in the world, an olympic slot, a hundred media organizations, and representation on every inhabited continent of the world. Ski areas probably have a collective budget of over a hundred million bucks on terrain parks. There are hundreds of thousands of us, and thousands of people make a career out of freeskiing. countless more are dedicating their lives to trying. I'm not saying don't have fun, I'm not saying don't make jokes. If freeskiing didn't have an element of humor or tongue and cheek representation, it would suck. But we repeat our satire so much it has become our actual culture, and that sucks. We are a hostile culture, to outsiders and to each other. When someone actually says something, everyone races to make them feel stupid or like they are missing out on some big inside joke that every kid out there knows. But that's not the reality of it at all.
 
And like middle Scholl, people care too much about what others think of them. Just say fuck it and do what you want. It's just skiing.
 
What you gotta realize is that your whole life is like middle school. people just choose not to acknowledge it
 
Fashion has always and will always be a part of "the sport" but you can choose to ignore it.
 
You've pretty much just described every group of kids aged 12-18 in every sport in the world. That's just kids being kids, you'll get that on every internet forum, in any ski park, skate park, football pitch and basketball court. Wouldn't really say it has any ill effect on the sport.

Just do what you want and don't worry about what others think or say to you.
 
OP loves tight pants, black leather jackets, and mustaches. But is sad that you dont appreciate that he is different. Its ok buddy...........***hugs***
 
I don't know where you live OP, but I ski with a gay and with people who have no style whatsoever and nobody says anything negative. Of course you'll get the occasional unhappy, miserable, hates their life person but it's not like that everywhere.
 
you could argue NS is like that (i'd disagree still i think, i only read the first few lines) but in real life skiers are not like that at all
 
Not middle school. Life really.

People are always giving people a hard time, following trends, being ignorant, ect... Looking at NS your are kinda right. Alot of support but also many haters trying to bring people down. Skiing has alot of ego but thats is sports in a nut shell. Skiing also has a bunch of people supporting each other so it goes both ways.

So yeah. Your kinda right. Lets see what happens here.
 
13115534:ParryWithAnA said:
Not middle school. Life really.

People are always giving people a hard time, following trends, being ignorant, ect... Looking at NS your are kinda right. Alot of support but also many haters trying to bring people down. Skiing has alot of ego but thats is sports in a nut shell. Skiing also has a bunch of people supporting each other so it goes both ways.

So yeah. Your kinda right. Lets see what happens here.
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There are a lot of people on NS that intentionally bring people down, I'll give you that. Some kids do take it too far and for no reason. But man up. This is the internet and a webpage so it's not going to be all unicorns and rainbows.

Having said that, when I'm on the hill I don't really ever people shit talking one another. I hear support and uplifting encouragement from people.

Shake it off OP you'll be fine
 
So what, you wanna destroy all middle schoolers? Seriously relax, I use to think I needed to wear the baggiest shit skiing to look good but in the past two years even with my skiing buddies telling me to get more baggy shit I just go with what Im comfortable with, kinda baggy and not to tight. Its just skiing, just go have fun and worry about how much fun youre having.
 
13115555:Titus69 said:
So what, you wanna destroy all middle schoolers? Seriously relax, I use to think I needed to wear the baggiest shit skiing to look good but in the past two years even with my skiing buddies telling me to get more baggy shit I just go with what Im comfortable with, kinda baggy and not to tight. Its just skiing, just go have fun and worry about how much fun youre having.
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THIS
 
dude, remember skiing isn't newschoolers....newschoolers is the internet, and the internet tends to be land of the trolls...I do agree that when you compare ns to another freestyle sports community website there's much more bitching on here, but hey, it's how it is, all you can do is be nice yourself, and remember that there are people out there, real people, in the park, on the slopes, in the pow, or in the bar after lifts close. And i'm sure not even half of them are as bad as you say we all are.
 
topic:[hank said:
]Style and fashion aren't given breathing room; If you want to try something new or unusual, you are immediately scrutinized and criticized. It's an uphill battle for anyone trying to express themselves.
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I just think it's funny how everyone on NS cares way more about style than anything else, and they always feel like everyone else is attacking them for it. I've never seen comp skiers talk shit about the film guys, its always the other way around.
 
13115604:McLS said:
dude, remember skiing isn't newschoolers
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This. People on ns are trolls and whatever, but in real life skiers arent actually that bad. Everytime i ride with someone new on the lift they are usually really chill.
 
Just coming on here to say basically the same thing ParrywithanA did: You just described not only skiers, but humans in general. A large part of the world (not just skiing, not just NS, and not just middle schoolers) is made up of ignorant, hateful, egoistic, belittling, discriminatory, trend-following, unoriginal, close-minded and just plain stupid people. You gotta used to it.
 
13115797:ESB said:
Just coming on here to say basically the same thing ParrywithanA did: You just described not only skiers, but humans in general. A large part of the world (not just skiing, not just NS, and not just middle schoolers) is made up of ignorant, hateful, egoistic, belittling, discriminatory, trend-following, unoriginal, close-minded and just plain stupid people. You gotta used to it.
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THIS TOO
 
13115452:RubberSoul said:
you could argue NS is like that (i'd disagree still i think, i only read the first few lines) but in real life skiers are not like that at all
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I 100% agree with this. Yeah there are a few actual dicks out there, but almost everyone is different outside of Newschoolers. It's like in Newschoolers we're a really bitchy family, and outside in the real world we're a generally nice, accepting family that has fun.
 
we need some fuckin emo chicks with brightly colored fox tails pinned to their ass and straightened dyed black and red hair swept sideways like its really fuckin windy
 
Happy, the ball itself has its own energy, or lifeforce if you will. It’s natural environment is in the hole, so why don’t you send him home? His bags are packed, he’s got his plane tickets, bring him to the airport.......send him home. haha... send him home, just send him home.
 
Really like the responses to this everyone. Most of them are super well thought out and the opposite of what I expected, and that's cool. I'll point out a few things that I've noticed while not writing this at 4 in the morning.

I live in Summit in the winter, which is probably the root of all my problems.

I agree that other sports show elements of the mentalities that I'm describing, but it seems to me that with skiing the negatives are all represented. Skateboarding is aggressive and hostile as fuck (which is kinda metal anyway so that's fine), but they are completely open to innovation and new styles. Biking can be immature, but mountain bikers are the nicest group of people I've ever met. I raced CC and DH for a while and those dudes are almost always super inviting and fun (Skiierman may not be the best representative).

Skiing has fantastic people. Some of the nicest and insightful people I've ever met. But for every rad guy or girl on the mountain, it seems like there are 5 other bros telling a lifty to fuck themselves for whatever dumb reason.

The average age of NS users is Collegiate. The average age of park skiers (just an estimate from my experience) seems to be the same. We can't blame 12 year olds guys, REMEMBER?

I don't have a mustache.

Last year I think I heard the word fag tossed around some hundred or more times without contest. Imagine being a gay skier and having to deal with that. It would just suck, plain and simple.

Honestly, this rant mostly just came from frustration at watching really innovative and cool edits, and reading a bunch of shitty comments because the skiers weren't doing nose butters and armterbanging every trick. I definitely get that with an image of being extreme as fuck and having association with skate, snowboard, surf, mx, hip hop culture, etc., we are going to have to deal with a bunch of shitheads. I just wish it was a little different, and I hope that freeskiing expands enough that everyone can enjoy it without feeling like a target. Thank you to all the skiers and contributors and industry members alike that make it a better place.
 
13115415:Bum.Life said:
All OP is tryna say is that we need to be more accepting and spread the love and stoke to other skiers.
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That's it man, like I don't give a shit about a bunch of trolls doing their thing, I just think skiing stunts its own (positive) development by making every single kid run the gauntlet of disapproval before they even get a chance. Like let's all give beginners tips, let's high five girls instead of sexualizing every skier with boobs, let's ask kids with different style what their influences are and why they ski like they do, That's all. thanks man.
 
13115607:Phteven said:
I just think it's funny how everyone on NS cares way more about style than anything else, and they always feel like everyone else is attacking them for it. I've never seen comp skiers talk shit about the film guys, its always the other way around.
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So true. This is actually more of a direct reference to actually skiing though. I wear a variety of shit, and negative comments increase by like a hundred every day my clothes are different than the shit tall t or saga put out. No disrespect to either brand though I like em both.
 
What's wierd is I think it's more like high school. At least for me. Middle school was nice and easy and the peeps were friendly and not too judgemental. But now, at least in my high school, everyone's just a bunch of dicks to each other.
 
internet-fight.gif
 
this is freed. I'm going to repost what I wrote on Holson's article. but first..

"If you want to do something different, people give you a hard time and nobody approves (unless you're an iconic figure in skiing already)."

- disagree 100%. there are always norms in life and society, if you want to do something different. DO IT. breaking out of norms can often be really good + insightful and you'll partially realize why they are there in the first place. That first statement is way too bold and broad. People like to follow trends. You can succeed or fail at attempting to set a trend. Ideally, you just do you and not be concerned about who is judging or emulating your actions..

your post has a lot of cynicism. Yes, there are a ton of haters in skiing. While this seems problematic, you have to realize that hate is sometimes a hostile form of criticism. Criticism can be very helpful and useful. Understand where the haters are coming from and you'll learn a lot about yourself and those around you.

Some ppl hate because they're envious. Some ppl have trouble expressing themselves and do it best through talking others down. The real question pulled off some "middle school" picture on THall's gram is:

Have you ever met a hater doing better than you?

Once you adopt a more positive mindset, you'll be able to overcome the negativity that currently bothers you in free-skiing. There is a lot of childish behavior occurring thoughout this sport but also communities in general. Bickering and arguing with your friends can be very frustrating and results in immaturity from all sides.

Instead of writing out a post full of negativity, why not look at the other side of the issue of freeskier immaturity and examine what you specifically believe should be changed (for ex. ppl's judgements) and how that can be done - this starts individually meaning YOU have to be open to critically examine yourself and see if/ how any of your behaviors contribute to the problem (in this case skiier immaturity). Writing out a post like this is not fully embracing the issue and looking for positive outlets but rather cynically complaining about a problem without offering up any specific alternatives.

this is from Holson's article:

"..the wisdom I gained was invaluable. Most notably, I realized the importance of the underlying honesty beneath all of our fears and anxieties, and how we can free ourselves from those constraints by being brave. Deep down, we are all aware of the things that we truly want in our life and the things we value. I don'??t run from my emotions anymore, I run directly at them. I know the best way to tackle something that'??s bothering you is to dive right into it and embrace the feeling until you find the thought, trigger, or event that elicited it."

-This paragraph specifically hits at something that often gets overlooked as people try to run from their fears/ emotions by consuming substances, skiing aggressively, losing the notion of balance in life by becoming overly indulgent. The lives of celebrities often get portrayed in a very superficial manner (self-focus and idolization like McLeod said), this can become problematic in society as the youth/average person tries to emulate these self-destructive behaviors (it's just like fashion magazines and models trying to create a superficial image of perfection for women that results in teenage anorexia and serious issues with self-esteem). Most people (especially celebrities and those who are already looked up to) are unwilling to open up and address their weaknesses, yet the more individuals are willing to do this, the more our communities can become knowledgable and insightful, have genuine self-awareness, and subsequently become stronger as a whole.

These concepts may seem very idealistic but it all starts on an individual basis just like Holson has done here. Props on your courageousness.

__________
 
"freeskiing" is actually one of the most friendly sports out there, people sometimes act like douches but it isnt with bad intentions, in other sports like surfing you see fights almost everyday and there are groups of people that are real bullies
 
Many kids who are young (in middle school) dont have a style yet. They are looking at other skiers they see on the internet and wanting to bee like them. When they are older they are going to grow out that and have their own style and wont need be copying people all the time. I get what you mean dude but I think you chill just a bit and have a good time shredding.
 
@Freed, word. That actually made me really reconsider some of the things I said. I would just like to say that I'm not cynical about the ski industry or culture, and I think it's full of amazing things. This thread was basically a culmination of all the things that I don't like about freeskiing, but getting well thought out and intriguing responses like that make me stoked to be a part of this culture.
 
i was in middle school last year and everyone was hating on me for skiing and my style but i didn't give a monkeys nut sack.
 
13115299:[hank said:
]Too seriously? We have like 4 good magazines, one of the most comprehensive niche social networks in the world, an olympic slot, a hundred media organizations, and representation on every inhabited continent of the world. Ski areas probably have a collective budget of over a hundred million bucks on terrain parks. There are hundreds of thousands of us, and thousands of people make a career out of freeskiing. countless more are dedicating their lives to trying. I'm not saying don't have fun, I'm not saying don't make jokes. If freeskiing didn't have an element of humor or tongue and cheek representation, it would suck. But we repeat our satire so much it has become our actual culture, and that sucks. We are a hostile culture, to outsiders and to each other. When someone actually says something, everyone races to make them feel stupid or like they are missing out on some big inside joke that every kid out there knows. But that's not the reality of it at all.
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I'm fairly certain we don't have representation on Africa considering its hot as fuck there
 
13116507:FreeskiThe603 said:
I'm fairly certain we don't have representation on Africa considering its hot as fuck there
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If we wanna get super technical, some could argue that all of them are, seeing as science is leaning towards thinking that it is the cradle of humanity.
 
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