How to improve for next (my 2nd) season?

johnnyBuz

johnnyBuz

Active member
Hey guys, been lurking around for a few weeks and decided to register.

I've been skiing like once or twice a year for the past 10 years or so. I am 24 and this was the first year I decided to try twin-tip skis and predominantly try freestyle stuff. I always liked going off jumps with normal skis, but made the transition this year.

I live on the East Coast (Philly, PA) and we had a horrible winter so I only got to go out 3 times.

First time I went out, was just getting used to the feel of twin tips and center mounted skis. Spent most of the day going down trails and skiing switch.

Second time I went out, I spent most of the day going up jumps and trying to get big air. I feel very comfortable going off jumps, and from my limited experience, I didn't see anyone else hitting the jumps harder or faster then me. I routinely landed at the bottom of the landing area trying to push myself. I also tried to clear spines whenever I could rather then going down the side. Didn't try many, if any tricks, and only grinded boxes by riding onto them. Took some falls which kept me out for 2 weeks.

Third time I went (last Tuesday), I went balls to the wall. I tried and landed a few 360s with pretty big air but didn't feel super comfortable. I learned how to grind boxes 50/50 and some non-circular rails. Felt pretty comfortable, still fell a little on rails but not a ton. Was able to ride off them switch.

Tried to start buttering a bit but couldn't really figure it out. Got really good at doing 180s off small kickers pretty fast but didn't try hitting kickers switch. Back to the jumps, I like pushing myself as hard as I can, and I stupidly tried a 540 on the biggest jump Bear Creek Mtn had. I ended up landing on my back after going about 20-25 feet through the air and this is what happened.

By the way, my body normally looks like this after skiing because I keep trying shit until I'm in so much pain. Do you guys recommend I get Crash Pads and the Slytech Back Protector? I usually have to take a week off or more after each time I go because my body is so beat up.

Going forward, I would like to average 10 times a season or so. Thanks in advance for any responses!

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Holy shitt, I have been skiing park pretty hard for 2 years straight, 60+ days a season and have gotten no bruise similar to that.

 
None of my friends ski park. None of my friends ski for that matter, only snowboard. I normally go by myself and try to find a "mentor" to take me under his wing for a couple runs. Trying to learn on your own = my back looking like the picture above. Just trying to learn how to more safely/effectively progress.
 
That's what I kinda figured, repetitions. Seeing progress from my 1st to 2nd to 3rd time this season was one of the most unbelievably satisfying things I have ever felt in awhile. The first time I was able to do something, anything, "new" it felt fucking awesome.

By the way, I just found the Trick Tip Cult so I'm gonna spend some time browsing there.
 
that bruise is so gnarly! disregard all the fuckheads hating on you in this thread, I think it's sick to see someone older than the average NS'er going out and really pushing the limits to get better.

during the off season I'd suggest getting into a workout routine if you aren't already. being stronger AND more flexible will definitely help you stay away from injuries next year. consider getting into cycling in some form - it builds the muscles that are really important to skiing. also, mountain biking has some aspects/concepts that are similar to skiing such as picking lines and conserving/utilizing momentum. try to get on a trampoline if possible to get comfortable in the air.

the main thing you can do to improve is just spend more time on your skis. I realize this can be difficult given your location/weather conditions, but it's really the only way. also, pads would probably help keep some of that bruising down, but like someone above mentioned, learning to break your fall would help too. again, this is really something that will come with time and repetition.

good luck!
 
Great!

Seriously though be safe man. Looks like you may be a bit too reckless. Try and get some basics down first before you go and really hurt yourself.
 
It's all in how much time you spend with the skis on your feet and skiing. When you ski alot you just get comfertable and thats when intictivly you try new stuff. Hit jump, slide rails and you will become comfertalbe and want to try new stuff and thats how you progress.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SPEND TIME ON SKIS...A LOT OF TIME!
 
I've seen a couple people mention "breaking the fall." What do you mean by that? I've always thought I knew how to take a fall compared to most people, in terms of not breaking bones, minimal body damage, but the falls I'm taking skiing seem to be far worse.

I'm gonna try to get some trampoline work in this spring/summer. My parents have a big trampoline from when we were kids, something like that? Or like a legit trampoline at a gymnasium?

Leg muscles are alright but could be stronger. Downhill mountain biking is something I'de like to get into eventually but I've seen some nasty injuries with that, and my penchant for being reckless would probably end poorly.

I work my back out extensively and I think that really protected me from the fall. I was kind of surprised I didn't injure it worse.
 
Shit how do you plan on sitting in a chair or on anything for the next month? If you're gonna be throwing yourself off jumps then crash pads might be good for you. But you should just jump a lot more and get comfortable in the air first. I'd assume you tried to huck a spin around and got launched into a cork or flip and landed straight on your side/ass.
 
So you think it's more about your mind/body telling you you are comfortable and ready to try something new rather then ego trying to force your mind/body into believing you are ready?

I wouldn't say I have an ego persay when it comes to skiing, but I have noticed I try things before I have mastered whatever the preceding "step" is.
 
shut up, you never contribute anything good to threds you post in. having said that, if injuries are this common and extreme for you, id definitely invest in some protective gear. but also, you need to learn to walk before you can run. try not going as big as you possibly can, but work on smaller things and when you get better at that move forward to bigger stuff.
 
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