Idk how to feel about this....

tac0.slayer

tac0.slayer

Member
Yo Ns,

Ok, so Im only 16, and have skied a bit in the past, but have only gotten serious about it in like the last two years (like this is the second year I've bought a season pass). At this point, I would say I'm a pretty good skier, at least in terms of all-mountain, like I can do pretty much most runs on my mountain pretty comfortably.

But see heres the thing, I would really like to get into park, and get better at slashing the deep stuff, but the problem is, I can't afford to buy better skis, or basically any ski gear atm. All my ski stuff (boots, skis, poles) are all second hand, and were bought for cheap. The boots fit horribly. (unbuckle them each run)

The skis I have are these older (2009) K2 Apache 78 cm waisted, stiff full camber, integrated marker binding type of thing. Now these things can really lay trenches on the groomers, and aren't too shabby in the choppy stuff. But I really want to get into park, but the only problem is that these skis are ridiculously heavy, not even close to bi-symetrical, and have a ridiculous amount of uneven swing weight. Like its not even funny how heavy these things are. Pic for reference-

746261.jpeg

Now my real question is- Is my gear actually holding me back? Or am I just being a whiny pussy?Because whenever I go into the park, all I can do is straight air the jumps, and I feel like there is no way I could ever actually throw a 3 or even a 180. (actually I've kinda 180 off side hits before. Kinda.) Rails also seem pretty much out of the question, due to not even being able to spin at all. Or pop.

TLDR - Skis crappy directional skis; aspires to by Tammy Walnuts; is OP just being a whiny little bitch?

Mahalo
 
Keep skiing all mountain until you're fully comfortable doing every run, with ease. Maybe work on skiing switch a little once you get a pair of twin-tips. Although park looks sick, you should focus on your style overall; posture, feet position, arm position, etc. Seeing kids wearing Tall-Ts, Twin Tips, whatever and cant even correctly carve down a mountain without having trouble annoys me. I skied eight years before even learning how to slide a box sideways, and even than i didn't care that much.

I'm not saying don't do park at all, you can work on sliding rails, doing jumps but don't make that your priority. It's way more fun to be able to control the whole mountain under your feet than just a rail.
 
Before you go focus on the park, perfect your balance in all conditions for it will help you immensely. You want to be able to handle all conditions anywhere, any day, at any time.
 
I learned spins up to 7s, switch hits and rails all on a traditional ski with almost no twintip. They were for sure mounted pretty far back too. Its easily doable, just gotta sac up. That said, a center mounted ski will work a lot better. Rip those then when you get new sticks youll be that much better
 
My friend I ski with has very similar skis and can do rails and 3's. You should get some new boots that fit, they are the most important piece of equipment. But if you can't pop at all invest in some new twin tips.
 
Don't quote me on this, but I bet you could get line after bangs (older ones) for like 200 or less. As for boots, go to a ski swap and buy whatever fits.
 
13283139:jlens05 said:
Don't quote me on this, but I bet you could get line after bangs (older ones) for like 200 or less. As for boots, go to a ski swap and buy whatever fits.
Click to expand...

I'll quote who I want
 
13282977:skisocks said:
Sell those garbage skis and snag some skis from sell and trade
Click to expand...

While your skis are probably fine, the latter part of this post is actually useful. You can find some pretty decent deals on S&T.

FYI I learned my first 3 on a 165cm slalom ski. Anything is possible.
 
get skis on sell and trade and its not impossible to progress on those APaches, I backflipped on some slalom skis and while it was very sketchy, it was possible
 
I see your dilemma, and you are not alone. I have helped a few friends learn how to ski around your age.

Your gear is holding you back in the park but for all mountain you seem to be OK. As many posts before me have said, you should get better at all mountain first then progress into the park. I would recommend asking some good skiers at your hill to show you some technique. Then try to use those techniques.

Pro tip: your arms and hands forward at all times. It helps with balance, steeze, and confidence. So many people ski around with their arms at their sides and way out. They look like someone ripped the webbing out between the fingers of a bat. Therefore they look really bad.

Check out the sell and trade for good deals, but go to a shop and ask what size ski you need before buying anything. Nothing socks more than a ski that is too long or too short.
 
I'm not trying to respond in a malicious way, but get a job man. It works wonders. Just think that if you get a job, you'll be making over $10,000 dollars a year which is more than enough to buy new gear 5 times over.
 
13283139:jlens05 said:
Don't quote me on this, but I bet you could get line after bangs (older ones) for like 200 or less. As for boots, go to a ski swap and buy whatever fits.
Click to expand...

You can buy anything for under $200. Why would you recommend a bangs?
 
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