The standard for slopestyle skiing has just been transformed.

special-J

special-J

Active member
I know it was the Olympics and everyone was going balls out, but after watching that event I think it's clear that this sport has reached an entirely new level. Think of where we were just a few years ago when a simple high-mute double cork would be the banger on the last jump. Also consider that within 5 years, 2 flips were added to the last hit.

On that note, I can't help but think that there's no way this progression can continue. Triples can only be learned in so many directions and grabbed in so many ways, and then what?

I have a feeling slopestyle will see some big changes in a few years. Whether it's a MUCH higher focus on style, more creative features, etc., something will have to give.

I guess this can be a "post your speculations on slopestyle for the distant future" thread.

(and my bad if I'm just deliriously tired and this is stupid)

 
Triples can only be grabbed in so many ways? Uhh dub 10 mute to cork 3 dub japan ( = triple grab?). And yes, the progress will continue, fun will no longer exist if you are a high level comp skier etc etc, this is just another sport after all. This is the golden age of freeskiing we're living in right now, so stop speculating about when and how will shit hit the fan and enjoy.
 
IMO it gets a bit boring, every run is literally maxing out the features... More creativity allowing features, more movie-like hits, more kicker options(you can choose to hit from side etc. like Orage masters?! More focus on style also
 
It will focus on style no doubt, but also technically will be torn apart. How long did he hold the grab? Did he get true tip? Did he land slightly backseat? Things like that
 
Olympic men's slopestyle just set a high bar, no doubt. The result of a perfect combination of skiers living up to the Olympic debut hype, and a course that had jumps which seemed to allow for tricks like triples to be thrown down with ease. I do wonder if we'll ever see a contest like this again, especially in the Olympics. Skiing seems to be moving towards a plateau very quickly, and it doesn't appear that the progress can sustain itself... but I probably thought that too after X-Games 2010 Big Air. If it does plateau within the next four years, it will either neuter itself with boring technicality like free style moguls did a while ago, or move in the style and diversity direction- a place I really hope it goes.
 
I think that this is what's going to happen:

Comp skiers are still going to ski comps, and have a wonderful time doing it.

Film skiers are still going to make films, and have a wonderful time doing it.

Every fucking twat on NS is going to continue trying to provide commentary on the state of the sport, and unfortunately, have a wonderful time doing it.

Skiers that never have been or are no longer relevant in the sport's current state will still bitch themselves blue in the face about competition, and completely miss the point of competing.

Intelligent, legendary skiers that have seen the sport's development since its inception (I'm looking a you Candide, Houle, Cusson, etc.) will never make bashful comments agains comp skiers or film skiers, style or future spins, rails or jumps, because they know that it's ALL GOOD.
 
action sports such as skating, surfing etc will always be fun to person competing as a high level. Everyone enjoys the sport they do otherwise they wouldn't do it
 
Further add - people said doubles would look hucked and have no style in comps when Jon started throwing kangaroo flips.
 
Enjoy Dollo while you can. He might be the last olympic contender ever who skis on the absolute highest level in both worlds in this free type of skiing.
 
In the professional world of free skiing there are two ways to stay there. You either place good at comps or you film. Looking at the riders in the olympic final, there is not more than one person filming on the same level as he competes. With mainstream media and people getting to know slopestyle through the olympics, these two ways will in the future probably part even more then now, and I think (hope not) Dollo could be the last one being one of best, if not the best, both ways.
 
Like clockwork, this thread shows up every year - "Skiing is dead", "the sport is over", "nowhere left to progress".
 
I hate this thread because I hate it when people bring up the fact that skiing could plateau soon, but people have been saying this for a while and it hasn't happened yet.
 
Fuck you, distinctions like that make trips and dubs cool. It's not just a trip 14. A cork 9 blunt is different than a cork 9 mute. When people change up grabs trick and switch up their cork and flip rotations it makes it interesting.
 
I completely agree. I feel triples are about as big as we need to go and the focus SHOULD change to perfect stylish runs. Not stylish in the baggy sort of way, but just flawless skiing. Quads just don't seem feasible.
 
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