Tips for park skiing

look the direction you're going/want to go ....
incredibly simple but works wonders, both on boxes as on jumps to get your rotation around ....on boxes/rails, look at the end of the box/railon jumps, get your head around as quick as possible to see your landing, keep looking at it and bring your body around ....
also, stand wide on rails/boxes, especially in the beginning + lean more forward, almost all beginners on boxes lean back too much and wash out ....
also, learn to pop off jumps, this gives you much greater balance in the air + you can score a bit more airtime :)

 
Don't be afraid. Start small and work your way up. Be respectful towards other skiers, you're all there to have fun, so just wait your turn, stay out of landings, ect.
 
i saw a guy having trouble with a down box last year at sugarbush. he got on the lift with me and asked for some help so i told him to keep a wider stance with feet shoulder width apart, put more weight on the front foot (he was leaning back and sliding out) and to look at the end of the box instead of at his feet. we got off the lift and i was waiting for the rest of my crew to get to the top so i watched him hit the box again. he had no trouble staying upright and landed pretty clean.

really makes you feel good, helping someone out.
 
Fuck what other people think. I know some kids who refuse to hit features while others are watching, because they think that if they eat shit, other kids with josh them.

Ski for yourself, not for the camera, not for other people, and not to get sponsored.

Number 1 rule: have fun
 
This. People won't make fun of you if you crash trying to land your first 180. Just go for whatever your trying and commit to it. If you don't feel good about it take a lap and go try then. People get hurt when they aren't sure of themselves because they will set whatever trick they are going for but then lose commitment mid air and stop upside down or sideways. So COMMIT!
 
wear really baggy clothes.

seriously though, baggy clothes tend to hide little body movements that would otherwise cramp your styyyyle
 
just really figured this out this year. just tighten your abs when you are spinning and it makes it so much better.
 
If I'm going to try a totally new trick(lets say switch 9 for our purpose) on a jump I'm not used to, I usually straight air the jump 1-15 times then warm up all my spins forward and switch, 1,3,5, and 7, then all of those switch before I even attempt the switch 9 because you always have to be able to have a way out if you fuck up. THEN finally it's time to attempt the trick, I usually like a 25-30ft jump for a new spin and just make sure you commit because if you don't there is no way you will land the trick. Once you get it, make sure you do it at least 5-10 more times to get it on lock. Or at least that's what I do.
 
Hiking rails you are trying to get for the first time is much easier than lapping the park, if you hike a feature for 2-3 hours you will most likely get the trick.
 
definitely help other people out. teaching can help cement your understanding of tricks just like school-type knowledge.

something im learning to do is switch it up a bit. whenever im getting frustrated and starting to lose my stoke i try to change something up like going no-poles for a day. or going in another direction. like if i get frustrated trying to land cork 3s time and time again i sometimes have to stop and try learning butters instead or try handplants or nollies. also don't be one-dimensional as a skier. don't limit yourself. try to become as good as you can as everything. park, pow, pipe, the big mountains and even carving around and switch. i always try to get better everywhere i can.

hope that helps
 
When i first saw this thread i was thinking "oh shit, a few of the NS assholes are going to try to turn this guy off of skiing." but i've been pleasantly surprised.

Like the OP said... look where you are wanting to end up. your body goes where your head goes (had to re-learn this one a couple weeks back)
also, other guys have said, hike features like rails.
I would have never gotten rails (or any rail tricks) down if it wasnt for hiking them over and over again. hit the thing, take off your skis and hike back up... repeat as many times as needed it will be worth it.
 
+k for you good sir!
and i can add 2 things.
- listen to music when riding. helps you not concentrate on what your going to try and helps you relax
- when you learn a new trick, keep doing it! like all day until you stomp it wothout even trying! for example, when i was learning 7's, i got them a few times, and just kept doing them, even though i was landing them. i dont think you have a trick until you stomp it. when you dont even have to try or never get scared. you can just roll up and throw it, then roll out like a stud. that is when shit gets fun! repetition.
 
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