A problem with gapers.

What, you're telling me that you slid a box sideways first try without ever going over it first? Everyone went straight on a 2 foot wide flat box for their first time, and then learned from there. At least they're on their way to hitting it sideways. I personally can't stand the people that just go one though without hitting anything.

everyone starts out as a gaper

I started out going straight on the box, and just worked my way up from there.  Just like people started with straight air on jumps and worked their way up.  I will admit that I get a bit mad when I see people hitting it straight, but only when they're racers. 

that drives me crazy

there is something worse then a gaper, its a park rat with a punk ass attitude who think he or she is better then everyone else. yes you may be able to ski, but you are ruining it for everyone else. You snake people in line, you are annoying... Other skiers look at you and say wow every freeskier must be like them. Your giving freeskiing a bad name.

That being said, everyone is out here having fun, if a gaper is in the park, talk to them explain the rules. If it is a little kid, go up to their parents and be nice, don't be a dick. Explained the rules, explained what how it is not good for their child to sit on a jump. If you a dick then people are not going to respect the sport.

Amen to that!

Word.

I wrote this in another thread, but it seems to apply here too.... 

lets compare...

spend $20197568 on new setups/outfits VS. grab your carhartts and texas longhorns coat.

head over to the park and check your outfit for max style VS. stumble upon the park and exclaim "holy shit, check this out!!"

chill at the top of the park and hate on styles / gapers VS. stand at the top of the park and gather the courage to ski way outside their ability and hit the jumps.

silently make sure everyone is watching, hit the kicker, come up a bit short on the rotation (because your concern was style, not spin to win) and slam VS. yell "HEY YA'LL WATCH THIS!", hit the kicker in a "pizza wedge" style approach, land about 2/3 of the way across the deck and slam.

clean yourself up, endure unbearable shame at the fact that you crashed and never speak of it again VS. clean yourself up, high five your buddies, and re-live that badass moment for the rest of spring break.

close out the day by making sure your pants fall just right over your boots for the walk to the parking lot VS.  taking shots out of a shot ski (altitude and cost be damned), while wearing rear-entry boots completely opened up and loudly recounting the day's extreme experiences.

Fun is first, everything else is showing off.  Gapers kill on the first, and often rule both.  It's important for you and me to make sure we can get the first part, before worrying about the second.

PS. - if gapers are being "unsafe" (i.e. sitting on landings, cutting people off...) kindly confront them and explain what they should (and should not) do.  point them to the mini park if applicable.  every time i've done this it's been met really well and they were happy to understand.  a swearing tirade won't achieve the same result.  try it.

advantage of having a lift just for the park and park that has no ride ons or nething easy is that there are basically no gapes in it.
Theres a difference between gapers that dont do nethign and go off the side of the lips and stuff and people that arent good and are learning. i dont mind the ones learning at all.