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December, 2024

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Am I too old?

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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

I am 25 have been skiing since I was 8.  Good skier and ski all the time (well on weekends and vacations).  I do pretty much everything, except freestyle/park.  I would like to add that element into my game.  I have wanted to for a couple years, but never really dedicated too much time to it.  I ride Line Chronic Blends and attempt a few things, switch, grabs...now i'm not necessarily looking to be a park-hound.  But I do want to do add elements when i pop off rollers or drops, or jib some natural terrain and if I do happen to head into the park, I want to do something exciting.  Wanna learn spins and rails essentially.

Questions:

Am I too old to start this shit?

Am I too big (6'0", 220 lbs)?

If no on both, where should I practice, park or in my element?

Thanks...n00b

Jan 21 2009 12:23PM
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SteezethePirate
Posts: 506 - Karma: 34
you're never too old to do what you love.
Jan 21 2009 12:24PM
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ginty
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 163
just go for it dude!
good luck
Jan 21 2009 12:25PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9095 - Karma: 3,073

dude you're 25. not old.

45 is old hah

Jan 21 2009 12:26PM
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Lickmy9
Posts: 366 - Karma: 26
You may be a little on the heavy side, but if you are willing to dedicate some time to learning a few simple tricks you could do it. You have enough skiing experience that it shouldn't be to difficult to grasp the concept, but you will crash over and over trying to learn park tricks. Go out and have fun. Start with hitting jumps straight air until you are comfortable in the air before even attempting spinning and what not.
Jan 21 2009 12:27PM
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anxju
Posts: 9371 - Karma: 61
no ones ever too old

my friend is 6'3 240 and he still does park. go for it!
Jan 21 2009 12:30PM
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Powdered_Donuts
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 187
hell no man. i was 25 when i started getting into park and stuff im about to be 27 soon.  You just gotta be a little more cautious than some of these little 12 year olds. Just start small and work your way up, make sure you have your shit down pat before you step your game up dont go out and try to 270 on a handrail for your first try if you get my drift.  If you have been skiing as long as you say you should be alright, just find someone to ride with and observe them, good luck
Jan 21 2009 12:31PM
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popNfresh44
Posts: 3757 - Karma: 44
no and no. learn spins and jibs and shit in the park, you might like it. and then once you have them down you can introduce them to the big mountain.
Jan 21 2009 12:36PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
not to old at all i tought my dad who is 49 to slide boxes and ski switch
Jan 21 2009 12:42PM
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agent420
Posts: 154 - Karma: 10
really depends on your body and what kind of punishment it can take.

My knees are too fuct to be spinning and especially to be knuckling big time jumps.

Just work your way up to things ... but realize your body has limitations ... moreso when you get older.
Jan 21 2009 12:42PM
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Powdered_Donuts
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 187
haha thats awesome man, my dad plays golf, thats about it lol
Jan 21 2009 12:42PM
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Albino
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 123

dude, im 27 and im getting better every year. im just starting to grab bigger spins with style, hitting bigger rails every year, shit i went in a couple of rail jams last year against a bunch of fucking 14 year olds.

ur never too old bro. as for too big, well im 5'8 160, which helps, but ur size isnt gunna slow u down any more than it would have when u were 16.

Jan 21 2009 12:43PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10
yea i can take a beating for sure, i'm not worried about that...just have a long way down.
Jan 21 2009 12:54PM
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Tross
Posts: 951 - Karma: 117

Well consider Candide was older than you when he won the slopestyle X, I'd say you're still good. Also take a look at the average age of the top pros right now.

I just turned 29 in December and nothing is stopping me. I learned my first 7s and 9s at 27 (and did them again at 28). I just learned how to 270 off a couple months ago. It's all in your head.

Granted we likely have more responsibility at our age, so that makes more cautious. Consider going to a camp. They have adult classes. Guys like Douglas, Turpin and Auclair will change your attitude.

Two years, I was telling JP something along the same lines of what you're saying. His answer was, "dude, I'm 30."

On the snowboard side - look at guys like Jeremy Jones. Never stop shredding man.

Jan 21 2009 12:54PM
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Upgrayedd
Posts: 620 - Karma: 25
Yes - you are far too old.  Give up right now and go get a pair of snowshoes and a Snuggy.  :P

Click for larger image

Anyhoo....I am senior to you by several years.  I started riding park three years ago after more than 20 years on skis.  Here is what I have learned:

1) I am not nearly as elastic as I was when I was a teenager.  I have sessioned with many of the Oregon kids and watch in amazement as they stack themselves and pop right up with no ill effect or injury.  On the other hand, I had a rather innocuous fall from a flat down box that has resulted in a shoulder injury that will probably require surgury.  The upshot - take your progression slowly.

2) Pad up for jibbing - Though the kids make fun of me, I wear hard plastic knee and shin guards (661 mountain biking gear), Crash Pads shorts and jacket, helmet and mouthguard.  I am too old to injury myself and miss work (plus I get more time on the hill if I am not recovering from injury).  Last week I caught my tips trying to ollie onto a box and slammed my knee with alarming force.  I bruised through the kneepad - without it, I would have shattered my kneecap.

3) White suburban teenagers are funny - NS kids think they look like gangsters and thugs and intimidate gapers.  I think we look like gummy bears more than gangsters.

4) There is no substitute for the progression gained by hiking features repeatedly - I am up on Mt Hood everyday and have can essentially ride any park I wish.  More often than not, I end up at Skibowl in the evenings hiking in the lower bowl progression park because I can get to it quickly from the parking lot.  It is a lot easier to learn a new trick if you can try it once every minute hiking rather than once every 15 minutes from a lift ride.

Oh yeah - you will probably land on your head the first 10 times you try to ride a box.  With people that are advanced skiers, every time in your life you have gotten into a sketchy position, you leaned back (into the hill) and it nearly always helped the situation.  If you lean back on a box (and you will), you will end up on your hip and it will bruise horribly - it has litterally happened to each and every one of us on this site at some time or another.  Think about sliding on a linoleum floor in your socks (better yet - slide on the linoleum floor first to get the feel you are looking for).

5) It is very important to know a few cultural things - particularly the appropriate response if someone askes you if you know how to get to Chad's Gap.

Go out and giver!
Jan 21 2009 12:57PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

Thanks everyone.  you have all instilled enough confidence to get out there and get some bruises and try it.  I will go out and give it a go on Friday (prob at Stratton VT).  then if i am feeling it, on Saturday then Sunday.  Hopefully after this weekend i will have enough to do something while out in Utah in a couple weeks, nothing spectacular, just new.

Also, someone mentiond camps.  I looked into these.  only problem is, they are rather pricey and usually require a flight which adds to the cost.  I was looking at Momentum's site and wished that I didn't have certain things i need to save for...cause i would have booked then and there.

Jan 21 2009 1:09PM
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cousinmark
Posts: 939 - Karma: 29
no way, not to old,(i am 23) do a good stretch session before going out, the guy above is rite about not being as "elastic",,,trampolines, jump on em a lot, hitting jumps to me is all about being 100 comfortable in the air, so jumping on a tramp gets you kind of used to being high up....but now way man deffinatly not to old.
Jan 21 2009 1:10PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10
i am definately comfortable being high up....i striaght jumps/drops/"cliffs" all the time, and grab too.  so i at least have that going for me.  i was hitting some of the kickers left from the US Open last year at Mt. Snow, just not nailing them...i know i am comfortable with the approach and being up there...just a matter of putting it together and having the stones.
Jan 21 2009 1:17PM
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Drail
Posts: 14013 - Karma: 10,005
stretching will set you free. I don't know if you stretch regularly or not, but being 25 you'll want to loosen yourself up as much as possible before trying any tricks. Unlike initiating a turn or dropping a cliff, hitting rails and park jumps and trying to do tricks takes a lot (LOT) more body involvement. If you're lose and energetic, you'll have a stronger will to try something...



Jan 21 2009 1:23PM
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Squid.
Posts: 1904 - Karma: 23
well you gotta worry more about insurance, and what you'll do for a job if you're injured. but no you're not too old or too big. Just make sure you don't get soft skis, or you'll be riding noodles :D
Jan 21 2009 1:27PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

luckily, i got a corporate job.  health insurance and short-term disability...i can get paid if i get hurt.  and it won't affect my ability to work, well unless i shatter my hands and can't use a mouse and keyboard.

i would just miss being active is all...might hurt my other hobby, playing pool...but skiing >>>>>>>>> pool

Jan 21 2009 1:37PM
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B-VUR
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 167
Haha too old at 25. That's a joke. It's skiing dude. Well, I'm 15, but 25 is definently not too old. Like maybe if you started at like 45 you'd be too old, but you are in pime condish son.
Jan 21 2009 1:45PM
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BrightonFridays
Posts: 952 - Karma: 2,314
dude not even
my friends dad has to be 45 and still slays
he comes into the park on his race skis and straights airs the first jump and then out of the blue throws a back off the second
Jan 21 2009 2:45PM
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Squid.
Posts: 1904 - Karma: 23
you ski stratton? that's sick, I'm up there every sunday
Jan 21 2009 2:50PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
never man, weight and height are ok, my friend measures out to about the same few inchs taller, depends if thats big mac weight or golds gym weight, (no hate man)
just try it learn on a pvc rail tahts what i did so easy minimal risk, but if  will kill your knees and stuff eventually, alotta shin bang and toes, but if you havent pick up teleskiing looks sweet, dont have any where around me to rent them or borrow them cause my hill is smalls as hell 240 vertical, thats what i get oh well
Jan 21 2009 2:57PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

more like planet fitness weight.  i am naturally built and keep it tame.  i am not jacked or anything like that, but in shape.

are you saiying go to home depot and make a backyard setup? i am sure i could fit it 

Jan 21 2009 3:13PM
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ben_southworth
Posts: 1063 - Karma: 447
ahahahahaha yes!!!!!!
Jan 21 2009 3:13PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

this'll actually be my first time there ever.  i have a friend an hour away, staying there.  Stratton Friday, Mt. Snow Sunday, Saturday is a wildcard.  depends on who has the best.

how is the natural terrain at Stratton?

Jan 21 2009 3:16PM
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FreeBallin
Posts: 1845 - Karma: 17
I am almost 24 now.  Just use simple precautions.  I started using thin crash shorts and a knee brace this year.  Really helps...no more shitty hip pointers/bruises/sore ass knees.  To progress quickly though your going to want to spend most of your days in the park.  Spinning  through every so often wont help much.  Repeating tricks over and over are key to learning to get them dialed
Jan 21 2009 3:21PM
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Snowgoner
Posts: 5047 - Karma: 965
Yeah man i would never even think of hating on someone who was doing what they love and hitting up rails and jumps.

GO FOR IT
Jan 21 2009 3:27PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
yea, personally go wider on the rail that you are gonna build make it alot easier to start with make sure you have speed and have a friend or somebody that skis help you set it up ill post a pic of mine cost $25 to make and helped me and a friend get the balls to do real rails, doesnt hurt either,

where do you life, hell id give you mine if you fix it cause i broke the post off cause of a defaulty drilling done by me, only took 2 hours to build too

Click for larger image
Jan 21 2009 3:40PM
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BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
Psh all Craig does is hold a camera :] haha kidding Craig!

But no one are you too old. 80 years is too old just don't huck yourself all over the place. Start small on boxes and than move up to rails. Just go slow and progress slowly and you will get mass respect for being older. I know I respect 27 year old plus guys who throw down.
Jan 21 2009 3:45PM
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james44
Posts: 3323 - Karma: 578
yea your too big. they dont let people over 6 feet into the park, sorry.
Jan 21 2009 3:49PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
ouch, id take that personal but i dont care and found it amuseing +K
Jan 21 2009 3:51PM
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Bdogg
Posts: 139 - Karma: 30
dude 25 is old at all, just go into the park (beginer-intermediate) and just start trying stuff and have fun while doing it.
good luck
Jan 21 2009 3:56PM
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jeffEllis
Posts: 40 - Karma: 10

thanks steezyohio.  i live just north of boston. 

actually my side yard (that the LL said we can do whatever we want with it) is def big enough and has a stone wall about 2 feet high that will act as a great place to start it, just build the snow up to the wall...and lord knows we got plenty of snow to do that.  i will prob do this tonight, if i dont go to the gym

Jan 21 2009 3:58PM
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Powdered_Donuts
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 187
haha dont make me jib your face, ill do it ask jamie
Jan 21 2009 4:04PM
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Jernt
Posts: 838 - Karma: 96
That is hilarious and true.

But yeah go to it. make sure you go with basics before you just throw yourself.
Jan 21 2009 4:05PM
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Mex_LineJib^a
Posts: 3928 - Karma: 65

lol... "we look like gummy bears more than gangsters"... golden!

the other stuff said in that post is true, specially the leaning back and fucking up your hips on boxes stuff... ouch.

Jan 21 2009 4:17PM
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DirtyMick
Posts: 1496 - Karma: 21
Man this thread makes me feel better.

I'm 27, 6'4" and around 190.  I CONSTANTLY feel like the kids are all laughing and giggling at me if I'm anywhere near a park.  I still can't slide rails or boxes cause I'm scared shitless about busting my ass, but I'll throw down off a 50' if i ever get the chance.  I constantly feel like i should be better at skiing and get so jealous that they can throwdown  with style and bounce right off the ground.

Oh well. I'll keep pushing it anyway.
Jan 21 2009 4:27PM
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ShredtillURdead
Posts: 2024 - Karma: 93

there was an old guy up at hood for like a week last summer, me and a buddy were standing about an s box and turned around just in time to see this soccer dad grease a blind switch up on a dfd.  he had a helmet, goggles up, sunglasses, no hood, and tight spyder pants.  pretty much your perfect picture of an old gaper.  but later in the week we saw him rack super hard trying to lip 270 onto a down rail.  the dude was at least 45 and was dropping tricks that most kids werent even thinking of, and im sure he doesnt normally ski park. 

also, there is an NS legend out there me and my friends refer to as "Facebar Man."  Im pretty sure his real name is Berrion, Hes gotta be like 35 I think, but hes at Keystone now and was up on Hood over the summer, Hes a bigger guy, prolly 6'4ish, but he slays.   Ive seen him switch 7 octo both directions in the same line, pretty impressive for anyone, let alone an older guy. 

let these men be an inspiration.  and stretch a ton.  im 25, i stretch like 5 times a day.  its very necessary.

Jan 21 2009 4:52PM
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JacheOReally
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 253
Im that size and I slay the park, well, not really, only thing size limits you to is spin speed but everyone can fix that, just go off a bigger jump
Jan 21 2009 5:06PM
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Eastcoastskier09
Posts: 197 - Karma: 8
no
just lose some wait
no offense
Jan 21 2009 5:07PM
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wheres_my_snow
Posts: 473 - Karma: 11
never too old
Jan 21 2009 5:10PM
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gregor
Posts: 1069 - Karma: 83
Dude I am your age, height and weight.
You can always learn new stuff.  Three key tips.
1.  Get and stay fit.
2.  Never pussy out.
3.  Practice.
Good luck buddy!
Jan 21 2009 5:13PM
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Steezius_Maximus
Posts: 1152 - Karma: 22
no way my dad who is 42 goes in the park rarely and i taught him how to do a box and he impressed me hitting the big jump doing a triple daffy and many other 80s tricks
Jan 21 2009 5:49PM
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Squid.
Posts: 1904 - Karma: 23
natural terrain? who DOES that?

joking, i'd say its pretty average for a decent sized east coast mountain. you're gonna want to get up there early, its generally a little icy by lunch time.

Its got a good park, it doesnt hold a match to Mount Snow... 30 features in total compared to like 150... but it still has everything you need and more

Get your SES pass online though, otherwise they won't let you in the parks


Jan 21 2009 5:59PM
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i8van
Posts: 2953 - Karma: 230
hit up a trampoline place...
Jan 21 2009 6:02PM
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A.0.spin
Posts: 472 - Karma: 186
Sweet thread!

I am 23 and i feel old because my knee is fucked at the moment... I used to go to school in BoCo but moved back to VA cause i got a job here.. Anyways up there i got on average 60 days a year and now i will be lucky to get 20 driving 2.5 h across the state to massanutten every weekend.

I still do it though and hold it down better than most of the boarders in that park. Its a great feeling though knowing you have a real job and life yet you can get up on the mountain and look steezy as fuck with center mounted 179 disorderlys. I plan on riding park till im at least 35 if not longer.

To progress though you really gotta start small and advance slowly when you start out in the park after 20. Diving boards especially the 5meter is key in getting comfortable in the air. Also you want practice being able to ride switch smoothly all over the mountain on any terrain to get you more comfortable with the feeling of being in different positions while on ski's. allways keep your weight centered over your feet and try and lower your cg. Bringing your arms in will help to keep any moment about your CG low so you wont fall over so easily.

props to you for getting into it and to newschoolers for classy responses
Jan 21 2009 6:42PM
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highflyer21
Posts: 555 - Karma: 39
def not too big, im 6'5 and i do alright.
Jan 21 2009 7:03PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
You can never be too old. Go for it!
Jan 21 2009 7:59PM
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