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Classification of a "good" Skier/Snowboarder

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Panchuk
Posts: 1610 - Karma: 355
I really dont understand. In my opinion, if you can 360 or grind, your good enouph, but thats probobly because i'm on  a freestyle skiing website. My Parents always say things like, "wow look at him go, hes a really good skier" and yet I still dont understand. He looks like hes carving down a hill just like any other. As for snowboarders, the classifcation is usually completely different. You ask a snowboarder if there decent, they'll usually say something like "yeah, im ok". Instict is to ask "what can you do?"

So really, the question is, how would you define a "good" skier or snowboarder:
Carving down a hill?
Being able to ski Pow well?
Or hitting shit in the Park?

Im not really trying to compare skiing and snowboarding, im just trying to figure out how to define "good" for each one.


Feb 2 2009 8:02AM
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marinejonny19
Posts: 221 - Karma: 11
being a good skiier or boarder for me isnt about just being able to do anyone of those things but a little of all of them. You have to be well rounded and be able to do everything, groomers, pow, park, urban. not everything at an insane level but everything at a good level. i know guys who can hit kickers but if you ask them to board down an actual hil they can get off the greens. you have to develop all your skills.
Feb 2 2009 8:33AM
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CMYK
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 336
The ability to do a backflip separates you from all the rest
Feb 2 2009 8:37AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Yep, this. You ain't shit unless you can backflip.
Feb 2 2009 8:42AM
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 1,576
If you can 360 or "grind", but look like an idiot in gs turns and on the rest of the mountain, then i don't consider you a good skier. maybe a decent park skier. I agree with needing the be well rounded. However, at the same time, there are a lot of people who choose not to ski in the park, and just because they don't want to, doesn't automatically make them not good at skiing. Your parents seem more spot on than you do. If I see someone ripping down a steep groomer with good technique, then see someone do a 3 and ski like an idiot to the bottom of the park, I consider the groomer ripper the better skier. But I've been skiing a long time and I'm sure there are people who disagree with me
Feb 2 2009 8:42AM
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windhamskibum
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 16
As previously  stated, you have to do it all. Sure this is a freestyle site, so il state the obvious you need to be able to hold your own in the park. But can you Rip groomers with some sweet carves, how about gates? should be able to ski them in a decent form. Steeps and pow (or at least what equates to that on the east coast) should be do able. and also just doing a free run, and skiing normal. are you in correct form? weight in the right place, hands doing the right thing? edge control, etc etc etc. 

anybody can be a one trick pony with enough practice. But it takes time, dedication, and skill to be able to be "good" within all aspects of our sport
Feb 2 2009 10:54AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
if you look like you shred while youre waiting in the liftline then thats all that really matters
Feb 2 2009 11:21AM
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Flo_Rida_2016
Posts: 2804 - Karma: -5
hahaha
Feb 2 2009 11:23AM
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ONTerriible
Posts: 1210 - Karma: 126

i think that i am a good skier, by no means am i good in the park, i can slide rails and do spins off of small jumps but i shred any where else on the hill, i think to be classified as a good skier you should be able to make it confidently down black runs without hesitation. the main thing that makes you a good skier is confidence in my opinion

Feb 2 2009 11:25AM
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windhamskibum
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 16
I also forgot bumps... you have to be a good all around skier to even begin to look like you know what you are doing in the bumps
Feb 2 2009 11:30AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i think to be a good skier you should be good at skiing. if a black diamond gives you any hesitation... you probably suck at skiing.
Feb 2 2009 11:37AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
I dont usually "judge" other skiers when I'm on the lift, but I tend to notice people making good complete turns with proper form. Probably because of the ski instructing.

In the park if someone has good style, doesnt really matter what theyre throwing.
Feb 2 2009 11:38AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
well you should be able to carve and ski anything with little thought, for example, 8===D sucks at skiing sense he cant even turn a 176 chronic
Feb 2 2009 11:41AM
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ONTerriible
Posts: 1210 - Karma: 126

haha its so true

Feb 2 2009 1:32PM
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bigwhite.steeze
Posts: 8227 - Karma: 1,030
as been said the ability to tackle all the types of terrain on the mountain will set you apart from being a good skier or boarder. If you can throw cab 7's in the park but you could barely make a proper turn in powder doesnt put you in the good skier classification. The ability to be able to throw down turns on a steep groomer, then go shred some glades in a foot of pow, then hit up the park and do some 5's and rails, and finally go ski a line with a drop or two and some technical aspects. If you could do all of the above, then your a good freestlye skier. If you can do all of the above with the exception of park, then your a good skier. But to be classified as a good skier, you should be able to rip most of the stuff at your mountain without great difficulty.
Feb 2 2009 1:42PM
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h_bar
Posts: 1611 - Karma: 506
   
Feb 2 2009 1:52PM
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spiegel
Posts: 945 - Karma: 7
Newschoolers usually have a tendency to like have a straight upright body when carving turns and other regular non-newschooler type skiiers have a lower bent over form while carving.  Would the newschooler form be considered terrible form or just good form for the type of skiing they do?
Feb 2 2009 2:16PM
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JABrecon
Posts: 142 - Karma: 10
this!
Feb 2 2009 2:26PM
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,724
true true
Feb 2 2009 2:29PM
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kowski
Posts: 63 - Karma: 10
god this is beginning to sound like epic ski with the comments about form and carving. Honestly carving down groomers is not difficult to do. You are not a great skier if you can lay down carves on blue groomed, even if your form is good. IMO a good skier in terms of all mt skiing is skier that can rip groomed, steeps, pow, and bumps. This is not ballet on sticks, form is just a term instructors and old men throw around to enrich their self esteem. if you are comfortable on your skis and don't hesitate on which "form" will best get you to the bottom then you are probably dec.  I was thinking about this the other day for park and I don't really know what defines a good park skier. i can't back flip though so I guess im no good.
Feb 2 2009 3:38PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
fail.
Feb 2 2009 3:40PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
good edge control and balance. this translates to: being able to slide rails and have control in the air while jumping (nice grabs to double corks, it's all control), skiing pow to groomers and make it look smooth and not falling.

if you don't hit rails and don't like icy park jumps and spend your time skiing the mountain you can still be a "good" skier. Hell, you can be full on pro and not slide rails or hit park jumps. This goes for snowboarding as well. Snowboarding isn't always what you can do tricks wise.... Well over half my snowboard friends don't touch the park, but they'll drop cliff lines that most of you jibbers would be scared of, and do it without hesitation.
Feb 2 2009 3:50PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
if you have to ask what makes a skier good you are probably not a good skier.
Feb 2 2009 3:52PM
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KFRADtheLaxBro
Posts: 632 - Karma: 10
style is all that matters in my book
Feb 2 2009 3:53PM
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wgjibber
Posts: 232 - Karma: 10

i think if you can go out ride the whole hill, be safe and have fun maybe throw in a few shenaniginized tricks, and not look/ act like a d-bag then your  a good skiier/rider.

producing rediculous sentences like that ^^^^ helps to,,, haha

Feb 2 2009 3:54PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
who gives a fuck if your "good" if your trying, and having fun, and not being a complete asshat, your good in my book
Feb 2 2009 7:01PM
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stormtrooper
Posts: 1191 - Karma: 461
full tilts
Feb 2 2009 7:03PM
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BigMeech621
Posts: 1257 - Karma: 16
jon olssen.
Feb 2 2009 7:07PM
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Atypical
Posts: 1339 - Karma: 45
its like a recipe

1 part being able to ski all conditions adequetely
1 part being able to determine good from bad (technique, style, flow)
1 part amount of fun

and for kicks
1 part shut the fuck up and stop making pointless threads
Feb 2 2009 7:08PM
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max...
Posts: 1379 - Karma: 802

word

i think being a good skier only means that you are down for hitting up any terrain at any time...it being a black diamond groomer, pow, steeps, woods, or just foolin around in the park and throwin whatever shit you may got (180 to cork 10s) down

Feb 2 2009 7:10PM
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OneLove_skier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 135
Well there are different classifications
Such as good park skier, good racer, good pow shredder.
I personally think a good skier can ski everything on the mountain well and Also perform well in the park
Feb 2 2009 7:13PM
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Edward.
Posts: 9366 - Karma: 445
im sick i fuckin kill it




for those of you who dont knw what im tlaking about

http://www.lineskis.com/stories/53
Feb 2 2009 7:20PM
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linesteeze
Posts: 1229 - Karma: 125
if this hasn't been added yet then i will. your a good skier if you buy full tilts.
Feb 2 2009 7:23PM
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theblacktaco
Posts: 1462 - Karma: 82
the abilty to huck gnar
Feb 2 2009 7:25PM
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XxECskierxX
Posts: 66 - Karma: 10
A good skier is able to apply all the skills of edging, rotary, balance, etc. For example, a good skier can shred through moguls with good form and speed applying the skill of rotary and switch into racing style by racing down a hill with a wide stance applying the skill of edging. They can also shred through powder with control and good form and hitting the park. I think a good skier is defined as what I have just said and seperates amazing skiers from good skiers because amazing are usually professional racers, mogul skiers, freestyle skiers etc.
Feb 2 2009 7:27PM
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anxju
Posts: 9371 - Karma: 61
hhahahaha shit you beat me to it
Feb 2 2009 7:29PM
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jsaya_SagStraps
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 29
alright, listen up. in order to be "good", this is all it is:
5xl or more tall tee
MASSIVE ego
look like youre spanced

THEN, roll through the park, but dont hit anything, the park's not "cool" enough for you.

jokes
Feb 2 2009 7:30PM
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XxECskierxX
Posts: 66 - Karma: 10
I think it depends on each person, some people are picky with skiers and judge early like if someone is really good on groomed surface and the person judging is a freestyle skier you'll probablly say they suck. So some people are blinded and don't know what a good skier is. A good tip is to not judge to quickly, but I respect what the thread is about.
Feb 2 2009 7:31PM
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easy_cam_steezy
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 126
in my mind, you need to be a well-rounded skier.
you have to be able to ski blacks without hesitation.
keepin your knees and feet together while you carve is huge as well. anyone can spread their legs out and push around to the bottom.
being able to stop on both edges.
should be able to huck some smaller stuff.

and it all comes down to the love of the sport!
Feb 2 2009 7:32PM
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thegreyarea
Posts: 3265 - Karma: 34
^ Well thought out answer. I'd add that a good skier can ski nearly any equipment in any conditions. It's the rider and their technique, not their gear, that makes them good.
Feb 2 2009 7:32PM
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Panchuk
Posts: 1610 - Karma: 355

its a discussion thread...
We are discussing stuff.

no need to hate...
ive seen way more pointles threads.

Feb 2 2009 7:32PM
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partyalex
Posts: 131 - Karma: 11
i'd like to think im a "good" skiier, i've been doing it since i was 5 and taught a bit when i was 18 or 19 but i can ski pow well and nothing on the hill gives me trouble, can't really hold my own in the park, small mute 3s are about all i can manage right now. But i don't think park should be part of a good skiier's well rounded skill set, im not saying this because im not shit hot at it, i just think it's a niche within skiing as a whole. If you can kill any groomer put infront of you and a bit in the deep then you're probably a "good" skiier.
Feb 2 2009 7:40PM
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Chronic_
Posts: 1730 - Karma: 1,602
i guess it depends on the skiier and what aspects of the mountain they ski. If you do freestyle then you should be able to hold your own all over the mountain, i mean not at a crazy level but you should be able to basically tackle park pow steeps etc at a basicl level. But if all you ski is pow then theres no need to be called a poor skiier because you arnt good in the park. Same with people who ski bumps and all other areas on the mountain. If you only ride one part of the hill then you cant really be judged on how you ride anywhere else.

but i do agree if you cant have decent form when on groomers then well....yah
Feb 2 2009 7:44PM
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BKlein
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 81
Basically everything is repeating everything evryone else is saying
good on all terrain
good in the park
confideny
yada yada
But there are also guys like Sage who kill it n big mountain and such but you never see him in the park and vice versa

Feb 2 2009 7:49PM
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Santa-Cruz
Posts: 2236 - Karma: 11
if you can ski good then your good
if your bad at park whos gives a shit
if you bad a big mt who gives a shit
Feb 2 2009 7:50PM
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spliff.Life
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 1,549
hahahahahaa

funny story, last week a kid who can barely ski down the hill learned them and bragged the whole week
Feb 2 2009 7:51PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,447
First things first good style is a no brainer but imo they have to be a well rounded skier/snowboarder
Feb 2 2009 7:56PM
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BKlein
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 81
I also would like to add that each discipline helps with the others and the best skiers are those who can ski it all guys like Abma
And a few weeks ago Dane Tudor won a back country comp but he also kills the park
Feb 2 2009 8:05PM
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BoatsandHoes
Posts: 190 - Karma: 14
I do black diamonds...I was born to go fast
Feb 2 2009 8:13PM
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ScuffDUFF
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 143
i do double blacks like a boss...... no big deal
Feb 2 2009 8:38PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
i like to go fast, and  jump really high
Feb 2 2009 8:39PM
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