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Unicorns, Leprechauns, Griffins, and the Calgary Ski Community

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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

Fucking Calgary ski community: how does it work?

So I've lived here for about a year. I've been skiing... not as much as I'd like, but some, and more next season. What I haven't figured out is this:

where the hell are all of you?

I moved from Vantown, where there was a pretty solid ski community. As in 30 or so people who actually knew each other pretty well. There are 3 local hills there near the city (like under an hour from downtown to lodge) and X people skied at Grouse, Y people skied at Seymour but you all knew everyone and would see them at premieres or rail jams or whatever, or hit Whistler when it dumped. If someone wanted to hike up a hill and build a jump, or hang out somewhere with beers and ski movies, or fill a car to Whis, it wasn't a massive undertaking to find a bunch of people who were down. So that's the context I'm coming from and maybe I'm just being nostalgic.

Moving here, though, it's very strange. Because it seems like EVERYONE here skis. Whereas Vancouver had lots of snowboarders (duh, asians) it seems like they're a noticeable minority here. Where in Van a large proportion of skiers are gapers on Atomic carving skis, it seems like everyone in Calgary is a powhound. Plus, it's a smaller and generally more friendly city. It has solid access to tons of ski areas. So I would think the ski community would be much more vibrant and tight knit here.

Unfortunately, and maybe I've just missed it, but it seems to me like Calgary HAS no freeskiing community. Because of Freshtival there isn't really a premiere tour, just one big three day thing, and even that isn't like IF3 where there's a mini-convention attached to the theatre. I see almost zero talk of this or that event on here. Is there some stonecutter-like society that holds secret meetings somewhere in Mission? Are yall chillin in Banff or something? Is it just a thing where everyone has their circle of a couple of friends who ski together, and that's it? Someone explain this shit to me. Because it seems like a huge waste of potential.

Jul 17 2011 5:07PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Rats at COP
RMF at Louise
everybody else at Sunshine
Jul 17 2011 6:42PM
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skibunnie
Posts: 1756 - Karma: 14
kicking horse. but it's a different scene than in vancouver for sure.
Jul 17 2011 11:06PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
So should I take it from the fact that people are just naming various resorts that no one actually gives a fuck in the city itself? Because I wasn't trying to ask "where do you guys ski most".
Jul 17 2011 11:51PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Maybe it is because a lot of the people you see skiing arent from Calgary. I personally live in Airdrie and don't know anybody in Calgary really. Lots of people i know are from Red Deer, Canmore, Banff Olds etc
Jul 18 2011 12:31AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Yeah fair, I just feel like there are about a million people here and apparently most of them ski, this shouldn't be all that difficult. I mean there are plenty of you guys who show up for Freshtival, and you're not all from Airdrie and Canmore and you don't all just disappear after that weekend.
Jul 18 2011 12:52AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
I'm here.
Come visit me in the NW!!

I met a fella yesterday who is just down from my street too. Noticed his Subaru with some stickers on it, maybe I should do the same thing to my Suby and I'll get noticed more.
Jul 20 2011 1:50AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Got a big yellow ns sticker on my suby.
NS gathering 18+
Jul 20 2011 2:13AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
The Calgary/Eastern Rockies ski scene is pretty fragmented. Like others have said, people ride with their crew and that's about it. I lived in Banff for a few years, and it took a long time and a lot of skiing to meet people outside of my typical crew of Banff locals.

JD, what you're describing isn't necessarily unique to Calgary, it's everywhere now. I'm living in Toronto now, and out of everywhere I've lived, it is the hardest place to meet new skiers. It's not like the past where you'd see someone else on twins and immediately buddy up.

Jul 20 2011 6:01AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

Yeah but it's fuckin' Toronto. I mean, for one thing, it's not like skiing is the first thing on anyone's mind there. "Yeah man can't wait for Blue to open", I think not. Here everyone's into it; last week I was at a german beer hall downtown in July with a bunch of suits and a conversation randomly started up about catskiing operations. Half a dozen guys in my office have been shooting ski movie trailers around on our internal email. Everyone here skis. Also, this is generally a much more friendly, interactive sort of city than Toronto or Van ever were in the sense that people actually, yknow, talk to strangers once in a while.

I know, it's never going to be 2002 again where you'd see a guy on a pair of Line Skogens and immediately have someone to shred with. But there are MORE people in this now. I don't get why that makes it harder to establish a community. If there are a whole bunch of individual crews, great, why don't they all know each other? I guess I just didn't realize we had it so good in Van.

Jul 20 2011 11:18AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

I'm down. I live in Kensington exactly one block from Fresh. We should get some people together to drink beer and watch a couple of ski movies once they start appearing.

PS - I have Dan on facebook but anyone else can add me, even though I don't use it much I check it a bit. John May, UBC.

Jul 20 2011 12:18PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I guess you guys could say I'm a cop park rat, I spend most of time time skiing at cop during the week and sunshine during the weekend. Most people here kind of just ski with their friends or if they are on a team (lots of the kids at cop are including me) they ski with their team. I've tried talking to other people I don't really know but they tend to be uninterested in skiing with others so I end up skiing with a small group of friends or my ski team. If anyone ever wants to go shred with me for a day just let me know, I'm always open to skiing with new people.
Jul 21 2011 12:12AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
I smell an afternoon on a patio somewhere.
I'm just off of 19th st NW, and I live with 2 other skiers, who both have NS.


As for crew things, it sucks that some can be so closed up all the time.

I have a crew that's always up at COP, but I love it when we mix it up and have other people in there. It's a crew, not a cult. Just friends who are skiing.
Jul 21 2011 2:01AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Friday night klub omfg
the best gatherings are when you can't hear the other person talking
Jul 21 2011 2:13AM
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Kev-Hal
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 91
I'm getting old...
You don't wanna know me!
Jul 21 2011 11:38PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
Definitely agree with you. It was so hard to meet anyone that was open enough to have someone new to ski with, especially being a girl. I find a lot of people especially at cop, are either on teams and just chill with them, or are just complete dicks, or are under 15.
Jul 22 2011 4:15PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
I feel like it's a case of everybody skiing so nobody really needs to try and form a ski community. Instead they just stick with skiing with the same kids of family friends they skied with on family trips in 4th grade. Since I've been out here I don't think anybody I've skied with has actually been from Calgary originally (Red Deer/Golden/Invermere/Vancouver), and most have only ended up here in the last year or two. I have multiple friends from Calgary who seem to be really into skiing, happily watch ski movies with me and excitedly agree whenever I mention that we should go skiing together but actual trips to the mountain never materialize.

And I'm one of Rudager's roommates and support the sunny patio suggestion. Or if you are merely in need of a dose of ski porn feel free to come by our place to watch some films, drink some beer and admire our awesome living room decor.
Jul 26 2011 1:52AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
can we. please
Jul 26 2011 2:09AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
For sure. I for one volunteer to "premiere" a couple flicks at my place as well this year, after some drinks on the Julio's patio next door. I can manage to fit a few people in my living room.
Jul 26 2011 1:23PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
bulldogs.
Jul 26 2011 1:25PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
massive amounts everywhere with everyone drunk
Jul 27 2011 12:10AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
i'm scared of dogs
Jul 27 2011 2:15AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
get a chihuahua. they're like rats
Jul 27 2011 2:18AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Yeah exactly. Once we get back on that 28 degree tip. Current weather is not amenable to bulldog consumption.
Jul 27 2011 3:33PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
2011 feel good thread of the Calgary/Banff Regionals
Jul 27 2011 3:38PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

I timed it right, given how Steve just made that long post in mod discussion about how NS is best used when you end up meeting good people as a result of being on here.

When are you in town anyway? I'm going to be in Tdot in September, but just for a weekend on the way to a firm retreat.

Jul 27 2011 3:41PM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
oh my god yes.Too much rain. And the highest this week is sat/sun 25 degrees,
Jul 27 2011 4:13PM
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freshie
Posts: 61 - Karma: 15

Hey Guys,

Some of the stuff I read from this thread made a few ideas pop in my head. I wouldn't mind hearing exactly what you guys think is lacking from the Calgary scene.  One thing I notice is that the line between skiers and snowboarders isn't as defined.as other cities and that skiers don't necessarily stick to hitting the hills just with skiers.

Are you looking for skiers to hang out with in town socially? to go skiing with? to film with? more comps?

A few years ago we used to host a night at a local pub with drink specials and ski flicks on the TV's.  Something like that?

I am also open to Freshtival suggestions.  You guys prefer multiple weekends over one bigger event?  You want an opportunity to see new products? Even though they are already in the shop?

Feel free to post here or email me at fresh@freshsports.ca

Getting pumped about the upcoming season -Steve

Jul 27 2011 10:45PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Retallack the movie comes out on August 1st...anyone have a projector?
Jul 28 2011 12:19AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Hey Steve. Glad to hear from you in here.

Each of those things causes a greater sense of community. Comps have changed a bit. I remember back when events like the Young Gun Open were not uncommon, and you'd have basically every single person involved in freeskiing in your area show up at the hill for the day. It's not 2005 anymore, truck driver grabs are no longer the rage, times have changed and that isn't feasible anymore now that even oil company execs are riding Armadas. So while comps are great, I don't feel the same way about them as I used to. Part of it is that while everyone skis, not everyone skis park, and not everyone wants to toss on a bib and try to pretzel a box.

It goes without saying that skiing is the be-all-end-all here, but having as much opportunity as possible to hang out with other people for whom skiing is the be-all-end-all is the catalyst that makes skiing better. The pub night thing is a good idea (I'd be down) but really it seems to me that stuff is more successful when it happens organically on its own. We have newschoolers, we have facebook, it's not that tough to get people together to do things if everyone knows each other - just a matter of getting people together in the first place. Having that kind of community causes shit to happen, from things as simple as day trips to bigger events. Skiing is more fun with a bigger crew, and events like Freshtival are a hell of a lot more fun when you walk into the place and know more people than you don't know.

As for Freshtival suggestions, I have too many thoughts and no idea where to start, that's a whole other topic. I don't think splitting it up is the right move though.

Hope you find a way to get the Toy Soldier Productions movie in there somewhere, by the way. Someone from the company said he was having trouble getting in contact with you guys while the Fresh site was down.
Jul 28 2011 12:54AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I think some more smaller comps would be really helpful if they were held close to Calgary. There are a few competitions a year and I find for younger guys like me who can't go out to the bar competitions help find new people to ski with. Right now the only competitions I am aware of you need to pretty much be in a club to compete limiting tricks to ones you have qualified on water ramp which is a huge pain in the ass. I don't know if you can set up maybe one slope comp without cfsa regulations so kids can do tricks the actually learned that season instead of doing stuff that they have had to learn the season before. A couple rail jams throughout the season would be fun to, just for an afternoon. Just my 2 cents though.

Also completely unrelated but is fresh sports open during the summer?
Jul 28 2011 1:41AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
yes
Jul 28 2011 3:30AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
This. I think my non-skier friends are getting annoyed with my ...addiction
Jul 28 2011 2:07PM
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TaySwift
Posts: 3436 - Karma: 1,622
my analysis of Calgary and Calgary Region,
If your sick at skiing, you most likely ski with other good kids who are not open to "new" kids shredding with you, most of great(and when i mean great, i mean the kids that everybody wants to be) kids are assholes who laugh at you if you fall on a feature, or if you ride up the chair with them, they are fucking assholes and don't acknowledge you.
if your just starting to ski, there are many kids looking to start "packs", the kids that are overally nice to you, kinda creepy,
then there are those kids you have know for awhile you do a few laps with if you see them and break off and do you own thing.

I have been to many different hill and experienced the same thing, for example when i was in Montana, skiing Whitefish, there is just 1 huge group of kids skiing together, and it makes you feel like an idiot if you fuck up.

I admit Calgary is fucking sick, but there are those assholes who only give a fuck about themselves and there friends. I can honestly count 10 people i would love to punch in the face at COP, just because they think they are cooler then everybody else. Because of these kids, the freeskiing community at COP breaks up into bad and good kids, :( all the NS ladies and gentlemen should get together this upcoming season and all shred some preseason rails or a few laps at COP or Sunshine!!!!!!!!!
Jul 28 2011 4:54PM
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zacharyn
Posts: 552 - Karma: 5
Couldn't have said it better myself. Love the idea of a big shred day with NSers, that'd be fucking pimp.
Jul 29 2011 10:27AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Yes, I can get ahold of one. We just need a wall or a screen, and the movie.
Jul 29 2011 10:48AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Oh shit, nice. I'll be back in Toronto in a few weeks. I'm finishing up my time in Copenhagen pretty soon. I'll be around in September for sure.

As for me being in Calgary, I have no idea. I'm sure I'll be in Banff this season for a little while to see friends and schralp a bit, but I usually go straight from the airport to town. I'll let you know. It depends on my job, which I don't even have yet.
Jul 29 2011 11:47AM
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corski
Posts: 505 - Karma: 319

totally agree with you, took the words right outta my mouth

On another note im down to shred with whoever the more the merryer, we should totally all meet up with eachother one day and have a big group shredding

Jul 31 2011 12:03AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
Pre-freshtival Julios Meetup and sunshine shred?
Jul 31 2011 12:07AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
I actually try to avoid skiing sunshine where at all possible now thanks to the patroller lawsuit but as for the rest I don't see why not... I want to try to get ahold of Retallack this week and maybe find a big wall somewhere to project it on if people would be down. It'd have to be about 9pm or so to be dark enough.
Jul 31 2011 12:34AM
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annex_
Posts: 1659 - Karma: 1,499
louise shred
Jul 31 2011 2:37AM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Too be 100% honest I don't think people should stop skiing at sunshine because of the patroller issue. I have an Uncle in the ski business and from what I heard there was a lot more to the situation than what the patrollers have said. You have really only heard the patrollers side of the story but there are many other reasons that they could have been fired for, the strike seemed to be the last straw for them.
Aug 1 2011 1:59AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

Um it was more an issue of what the strike was in response to. I don't really like SSV anyway so it's not a tough choice for me to make. But that's a whole other thread.

Called Fresh and they should have DVD's of Retallack within roughly 1 week. Semi-impromptu premiere? 

Aug 1 2011 3:58PM
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TaySwift
Posts: 3436 - Karma: 1,622
they should have a mini freshtival inside fresh and just play it on a wall in there or a tv, is retallack going to be playing at freshtival?
Aug 1 2011 4:01PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

I'm sure it will be at Freshtival but that's October. I can get ahold of a projector and I'll just buy the movie, just need a wall to project it on. And some speakers I guess but that's not that hard.

In Van we actually premiered Idea inside Comor Sports. But I wouldn't blame Fresh for not wanting to do that (it can be a bit of a shit show) and finding a screen to project on might be a pain.

Aug 1 2011 4:08PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
i worked at sunshine for 2 years it's really not that bad of a place i swear.
Aug 1 2011 4:11PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
We had a kegger in A1 sports in Halifax after a premiere. That was a shit show.
Aug 1 2011 7:59PM
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lalalalaura
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 68
I just want to get wasted more regularly with people that love what I love.

Rudager i think i met you at sunshine at the end of this season. JD, you owe me a hangout
Aug 3 2011 12:40PM
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lalalalaura
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 68
and for the record, I self-identify as a Unicorn.
Aug 3 2011 12:41PM
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