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November, 2024

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Past your prime-- age at which you skiied best

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first_rodeo
Posts: 2385 - Karma: 7,781

20 years young, but my body feels like its 40.

INB4  OP's a pussy     

I feel that normal people can only progress or regress after plateau-ing

when i was 12-15 not only skiing was easier, but other action sports were also,

when you weight less and have not yet recieved injuries...

skateboarding i could float over the board when flipping the board

skiing i could spin and big switch landings much better

THREADS:    

Mar 19 2013 1:30PM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
28 and my best years are to come.

get out of the terrain park asap
Mar 19 2013 1:32PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
im turning 26 in a month...

still learning new tricks like the cork 9 i did the other day

what you lose in the ability to get up from falls as easily, you gain in your mental focus and knowing you can't fall or it may end your session/season
Mar 19 2013 1:35PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
I'm 20 and I'm skiing the best I've ever have. It's mostly because I only picked it up a couple years ago and I still have a lot to learn. I see myself staying in the park for the next few years but as soon as I'm out of MN, I want to be covering as much of the mountain as I can before my body doesn't allow me to.
Mar 19 2013 1:38PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
If you actually think that men hit their physical peak at 12-15 you have no idea what you are talking about. Did you even hit puberty at 12?

Think lake 20's to early 30's.
Mar 19 2013 1:43PM
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
im 22 by best year park wise was last season, this year has been killer for real skiing though
Mar 19 2013 1:50PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
im 24 and this is my best year, just in terms of going for it and trying shit, commiting to things, and having fun. really gonna spend this last month of skiing mostly in the park learning new shit, ive got a list of shit i want to have down before the seasons over.

i feel like if you actually keep at it, and dont get any bad injuries, your prime seasons would be around late 20's early 30's
Mar 19 2013 2:05PM
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speedin
Posts: 731 - Karma: 131
Skied my best from ages 18-24. The past 6 years I have not had a chance to ski that much because of work, and responsibilities unfortunately. I am no where even close to as good as I used to be. It's ok, as long as I am skiing, I am having fun.


Mar 19 2013 2:17PM
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Suusataja
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,113
I'm 22, and I keep getting better haha. But yea, my body feels older, just got to take better care of it. I'm skiing mainly park, because Real snow and Real mountains are too far. But I hope to get around to it, and therefore I have the best part of skiing ahead of me.. atleast to age 40-50.
Mar 19 2013 2:19PM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525

I'm 32. I have found out the hard way that I no longer bounce the way you youngens do, I splat. That being said, My top form in the park was in my early twentys. I will say I am still progressing in my skiing. I can ski harder and in a more calculated way in my avanced age. Park is for the jrs, big mountain and powder is where I earn my turns, fills my days now. I still love to take laps just not as easy on the body as it once was. I still coach and love to pass the park stoke on. I just have to take my Alieve and eat my Activia.  

OP Your 20 and your bitching, talking about the glory days of when you were 12-15........ Thats SAD.

Mar 19 2013 2:20PM
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creighton
Posts: 3837 - Karma: 3,400
I never primed
Mar 19 2013 2:24PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
i'm 21 and this was my best season until I got hurt
Mar 19 2013 2:39PM
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Holte
Posts: 10742 - Karma: 7,818
I'm 26, and my best age in the park was 26. I didn't even try a 10 until I was 25.

Get out there and start focusing OP, you're barely starting to get into your prime.
Mar 19 2013 2:47PM
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scarsimd
Posts: 668 - Karma: 773
started park at age 16.... im 17 now.
hoping my best years are yet to come
PROGRESSION
Mar 19 2013 2:51PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
I'm 29, I've never skied better. It's funny how you "peak" in different ways at different times in your life. I was more athletic and willing to push myself at 21 then now, but I'm a lot stronger and more fit today. Also, experience in the mountains and in different types of terrain/snow packs is big.
Mar 19 2013 2:58PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
To add another element to this, how many "older" skiers still hit urban? I'm curious what age most skiers that are into it stop, seeing as its probably the aspect of skiing that is hardest on your body.
Mar 19 2013 3:28PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
22 right here. Probably peaked in my park skiing around 19/20. Really have strayed more towards all mountain/ shredding lines looking for pow and whatnot. I enjoy groomers and cruising wayyyy more now. Park isn't worth my time besides the occasional run. I can't get hurt because of my job.
Mar 19 2013 3:29PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,901
Mid 20's was when I had the ability to hit the off switch on my brain and had the juevos to go big, combined with the skill to stomp stuff that was seemingly not human. Also, compressed my spine and spent an entire winter popping vicodins like they were breath mints.

Mar 19 2013 3:35PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21671 - Karma: 4,157
I'm 24, turn 25 in may. I just broke my back/tailbone hitting some urban. I felt more comfortable when I was 18-20 and progressed the most then. Urban to me is a good time, if your mtn doesn't have night skiing then its just another chill night with the homies. I feel 10x better when I get that urban I spotted over the summer. I still "progress" but now I feel comfortable doing my comfort tricks. Earlier in my years i wanted to learn as much as possible and do as many spins/switches up as possible. Now I just like to cruise around with the homies. I can have a solid day just doing the normal backs/fronts/rodeos/mistys etc, but if someone stomps something new its contagious.Once I learned to ride the whole mtn I enjoyed skiing 10x more and style just came.
Mar 19 2013 3:38PM
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BBD.
Posts: 101 - Karma: 218
21, best season this year, but just got fucked up bad on a park jump. Broken ribs, sternum, thumb and collar bone. getting older sucks and falls hurt allot more, but if you still push yourself you will progress and keep getting better. We'll thats my plan for next year anyways!
Mar 19 2013 3:44PM
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*KLULESS*
Posts: 306 - Karma: 3,874
ha, im 19... already feel washed up with all these youngins on the slay.
Mar 19 2013 3:45PM
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Mister.F
Posts: 1206 - Karma: 169
20, haven't even begun to peak! Im gonna peak so hard
Mar 19 2013 3:45PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
34 here, i ski 95% park, and am still progressing every year. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

The hardest part, like someone mentioned, is bouncing back after a bad fall. A bad fall that you could easily walk off with a little break in the lodge when you're 18-20, turns into needing 2 or 3 days to recover when you get older.

I wear impact shorts and pick my days carefully when trying to throw new tricks.

Mar 19 2013 3:54PM
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Same.
Mar 19 2013 3:57PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
I'm 21 and I think I'm better now than I ever was. I did sort of lose a few tricks on rails that I have to get back though. I just haven't been skiing enough this season.
Mar 19 2013 3:59PM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525

Again at 32 I don't have the same free time on my hands to drop everything and hit that urban jib that is going off. It still is damn fun and when the guys all get together it is still a blast. I will say the cops arn't quit as forgiving to a buch of 30 year old guys as they are on some kids. The whole " I didn't know I couldn't ski here" Doesn't work when your wife is yelling at you to get home and help with the baby.

Mar 19 2013 4:01PM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
I'm 26 and I had my best year in the park this year. I plan on having my "best year in the park" each year for the next 5-6 years at least. I feel just as athletic today as I did at 18. I may not be as flexible as at 18 but I am in much better shape with functional muscle strength and a strong mind and body goes a long way in protecting you from gnarly falls.

I'm hitting up my first Summer Ski Camp for 2 weeks this Summer and plan on coming back for the 2013/2014 season just absolutely killing it at my local mountain. I'm one of those "age is just a number" kind of guys and it's hilarious seeing people here say they peaked at 18, 19, 20. Huck your meat guys you have a lot longer than you thought to keep progressing.
Mar 19 2013 4:21PM
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wasatch_rat
Posts: 1772 - Karma: 2,952
op is a major pussy.

no offense but really though if you're only 20 years old and you feel that your body is limiting you then you are NOT doing enough to keep it healthy. Seriously, its gonna take work. of course you can't sit on your ass all day with a diet of cheetos and mountain dew and still go kill it and take hard falls like when you were 15. stretch, stay in shape with more than the occasional kickflip, start eating a bit better. that, and start trying new things in a smart way. if you are only 20 and have given up on progressing then that pessimistic attitude is holding you back WAY more than your body is.
Mar 19 2013 4:34PM
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Mex_LineJib^a
Posts: 3928 - Karma: 65
hahaha, i feel you bro.

but yeah it was alot easier in my 20's. out of the park is where it's at for me now... if i train hard i ski hard.

more concerned on how to pay bills and afford skiing nowadays
Mar 19 2013 4:35PM
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T-Nutcracker
Posts: 1056 - Karma: 434
started skiing at 3.
best times i reminise were 13-16, wasnt scared of nothing, shreding pow lines, clifs park like i felt no fear. then at 16 torn my acl. everything went bad from there, didint have a chance to ski that much anymore + i realised my body is vunerable so fear came in. be 20 now,
Mar 19 2013 4:35PM
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T-Nutcracker
Posts: 1056 - Karma: 434
im down with op with that much shredding in the past, my knees feel sorta fucked up too nowdays. im sure they're more prone to injury then in the past.
Mar 19 2013 4:37PM
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Session
Posts: 5389 - Karma: 22,279
When I was 20 I was a soldier. I don't want to hear you fucking cry about falling down on skis.

Eat some steaks and do some squats.
Mar 19 2013 4:42PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
I'm 15 soo I don't know when my prime is/will be. Hopefully it's not right now.
Mar 19 2013 4:58PM
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gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
I'm turning 16 in a couple weeks, but I sure hope that my prime isn't right now. I need to progress more. But hell, this was the funnest season to date.
Mar 19 2013 5:07PM
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sNaubi
Posts: 1633 - Karma: 2,357
20-25 (I'm 18 now...)
Mar 19 2013 5:14PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Holy shit.. Why have I never thought of this? My hips are constantly bruised.
Mar 19 2013 5:15PM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
Prolly highschool when i could ski 6 days a week
Mar 19 2013 5:19PM
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futurespin
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 168
For park it was 18, that's when I was the craziest.. now I'm 24
Mar 19 2013 5:43PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
Since when did people start saying "prime" instead of "puberty"?

Oh you kids and your whacky, hip slang terms!
Mar 19 2013 5:52PM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2385 - Karma: 7,781

im the OP:

claim: i ski shy of 40-50 days per season

 yeah my corks grabs and urban lines are better than when i was 12. Yeah i couldnt throw daggers around and manhandle my skis........ but air time is exhasterbated

same shit as skate ramps: competition halfpipes look rediculous if you're 4 feet tall, but once your half the height of the ramp you size it down.

but no one tell me that switchups, all 6 270s, and other rail shit wasnt easier when you weighted 80 pounds

see it in grommers that throw 1080s over like a 10 foot jump

or the 12 year olds that show you up with doubles

Mar 19 2013 5:57PM
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redking
Posts: 148 - Karma: 437
A little bit off topic, but is park easier if you're in really good shape. I'm not fat or anything but i'm not exactly built. I'm only 16 so i can take some hits but should i start focusing on getting stronger and being healthier?
Mar 19 2013 6:20PM
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Pikachu.
Posts: 1290 - Karma: 1,641
6?
Mar 19 2013 6:20PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Absolutely not, how is it at all easier when you were 80 pounds and had no core strength.
Mar 19 2013 6:24PM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
im 24. i def peaked in my sophomore and junior year of HS so like 15-18 years old, 2005-2007, were my best years, and the years i can call my "prime " or glory days hahahaha for sure. winter of my sophomore and junior years of H.S. i was still doing really well and winning a bunch of USSA mogul comps ( or placing well enough to place in top three or four usually on the northwest stops as im from montana ) . Also would compete in the ol USSA slope style events ( so ghetto haha ) if they even had an event or course at that mountain etc, and i always did the USSA big air comps and won a couple and podiumed the rest but two over 2 winters. those were always fun cause they were usually held on an ariel hill with a gnarly unsafe jump and kids went crazy ! including me! ha it takes some balls to ride out a clean cork 9 on an Ariel hill haha. Also for those of you who remember this is when all the resorts were putting or trying to put in pipes alot more and trying to get pip zaugs and shit cause everyone thought and knew HP was guna be big in both skiing and bording, so i did alot of pipe comps around the northwest when ever a resort had one and held a comp and always did quite well imo considering i beat most of the kids who have the chance to train when ev they want in pipe,( i have never had a HP to ski at my hill and never will haha ) so i was always stoked to do well in those comps especially ............so well its kinda stupid to say seeing as how im only 24 but i am past my prime. and i know it and im fine with it, it was not my choosing ha. after the best winter of my life ( competition wise and results wise, i was gaining quite a few points and had some mogul sponsors set up for the upcoming summer at camp etc. )
then in the spring of 2007 my luck began to change, rapidly. April we built a large spring stepdown in the MT bc and were throwing down ( my brother and i ) and i had a bad crash on a cork 7 leaving me with a torn mcl and acl ( fully blown, the both of them) i thought no big deal ill come back and kill it lots of people hurt there knees i remember thinking to myself. i rehabed hard up until my surguy date wich was on june 24 2007, but decided to make the decision to go on a nice short lil vaca with da homies before surgery, welll my buddy has a nice cabin and boat on the lake etc and i decided it was a good idea to do a lil bit of water skiing ....fucking worst choice ever. well i fell, tore my hamstring 14 inches clear of my pelvis bone and ruined every nerve ending surrounding / attaching my hammy to my ass. and this was on june 21 just days before i was guna get my knee built back up. FUCKING RETARDED ON MY END ! i was on crutches for 11 months with no physical activity for over a year, 14 months to be exact. i went crazy. so after literally 2 1/2 years of rehab it was summer again and i was looking forward to being able to ski again . i decided that day to head up to my local hill that has some great DH trails ( my other passion being DH mnt biking) and my buddy wanted to go ride cause he never been on a DH trip and of course i had to take it real easy so we went up and got caught in a bad snow / rain storm. zero visability almost, then the worst crash of my life went down , hit a hip on left on trail way to fast cleared over the trail and ended up flying face first into a full grown pin tree at 30 mph. hospital, er, brain stem all messed up, hemoraging , blood thinners etc. i almost dead haha. so ya way past my prime, if i can go ski groomers all day im a happy man.
Mar 19 2013 6:35PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Yup ..pretty much is a standard for any sport, park skiing no exception. There is a ton of skill involved, but it never hurts to be in shape and it just makes it that much easier to progress.
Mar 19 2013 6:44PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,121
17-20
Mar 19 2013 7:02PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
28 now. My park skiing peaked at 24-25. Big mountain skiing will peak when I'm about 35.
Mar 19 2013 7:03PM
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*kF_pauLo-
Posts: 445 - Karma: 305
I'll answer you the day before I die. For now I'm still skiing and maybe tomorrow will be better than today !
Mar 19 2013 7:07PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13106 - Karma: 18,906
Im 25 and I changed my riding from scary park jumps to scary pow lines. With all my experience, Im still at my prime. Although my right knee will tell you otherwise.
Mar 19 2013 7:08PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,121
It's generally earlier 20's from what i've heard. most men can hit their physical peak at about 24, but really it's more of a plateau and you can maintain it for a long time.

of course it certainly seems to be lower for skiing.
Mar 19 2013 7:12PM
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PsychedelicMoose
Posts: 792 - Karma: 3,568
Jesus you guys are old, I'm 14, I think I still got 14-15 more years.
Mar 19 2013 7:16PM
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