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Help me sack up in the park (please?)

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Ryan*
Posts: 1827 - Karma: 1,195
Newschoolers, oh, Newschoolers. I return to you after a long hiatus to ask for your help and advice. I'm an advanced skier (I'm not trying to brag, especially since many of you would blow me out of the water) who feels most at home in the trees and in the backcountry. Basically I like jumping off of stuff and finding my way through natural, technical lines. I'm not scared of any of that stuff; cliffs, chutes, pillow lines in dense forest, I never get scared by any of it. But I'm from the east coast, where that stuff is near impossible to find. At about 13, I tried to get into park, since that seemed to be the most fun thing on an east coast mountain. And six years later, I'm still god awful.

Park terrifies me. As comfortable and fearless as I am standing on top of a 30 foot cliff, put me in front of a 30 foot kicker and tell me to do a 3 and I literally will start shaking. I went to Momentum at 16, I built a summer setup (which didn't work very well), and I tried to force myself to hike the park until I progressed; none of it helped, really. I freeze up and cop out at the last second so, goddamn, often that it's almost comical.

I want to get over this fear. So my question: how do I make it so that I can be comfortable trying new things in the park? How do I get over my fear of all things park and make it so that I feel that same positive, life-enhancing adrenaline that I feel when I'm dropping into a cliff line on the run-in to a kicker? How, put simply, do I nut up?

If anyone has any advice for getting over this mental block, because that truly is all it is, I would appreciate it immensely.

Here's a puppy trotting through water for your troubles.


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Mar 26 2013 2:22AM
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DirkaDirka
Posts: 298 - Karma: 1,079
So you're good at REAL skiing on REAL mountains but not at park? I see no problem here mon!
Mar 26 2013 2:26AM
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Devin-P
Posts: 41 - Karma: 179
If I'm ever nervous before hitting a park feature, I take a sec and visualize myself hitting the jump, rail, etc. Go though what you gotta do to land that trick in your head. Then nut up and go for it.
Mar 26 2013 3:24AM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
just see yourself doing it before you go for it. once you get it you will be way more confident
Mar 26 2013 6:40AM
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T.CORC
Posts: 873 - Karma: 467
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Mar 26 2013 6:49AM
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Phatt
Posts: 351 - Karma: 99
As the others said, visualise the trick before. So maybe on the chairlift, if you can visualise it then you understand how to do it. I find the longer you wait to try the more you will psych yourself out, so when you get there just commit to the trick and go for it
Mar 26 2013 6:54AM
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Jakelapham
Posts: 139 - Karma: 2,657
Dude! I have the exact same problem! Scared shitless of anything other than straight airs. Rails are also a huge problem. One thing I find helps is thinking I myself "I won't be able to sleep until I get this trick". Whenever I leave the mountain without having accomplished my goal, I get so bummed, it eats away at me. I find that mindset helps. Also as someone else said, don't psych yourself out by over thinking it!
Mar 26 2013 7:05AM
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TheBlitz
Posts: 18 - Karma: -25
You just gotta go for it im only 14 now and I got up the balls to hit my first flat down u just gotta do it
Mar 26 2013 7:10AM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
Start small and then when you get good at the small stuff then you can land on the bigger features. Sunday river right now has very good parks for this. A lot of places actually have a hard time running a good progression park if having one at all.
Mar 26 2013 8:52AM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
Drink cheap whiskey and be prepared to fall. You won't progress without falling.
Mar 26 2013 9:26AM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6109 - Karma: 7,683
Just have all your friends call you a pussy. It works.
Mar 26 2013 9:45AM
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vincentlee223
Posts: 1571 - Karma: 382
Either sack up now and start hurting yourself learning new things or look like a pussy forever. Pussy.*

What my friends say to me.
Mar 26 2013 9:57AM
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AndyMcC33
Posts: 92 - Karma: 23
Just huck it man ull probably take a couple falls at first but eventually you'll just get used to it and always visualize it before you do it
Mar 26 2013 10:08AM
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
Dude just stay in the trees, riding park ends in pain and a pow day beats a park day all year
Mar 26 2013 10:34AM
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J-T
Posts: 269 - Karma: 697
You have to want it enough to where if you don't try it, you'll be in regret until you ski again. But congrats on being actually able to ski- too many people at MN who can superfed but pizza out of the park.
Mar 26 2013 11:00AM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
As mentioned already, visualization is huge. When you're standing above that 30-footer thinking about that 360, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing the trick 10 times in a row (you can do the body motions too if you want). Then drop in without another thought. Mental preparation is good, but the longer you stand up there, the more you'll psych yourself out.

Getting warm is key to performance, too. Don't just ski into the park and expect that you'll be able to throw down. Take some warm-up laps, get your legs warm, straight-air the jumps until you feel comfortable with them.

I'd say one of the biggest factors in progression is having other people to ride with. If you've got some homies motivating you, you'll be more confident and more ready to take risks. Just imagine T-Hall standing next to you shouting "You got that dog! You know exactly what you're doing!"
Mar 26 2013 11:15AM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
I forgot to mention: skiing with cute girls around is also a huge motivating factor.
Mar 26 2013 11:16AM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
haha I want to have T-Hall follow me through the park as my motivator
Mar 26 2013 11:23AM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
Go into it with the mindset of not caring if you have a few falls in a day, and its not a big deal. Remember that even the best skiers fall often when pushing themselves, and its a necessary in order to get better. Then try to focus on good technique and visualization, and give it your 110%.
Mar 26 2013 11:31AM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
Also, remember that you are a man, and men are supposed to do manly shit like 30 foot backflips. Do you think your Grandpa was scared when he went to Nam?

Fuck ya he was scared, but he didnt make a thread about it, he sacked up, smoked some weed, and killed a bunch of vietnamese people.
Mar 26 2013 11:34AM
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Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
You nailed it!
Mar 26 2013 11:35AM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
You just got to rock that shit ya know. After observing the great John Strenio for years, I've found that the best pre drop war call is, "Ready, steady, spaghetti!" Yell this next time you're about to hit a jump that scares you, and everything will be golden.
Mar 27 2013 1:46AM
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One.2
Posts: 674 - Karma: 3,310
Grab a filmer and as many people as you want to ski with. Go to the mountain with the intentions of making an edit. When I'm with my friends and people are filming me I ski a lot better.
Mar 27 2013 1:53AM
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Ryan*
Posts: 1827 - Karma: 1,195
hahahaha fucking this

But forreals, this is all quite helpful. I think maintaining a positive mindset and not letting anything weigh too heavily on me will help, especially not the fear of falling. Then I won't psych myself out as much and I won't have such a hard time clearing my mind and going for it. Now I need to find some friends to ride with...

Thank you all!

Click for larger image

P.S.
I have no idea who the fuck Allison is.
Mar 27 2013 1:53AM
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original
Posts: 377 - Karma: 877
I think you first have to grow more comfortable first. Get used to hitting those big kickers straight air, and get used to doing small 3's. Once you have some more awareness in the air, and knowledge of your tricks it becomes easier to progress and the fear sort of goes away. Learn at your own pace, and once you feel ready, that's when you apply all that the people above me have mentioned. Believe me, if you get that 3 off a big kicker, it feels great and you'll definitely keep doing them.
Mar 27 2013 3:58AM
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HalKK
Posts: 223 - Karma: 367
Best idea yet...I throw down when I ski with y girl, but can't do jack shit when she's not there. I find a little added pressure helps.

It sounds gay but think that your in a competition with loads of people watching and you have to do a certain trick to progress to the next stage.

The sea of having people watch me usually pushes me on to do bigger/scarier things
Mar 27 2013 6:09AM
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werndog
Posts: 253 - Karma: 176
I had this same issue earlier in the year. I'm from the Midwest, and park is pretty much the most challenging thing out here, so I was pretty stressed when I wasn't trying stuff. Then I took a trip to Michigan and when I was up there I met a group of skiers that I didn't know and we're better than me. We ended up playing skate and I tried a bunch of tricks to fit in/impress them I guess. It was definitely beneficial. Good luck man!
Mar 27 2013 8:08AM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
Trying to fit in and impress is fine and dandy but don't jump too far out of your comfort zone just to look cool. Learning at your own pace will pay huge dividends because you generally won't move on to more technical tricks until you have rock solid fundamentals and the easy tricks on lock. A lot of harder tricks are built off the basics to make sure you are comfortable with them.
Mar 27 2013 8:43AM
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
haha i landed my first ollie (skateboard) in front of a girl just randomly

they sure are
Mar 27 2013 10:37AM
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FunkySane
Posts: 616 - Karma: 1,203
I just got some mad motivation quotes from this thread! Thanks guys!
Mar 27 2013 3:39PM
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[NT]
Posts: 96 - Karma: 705
Act like a goon dude! Whenever I learn new tricks its because i am charging the park and lapping and not thinking about what I'm doing. You obviously have to take enough time to visualize what you are going to do but THATS IT! No more thinking! Charge through the park, get crazy, and stay laughing the whole time. Thats what works for me at least. Don't psych yourself out by getting too serious. Its not as fun anyways.
Mar 27 2013 3:46PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
I tend to afterbang twice as hard when there's a cute girl in eye's view.. naturally
Mar 27 2013 3:51PM
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FroesenSkeeze
Posts: 638 - Karma: 673
Inject a shit load of epinephrine.

Just kittens, but seriously. Like everyone else is saying: Start small and build up. Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Do not stand at the drop in before a feature and psych yourself out. Do it before you have a chance to think about the bad scenarios. Get hyphy: listen to music and ride with friends who pump you up, usually people who are above your skill level. They have much wisdom to share.

I know what you mean when you say you "freeze up" before hitting a kicker or whatever. Happened to me lots. Just keep reassuring yourself as you approach the feature that you have the ability to do it, and always, ALWAYS commit.

Once you land your trick, the intimidation level almost completely disappears and that adrenaline keeps you going for a long time.
Mar 27 2013 3:52PM
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geist
Posts: 493 - Karma: 984
hahah^#

I have the same issue. I tend to swing by there on my own usually, slip out on some rails, straight air some mid-size jumps then attempt another lap, try a spin or w/e, nail myself, leave the park...
Mar 27 2013 4:01PM
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Cole98
Posts: 38 - Karma: 25
You just got to clear your mind and remember that Fear will never leave you until you're truly an expert. Once you can realize that, you drop in and never look back or pussy out. Then you just huck it and act like you know what you're doing.
Mar 27 2013 6:57PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14488 - Karma: 10,641
For me, it really helps to have a trick in mind, then straight air the jump while visualizing it. That way you can judge your air time and visualize how everything should be thrown. And for me, as soon as my heart is pumping like crazy, it's because I am going to do it. It actually makes it easy haha. From there, just send it. Unless you are completely incompetent, you will come around without issue and be fine, even if you fall.
Mar 27 2013 7:06PM
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YABADKID
Posts: 15 - Karma: 5
GET BIGGER CLOTHING!
Mar 27 2013 7:08PM
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JUP*
Posts: 728 - Karma: 200
I have a few tricks that are more unconventional haha. First off play a game of pig/ski/skate in the park with ur buds(preferably ones better than u), 75% of the tricks I've learned are because I had to match one of my friends tricks. And another snowboard for a day u will find u suck so much at snowboarding and fall so many times u will think you are a xgames level skier and u will not be afraid to fall one time to hit a rail cause you fell 100 times the day or two before.
Mar 27 2013 9:35PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
I'm sure you wear a helmet if your in to the big mountain, but if not, get one. The instant I started wearing a helmet, my confidence increased 10 fold in the park.
I can't remember the name of the PROOOOO, but one of them mentioned to forever wear a mouth guard. You'll take on anything with a mouth guard.


Personally, I visualize me nailing the trick, smack my helmet a few times and call myself a pussy, then give it what I got. Usually works!

Also, inb4 smoke weed.
Mar 27 2013 10:38PM
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steezburgereddie
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 1,945
I find that if I am not comfortable with something I will just try it and most of the time when I eat shit I have that out of the way and it becomes easier to hit the next time.
Mar 27 2013 10:40PM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
That's the biggest thing. Trying a new trick for the first time is always the scariest part. But once you hit it once and inevitably fall and realize the consequence wasn't as bad as you thought, it makes it super easy to hit again and try to correct your mistakes. After 3-5 attempts at a trick I usually have them in muscle memory.
Mar 27 2013 10:46PM
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TRAP_CHEF
Posts: 1172 - Karma: 279
This i fell on alot of 3s when i was learning them and now i rarely fuck up same with rails you have to accept the fact that you are going to eat shit a few times but you have to be willing to get back up and try again
Mar 27 2013 10:54PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
Don't do this man. It'll just make it all the worse if you don't end up doing it. I like to say out loud before trying a new trick "My name is Jack and I am not a pussy." Then I prove it by stomping the trick (hopefully). Then my confidence level goes way up. If I don't stomp the trick, I still give myself props for going for it. Then I go back and do it all over again until I get the trick.
And yes, I got the saying from the Totally Trevor episode, but it totally works.
Mar 28 2013 12:01AM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
listen to music
Mar 28 2013 12:05AM
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WillyTheKid
Posts: 106 - Karma: 639
Just make yourself try it, especially on smaller features you really aren't likely to hurt yourself even if you fall. And as soon as you get the fall out of the way you realize it isn't really bad at all, so you try again with much more commitment and confidence.
Mar 28 2013 1:55AM
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steezburgereddie
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 1,945
And full tilts
Mar 28 2013 12:16PM
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Karma_Police
Posts: 2655 - Karma: 1,628
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Mar 28 2013 12:36PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
As a racer and backcountry enthusiast(much like you), I found that skiing with a group of friends in the park helped me a lot. As they do really cool park tricks, it kinda gets you into a parky mood, and gives you a lot of confidence. One day, after years of wanting to do a simple 3, I just watched the guy in front of me, sped up, and spun. Just accept, like with cliffs, you will fall, and there is potential for failure. NOT, however, if you are confident and are in a good mood. Just have a good time.

Also, try 180's on flat ground. That helped me IMMENSELY. 
Mar 28 2013 10:03PM
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SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
just know your going to eat shit a lot to progress and except that it will hurt sometimes.
Mar 28 2013 10:22PM
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SkierPT
Posts: 2177 - Karma: 4,720
Fall more! Seriously it helps! The times you fall compared to the number of times getting injured bad is no comparison. You will fall a lot and not get really hurt a lot. Bumps and bruises mainly. Once you see falling won't kill you you'll be better and smoother
Mar 28 2013 11:17PM
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_Garagely_
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3,246
Ski with people who are much better than you. You will feel pressure to keep up with them and try new things. Also listen to your favorite songs so loudly that all thoughts of doubt are gone from your mind and all you can focus on is the trick.
Mar 28 2013 11:28PM
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