Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Thinking about going to freestyle full time

profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
For all my life I have ski raced, for all my life after race practice I go and do stuff in the park. I have always dreamed of going pro if I was going to in freestyle. I also have always told my parents and they agreed with me on this that if I wanted to i could stop racing once I complete the U14 level, this past year was my last year as a U14. I am great at both, I love both, sometimes one more than the other. I have raced at state level for the past three years but always get beat at that level. Next year it gets harder, more kids come into the council, the courses get harder, it gets more serious. I truly love both and I would still race for my high school, but I'm not sure if I want to switch, but next year would be a good year to. Help me out newschoolers any advice from past/present racers
Mar 31 2013 8:50PM
54 4
profile picture
edai
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 4,653
I'll tell you right now that if you do switch full time to freestlye you're gonna be fucking gnarly and get real good, real fast. Your edge control will be better than 95% of the kids on this site and youll have great style. I'd say make the switch.
Mar 31 2013 8:52PM
10 0
profile picture
DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
Make the switch man. I can't imagine how much easier it will be to progress now that you are already comfortable on skis.
Mar 31 2013 8:56PM
3 0
profile picture
walrussteeze
Posts: 327 - Karma: 212
Sounds like you'd progress really fast,especially on rails, if you switched. However, I skied for 8 years before moving into the park and I still suck.
Mar 31 2013 8:58PM
0 0
profile picture
Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
this. my cousin did race-skiing until he was around twelve. He then progressed super fast in the park, pulling pencil 720's the first season. Hell be pulling dub corks next season.
Mar 31 2013 8:58PM
1 1
profile picture
a_burger
Posts: 5235 - Karma: 20,715
Make the switch if you want, I did a few years ago.

It's a little frustrating at first but trust me you'll get it faster then anyone who went straight to park.
Mar 31 2013 8:59PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
The only thing that I'm kinda worried about is letting my family and friends down who have put time and money into me, Like any pro skier I have ever talked to said that they started out racing or they wish they did. And if they did that it helped them greatly and to do it to the level where it stops being fun/becomes to serious
Mar 31 2013 9:00PM
1 0
profile picture
.squirrely.
Posts: 7563 - Karma: 7,546
it will take you a while to develop a good style but youll be throwing down in no time cause you already know how to ski well
Mar 31 2013 9:01PM
2 0
profile picture
Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
If they really did go through a lot of effort just for you, i suppose they will let you follow what the fuck you want.
Mar 31 2013 9:05PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
yeah my parents will let me do what I want and I know they will support me no matter what, like today I asked my dad if I could try a backflip this week and he said If i knew what I was doing I could
Mar 31 2013 9:08PM
1 0
profile picture
Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
This wasn't exactly what i meant with supporting you but sure.
Mar 31 2013 9:13PM
3 0
profile picture
DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
Your parents put a lot of money into skiing, and you want to keep skiing. I don't see the dilema. Just because they put money into racing doesn't mean all that was a waste, it will help your skiing everywhere on the mountain.
Mar 31 2013 9:14PM
1 0
profile picture
AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
just do whatever you want to. odds are you wont end up pro either way just do what you love
Mar 31 2013 9:20PM
2 1
profile picture
Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
inb4 OP goes pro
Mar 31 2013 9:24PM
7 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
yeah I know I wont go pro, slim chance, but also there arent that many events to compete in park
Mar 31 2013 9:26PM
0 0
profile picture
fitchspencer
Posts: 8 - Karma: 33
I'm a U18 ski racer attending a ski academy in Vermont. It is definitely a full time commitment and honestly, it kinda fucking sucks unless you're the best. If I had access to a better park when I was younger and was better at it, I would have switched to freestyle, it's just a way better lifestyle in my opinion.
Mar 31 2013 9:28PM
1 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
yeah thats the road im seeing, the start of the unless your doing well, its a lot of extra work for nothing, just out of curiosity what academy
Mar 31 2013 9:34PM
1 0
profile picture
LIL_WAT
Posts: 1900 - Karma: 475
ie. less fun. Make the switch and enjoy yourself, you are still really young.
Apr 1 2013 3:36AM
1 0
profile picture
Rparr
Posts: 5561 - Karma: 45,575
If you make the switch you will progress crazy fast and develop a good style quickly. I skied for 12 years before ever stepping foot into a park and I can't tell you how much it helped. You already know how to ski very well. You would have so much fun.
Apr 1 2013 8:30AM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
do you think your quality of skiing went down, and should I keep doing high school racing
Apr 1 2013 9:17AM
0 0
profile picture
gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
I know of some racers who switched to freestyle. Such good style.
Apr 1 2013 3:17PM
0 0
profile picture
_Garagely_
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3,246
Park is going to be more fun, and you'll have awesome style. Park skiers at my hill who have had past experience skiing before park are much more stylish than the kids who went straight to the park.
Apr 1 2013 5:59PM
0 0
profile picture
Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
i also raced, for 5 years. this was my first year doing park, and i can attest to the fact that progression in the park as a former racer is ridiculously fast. i couldn't do a 3 at the beginning of the year, and now i can do some decent tricks on jumps like a 8-1 (trying hard not to claim about my bad tricks haha), and the balance from racing really helps with balance for spins onto rails. make the switch man, you'll never look back. i can't say i was unhappy racing, but it was just something i did, like a team sport almost. it was really competitive by the time i quit, and i just didn't even know how much fun I could have on skis back then. this year starting park, I started skiing as soon as I could, in early november, and haven't missed a possible day since. last year, i don't even remember my first time skiing, or having a passion this much for skiing. I, a former racer, am in love with freeskiing, and you will be too if you make the switch.
Apr 1 2013 6:06PM
0 0
profile picture
ForeverYung
Posts: 8385 - Karma: 2,060
da fuq is a 8-1
Apr 1 2013 6:11PM
2 0
profile picture
Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
7..i kinda went out on a limb there
Apr 1 2013 6:24PM
0 0
profile picture
El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,364
Your not going to become a pro skier. All you would do is struggle, fail and and up hating your hobby because you took it too serious if your goal is "pro". youre not gonna be tanner so dont even bother. And dont think for a second that being a racer gives you an advantage. I dont know where youre from but damn near every skier i know grew up racing.

Youre like 14 dude. Go ski and dont think about it
Apr 1 2013 6:29PM
1 1
profile picture
Dingo69
Posts: 1330 - Karma: -171
This. Race style < natural style
Apr 1 2013 6:38PM
0 0
profile picture
*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
Don't race but don't do just park just have fun and don't try to go pro bcus that's stupid
Apr 1 2013 6:48PM
0 0
profile picture
TripleBlack
Posts: 87 - Karma: 73
You're not gonna forget how to ski if you quit racing. Just because you're not racing competitively anymore doesn't mean you have to go "freestyle full time" either. Whatever happened to skiing the whole mountain and having fun? There's pow, bumps and trees, and you can still rip carves down the groomers. As long as you're trying new things and pushing yourself, you'll still become a better and better skier.
Apr 1 2013 7:25PM
1 0
profile picture
SpliffyJ
Posts: 778 - Karma: 565
seeing how E-Dollo raced until he was 15, i think this kid will be alright in the style department if he tries. I did the switch at the same time you did, and it really is the right choice.
Apr 1 2013 7:27PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
I think I'm going to make the switch, I will probably talk to my parents this week about it
Apr 1 2013 10:04PM
0 0
profile picture
B_mountain
Posts: 19 - Karma: 18
Definatly make the switch dude I just switched and I am so much more comfortable hitting jumps and I can already do so much for it being my first year
Apr 1 2013 11:40PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
for those who have switched did you miss racing at all, cause like I love them both, but i know at some point i will have to chose one and im trying to do it at an eaiser point
Apr 2 2013 3:56PM
0 0
profile picture
250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
i stopped racing at 15 after doing it for 5 years to go ski park and pow instead. The racing has helped me a ton, and i still ski a bit like a racer today, but making the switch was one of the best choices ive ever made for my skiing.
Apr 2 2013 4:19PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
do you ever get bored though
Apr 2 2013 4:29PM
0 0
profile picture
jake_tom_sully
Posts: 356 - Karma: 242
"I love both" there's ur answer man.
Apr 2 2013 4:29PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
right now im doing both
Apr 2 2013 4:45PM
0 0
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
Park skiing isn't all about competitions
Apr 2 2013 7:21PM
0 0
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
You only get bored in the park if you arnt progressing. Progression is what fuels all park skiers to ride and is the reasoning behind skiing on a piece of turf in summer. If you arnt progressing at all, you may fin yourself getting bored doing the same tricks over and over. With that being said, it's fairly easy to learn a new trick in a couple hours or day, or work on your style
Apr 2 2013 7:28PM
0 0
profile picture
snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
ya but im worried about competing because it is an excuse for my parents to drive me to another hill, and competing is fun
Apr 2 2013 7:34PM
0 0
profile picture
Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
I raced until I was a little younger than you (12ish i think) and then swapped over full time to freeriding. So much more fun man, racing is overrated unless you're going places.
Apr 2 2013 7:40PM
0 0
profile picture
fitchspencer
Posts: 8 - Karma: 33
Green Mountain Valley School out of Sugarbush
Apr 2 2013 9:19PM
0 0
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
By the time that you are skilled enough in park skiing to compete, you will most likely be able to drive. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about competing before you actually commit to skiing park.
Apr 2 2013 9:26PM
0 0
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
By the time that you are skilled enough in park skiing to compete, you will most likely be able to drive. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about competing before you actually commit to skiing park.
Apr 2 2013 9:27PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)