Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 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!

Biggest tells on level/type of skier?

profile picture
G_Adams
Posts: 239 - Karma: 1,350
Inspired by WankerTanker's recent thread

What aspects of a skier's outerwear or gear do you think are the biggest tells on how good they are or what type of skier they are (park/all mountain)?

A few for me (just correlations, not hard rules obviously)

1) goggles under helmet = Either park skier (good or bad) or good all mountain skier
2) center mounted skis= park skier (kinda obvious)
3) Longer park skis = good skier

What do you guys look for?

Dec 16 2013 6:29PM
1469 220
profile picture
Session
Posts: 5389 - Karma: 22,281
Number 1 is fucking retarded.
Dec 16 2013 6:33PM
79 8
profile picture
G_Adams
Posts: 239 - Karma: 1,350
You disagree??
Dec 16 2013 6:34PM
11 11
profile picture
oakskier
Posts: 183 - Karma: 154
i feel stupider after reading opening this thread
Dec 16 2013 6:35PM
46 2
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,828
there has been a recent influx of mind numbingly retarded threads, and this one is certainly no exception
Dec 16 2013 6:36PM
81 3
profile picture
chubbspeterson
Posts: 575 - Karma: 4,340
WHEN THEY WEAR SAGA THEY ARE GOOD
Dec 16 2013 6:38PM
74 2
profile picture
G_Adams
Posts: 239 - Karma: 1,350
jeez sorry guys... just was curious.
Dec 16 2013 6:39PM
14 19
profile picture
FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
here's how I tell...

1. they throw sick tricks
2. They ski well
Dec 16 2013 6:40PM
95 1
profile picture
Apresbang
Posts: 618 - Karma: 276
Backflips
Dec 16 2013 6:41PM
7 3
profile picture
Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,133
Whether or not they're Tom Wallisch
Dec 16 2013 6:42PM
24 3
profile picture
BrokenBones
Posts: 1275 - Karma: 703
At first I thought that there could be some potential here... until i realized that you were talking about outerwear. There is no correlation between outwear and skill/ability.
Dec 16 2013 6:42PM
40 1
profile picture
Apresbang
Posts: 618 - Karma: 276
I disagree!
If you have you're own outerwear collection, then you're pretty good.
Dec 16 2013 6:44PM
15 8
profile picture
G_Adams
Posts: 239 - Karma: 1,350
I was pretty much talking about anything... looking at a skier in the lift line or something, what do you look for to tell you what kind of skier they are? wasn't trying to make a thread saying that if you wear cool outwear you are good...
Dec 16 2013 6:45PM
1 4
profile picture
Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
shit, looks like i've been doing the wrong thing all these years wearing my goggles so the lenses are on the back of my helmet and the strap covers my eyes. So many people looking at me in the lift line must have thought I gulped penis
Dec 16 2013 6:46PM
67 2
profile picture
Sir.Steezealot
Posts: 1156 - Karma: 677
I think your lying bro. My boy Jimmy spent $1500 on Saga and he could backflip to XGames instantly.
Dec 16 2013 6:47PM
17 2
profile picture
RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i'm gonna turn things around here with a legit ass answer (the only kind of answer i give amiright?)

-really good but beat up or mismatched gear. wear some mismatched FKSs on some edgeless armadas and the lift line quickly reorganizes itself into a line waiting to suck you off
Dec 16 2013 6:53PM
51 2
profile picture
BrokenBones
Posts: 1275 - Karma: 703
He is right, i am lying! his boy jimmy is proof. If you don't have min of 5xl tall, then when trying a rail you are sure to fall.
Dec 16 2013 6:54PM
3 1
profile picture
~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
how you carry skis and how you walk down steps in ski boots. if you can do both at the same time, you ski black diamonds.
Dec 16 2013 7:19PM
51 1
profile picture
Twerk
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,059
Full Tilts
Dec 16 2013 7:20PM
6 1
profile picture
207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
Biggest tells on level/type of retard that would make retarded thread?
Dec 16 2013 7:20PM
3 1
profile picture
crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
you sound like literally ANY park skier at my home mountain. not that i dont wear saga too, but there isnt a single one who doesnt
Dec 16 2013 7:22PM
1 23
profile picture
galardogod
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 5,209
Most people i know who are good wear safari hats made popular by no other than steve stepp
Dec 16 2013 7:27PM
1 2
profile picture
Maruchan
Posts: 206 - Karma: 1,582
Whirlybirds
Dec 16 2013 7:42PM
15 1
profile picture
Dhane
Posts: 3866 - Karma: 1,722
im the best skier on the mountain and i wear old beat up things i find in dumpsters.





this thread is aids
Dec 16 2013 7:44PM
14 1
profile picture
*DUMBCAN*
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 5,628
Shockingly accurate answer to the question 'how do you tell who is a good skier':


Watch them ski.
Dec 16 2013 7:50PM
25 1
profile picture
MANDER
Posts: 4017 - Karma: 2,038
You're right, this guy sucks.

Click for larger image
Dec 16 2013 7:51PM
56 2
profile picture
Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Click for larger image
Dec 16 2013 7:52PM
24 2
profile picture
p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
Looking OG is an art.
Dec 16 2013 7:59PM
4 1
profile picture
nellyyy
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 3,269
How good said person's cork 3 is
Dec 16 2013 8:10PM
9 2
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13106 - Karma: 18,910
Its very hard to tell just by looking at a rider, if he skis well or not. Its nearly impossible. These are my tells:
1:Outwear vs Age of rider. A kid under 12 with bright gear and expensive brands tend to be a lower caliber. It means they got rich parents. Looking at a teen with mixed up outwear often is the guy who shreds best. But, damaged outwear and overall "bum" look also ride hard. Tighter clothing with markings (ski school, ski patrol) from 18 to old always means this person can only ride flat, but can ride well. But, this is more by gut feeling.

2: Size of crew. Again, this isnt always true, but older riders in bigger crews tend to be better riders.

3:body posture. It is subtle, but its the only tell that is reliable. Riders sitting forward with a straighter back while using their poles as tools to get around is a sign of a confident rider with experience.
Dec 16 2013 8:20PM
15 2
profile picture
Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
The best way to tell is to watch them walk down stairs in ski boots.
Dec 16 2013 8:23PM
37 1
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13106 - Karma: 18,910
bingo
Dec 16 2013 8:24PM
4 1
profile picture
division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
The biggest tells are simple;

1) Turning ability, or lack thereof

2) Pole plants

3) Carrying skis/poles to or from vehicle
Dec 16 2013 8:27PM
17 3
profile picture
Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
uhh...what system?
Dec 16 2013 8:33PM
1 14
profile picture
elm.
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 13,576
i can tell more by a person's skis than their outerwear, but you never know.
Dec 16 2013 8:35PM
0 1
profile picture
PKchu
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 5,943
Watch someone ski out of their natural element.
Example: Park rat on a powder day.
You're a good skier if you can ski everything well.
Dec 16 2013 8:41PM
23 1
profile picture
chiefbroseph
Posts: 720 - Karma: 523
e end Click for larger image.
Dec 16 2013 9:01PM
35 1
profile picture
hippy.
Posts: 3106 - Karma: 14,364
Can someone show me how to carry skis properly?!!!! What is the "proper" way?
Dec 16 2013 9:10PM
1 1
profile picture
JakeBarrett
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 1,843
How humble they are. If they get stoked on other people complementing their tricks, 9 times out of 10 that guy is a better skier than the kid in 600 dollar outerwear saying how much better they are than everyone else.
Dec 16 2013 9:14PM
21 1
profile picture
Benson.
Posts: 2739 - Karma: 3,787
Wait until you get a boner and then place the skis on top of your dick.
Dec 16 2013 9:19PM
3 2
profile picture
Craigskis
Posts: 6650 - Karma: 1,645

There's a direct link between your NS Karma rating, and how well you can ski.
Dec 16 2013 9:21PM
7 1
profile picture
PDoyle
Posts: 337 - Karma: 2,228
Just the good old goggles-helmet fitting and size - Is the helmet an appropriate size and being worn correctly? Does it leave them with a gap? Do the goggles let the person breathe out there nose?

Click for larger image
Dec 16 2013 9:22PM
18 1
profile picture
AustinPowers
Posts: 49 - Karma: 92
This
Dec 16 2013 9:34PM
1 6
profile picture
division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
It's not that there's a "right" way to do it, but there are definitely many "wrong" ways to carry skis. "Wrong" = horrible inefficient, unstable, and you look like a dumbass.

I typically carry my skis on my right shoulder supported by my right hand. Tips facing in front of me and tails to the rear. Have the top ski interlaced with the binding brakes so it can't slip forward (if it slips forward, just flip your skis over). This still allows carrying poles in the left hand and offers support if needed.

Google searched "carry skis" I do this, but rest the ski on my shoulder instead of the edges. Whatever works I guess:

Click for larger image

It's funny watching people, especially unexperienced skiers, carry their shit from vehicle to lodge or ski lift.

We've all seen this (or maybe some of you still do this):

Click for larger image
Dec 16 2013 9:35PM
21 0
profile picture
Migo
Posts: 528 - Karma: 1,741
if they wear full tilts they're obviously pro.
Dec 16 2013 9:42PM
4 2
profile picture
johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
Going out on a limb here but I try this radical thing called watching people with my own two eyes. That usually gives me an indication of whether they are good or not.
Dec 16 2013 9:54PM
1 11
profile picture
humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
If they have a helmet caked in mountain stickers they are pretty much pro I'd say
Dec 16 2013 9:56PM
9 0
profile picture
G_Adams
Posts: 239 - Karma: 1,350
How bout putting poles (if you use them) under your leg as the lift comes? Not that everyone good does this, but more I'm not sure if I've seen a pretty bad skier do it.
Dec 16 2013 9:56PM
5 1
profile picture
hippy.
Posts: 3106 - Karma: 14,364
i do that every time........
Dec 16 2013 10:10PM
2 0
profile picture
elm.
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 13,576
for sure
Dec 16 2013 10:16PM
1 0
profile picture
CaptainSlow
Posts: 717 - Karma: 930
how they ski...
Dec 16 2013 10:17PM
1 1
All times are Eastern (-5)