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Getting over park fear

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Keegs.
Posts: 86 - Karma: 707
It seems the only place you can progress if you suck now are on deserted hills or rail set ups at your friends house. Going to the park alone or with some friends when you can barley even slide a rail or are just learning your first switchup is nerve racking especially when you are 18. What did you guys do to get over the fear of going to the park when you weren't a gaper but still sucked at skiing?
10 years ago
70 13
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theabortionator
Posts: 52466 - Karma: 172,431
Bump hip hop in yo ears.

Take hot laps. Hike a feature, if you fall get pissed off and motivated and start crushing tricks. When you're in the zone throw it down.

Just keep skiing.

HAve fun regardless
10 years ago
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,505
Stop caring about what other people think and just do your own thing. If you eat shit under the chair or something it's not the end of the world, pick your shit up and try again.
10 years ago
12 0
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
Get drunk
10 years ago
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T-Van
Posts: 388 - Karma: 2,575
Everyones gotta start at some point , just go and ride , regardless what others thinm. Maybe also make friends with some better skiers , just talk with them , they usually should be quite nice
10 years ago
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rob.howard.7965
Posts: 21 - Karma: 34
Seriously american mountains must be full of assholes.

Either that or everyone who creates one of these threads every week is so insecure that they can't accept not being pro.

I am a total park gaper and with a blown out knee to help me along my way too. I have been skiing laax all week and even just hitting the down rails in the small park roughly people don't laugh or criticise. Same in australia (where i am from) people are more than accepting as long as you know the general park rules.

Either stop being so fucking insecure and man up, im 28 and started skiing park 6 months ago and i dont care what people thing. Or find a nicer mountain.
10 years ago
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,358
Honestly, nobody cares if you suck. Like seriously...just dont fuck it up for other people and everything will be fine.
10 years ago
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butterybawls
Posts: 130 - Karma: 2,935
The first step is confidence. Just do your own thing and don't think about anyone else.
10 years ago
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plyswthsqrrls
Posts: 838 - Karma: 2,272
the only times people will ever even notice you in the park are if you a) are fucking up everyone's lines or b) are really good in the park.

people expect you to suck, don't worry about living up to their expectations (I know I do)
10 years ago
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losh
Posts: 1126 - Karma: 4,704
NegromancerStop caring about what other people think and just do your own thing. If you eat shit under the chair or something it's not the end of the world, pick your shit up and try again.


Yeah I've got a friend that isn't very good at park but he Wil be like "hey let's hike this one" which I'm cool with and as soon aa someone elements comes over to that feature he will be like "yo let's line this one I'll see you at the bottom".
I always tell him dude who gives a fuck what they think but he always let's it get in his hear and he doesn't get better.
10 years ago
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mulz
Posts: 155 - Karma: 223
jlens05Yeah I've got a friend that isn't very good at park but he Wil be like "hey let's hike this one" which I'm cool with and as soon aa someone elements comes over to that feature he will be like "yo let's line this one I'll see you at the bottom".
I always tell him dude who gives a fuck what they think but he always let's it get in his hear and he doesn't get better.


Wut?
10 years ago
2 0
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freestyler540
Posts: 13203 - Karma: 20,046
My park is really small...2 hittable rails, thats it. The place is empty except for the gapers all day. I found its a great time to listen to some music and practice the easy tricks, then build your stoke and throw something new. Being alone gives you time to work on something before being more comfortable and including the trick in your bag.

Beat fear? just dont think about getting hurt, watch some ski movies before heading out.
10 years ago
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PK93
Posts: 112 - Karma: 55
If you can't seem to get over how others think of you, most people (including myself) think it's awesome to see someone give their best out there. Whether you're coming off early on every rail or trying front 2s out, I like seeing people attempting new stuff and having fun.
10 years ago
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whiteboi
Posts: 477 - Karma: 1,228
Just go out and session a larger jump, throw some 3's or 5's, and show people that you aren't afraid to try stuff. Thats what worked for me
10 years ago
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Steezmiester007
Posts: 49 - Karma: 82
I just stepped into the park for the first time yesterday. I was a bit nervous at first as well but honestly if you watch people who are better than you or even ask them for advice on how to throw certain tricks you'll be fine. I watched some kid throw stuff off jumps, and with a little guidance I was able to learn 180s and 360s in no time. Yeah I fell a few times, but it's part of the learning experience. Don't be afraid to step outside of your element. Everyone in the park was in your shoes at one point.
10 years ago
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urbanskico
Posts: 42 - Karma: 51
There's a good number of resorts these days offering up free sessions with instructors. The month of January is actually dubbed as "Learn to Ski Month" now and a HUGE emphasis is being placed on park and pipe. This movement is one of the key things Urban Ski Co, who I represent, works on every week.

Give your local mountains a look up on the web or even contact their ski schools and inquire what they are doing to help park skiers learn in an open and non-intimidating environment. The resorts are VERY INTERESTED in listening and acting these days, because the future for skiing is in park & pipe and as the trend moves towards free learning sessions most of the resorts will follow.

If you have a resort or mountain you feel needs a little more persuasion in creating this type of learning environment then let us know. We're actively calling them every week and having these discussions.
10 years ago
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humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
get in the groove
10 years ago
2 0
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,916
Use the fucking search bar
10 years ago
1 6
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Mrworm10
Posts: 2707 - Karma: 4,229
Honestly, all these comments are saying go into the park alone but I don't really know if I've ever learned a new trick skiing alone. I almost always have buddies skiing with me who push me to try things or encourage me to keep trying a trick. I feel like having that extra level of friendly competition between ski-friends is really awesome for progression and such. So yeah, I'd say just ski with some guys who are about the same level as you and you're golden.
10 years ago
4 0
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Are you afraid of the actual features or what people think?

If you're afraid of the features, just push yourself and take a couple soft falls in order to build a comfort zone. I can never land or even attempt tougher tricks until I take one or two wash-outs to settle the nerves.

But if you're worried about what people think, just remember that the guys crushing features were in your shoes at one point too. Even ask for advice, you'll get some pointers and they'll know you're just trying to learn. It's just skiing, we're all on the same team in this sport.
10 years ago
1 0
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
Just stop being so painstakingly self-conscious and this problem, and many others, will completely disappear.

This is the third or fourth thread like this in the last few weeks....why are people so fucking afraid of looking like beginners? So what? You didn't ski race since 6 years old, and you haven't gone to two windell's sessions a year for the last five. So, why aren't you allowed to learn at your pace? And....18? You're a child!! You are NOT too old, man.

No one will give you a hard time unless you're blowing it in terms of etiquette or unless you yourself are being weird and standoffish. I guarantee that if people see you hiking, trying things, slowly improving, you'll be accepted.

See....I think the internet has made people of a certain age terrified of face to face interaction, and especially in the context of being in a humbling circumstance.

Basically, and I mean this with love and respect.....quit being a fucking pussy and worrying about how you might be perceived!
10 years ago
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,550
At least for me, my biggest fear is the fear of getting hurt (or more specifically pain). This definitely isn't the smartest way to work past it, but for me I have found two things that work.

A) Send it before you can think. If you roll into a cliff/jump/etc and just say "I'm going to do this" and then shut your head off before the frontal lobe can yell "HEY WAIT THAT MIGHT NOT WORK ENTIRELY RIGHT AND YOU COULD GET INJURED". Potential flaws include: incorrect speed, poorly aimed takeoff, and other risks from going completely blind into what you're about to do.

B) Get irrationally pissed at something/anything, to the point of seeing read. Goal is to get the "fuck everything" mentality to where you're actually skiing super hard and looking to get hurt, because of how rad you're getting. Difficult to find this mental zone, but a low blood sugar can expedite it. Potential risks: damage to personal relationships, and, uh, probably just isn't a good idea. If you are Dr. Jekyll and can switch between the two almost at will, that's perfect.
10 years ago
4 0
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gerberfoods
Posts: 23 - Karma: 27
I think it gets better when you realize you're not going pro and skiing is all about having a good time
10 years ago
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