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July, 2025

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When will this start to happen in skiing?

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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 6006 - Karma: 3,704
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/sports-participation-canada-kids-1.3573955

"And yet, our continued obsession with rooting out the "best" players at an early age is having a devastating effect, O'Sullivan says.

"The problem is we are trying to select out the 'talent' far, far too young, by starting highly tiered teams with cuts. We're saying these eight-year-olds are on the top team, so they get the best coaching and best facilities, and these other kids go down this house league track. "

O'Sullivan says this makes little sense, even if your only goal is to develop the top athletes."

It's not a new concept and many people are aware of it in skiing. A few of us have been pushing for it in the competitive freeride scene in Canada but the industry doesn't really favour it. It's not glorious and doesn't appear to sell, but that is a short sighted view. J Lev has it right but will other people follow suit? Look at half pipe skiing. Thoughts?

Sorry if the link doesn't work.
9 years ago
27 2
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-Dan
Posts: 7194 - Karma: 53,541
It has already started. Ski academy kids get burnt out or disenchanted when they aren't winning usasa events that they train for. After highschool they just move on from skiing.

When the emphasis of skiing drifts away from personal freedom or expression to competition then the value of it is found in success(winning) Rather than escape.

Competition is fun and has its advantages but it can't be everything or else we lose amazing people. Andy talks about how skiing is a lifelong pursuit compared to most youth sports such as soccer where in most cases you are done with it after 18 if you aren't good enough. Skiing should never have an expiration date.
9 years ago
21 0
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aiden516
Posts: 146 - Karma: 859
TallxTSkiing should never have an expiration date.



So true.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/03/britains-oldest-skier-finally-gives-up-sport-after-80-years-5792868/
9 years ago
1 0
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sgg.23
Posts: 271 - Karma: 266
I think that this is the sad truth in America and the world. Youth competitive sports has gotten crazy of the past 10 years. The commitments are unreal. We are trying to be the 'best' and the coaches are then only selecting the 'best' and if you're only 'good' at a sport why would you want to play it?
With that said, I believe that skiing can be different because the vibes some places are just unreal, no one cares how good or bad at skiing you are, it's just a bunch of guys having a good time. I think that if you love skiing for the enjoyment and you love the sport, you won't even think about quitting and that's why it is different from other sports.
9 years ago
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Park_Ranger
Posts: 3825 - Karma: 8,635
TallxTIt has already started. Ski academy kids get burnt out or disenchanted when they aren't winning usasa events that they train for. After highschool they just move on from skiing.

When the emphasis of skiing drifts away from personal freedom or expression to competition then the value of it is found in success(winning) Rather than escape.

Competition is fun and has its advantages but it can't be everything or else we lose amazing people. Andy talks about how skiing is a lifelong pursuit compared to most youth sports such as soccer where in most cases you are done with it after 18 if you aren't good enough. Skiing should never have an expiration date.


wisdom is the new lip on blind 2
9 years ago
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4242 - Karma: 10,784
TallxTIt has already started. Ski academy kids get burnt out or disenchanted when they aren't winning usasa events that they train for. After highschool they just move on from skiing.

When the emphasis of skiing drifts away from personal freedom or expression to competition then the value of it is found in success(winning) Rather than escape.

Competition is fun and has its advantages but it can't be everything or else we lose amazing people. Andy talks about how skiing is a lifelong pursuit compared to most youth sports such as soccer where in most cases you are done with it after 18 if you aren't good enough. Skiing should never have an expiration date.


Well said.
9 years ago
0 0
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Rennis_Deynolds
Posts: 2739 - Karma: 19,061
True, I'm already not good enough to go pro so I have to pretend to have style.
9 years ago
1 1
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chacha33
Posts: 959 - Karma: 4,164
TallxTkids get burnt out just move on from skiing.

Competition is fun and has its advantages you are done with it after 18 if you aren't good enough. Skiing should have an expiration date.


#stopskiing
9 years ago
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..=
Posts: 548 - Karma: 1,224
I really do think it's a bizarre mindset to have. I know individuals who put all their time on hill with their team, trying to get the next trick for the competition next week. It's a really weird vibe, not down with it. The Olympics have only propelled these mindsets, and will eventually burn kids out much faster than those who find it an escape, as mentioned above
9 years ago
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 6006 - Karma: 3,704
I agree that it has been happening for a while. With Jr Big Mountain comps, we've seen the transition from kids just skiing to a pumped up training ground for the FWT. I do give a lot of people credit for keeping it fun but there are some scary and disappointing scenes out there.

A lot of people, with resorts being a huge part of it, think that events won't sell or aren't worth going to if they don't have a quantifiable value in a bigger scheme. Athletes fall into this as well, with reg numbers much lower in regional event vs national ones.

I think the change needs to come from the top down. Events and competitions can be focussed on fun and be successful at the same time. Why the hell does a 12 year old need a national ranking and a world championships? Let the little guy play in the snow, he has plenty of time to get uber competitive.
9 years ago
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