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Ski type for ollies?

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michael.hsu.5059
Posts: 37 - Karma: 284
Hey guys, I'm pretty new to the park scene and I'm struggling trying to learn how to ollie on skis. I've watched countless tutorials which always just emphasize on jump up HARD, send arms up HARD, lean back HARD (where's the threshold when my back would just eat snow?), and the tail of the skis will take care of it all for ya!
I tried to do all that and all my skis ever do is just that the tips come off the ground, and then fall back down again. The tails just don't bend. If I stand still and lift up one leg and try to just press the tail into the ground it does bend a small bit but just doesn't seem enough.
My question is, does the ski have to do with it? Maybe it's just not designed to bend like other park skis?

My skis are Elan Puzzle TBT, if that helps. http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/fst/item/14elanpuztbt/


Thanks!
Mar 3 2017 2:13PM
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sklermang
Posts: 2981 - Karma: 1,954
If your skis are super long & stiff, and you arent a very heavy/strong person then yeah, itll be harder to flex your tails. But in terms of "lean back hard and the skis will do the rest", that's only part of it. I'd say its more like you should be leaning back and getting your ass over the tails of the ski until you can feel the tail flex, then "spring" off your tails and shift your weight back to center while popping up. If you don't feel like you're getting the flex part, try going off a roller and just leaning back and flexing your tails until you wash out. Do that a few times, then once you get a better idea of what the flex feels like, you'll start to get a sense of timing for when you've flexed enough and need to pop up out of it.

Hope that helps
Mar 3 2017 4:22PM
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michael.hsu.5059
Posts: 37 - Karma: 284
nostreboRIf your skis are super long & stiff

How can I tell if mine skis are too long and stiff?



nostreboRtry going off a roller and just leaning back and flexing your tails until you wash out. Do that a few times, then once you get a better idea of what the flex feels like, you'll start to get a sense of timing for when you've flexed enough and need to pop up out of it.

Hope that helps


What kind of a jump is a roller? Can I just do this on flat ground with some speed? I always feel like I'm leaning too far back that I'm about to fall onto my back/ass backwards. How do I "pop out of it" when I'm "lying down in mid air"? it seems as with many things in freestyle I'm finding when starting out is that...aim for the extreme and get rekt first so you can see where the threshold is. So in this case...TRY to fall on my ass. And TRY to break the skis in half...
Mar 3 2017 5:50PM
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sklermang
Posts: 2981 - Karma: 1,954
michael.hsu.5059How can I tell if mine skis are too long and stiff?

I'd google reviews of your skis from retailers to get a quick idea of if they are considered a stiff ski or not. I'd just do a quick search online what is a good length for a park ski for your height/weight. I like my park skis at my hairline, but most people would consider that on the longer side. Weight also plays a big factor.



What kind of a jump is a roller? Can I just do this on flat ground with some speed? I always feel like I'm leaning too far back that I'm about to fall onto my back/ass backwards. How do I "pop out of it" when I'm "lying down in mid air"? it seems as with many things in freestyle I'm finding when starting out is that...aim for the extreme and get rekt first so you can see where the threshold is. So in this case...TRY to fall on my ass. And TRY to break the skis in half...


Roller is just like a smooth rolling little bump/hill, so not a jump, more like a knoll. You don't have to practice on a roller if you want to do it on flat ground, but sometimes it feels easier to flex your skis coming off of the top of a roller because you're unweighted as you come over the top of the roller so you can easily rock back on your tails.

Obviously don't go out and hurt yourself for no reason. If you have a video of yourself trying it, that would help for sure
Mar 3 2017 6:08PM
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sambuswell
Posts: 742 - Karma: 3,453
I find that longer/softer/more centered skis are the easiest for ollies, but the skis are not that important. Imagine doing a wheelie and then bringing your tails into the air, it's pretty easy once you get used to it
Mar 3 2017 10:21PM
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HAMNATION
Posts: 814 - Karma: 1,720
1. Get a skateboard
2. Learn to olie on that
3. ??????
4. olies on skies will seem super straight foward
5. beer
6. profit
Mar 5 2017 12:35PM
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tac0.slayer
Posts: 254 - Karma: 947
It almost sounds as if your boots don't fit quite right. If your feet are slopping around inside of them, there is no way your going to be able to get your skis to flex, and get the pop you need to do an ollie.

I had this problem when i first bought my most recent pair of boots. But as soon as I got some proper insoles and some fitting done, boom, I was popping and spinning off everything in sight.
Mar 5 2017 8:50PM
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yungcigsmoker
Posts: 785 - Karma: 5,922
Bro just ski around super fast and try to jump off everything and you'll have ollies down in like 2 days. Speed is your friend
Mar 5 2017 8:51PM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2719 - Karma: 22,891
Shorter, stiffer skis are much easier. I have a real hard time doing a decent ollie on my rossi s3s (186cm) vs my ancient K2 carving skis (167cm). If anything, just stop skipping leg day. You still need the power in your legs.
Mar 6 2017 9:53AM
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SPK_
Posts: 202 - Karma: 1,050
The thing is, at first you won't feel like you're jumping at all. Your head will not go "higher", like you do when doing a regular jump on the ground. With ollies on skis, it's rather the feet that'll come up. When I learned ollies I felt like I wasn't jumping, and that I was just rocking backwards and forwards. I didn't realize I actually got some air before trying to ollie over things (like bumps, branches or jerries). So find some small stuff to jump over, get some speed, tuck your knees, and practice!
Mar 6 2017 10:46AM
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