First tricks to get down

Work on getting comfortable in the air. When you learn your first spins make sure to learn them both ways trust me it will comeback to bite you if you don't. Learn how to slide a rail both ways too, followed shortly by 270s out.

If you're a newb to skiing then please make sure you can hold your own outside of the park for your own benefit

FIRRRRRRRATTTTTTTTTT

blind lip2s are essential

Spread eagles and lip on blind 2

gapersarefriendsIf you're a newb to skiing then please make sure you can hold your own outside of the park for your own benefit

I'm a really confident skier just new to the frestyle aspect of everything.

DMadd11883Yeah I'm a newb get over it. What stuff should I focus on first before I get more serious?

One of the biggest things to work on is a proper pop on takeoff for any jump. This is the foundation of hitting any sort of jump, whether it’s a big Booter or the takeoff to a rail.

Its the foundation of your park Skiing, so don’t ignore it even though it isn’t that sexy to work on.

Mr.BishopOne of the biggest things to work on is a proper pop on takeoff for any jump. This is the foundation of hitting any sort of jump, whether it’s a big Booter or the takeoff to a rail.

Its the foundation of your park Skiing, so don’t ignore it even though it isn’t that sexy to work on.

Thanks man stuff like this is super helpful. You can watch youtube all day but half the time those guys don't know crap.

DMadd11883Thanks man stuff like this is super helpful. You can watch youtube all day but half the time those guys don't know crap.

If you can afford it, summer camps are an amazing way to make a huge jump in progression. You both get some of the best coaching there is, and you’re on snow in he middle of summer.

That was a major key back in the day for me going from total n00b to someone who can sort of do some tricks. ;)

Zero spin, 180, and switch 180. Both rotations.

Take a lap or two outside the park before you start tricking, just going fast and feeling your edges. You'll need that control when you start doing park stuff.

Start simple and move your way up. Do a 180 before you try a 360, a 3 before you do a 5, etc. Try every trick both ways. Learned a left 360? Try it to the right. Same goes for rails.

Practice your switch skiing. Spend an afternoon just skiing around the mountain switch.

First of all, make sure you know all the correct words for slides, spins & grabs so you don't come across as a noob

DMadd11883I'm a really confident skier just new to the frestyle aspect of everything.

Sweet man, yeah just start off my getting comfortable on jumps that helped me a bunch

Some of the basic skills you should learn:
How to properly pop
Learn to ski switch over both shoulders
180 both ways
get comfortable sliding rails with either foot forward


The MOST important skill to learn in freestyle skiing is learning how to pop. This guy does a pretty good job at explaining some of the basic tricks in skiing:
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/788220/How-to-Jump-on-skis-part-1--Pop-and-Olliehttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/789246/How-to-Jump-on-skis--Part-2

Trick wise I say you wanna get comfortable sliding both left and right foot forward. Get comfortable doing all 4 180s then 360s and backflips. It sounds weird but backflips are one of THE EASIEST tricks you can learn to feel awesome about yourself. Lol but most of all have fun dude. I’ve been skiing for 4 years and can’t do a whole lot but I’m also never going to get sponoswred. I’m there to keep having fun and pump my homies up and vise versa.

It has all been said but I have to agree that the not important thing is to just have fun. Don't do it because you have to, if you don't enjoy it then what's the point?

My advice would be as has been said above. Start outside the park, hit every little side hit and roller you can (safely of course) and work on your pop. Also try to get comfortable in the air. You should be able to pop 20ft off a hit/roller and not be winding down the widows in the air. The key to being solid and stable in the air is to have a good, strong pop so they very much go hand in hand.

Next start to work on some very basic air manouvers. It is tempting to start trying 180s and 360s but I think it is better to start with things like shiftys, spread Eagles and daffys. They may seem lame but learning how to move body parts while in the air without losing control or balance is a key skill.

Once you have those dialed, try adding a few grabs. Easiest grabs are tindy and safety. Then move on to stale, Japan and mute. A straight air with a grab can look badass!! Especially over a roller or off a cliff. Again this is working on your balance and control.

Now move on to 180s. Start with learning to ride switch. Learn to switch ski over both shoulders and relatively high speed on a blue run at least. Make sure you're are carving your switch turns and not stemming them. Start somewhere easy and build it up. Ever on a cat track between two chairs? Ski switch. On the ski out? Ski switch. Waiting for a mate? Ski switch. When you learn your first 180s, find a bank or quarter pipe and try it there first. Like an alley-oop. This way you can get used to the rotation and not have to worry about landing switch. Do this on every bank you see until you are super comfortable with the set and movements. I think the progression from here is pretty self explanatory, regular 180s, both ways, switch 180s, both ways.

From that point learn the next few tricks in order and both ways for each:

360
Zero spin
Switch 360

And for rails:

50-50 on a box
50-50 on a narrower box
50-50 on an even narrower box

Attempt your first ski slide on a wide disco box. Jump on like a 50-50 and then do a shifty once you've landed to get used to feeling your skis slide sideways. Progress from here to land more sideways each time.

Once you can do a ski slide, learn it on the other foot. Then learn to ski slide to regular and ski slide to switch. Lots of people just go with it and come off whichever way they come off. Learn to control this.

The most important things with boxes and rails are, you guessed it, a strong pop! Also to make sure you stay "stacked" over your skis and have an even distribution of weight on both feet. It is instinctive to learn back (uphill) but make sure you stay over your front foot. Start with a wide stance as you are learning, it will help with balance.

The other key things to remember:

Learn technique before you attempt to add style. It is way more important to understand the mechanics than to make it look steezy and also impossible to make it look steezy without fully understanding the mechanics so you will only make it harder for yourself.

Don't push yourself too hard too fast. It's easy to land a 180 and then think great I'll go for the 360 (think eddy the eagle), but when you land a trick you still need to repeat it 100 times at least to make sure you really got it!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are in the park and see someone who is better than you, introduce yourself and ask for help. If they are a solid guy/gal they won't hesitate to give you some tips!

R-EDIt has all been said but I have to agree that the not important thing is to just have fun. Don't do it because you have to, if you don't enjoy it then what's the point?

My advice would be as has been said above. Start outside the park, hit every little side hit and roller you can (safely of course) and work on your pop. Also try to get comfortable in the air. You should be able to pop 20ft off a hit/roller and not be winding down the widows in the air. The key to being solid and stable in the air is to have a good, strong pop so they very much go hand in hand.

Next start to work on some very basic air manouvers. It is tempting to start trying 180s and 360s but I think it is better to start with things like shiftys, spread Eagles and daffys. They may seem lame but learning how to move body parts while in the air without losing control or balance is a key skill.

Once you have those dialed, try adding a few grabs. Easiest grabs are tindy and safety. Then move on to stale, Japan and mute. A straight air with a grab can look badass!! Especially over a roller or off a cliff. Again this is working on your balance and control.

Now move on to 180s. Start with learning to ride switch. Learn to switch ski over both shoulders and relatively high speed on a blue run at least. Make sure you're are carving your switch turns and not stemming them. Start somewhere easy and build it up. Ever on a cat track between two chairs? Ski switch. On the ski out? Ski switch. Waiting for a mate? Ski switch. When you learn your first 180s, find a bank or quarter pipe and try it there first. Like an alley-oop. This way you can get used to the rotation and not have to worry about landing switch. Do this on every bank you see until you are super comfortable with the set and movements. I think the progression from here is pretty self explanatory, regular 180s, both ways, switch 180s, both ways.

From that point learn the next few tricks in order and both ways for each:

360
Zero spin
Switch 360

And for rails:

50-50 on a box
50-50 on a narrower box
50-50 on an even narrower box

Attempt your first ski slide on a wide disco box. Jump on like a 50-50 and then do a shifty once you've landed to get used to feeling your skis slide sideways. Progress from here to land more sideways each time.

Once you can do a ski slide, learn it on the other foot. Then learn to ski slide to regular and ski slide to switch. Lots of people just go with it and come off whichever way they come off. Learn to control this.

The most important things with boxes and rails are, you guessed it, a strong pop! Also to make sure you stay "stacked" over your skis and have an even distribution of weight on both feet. It is instinctive to learn back (uphill) but make sure you stay over your front foot. Start with a wide stance as you are learning, it will help with balance.

The other key things to remember:

Learn technique before you attempt to add style. It is way more important to understand the mechanics than to make it look steezy and also impossible to make it look steezy without fully understanding the mechanics so you will only make it harder for yourself.

Don't push yourself too hard too fast. It's easy to land a 180 and then think great I'll go for the 360 (think eddy the eagle), but when you land a trick you still need to repeat it 100 times at least to make sure you really got it!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are in the park and see someone who is better than you, introduce yourself and ask for help. If they are a solid guy/gal they won't hesitate to give you some tips!

You just typed out my Bible for the season. This is super helpful thanks guys.

R-EDIt has all been said but I have to agree that the not important thing is to just have fun. Don't do it because you have to, if you don't enjoy it then what's the point?

My advice would be as has been said above. Start outside the park, hit every little side hit and roller you can (safely of course) and work on your pop. Also try to get comfortable in the air. You should be able to pop 20ft off a hit/roller and not be winding down the widows in the air. The key to being solid and stable in the air is to have a good, strong pop so they very much go hand in hand.

Next start to work on some very basic air manouvers. It is tempting to start trying 180s and 360s but I think it is better to start with things like shiftys, spread Eagles and daffys. They may seem lame but learning how to move body parts while in the air without losing control or balance is a key skill.

Once you have those dialed, try adding a few grabs. Easiest grabs are tindy and safety. Then move on to stale, Japan and mute. A straight air with a grab can look badass!! Especially over a roller or off a cliff. Again this is working on your balance and control.

Now move on to 180s. Start with learning to ride switch. Learn to switch ski over both shoulders and relatively high speed on a blue run at least. Make sure you're are carving your switch turns and not stemming them. Start somewhere easy and build it up. Ever on a cat track between two chairs? Ski switch. On the ski out? Ski switch. Waiting for a mate? Ski switch. When you learn your first 180s, find a bank or quarter pipe and try it there first. Like an alley-oop. This way you can get used to the rotation and not have to worry about landing switch. Do this on every bank you see until you are super comfortable with the set and movements. I think the progression from here is pretty self explanatory, regular 180s, both ways, switch 180s, both ways.

From that point learn the next few tricks in order and both ways for each:

360
Zero spin
Switch 360

And for rails:

50-50 on a box
50-50 on a narrower box
50-50 on an even narrower box

Attempt your first ski slide on a wide disco box. Jump on like a 50-50 and then do a shifty once you've landed to get used to feeling your skis slide sideways. Progress from here to land more sideways each time.

Once you can do a ski slide, learn it on the other foot. Then learn to ski slide to regular and ski slide to switch. Lots of people just go with it and come off whichever way they come off. Learn to control this.

The most important things with boxes and rails are, you guessed it, a strong pop! Also to make sure you stay "stacked" over your skis and have an even distribution of weight on both feet. It is instinctive to learn back (uphill) but make sure you stay over your front foot. Start with a wide stance as you are learning, it will help with balance.

The other key things to remember:

Learn technique before you attempt to add style. It is way more important to understand the mechanics than to make it look steezy and also impossible to make it look steezy without fully understanding the mechanics so you will only make it harder for yourself.

Don't push yourself too hard too fast. It's easy to land a 180 and then think great I'll go for the 360 (think eddy the eagle), but when you land a trick you still need to repeat it 100 times at least to make sure you really got it!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are in the park and see someone who is better than you, introduce yourself and ask for help. If they are a solid guy/gal they won't hesitate to give you some tips!

Then bake at 350 for 20 minutes in a non-stick pan

R-EDIt has all been said but I have to agree that the not important thing is to just have fun. Don't do it because you have to, if you don't enjoy it then what's the point?

My advice would be as has been said above. Start outside the park, hit every little side hit and roller you can (safely of course) and work on your pop. Also try to get comfortable in the air. You should be able to pop 20ft off a hit/roller and not be winding down the widows in the air. The key to being solid and stable in the air is to have a good, strong pop so they very much go hand in hand.

Next start to work on some very basic air manouvers. It is tempting to start trying 180s and 360s but I think it is better to start with things like shiftys, spread Eagles and daffys. They may seem lame but learning how to move body parts while in the air without losing control or balance is a key skill.

Once you have those dialed, try adding a few grabs. Easiest grabs are tindy and safety. Then move on to stale, Japan and mute. A straight air with a grab can look badass!! Especially over a roller or off a cliff. Again this is working on your balance and control.

Now move on to 180s. Start with learning to ride switch. Learn to switch ski over both shoulders and relatively high speed on a blue run at least. Make sure you're are carving your switch turns and not stemming them. Start somewhere easy and build it up. Ever on a cat track between two chairs? Ski switch. On the ski out? Ski switch. Waiting for a mate? Ski switch. When you learn your first 180s, find a bank or quarter pipe and try it there first. Like an alley-oop. This way you can get used to the rotation and not have to worry about landing switch. Do this on every bank you see until you are super comfortable with the set and movements. I think the progression from here is pretty self explanatory, regular 180s, both ways, switch 180s, both ways.

From that point learn the next few tricks in order and both ways for each:

360
Zero spin
Switch 360

And for rails:

50-50 on a box
50-50 on a narrower box
50-50 on an even narrower box

Attempt your first ski slide on a wide disco box. Jump on like a 50-50 and then do a shifty once you've landed to get used to feeling your skis slide sideways. Progress from here to land more sideways each time.

Once you can do a ski slide, learn it on the other foot. Then learn to ski slide to regular and ski slide to switch. Lots of people just go with it and come off whichever way they come off. Learn to control this.

The most important things with boxes and rails are, you guessed it, a strong pop! Also to make sure you stay "stacked" over your skis and have an even distribution of weight on both feet. It is instinctive to learn back (uphill) but make sure you stay over your front foot. Start with a wide stance as you are learning, it will help with balance.

The other key things to remember:

Learn technique before you attempt to add style. It is way more important to understand the mechanics than to make it look steezy and also impossible to make it look steezy without fully understanding the mechanics so you will only make it harder for yourself.

Don't push yourself too hard too fast. It's easy to land a 180 and then think great I'll go for the 360 (think eddy the eagle), but when you land a trick you still need to repeat it 100 times at least to make sure you really got it!

Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are in the park and see someone who is better than you, introduce yourself and ask for help. If they are a solid guy/gal they won't hesitate to give you some tips!

You forgot to add on 'stomp it and ride away clean' to the end of every step

Sometimes I think for sliding boxes just going for it is the best approach. If you have decent control of your skis. Flat boxes are pretty forgiving. Down features take a little bit more adjustment.

If you commit to getting sideways and don't lean back because you're scared, most of the time you'll end up successful.

Thank everyone! This was super helpful I'm gettin' freaking hyped can't wait for the snow!

Thank everyone! This was super helpful I'm gettin' freaking hyped can't wait for the snow!

DMadd11883Thank everyone! This was super helpful I'm gettin' freaking hyped can't wait for the snow!

Not that you would do this, but whatever you do, DO NOT start hitting the rail kickers in the park as jumps, please!!

People doing this just makes the park less safe and a lot less fun to ride for more experienced skiers. You're gonna want to gain air confidence outside of the park and start with rollers/real jumps once you feel ready enough.

*Not meant to be a mean comment at all, I just see too many new skiers get in crashes, and get injured by doing this, plus this is a huge pet peeve of a ton of park riders.*

jmckay7You forgot to add on 'stomp it and ride away clean' to the end of every step

Damn. Knew I forgot something.

I wish I had read this thread before I started, now I cant ski switch, and cant swap, and can only spin one way, unnatural game is so important early on

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/879834/FIRST-5-TRICKS-TO-LEARN-ON-SKIS-Hopefully this helps!

Represent!!!

theabortionatorFIRRRRRRRATTTTTTTTTT