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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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Let’s make NS popular again

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mistaNasty
Posts: 44 - Karma: 401
How can we get this site to have more active users and more frequent posts? I miss the days where there were several hundred people online at once and I know you all do too. Throw some suggestions around to make the site more popular again but without making it so popular we get overloaded with kooks. I know the app could use some updates and I also know that the funding for this site is unfortunately lacking. I just want to see this community grow a little and be more popular among fellow shredders.

P.s. I know this thread belongs in site discussion but I’m posting here because there is a lot more activity here
Jan 26 2021 2:20PM
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,863
I think NS could have a bigger part in local rail jams. Maybe anything from giving merch for the prize pool/raffle to posting event placing on their site. Would be cool to require an NS account to sign up for rail jams on the site. Maybe people would only make an account to sign up but I'm sure a number of people would actually use the forums.
Jan 26 2021 2:30PM
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,192
Original ns content will bring people to the site, I think cy is a great example, I've actually been recommended some of his news articles via the Google news app!
Jan 26 2021 2:42PM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2288 - Karma: 20,815
Get the merch partnerships cranking. First time I heard of Newschoolers, I thought it was a clothing company. Found the site when I was shopping around for jackets.

A couple freebies here and there for athletes that have NS roots but made it big could bring a lot of attention to the site.
Jan 26 2021 2:59PM
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mistaNasty
Posts: 44 - Karma: 401
finderI think NS could have a bigger part in local rail jams. Maybe anything from giving merch for the prize pool/raffle to posting event placing on their site. Would be cool to require an NS account to sign up for rail jams on the site. Maybe people would only make an account to sign up but I'm sure a number of people would actually use the forums.


this would be pretty awesome and Not Even just rail jams. NS could do some big mountain comps, slush slaloms, and having a booth at those end of season parties! NS definitely has its roots in park and urban skiing, but has the capacity to expand and be great for more BC skiers and other disciplines within the sport.
Jan 26 2021 3:06PM
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oldspicewalrus
Posts: 153 - Karma: 352
larilinesignGet the merch partnerships cranking. First time I heard of Newschoolers, I thought it was a clothing company. Found the site when I was shopping around for jackets.

A couple freebies here and there for athletes that have NS roots but made it big could bring a lot of attention to the site.

Completely agree the NS logo is so infamous and cool, just pushing it out there would gain a lot of attention.
Jan 26 2021 3:08PM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2288 - Karma: 20,815
Also, giving gear/athletes/parks etc... awards and badges. A really solid Newschoolers badge logo that ski companies would tack on their websites to drive traffic here.

You know like the Powder Magazine badge, or the On the Snow badge, or the Blister badge... there is no reason there shouldn't be a Newschooler's badge.

For terrain parks, they could print the badge on a sign and ship it to the resort. Maybe they post it, maybe they don't.




Edit: adding onto this, having an awards ceremony event at an event like Dew Tour or something

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2021 at 3:16:19pm
Jan 26 2021 3:12PM
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wyld_stallyns
Posts: 475 - Karma: 4,629
Like mentioned above, gear giveaways, sponsoring athletes, and events like local rail jams would be dope and definitely bring some people in

Beyond that I'd just say recommend it to all your skier (and even boarder) friends. I have a surprising amount of skier friends who are great skiers and knowledgeable about the scene but had never heard about NS but we're intrigued as soon as I told them about it

SPREAD THE WORD!!
Jan 26 2021 3:12PM
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mistaNasty
Posts: 44 - Karma: 401
Just to add a little bit more to what I said about the app needing to be updated:

I think that if this app were to evolve into a little bit more a social platform it would attract a lot more users. The forums are awesome and they work very well and I know a lot of people lurk on here without accounts browsing the forums. I think this app could benefit from some refined user experience, making the photo posting a little more streamlined and having a more customized feed similar to the way the original Instagram was. Making it easier to have DMs with other users, maybe even something like Facebook videos where you can just scroll endlessly thru people’s videos and clips. Let me know what you think about making it a little more of a social app
Jan 26 2021 3:16PM
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mistaNasty
Posts: 44 - Karma: 401
larilinesignAlso, giving gear/athletes/parks etc... awards and badges. A really solid Newschoolers badge logo that ski companies would tack on their websites to drive traffic here.

You know like the Powder Magazine badge, or the On the Snow badge, or the Blister badge... there is no reason there shouldn't be a Newschooler's badge.

For terrain parks, they could print the badge on a sign and ship it to the resort. Maybe they post it, maybe they don't.


THIS!

fuck yeah having NS “certified” parks or something would really make this cool and especially gear, NS has been really good about helping startups become bigger Names in the ski industry. We’ve seen moment and on3p and even armada in the early days really take off and I think a decent amount of that came from the NS community when they were just getting started
Jan 26 2021 3:23PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7073 - Karma: 61,940
I second this. I think the appeal for a lot of users is industry knowledge or gear knowledge/recommendations. If NS can push out more original stuff, it can open up to a broader market
katrinaOriginal ns content will bring people to the site, I think cy is a great example, I've actually been recommended some of his news articles via the Google news app!
Jan 26 2021 3:28PM
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P3t3r
Posts: 1795 - Karma: 5,554
larilinesignEdit: adding onto this, having an awards ceremony event at an event like Dew Tour or something


We did an award ceremony at Dew Tour last year.
More details coming soon about this year's event.

Keep the ideas flowing!
Jan 26 2021 3:40PM
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Butterytips69
Posts: 724 - Karma: 8,065
mistaNastyJust to add a little bit more to what I said about the app needing to be updated:

I think that if this app were to evolve into a little bit more a social platform it would attract a lot more users. The forums are awesome and they work very well and I know a lot of people lurk on here without accounts browsing the forums. I think this app could benefit from some refined user experience, making the photo posting a little more streamlined and having a more customized feed similar to the way the original Instagram was. Making it easier to have DMs with other users, maybe even something like Facebook videos where you can just scroll endlessly thru people’s videos and clips. Let me know what you think about making it a little more of a social app


Not trying to be a dick but idk if I'd want that. I kinda hate social media apps and like how NS has the old school forum feel. Maybe make a separate page that's built more like you suggested but that seems like a lot of work. I think if cults/regionals came back from the dead that would sortof give you what you're looking for minus the software updates.
Jan 26 2021 3:50PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7073 - Karma: 61,940
Totally agree. But they would need to attract sponsors and money. My biggest question is: does anyone at newschoolers get paid and how much revenue can the site generate to put into those types of things? Maybe it would need to be a crowdfund me type.
Andy Parry talks about this on “where do I even start” podcast. Sponsors are tighter with money because of influencers and contests are going more towards FIS points.

I love the idea of local, fun contests not attracting the FIS type comp skier (but they can always come, if they want).
finderI think NS could have a bigger part in local rail jams. Maybe anything from giving merch for the prize pool/raffle to posting event placing on their site. Would be cool to require an NS account to sign up for rail jams on the site. Maybe people would only make an account to sign up but I'm sure a number of people would actually use the forums.


mistaNastythis would be pretty awesome and Not Even just rail jams. NS could do some big mountain comps, slush slaloms, and having a booth at those end of season parties! NS definitely has its roots in park and urban skiing, but has the capacity to expand and be great for more BC skiers and other disciplines within the sport.
Jan 26 2021 3:59PM
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Grom
Posts: 311 - Karma: 2,105
Butterytips69Not trying to be a dick but idk if I'd want that. I kinda hate social media apps and like how NS has the old school forum feel. Maybe make a separate page that's built more like you suggested but that seems like a lot of work. I think if cults/regionals came back from the dead that would sortof give you what you're looking for minus the software updates.


disagree, from what I've heard this place is pretty dead compared to 5 yrs ago. It's time to add some new features. I like the idea of it being a little bit more Instagram app format, with easier to view vids and dms. forums should obv remain
Jan 26 2021 4:04PM
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BrandoComando
Posts: 1486 - Karma: 18,758
tastybarrelsdisagree, from what I've heard this place is pretty dead compared to 5 yrs ago. It's time to add some new features. I like the idea of it being a little bit more Instagram app format, with easier to view vids and dms. forums should obv remain


I think NS could learn from the new Reddit app/website. That site started out as just another forum, but they've evolved the platform to something approachable to a huge audience. If you just want photos and videos, you can scroll like Insta. If you want comments and threads, that's just a click away. I think they've found a good balance between forum and social media. And their site growth can be attributed to that.

I have mixed feelings about Reddit as a whole, but their platform design would translate well to NS
Jan 26 2021 4:30PM
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WoFlowz
Posts: 7937 - Karma: 64,126
What ever happens shit better not turn into a skiing tiktok
Jan 26 2021 4:34PM
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Butterytips69
Posts: 724 - Karma: 8,065
tastybarrelsdisagree, from what I've heard this place is pretty dead compared to 5 yrs ago. It's time to add some new features. I like the idea of it being a little bit more Instagram app format, with easier to view vids and dms. forums should obv remain


Do you think new features would attract that many more people? I feel like for the most part people are here because it's the best place to talk skiing (besides r/skiing obv). Would kids these days be that impressed by the instagram-style feed? Couldn't they just go to the NS insta page? Idk maybe I'm just a crusty old man afraid of change
Jan 26 2021 4:53PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
NS' following seems to be strongest on instagram. Many of their followers don't know it's an online community. Increasing retention from instagram visitors would be the best way to get it going
Jan 26 2021 4:57PM
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Jems
Posts: 7527 - Karma: 97,446
Most people who know newschoolers as an instagram account that posts skiing clips and news, not a skiing forum
Jan 26 2021 4:58PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51745 - Karma: 163,541
Free hotdogs after 1pm every Tuesday and Friday
Jan 26 2021 5:02PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5104 - Karma: 51,835
I agree with some of what you're saying, but what makes NS truly great is that it's an early 2000s style internet forum, which is totally different from modern social media. More and more people I know are realizing that social media sucks and often has negative effects on people's mental health. Copying social media isn't the way to go.

One thing that I like to do on NS that I would like to see the website promote is just sorting by latest in videos and watching whatever comes up, which I think is one of the things you're suggesting. I've found some really cool videos that way and it's a great way to see what styles and tricks people are rocking at other mountains, which helps build community.

mistaNastyJust to add a little bit more to what I said about the app needing to be updated:

I think that if this app were to evolve into a little bit more a social platform it would attract a lot more users. The forums are awesome and they work very well and I know a lot of people lurk on here without accounts browsing the forums. I think this app could benefit from some refined user experience, making the photo posting a little more streamlined and having a more customized feed similar to the way the original Instagram was. Making it easier to have DMs with other users, maybe even something like Facebook videos where you can just scroll endlessly thru people’s videos and clips. Let me know what you think about making it a little more of a social app
Jan 26 2021 5:18PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7073 - Karma: 61,940
TGR is way better of a forum than r/skiing
Butterytips69I feel like for the most part people are here because it's the best place to talk skiing (besides r/skiing obv).
Jan 26 2021 5:27PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,472
Forums will make a comeback when social media dies, just you wait.
Jan 26 2021 5:35PM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 24,055
Honestly, I like NS as it is. It would be cool to draw in more members, but I think making it more like other social media platforms would be pretty fucking stupid.
Jan 26 2021 5:54PM
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,192
@eheath who do you contract to do your mobile app work? You could consider making it open source or semi-open source if there is enough genuine interest and talent to make meaningful feature updates direct from the community, and then whomever is actually running the development can determine if they want to merge development changes. But I totally get it if it's a third party that owns the source code, then that can't happen.
Jan 26 2021 5:58PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,472
katrina@eheath who do you contract to do your mobile app work? You could consider making it open source or semi-open source if there is enough genuine interest and talent to make meaningful feature updates direct from the community, and then whomever is actually running the development can determine if they want to merge development changes. But I totally get it if it's a third party that owns the source code, then that can't happen.


@TRVP_ANGEL
Jan 26 2021 6:10PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6203 - Karma: 62,990
eheathForums will make a comeback when social media dies, just you wait.


God I can’t wait for social media to die.
Jan 26 2021 7:15PM
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johnoble
Posts: 272 - Karma: 2,627
eheathForums will make a comeback when social media dies, just you wait.


Eheath speaking the truth. Ive cut way back on my social use, but im at least scrolling and reading here and oppositelock(car forum, more blog style) every day, and i can definitely see more people moving back to forums as social becomes too overwhelming. NS ig promoting the forum side more could be big, especially paired with real life events.

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2021 at 7:22:36pm
Jan 26 2021 7:21PM
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,192
johnobleEheath speaking the truth. Ive cut way back on my social use, but im at least scrolling and reading here and oppositelock(car forum, more blog style) every day, and i can definitely see more people moving back to forums as social becomes too overwhelming. NS ig promoting the forum side more could be big, especially paired with real life events.

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2021 at 7:22:36pm


Yea I agree I hate social media, it used to be great but then it all turned to ads, and I appreciate the community NS fosters
Jan 26 2021 7:42PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
I'd argue newschoolers is more popular than it's ever been. The forums might not be as active but the culture of newschoolers is very much alive via the web/other social media sites and in real life on the hill.

Of course, I don't pay the bills but I think if you go expanding your market, you change your market which for a place like NS, is probably no bueno.
Jan 26 2021 9:03PM
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SlitherySnake
Posts: 1168 - Karma: 8,614
larilinesignAlso, giving gear/athletes/parks etc... awards and badges. A really solid Newschoolers badge logo that ski companies would tack on their websites to drive traffic here.

You know like the Powder Magazine badge, or the On the Snow badge, or the Blister badge... there is no reason there shouldn't be a Newschooler's badge.

For terrain parks, they could print the badge on a sign and ship it to the resort. Maybe they post it, maybe they don't.




Edit: adding onto this, having an awards ceremony event at an event like Dew Tour or something

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2021 at 3:16:19pm


line has a best of newschoolers logo on the website page for some of their skis. I know the TW pro has one, but I don't know about any of the others

**This post was edited on Jan 26th 2021 at 9:10:06pm
Jan 26 2021 9:09PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6925 - Karma: 24,825
MinggI'd argue newschoolers is more popular than it's ever been. The forums might not be as active but the culture of newschoolers is very much alive via the web/other social media sites and in real life on the hill.

Of course, I don't pay the bills but I think if you go expanding your market, you change your market which for a place like NS, is probably no bueno.


hell yeah NS culture is alive out there. a post in the Oregon regionals has resulted in a couple sick shred sessions at my local hill this season. glad I set alerts because who even checks regionals?
Jan 26 2021 9:12PM
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Grom
Posts: 311 - Karma: 2,105
Butterytips69Do you think new features would attract that many more people? I feel like for the most part people are here because it's the best place to talk skiing (besides r/skiing obv). Would kids these days be that impressed by the instagram-style feed? Couldn't they just go to the NS insta page? Idk maybe I'm just a crusty old man afraid of change


A new sleek app format with lots of different easy ability to share vids and new photos would absolutely attract new users. The app is slow, updated, and ugly to look at.

Thinking about a new update of the app gets me stoked. Think about an Instagram but for "core" skiers with a ton of authentic, homemade ski content.
Jan 26 2021 9:15PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9401 - Karma: 68,886
Leave stickers in the bathrooms of resorts for people to grab.
Jan 26 2021 9:58PM
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Idahoe
Posts: 1027 - Karma: 7,538
ASAPJackA new sleek app format with lots of different easy ability to share vids and new photos would absolutely attract new users. The app is slow, updated, and ugly to look at.

Thinking about a new update of the app gets me stoked. Think about an Instagram but for "core" skiers with a ton of authentic, homemade ski content.


SLVSH tried that with SLAPP, I don't think it really took off
Jan 26 2021 11:17PM
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Idahoe
Posts: 1027 - Karma: 7,538
Also, I think one of the things that NS has that most social media doesn't have is a community that will support and give feedback to most if not all content that is uploaded. If you look at the video tab, most videos have a comment or two, and almost all have them have at least a couple views. I think, as cynical as it might sound, that by encouraging people through feedback/views/likes to post more content, people will want to post videos on here rather than instagram and bring more people to the site.
Jan 26 2021 11:37PM
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dant02
Posts: 252 - Karma: 2,346
Ban Instagram
Jan 26 2021 11:52PM
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450out.
Posts: 596 - Karma: 517
I haven't been here in years. Where tf is Mr. Bishop?
Jan 27 2021 12:31AM
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Nickc88
Posts: 630 - Karma: 2,074
NS needs to start organized events and comps across the country.
Jan 27 2021 1:00AM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 9,931
Chill with the heavy handed moderating and bans.
Jan 27 2021 1:52AM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7073 - Karma: 61,940
Fuck I forgot about SLAPP. But SLAPP always felt more like a “learn a trick, this is what this trick looks like” app. It didn’t seem to have a clear vision, or they didn’t outline it well for most people, at least.

Also, in agreeance with everyone else - I too can’t wait for social media to die. I find social media just bums me out/makes me feel down nowadays (even though I know there’s no reason for it). Newschoolers doesn’t.
IdahoeSLVSH tried that with SLAPP, I don't think it really took off
Jan 27 2021 1:58AM
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Kretzschmar
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 98,331
snowmosexualNS' following seems to be strongest on instagram. Many of their followers don't know it's an online community. Increasing retention from instagram visitors would be the best way to get it going


Yup, as unfortunate as it is, getting IG users to actually come to NS has been tough unless we're giving away free gear or I link a really interesting news story/forum post. That's the on going struggle for digital marketers.
Jan 27 2021 3:12AM
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c-fries
Posts: 1046 - Karma: 5,585
One of the things I remember growing up that made NS so sick back in the day was just simple word of mouth. All based on content content content. If you guys could get more video content to be exclusively on Newschoolers I think you’d have some success on getting it popping like the old days. Maybe push teasers from Instagram to full cuts on the site.

Kids used to talk about Totally Trevor in the hallways at high school all the time. Line TC videos (although not exclusively NS content) were religiously followed. When a new Jiberish edit came out it was all the rage. Like when the Sean Jordan & Clayton Vila edit at Breck dropped everyone in school was hip to it. Everybody had a Newschoolers account because it was just the place to be. You’d feel left out if you didn’t have one! Push some FOMO social psychology!

True true true, the kids aren’t into full edits like they used to be. Sad. But there are still so many awesome cultural moments in skiing that people want to be a part of.
Jan 27 2021 7:44AM
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GrandThings
Posts: 3166 - Karma: 31,947
Perhaps maybe my most controversial opinion ever....

....open Newschoolers to snowboarders too
Jan 27 2021 8:35AM
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,542
The death of NSers started with Instagram. It’s an easier interface to get more views. But agreed above if NSers got more involved in the scene physically this website would prolly take off again. Like collabs with some fabric brands/merch giveaways/competition sponsorship are all really good points
Jan 27 2021 9:53AM
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asparagus
Posts: 2489 - Karma: 28,372
GrandThingsPerhaps maybe my most controversial opinion ever....

....open Newschoolers to snowboarders too


This could actually be huge. Snowboarders and skiers don't seem to hate each other very much nowadays and there isn't a huge forum for snowboarders. The website wouldn't change too much, maybe a new snowboard gabber, or a snowsports gabber. Maybe you could sort videos and stuff by sport too. Other than that, newschoolers would have to do some rebranding and spread the word, plus some other stuff that I can't think of which would be the hard part. Maybe the idea sucks, maybe it could revive newschoolers. Who knows.
Jan 27 2021 10:01AM
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GrandThings
Posts: 3166 - Karma: 31,947
asparagusfriendThis could actually be huge. Snowboarders and skiers don't seem to hate each other very much nowadays and there isn't a huge forum for snowboarders. The website wouldn't change too much, maybe a new snowboard gabber, or a snowsports gabber. Maybe you could sort videos and stuff by sport too. Other than that, newschoolers would have to do some rebranding and spread the word, plus some other stuff that I can't think of which would be the hard part. Maybe the idea sucks, maybe it could revive newschoolers. Who knows.


Yeah I can certainly understand if mods/admins want to keep it ski-specific, but I think this would be the easiest way to grow the site and TBH I'd rather have snowboarders on NS than no NS at all.

I also think its super cool how open ski/boarder crews have been in the past few years. You can tell everyone is homies now as opposed to keeping spots locked down/secret. The Dustbox even shouted out Child Labor in their latest flick (or the other way around, I cant remember)
Jan 27 2021 10:07AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6925 - Karma: 24,825
GrandThingsPerhaps maybe my most controversial opinion ever....

....open Newschoolers to snowboarders too


NS is already open to snowboarders , snow skaters, monoskiers and all kinds of single ski riders. Smaller percentage of those for sure but some of the more active people here are often just riding one board. No matter what kind of binding you choose or if you choose just to leash up and ride with no bindings at all. It’s all just skiing IMO
Jan 27 2021 10:33AM
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BLandz
Posts: 1678 - Karma: 27,596
@dolanslebensraum gotta post more
Jan 27 2021 11:11AM
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Idahoe
Posts: 1027 - Karma: 7,538
GrandThingsPerhaps maybe my most controversial opinion ever....

....open Newschoolers to snowboarders too


snowboard gabber
Jan 27 2021 11:34AM
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