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July, 2025

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The purest form of skiing

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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,559
Yesterday it was late in the afternoon, 3-4 o clock. Day was winding down and most of the home boys are headed back up to the city. Normally this is when I would chill out. Maybe ski something other than the park or at least just stop throwing down. It’s usually a combination of being tired and unmotivated. Yesterday was different tho. It was literally me, the park crew, and some safety patrollers left on the hill. Sun was out, snow was slushy, and I thought damn what a moment to be alive. So I put some music in and kept throwing down. Kept trying new stuff. Some of the happiest moments of my life right there.

got me thinking how complicated skiing can become. Some people just can’t see that side of skiing. I have several friends that are all about impressing people and being the top dog and throwing the craziest tricks. That’s sick don’t get me wrong. But in the end if they were left alone like I was with an amazing park all to themselves with nobody there to appreciate their skiing but themselves, they would go home. Nobody saw that floaty cork 3. But I was there. I saw it. I lived it. That’s the purest form of skiing to me. When you can just be so connected to the moment and yourself that it doesn’t matter who’s there or who caught it on video or who you just one up’d. These are the moments that filter those who like skiing from those who love skiing.
4 years ago
154 2
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twerkphone64
Posts: 336 - Karma: 2,340
tldr
4 years ago
25 34
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weastcoat
Posts: 6510 - Karma: 75,508
Stuff like this keeps me alive
4 years ago
41 1
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gilbertressel
Posts: 639 - Karma: 8,508
That was profound.
4 years ago
33 1
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8271 - Karma: 65,090
Wow jack very insightful
4 years ago
16 1
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_brrett
Posts: 1741 - Karma: 28,995
Sometimes when I ski a reverse the way I hold my poles and pretend that they're swords
4 years ago
56 0
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Unknown.skier
Posts: 29 - Karma: 263
I like making fun of ski racers
4 years ago
30 1
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8271 - Karma: 65,090
WoFlowzWow jack very insightful


Also I hope I’m not one of those kids jack if I am check me back into reality
4 years ago
10 0
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sqeellicbic
Posts: 421 - Karma: 3,357
There's something magical about progressing alone. If I'm with friends and I'm about to try something new I'd usually wait until they were watching to either watch me claim it or tell me what I'm doing wrong. But there's just something about stomping something and getting really hyped all alone that hits different.
4 years ago
22 0
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doubleblackjack
Posts: 627 - Karma: 6,723
Wrong. Telemark is the purest form of skiing
4 years ago
31 2
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WoFlowz
Posts: 8271 - Karma: 65,090
doubleblackjack1Wrong. Telemark is the purest form of skiing

That’s not skiing that’s a religious cult
4 years ago
56 0
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Jhaek
Posts: 301 - Karma: 728
Good read bro
4 years ago
4 0
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isaacwrong
Posts: 2460 - Karma: 19,713
Fax..spending time making the smaller bag of tricks look good is much more rewarding. Also sw lip>straight slide
4 years ago
9 0
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freestyler540
Posts: 13239 - Karma: 20,496
Yeah dude, sending without a camera is soul skiing. You do it for you.
I do what I preach; last year after closing, it puked one last time and finished the lap with a cat track gap. Everyones cameras were dead, but just yelled enjoy the show and send it. We all had a good laugh after.
4 years ago
12 0
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TOAST.
Posts: 7800 - Karma: 40,431
I progress more when I ski by myself. Can hot lap and with nobody around to pressure me it is much more relaxing
4 years ago
9 0
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,548
doubleblackjack1Wrong. Telemark is the purest form of skiing


Ha ha!
Sing this: "I can snowboard, and I can ski, but you never gonna' see me telemarky."
"I like coffee, seldom drink tea, and you never gonna' see me telemarky!


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/958399/Woodward-Mt--Bachelor-Real-Laps-Jordan-Selker-March-10th-2020
4 years ago
2 0
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Spunion
Posts: 240 - Karma: 1,358
I vaguely remember a thread or article talking about exactly this but homie who wrote it went into depth about skiing alone with no one around to judge and how some people would lose interest in the sport all together, or on the other hand like you said they love to ski and they gonna keep loving it
4 years ago
12 0
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RolloPolloDollo
Posts: 17 - Karma: 183
DominatorJacquesHa ha!
Sing this: "I can snowboard, and I can ski, but you never gonna' see me telemarky."
"I like coffee, seldom drink tea, and you never gonna' see me telemarky!


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/958399/Woodward-Mt--Bachelor-Real-Laps-Jordan-Selker-March-10th-2020


Filmed by Norm Macdonald?
4 years ago
1 1
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,548
AndySchangFilmed by Norm Macdonald?

Ha ha! I'll take that as a compliment!
Most of my videos are for laughing! Hope you got some!
4 years ago
6 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
1 time I went to a random hill all by myself and was doing some dumbass tophaloaf shit cause I didnt want any of the homies to make fun of me.
4 years ago
13 1
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Alek_Lypowy69
Posts: 9 - Karma: 57
skierman_jackYesterday it was late in the afternoon, 3-4 o clock. Day was winding down and most of the home boys are headed back up to the city. Normally this is when I would chill out. Maybe ski something other than the park or at least just stop throwing down. It’s usually a combination of being tired and unmotivated. Yesterday was different tho. It was literally me, the park crew, and some safety patrollers left on the hill. Sun was out, snow was slushy, and I thought damn what a moment to be alive. So I put some music in and kept throwing down. Kept trying new stuff. Some of the happiest moments of my life right there.

got me thinking how complicated skiing can become. Some people just can’t see that side of skiing. I have several friends that are all about impressing people and being the top dog and throwing the craziest tricks. That’s sick don’t get me wrong. But in the end if they were left alone like I was with an amazing park all to themselves with nobody there to appreciate their skiing but themselves, they would go home. Nobody saw that floaty cork 3. But I was there. I saw it. I lived it. That’s the purest form of skiing to me. When you can just be so connected to the moment and yourself that it doesn’t matter who’s there or who caught it on video or who you just one up’d. These are the moments that filter those who like skiing from those who love skiing.


I find that late night pvc seshs with a few of the boys r pretty dope too like I feel like we're all pushing each other to throw our first 2 pretz 2 n shit like that. its just such a vibe where you don't have to worry about throwing a dope ass trick ur just chilling out living life
4 years ago
9 0
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Sighman_Fisher
Posts: 78 - Karma: 372
Thats the only reason I ski
4 years ago
6 0
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
Man I’d love to have the park to myself for an afternoon!
4 years ago
4 0
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,559
zoinkedI vaguely remember a thread or article talking about exactly this but homie who wrote it went into depth about skiing alone with no one around to judge and how some people would lose interest in the sport all together, or on the other hand like you said they love to ski and they gonna keep loving it

Sounds like homie was on the same page I am
4 years ago
6 0
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
Purest form of skiing doesn't involve a groomed run, let alone a park.

I could be wrong, it is probably best to ask some old dudes in the Tyrol region - they would have a better grasp on what purity in skiing is all about.
4 years ago
2 9
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skierman_jack
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 17,559
It’s not a place, or style, or type of run. It’s an attitude and a passion. An appreciation.
DrailPurest form of skiing doesn't involve a groomed run, let alone a park.

I could be wrong, it is probably best to ask some old dudes in the Tyrol region - they would have a better grasp on what purity in skiing is all about.
4 years ago
17 0
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jprene8
Posts: 298 - Karma: 2,047
DrailPurest form of skiing doesn't involve a groomed run, let alone a park.

I could be wrong, it is probably best to ask some old dudes in the Tyrol region - they would have a better grasp on what purity in skiing is all about.

I get what you mean but I think both of your definitions are correct. And I also think that feeling transcends skiing. That feeling of being one with whatever you’re doing, the feeling of not wanting to be anywhere else, where everything else fades away, is just passion and love for a activity, it’s a moment where you’re at peace. And it’s something some people spend their whole lives looking for because it’s one of the best feelings in the world. So whatever activity you do to get that feeling, is the purest form of something you can do for yourself. Wether that’s hot-lapping the park with your headphones on a Wednesday night with no one else in sight besides the liftie, or skinning 4 hours up a skin track to see the view and the majesty of the mountains around you, or even rock climbing wether indoor or out and being on that wall or rock face and it’s just you, the holds, and the mountain. Whatever activity gets you to that place is the purest form of that activity for yourself.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2021 at 12:30:42pm
4 years ago
4 0
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izzyhenn
Posts: 68 - Karma: 1,056
TOAST.I progress more when I ski by myself. Can hot lap and with nobody around to pressure me it is much more relaxing

This. Pretty sure more than half my days on hill I’ve been solo bussin. It’s a way I meditate tbh, just putting on music & vibin really makes you feel connected to the mtns and to the community
4 years ago
5 0
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kylemoriarty_
Posts: 18 - Karma: 142
I’ll never forget. I was skiing a hella icy day in Bozeman. Didn’t know MT even had ice. But the whole mountain was a hockey rink. I was solo and got on the chair with what I assume was a farmer. He literally was only wearing denim overalls and a flannel. I said, “Man, shitty conditions”. Without missing a beat he looked me in the eye and said, “It’s a good day as long as your suckin in air”. Then he wadded up the fattest dip I’ve ever seen and stuffed in his cheek. Pretty sure he was angel... Anyway this post made me think of that.
4 years ago
10 0
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7648 - Karma: 81,444
Idk what all the kumbaya mumbo jumbo's all about.

If people ain't lookin, I ain't cookin. It's that simple chief
4 years ago
6 1
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Butterytips69
Posts: 733 - Karma: 8,237
BiffbarfIdk what all the kumbaya mumbo jumbo's all about.

If people ain't lookin, I ain't cookin. It's that simple chief


Lift line hot dog runs for days. I'm up at 5 every morning practicing my shifties, daffies, and spread eagles to give the people what they want. Getting those cheers feels better than sex.
4 years ago
10 0
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dognutsdogfart
Posts: 2671 - Karma: 35,739
preach
jprene8I get what you mean but I think both of your definitions are correct. And I also think that feeling transcends skiing. That feeling of being one with whatever you’re doing, the feeling of not wanting to be anywhere else, where everything else fades away, is just passion and love for a activity, it’s a moment where you’re at peace. And it’s something some people spend their whole lives looking for because it’s one of the best feelings in the world. So whatever activity you do to get that feeling, is the purest form of something you can do for yourself. Wether that’s hot-lapping the park with your headphones on a Wednesday night with no one else in sight besides the liftie, or skinning 4 hours up a skin track to see the view and the majesty of the mountains around you, or even rock climbing wether indoor or out and being on that wall or rock face and it’s just you, the holds, and the mountain. Whatever activity gets you to that place is the purest form of that activity for yourself.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2021 at 12:30:42pm
4 years ago
3 0
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stinky_cheese
Posts: 1221 - Karma: 5,176
nailed it

for me, the purest form of skiing is being on a skin track on a ridge, not taking pictures to post on instagram or anything like that, but simply appreciating the act of being there. Not necessarily trying to make it up to the top in record time, but taking my time and being satisfied in the fact that whether I ski 1000 ft of vert or 10,000 ft of vert, i'm doing something that I love. Taking time on my way up also helps me appreciate the way down so much more.

although our situations may be different, i think the core idea behind your purest form of skiing and my purest form of skiing are the same.
4 years ago
7 0
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
The least pure form of skiing is tracking your vert on the epic pass and then complaining that the app sometimes misses a lift.
4 years ago
8 0
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skigumby
Posts: 12 - Karma: 118
Good on you man! Everyone should have moments like these...
4 years ago
3 0
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Lanceasaurus
Posts: 925 - Karma: 109
This guy gets it
4 years ago
3 0
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ToddlerBodyBag
Posts: 283 - Karma: 2,093
ericformanThe least pure form of skiing is tracking your vert on the epic pass and then complaining that the app sometimes misses a lift.


Allegedly if the app misses a run you can contact support and they'll add it for you. I like to believe that it's just a trap and that anyone who does it is banned for life.
4 years ago
5 0
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