Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Mount Rushmore of Freeskiing???

profile picture
gonzo6266
Posts: 18 - Karma: 225
The undisputed Mt. Rushmore of skiing is:

Candide
Tanner Hall
Tom Wallisch
Henrik Harlaut

would be mine. all these heads pushed skiing into hyperdrive in their own ways, had style, big film parts, crushed comps and can ski every discipline at the highest level. Candide basically created freeskiing as we know it, Tanner was the first child prodigy and was on top of the game for so long, and is still out there going hard. Pretzel god changed the way skiers come up, with the rise of the internet and superunkown, but then kept on innovating and has become one of the most prominent faces in skiing media and growing the sport. Henny speaks for himself, probably the best all around skier ever, most decorated comp skier but not regarded as a comp jock, just so much style and personality it's hard to not consider him as the Tom Brady of skiing.

Change my mind.
Mar 5 2021 10:12PM
27 2
profile picture
Treegrabber
Posts: 830 - Karma: 11,922
Big Henrik is good but he loses to Elizebeth swaney in my opinion
Mar 5 2021 10:17PM
43 0
profile picture
cyphers
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 18,628
henrik rips park and street like no other. but definitely not the best all around skier until he drops a big mtn line or lays down a fwt run

**This post was edited on Mar 5th 2021 at 10:24:04pm
Mar 5 2021 10:23PM
19 29
profile picture
AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,605
Of free skiing I have to go with Seth Morrison, Shane McConkey, Candide Thovex, and Tanner Hall. Park skiing would be different but overall free skiing I have to go with those four
Mar 5 2021 10:25PM
42 0
profile picture
Casey
Posts: 7880 - Karma: 24,740
Mt Rushmore has presidents from all different eras - I think having Tom and Henrik is a little redundant. Be like having both Roosevelt's up on that mountain it’s a little bit huh bro pick 1.


Hard to ignore Douglas, Morrison, McKonkey
Mar 5 2021 10:29PM
14 1
profile picture
AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,605
Also Doug Coombs and glen plake could probably be up there

**This post was edited on Mar 5th 2021 at 10:32:42pm
Mar 5 2021 10:31PM
19 1
profile picture
iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
We could put eheath up there but then there wouldn't be room for any others.
Mar 5 2021 10:58PM
76 2
profile picture
f100prerunner
Posts: 504 - Karma: 1,313
Shane McConkey and glen plake are up there as well. Both true innovators and broke a lot of stereotypes/mindsets at the time
Mar 5 2021 11:06PM
11 0
profile picture
AlaskaDogfart
Posts: 267 - Karma: 2,926
Sammy C really getting slept on here
Mar 5 2021 11:35PM
17 7
profile picture
stinky_cheese
Posts: 1221 - Karma: 5,173
Hard to not include Eric Pollard especially considering all he's contributed to modern ski design as well
Mar 5 2021 11:36PM
20 2
profile picture
Bended_Toenail
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 10,220
Candide and the Pretzel man are definitely up there, but I can't decide between Shane McConkey, JP Auclair, Thall, and JLev.

Shane and JP really shaped the skiing aspect and Tanner obviously is one of the goats, but I think Jason Levinthal really made the entire industry and sport what it is today.
Mar 5 2021 11:43PM
11 1
profile picture
Chunderface
Posts: 2527 - Karma: 9,937
Dumont should at least be in the convo.
Mar 6 2021 12:07AM
10 6
profile picture
extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
Interesting question. Using Rushmore as a guide for selection its not necessarily the best, most well rounded, or well liked: 'Gutzon Borglum selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States.'

JP as George Washington, the founder
Candide as Jefferson, declared independence from gravity on Chads gap
Tanner as Lincoln, winner of the great tanner-dumont pipe war
Wallisch as Teddy, leader during great economic expansion
Mar 6 2021 3:17AM
24 0
profile picture
cyphers
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 18,628
cyphershenrik rips park and street like no other. but definitely not the best all around skier until he drops a big mtn line or lays down a fwt run

**This post was edited on Mar 5th 2021 at 10:24:04pm


argue with me cowards
Mar 6 2021 3:34AM
12 2
profile picture
snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
I was really hoping that this thread was about snow sticking to the face and that someone skied it.
Mt Rushmore is full of a bunch of old white dead guys.
Can we put Frenchy's up there? Or Canadians?

unfortunately McConkey qualifies, so does Combs. And these are the two dudes that I would expect to have tried to actually ski Rushmore.
Mar 6 2021 10:24AM
9 1
profile picture
tri_photo
Posts: 1530 - Karma: 7,195
I really struggle with the 'Mt. Rushmore' conversation with all my favorite sports. There are so many influential skiers that may not get credit to get in one of the 4 spots.

I mean, what about Sammy C? Simon?

Other big mtn skiers like Shane, Hoji, Abma, Morrison?

Idk I am so conflicted haha
Mar 6 2021 10:29AM
8 0
profile picture
-Dan
Posts: 7146 - Karma: 52,249
40, Kid, Wabs, and Meeks.
Mar 6 2021 12:20PM
20 4
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
gonzo6266The undisputed Mt. Rushmore of skiing is:

Candide
Tanner Hall
Tom Wallisch
Henrik Harlaut

would be mine. all these heads pushed skiing into hyperdrive in their own ways, had style, big film parts, crushed comps and can ski every discipline at the highest level. Candide basically created freeskiing as we know it, Tanner was the first child prodigy and was on top of the game for so long, and is still out there going hard. Pretzel god changed the way skiers come up, with the rise of the internet and superunkown, but then kept on innovating and has become one of the most prominent faces in skiing media and growing the sport. Henny speaks for himself, probably the best all around skier ever, most decorated comp skier but not regarded as a comp jock, just so much style and personality it's hard to not consider him as the Tom Brady of skiing.

Change my mind.


AGOFOf free skiing I have to go with Seth Morrison, Shane McConkey, Candide Thovex, and Tanner Hall. Park skiing would be different but overall free skiing I have to go with those four


They would have to carve me up there, because I am the best skier in the whole world!
Mar 6 2021 12:31PM
10 0
profile picture
codizzle
Posts: 900 - Karma: 2,251
- Shane McConkey
- Tanner Hall
- Candide Thovex
- Henrik Harlaut

Leaving Seth Morrison off this list hurts.

Same with Sammy C. and Wallisch.

One could definitely make a reasonable case for Jonny Moseley, Plake and JP Auclair, too. These guys all make sense.

But I think the four at the top are the primary reason skiing exists in its present state.
Mar 6 2021 1:07PM
8 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9339 - Karma: 61,333
Morrison is going on this thing or I'll become a terrorist and blow it the fuck up
Mar 6 2021 1:49PM
7 0
profile picture
Static
Posts: 8561 - Karma: 4,139
Glenn Plake for sure, and if Tanner makes it he has to be wearing the over the head Oakley glasses.
Mar 6 2021 2:17PM
6 0
profile picture
jompcock
Posts: 1542 - Karma: 11,504
Liz Swaney, Zane Kushman, Radio Ron, Big Air Dave. Honorable mention is Bode Miller
Mar 6 2021 4:51PM
19 0
profile picture
weastcoat
Posts: 6435 - Karma: 74,259
Someone with good photoshop skills make this photo, of Candide Thall Tom and Henrik of course, and I may or may not Venmo you 3 dollars
Mar 6 2021 5:23PM
6 0
profile picture
armchair_skier
Posts: 2351 - Karma: 29,680
Jake Burton

Jay Levinthal
Candide
Wallisch
Mar 6 2021 6:00PM
6 2
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
weastcoastSomeone with good photoshop skills make this photo, of Candide Thall Tom and Henrik of course, and I may or may not Venmo you 3 dollars


Okay, here's the model for carving.
Mar 6 2021 6:30PM
15 0
profile picture
twerkphone64
Posts: 336 - Karma: 2,338
😳
iFlipWe could put eheath up there but then there wouldn't be room for any others.
Mar 6 2021 8:31PM
7 0
profile picture
r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,580
Inb4 @EPfanboy says ep.
Mar 6 2021 8:39PM
5 0
profile picture
Young_patty
Posts: 3290 - Karma: 38,146
A traveling circus Mount Rushmore would be pretty sick... a lot sicker than the normal Mount Rushmore at least
Mar 6 2021 9:27PM
8 0
profile picture
EPfanboy
Posts: 477 - Karma: 3,441
Damnit yer bastard.
r00kieInb4 @EPfanboy says ep.
Mar 7 2021 4:15AM
2 0
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 678 - Karma: 2,221
McConkey
Morrison
Candide
Pep
Mar 7 2021 11:11AM
4 0
profile picture
cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
Young_pattyA traveling circus Mount Rushmore would be pretty sick... a lot sicker than the normal Mount Rushmore at least


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/841596/Washington--TC---A-Film-by-LINE-Traveling-Circus
Mar 8 2021 1:40PM
5 0
profile picture
chills__
Posts: 276 - Karma: 3,208
My top 4:

Nate Shredz
Mar 8 2021 2:26PM
7 0
profile picture
little1337
Posts: 8270 - Karma: 48,391
Moseley could be on fs
Mar 8 2021 3:02PM
3 0
profile picture
Mr.Front4
Posts: 164 - Karma: 184
Andri Ragettli, Jesper Tjader, Fabian Bosch and Walker Shredz
Mar 8 2021 3:50PM
5 5
profile picture
WisconsinDogfart
Posts: 675 - Karma: 5,526
cappsftAndri Ragettli, Jesper Tjader, Fabian Bosch and Walker Shredz


eat shit
Mar 8 2021 11:15PM
3 1
profile picture
WisconsinDogfart
Posts: 675 - Karma: 5,526
nobody has mentioned simon dumont 😡
Mar 8 2021 11:15PM
1 0
profile picture
codizzle
Posts: 900 - Karma: 2,251
WisconsinDogfartnobody has mentioned simon dumont 😡


Simon was a phenomenal, influential skier with mad longevity; but was not better or more influential than Tanner or Candide.
Mar 9 2021 8:54AM
4 0
profile picture
bogust
Posts: 692 - Karma: 7,196
stinky_cheeseHard to not include Eric Pollard especially considering all he's contributed to modern ski design as well


pollard over henrik
Mar 9 2021 11:05AM
2 0
profile picture
steve0
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 1,315
Jon?

Not in my top 4 but deserves a mention.

My four would have to be:

Morrison
Candide
Tanner
Wallisch
Mar 9 2021 11:16AM
3 0
profile picture
codizzle
Posts: 900 - Karma: 2,251
steve0Jon?

Not in my top 4 but deserves a mention.

My four would have to be:

Morrison
Candide
Tanner
Wallisch


Jon Olsson was a worse competition skier than Tanner, and Jon never made film parts that were as good as Candide's. Both are far more influential than Jon.

The only thing I can say about Jon was that he created the template for the stylish double with his kangaroo flip, which was basically a double backflip 180 with a Japan grab. that's his one notable accomplishment.
Mar 9 2021 12:35PM
1 0
profile picture
steve0
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 1,315
codizzleJon Olsson was a worse competition skier than Tanner, and Jon never made film parts that were as good as Candide's. Both are far more influential than Jon.

The only thing I can say about Jon was that he created the template for the stylish double with his kangaroo flip, which was basically a double backflip 180 with a Japan grab. that's his one notable accomplishment.


Agreed he's not in the top 4, but I would put him in the top 10.

I'd say this is pretty notable, not to mention JOI and his overall influence on the industry.

Jon Olsson

X Games Medal Count
GOLD - 2
SILVER - 1
BRONZE - 7

X Games Competition History

Winter X 2009 SKI Big Air 2nd
Winter X 2008 SKI Big Air 1st
Winter X 2008 SKI Slopestyle 3rd
Winter X 2007 SKI Slopestyle 9th
Winter X 2006 SKI Best Trick 5th
Winter X 2006 SKI SuperPipe 8th
Winter X 2005 SKI SuperPipe 3rd
Winter X 2005 SKI Slopestyle 3rd
Winter X 2004 SKI Slopestyle 3rd
Winter X 2004 SKI SuperPipe 2nd
Winter X 2003 SKI SuperPipe 3rd
Winter X 2003 SKI Slopestyle 3rd
Winter X 2002 SKI Slopestyle 3rd
Winter X 2002 SKI SuperPipe 1st
Winter X 2001 SKI Big Air 8th

**This post was edited on Mar 9th 2021 at 1:09:48pm
Mar 9 2021 1:07PM
4 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9339 - Karma: 61,333
codizzleJon Olsson was a worse competition skier than Tanner, and Jon never made film parts that were as good as Candide's. Both are far more influential than Jon.

The only thing I can say about Jon was that he created the template for the stylish double with his kangaroo flip, which was basically a double backflip 180 with a Japan grab. that's his one notable accomplishment.


i'm not saying jon has to be on skiing's Rushmore but you're selling him short here

made dubs cool again, and people had tried. also i think he did the first modern dub 10, or maybe sw dub 10, in addition to the kang flip. i think he did the first sw dub 12 too...?

JOI/JOSS is iconic and "his" style jumps helped make stepovers more popular

was easily one of the biggest killers back in the day, he was blowing everyone's mind when he was doing sw misty 9s and shit in 2001

super consistently had great film segments

is attractive even to straight males
Mar 9 2021 1:59PM
3 0
profile picture
ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 29,284
Steve stepp
Mar 9 2021 2:29PM
2 0
profile picture
codizzle
Posts: 900 - Karma: 2,251
SofaKingSicki'm not saying jon has to be on skiing's Rushmore but you're selling him short here

made dubs cool again, and people had tried. also i think he did the first modern dub 10, or maybe sw dub 10, in addition to the kang flip. i think he did the first sw dub 12 too...?

JOI/JOSS is iconic and "his" style jumps helped make stepovers more popular

was easily one of the biggest killers back in the day, he was blowing everyone's mind when he was doing sw misty 9s and shit in 2001

super consistently had great film segments

is attractive even to straight males


those are good points
Mar 9 2021 5:14PM
2 0
profile picture
little1337
Posts: 8270 - Karma: 48,391
WisconsinDogfartnobody has mentioned simon dumont 😡


His head would only be up to everyone else's shoulders tho
Mar 9 2021 5:16PM
3 0
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
mcconkey
tanner
tom
candide

alternates: mike douglas, seth, henrik
Mar 9 2021 5:25PM
1 0
profile picture
little1337
Posts: 8270 - Karma: 48,391
codizzleJon Olsson was a worse competition skier than Tanner, and Jon never made film parts that were as good as Candide's. Both are far more influential than Jon.

The only thing I can say about Jon was that he created the template for the stylish double with his kangaroo flip, which was basically a double backflip 180 with a Japan grab. that's his one notable accomplishment.


I mean, without JOSS we wouldnt have this
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/688906/Tom-Wallisch--amp--Simon-Dumont---Team-America-JOSS-2009
Mar 9 2021 5:28PM
0 0
profile picture
AlaskaDogfart
Posts: 267 - Karma: 2,926
ColoradoDogfartSteve stepp


Steve Stepp, Zane Kushman, Abraham Cain, and Stephanie Stepp
Mar 9 2021 5:55PM
3 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9339 - Karma: 61,333
codizzlethose are good points


all good, i'm not sitting around feeling bad for jon of all people haha but since he went into other worlds after his freeski career, i feel like i've noticed people haven't listed him as much as i think they should when we talk about icons from our world. dude was GOOD and i always think it's interesting that he never had a major injury like most do at that level, i mean shit he was the other skier at both tanner's and dumont's crashes in 2005
Mar 9 2021 6:03PM
3 0
profile picture
steve0
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 1,315
SofaKingSickall good, i'm not sitting around feeling bad for jon of all people haha but since he went into other worlds after his freeski career, i feel like i've noticed people haven't listed him as much as i think they should when we talk about icons from our world. dude was GOOD and i always think it's interesting that he never had a major injury like most do at that level, i mean shit he was the other skier at both tanner's and dumont's crashes in 2005


I think the reason he never got hurt was that he was one of the first to treat it as a "sport" in the sense that he was an athlete, and his training was calculated. The dude almost qualified for Olympic downhill after he retired from freeskiing. He was calculated in the jumps he built and hit, instead of just sending anything.

Dumont and Tanner had to follow that road after they got hurt, and both ended up getting super into fitness once they found out how much it helped.
Mar 9 2021 9:10PM
3 0
profile picture
codizzle
Posts: 900 - Karma: 2,251
SofaKingSickall good, i'm not sitting around feeling bad for jon of all people haha but since he went into other worlds after his freeski career, i feel like i've noticed people haven't listed him as much as i think they should when we talk about icons from our world. dude was GOOD and i always think it's interesting that he never had a major injury like most do at that level, i mean shit he was the other skier at both tanner's and dumont's crashes in 2005


Jon wasn't insane. he was definitely more timid than his peers. and the benefit to that was he lasted a long time without getting his ass broken, and then he could continue a career in alpine racing when he left freeskiing.

My guess is that Dumont and Tanner are going to live with extreme discomfort and physical pain for the remainder of their lives. sort of like NFL players. Simon and Tanner broke themselves that hard. they are lucky they still have use of their brains.
Mar 10 2021 9:51AM
2 0
All times are Eastern (-5)