How do some people get so good?

Also a very good point

asparagustakes a lot less balls when you’ve already done the trick 20 times on the airbag

They eat more bananas than you

I think fear or rather lack there of is going to be what determines the ceiling for 90% of skiers.

The rest are either going to be exceptionally talented and can perform only going 50% or are a step away from being disabled.

On the latter note I'm a good skier but I'm too uncoordinated to do a stand up paddleboard being tall AF and have to really dial back on a snowboard since I will go down too hard at speed. I could have a 24/7 live in coach and huge balls and not sniff the X games.

SchizoSkierIt genuinely blows my mind how good people can get at such a young age. Specifically people like Luke Votaw is 18 and can quad and throws absolutely insane shit so causally. Another one is Dylan Deschamps hes 19 and is the same way. He recently threw a quad backflip I think and can cork 19. Jackson Karsteter, Matej Svencer, Konnor Ralph too. these ppl blow my mind. Do they just not go to school or something? How often do they have to ski to get so good so quickly

P. S. also not dickriding luke votaw ( y’all really seem to hate him on here) you just can’t deny the fact that he’s absolutely insane

Everyone mentioned here is absolutely insane at skiing, their skills are awe-inspiring to say the least. The bar has been raised, with better training facilities and methods, as well as our sport becoming more mature, and athletes actually ‘training’ at a young age.

Many of the comments on this thread are pretty funny, but not inaccurate… you need athletic ability, access to parks/time on hill, supportive parents, $$$.

Luke Votaw grew up close to a 200’ vertical garbage pile turned ski hill in Greater Detroit (Mt Brighton). He was hot lapping the park hitting rails and small jumps, on a fast rope tow daily when he was 6yrs old. These small Midwest resorts all have night skiing, and some actually have decent parks. Of course these hills are loaded with pre-teens there every day during the winter that never get to that level.. so obviously there is more to it than access. You can’t learn to do doubles, or triples etc. at a small resort, at some point a supportive parent must provide an opportunity to train on bigger/better jumps.

If you look up Luke on YouTube, you’ll see him doing Cork 9/10’s and some very technical rail tricks at 10,11yrs old. He’s been at this for a long time.

Luke attracts some negative comments on NS’s because of his unique fashion sense and TikTok following, but he is also the only guy at that level from a small hill, that did not go to a ski academy, no private coach, and doesn’t live near an airbag facility. So there is hope if you aren't one of the fortunate ones to be born in Park City with wealthy parents.

In addition to the obvious tangible criteria necessary to create a high level skier.. all these guys possess tremendous mental fortitude, a willingness to sacrifice/dedicate their lives to skiing, and a burning desire to progress. It’s pretty simple after that.

There's a lot of factors. I personally think money is the biggest one. There is a tendency to shit on people for being from a well-off family, but you have to consider that plenty of skiers have money but don't reach that level of skill.

Learning to ski at a young age is important. Some people have parents who grew up skiing and can teach them when they're young. Some people might be the first ones in the family to pick up skiing.

Location is important too. Growing up near a world class resort is important. Especially if it has a great freestyle team or club.

Of course there's individual aspects. Being a driven individual, being resilient, having balls to go outside your comfort zone and take slams, or being athletic in general. Some people do other sports that lend themselves to skiing, either directly or indirectly.

I always have huge respect for people who overcome obstacles and fund their own skiing, especially from a young age. no need to shit on people for coming from a well-off background.

SkiDoctorEveryone mentioned here is absolutely insane at skiing, their skills are awe-inspiring to say the least. The bar has been raised, with better training facilities and methods, as well as our sport becoming more mature, and athletes actually ‘training’ at a young age.

Many of the comments on this thread are pretty funny, but not inaccurate… you need athletic ability, access to parks/time on hill, supportive parents, $$$.

Luke Votaw grew up close to a 200’ vertical garbage pile turned ski hill in Greater Detroit (Mt Brighton). He was hot lapping the park hitting rails and small jumps, on a fast rope tow daily when he was 6yrs old. These small Midwest resorts all have night skiing, and some actually have decent parks. Of course these hills are loaded with pre-teens there every day during the winter that never get to that level.. so obviously there is more to it than access. You can’t learn to do doubles, or triples etc. at a small resort, at some point a supportive parent must provide an opportunity to train on bigger/better jumps.

If you look up Luke on YouTube, you’ll see him doing Cork 9/10’s and some very technical rail tricks at 10,11yrs old. He’s been at this for a long time.

Luke attracts some negative comments on NS’s because of his unique fashion sense and TikTok following, but he is also the only guy at that level from a small hill, that did not go to a ski academy, no private coach, and doesn’t live near an airbag facility. So there is hope if you aren't one of the fortunate ones to be born in Park City with wealthy parents.

In addition to the obvious tangible criteria necessary to create a high level skier.. all these guys possess tremendous mental fortitude, a willingness to sacrifice/dedicate their lives to skiing, and a burning desire to progress. It’s pretty simple after that.

I get what you’re trying to say about Luke but his situation is a little different. Yeah, he “grew up” at a small hill with “no private coaching” but basically had parent following him around with a camera since he was six.

On his channel you can find videos of 10 year old Luke hitting airbags and learning corks, plus skiing out in Breckenridge. Sure he didn’t start out at an amazing hill but it looks like he’s been skiing at good resorts since 10, which is sooner than lots of kids even get into the park.

I’m not saying that Luke didn’t work his ass off and have lots of talent but he seems to have grown up in a pretty peculiar environment that most east coast/midwest kids don’t get to experience.

asparagusI get what you’re trying to say about Luke but his situation is a little different. Yeah, he “grew up” at a small hill with “no private coaching” but basically had parent following him around with a camera since he was six.

On his channel you can find videos of 10 year old Luke hitting airbags and learning corks, plus skiing out in Breckenridge. Sure he didn’t start out at an amazing hill but it looks like he’s been skiing at good resorts since 10, which is sooner than lots of kids even get into the park.

I’m not saying that Luke didn’t work his ass off and have lots of talent but he seems to have grown up in a pretty peculiar environment that most east coast/midwest kids don’t get to experience.

Yes, I do not argue that one bit. No matter where you're 'from' you need a very supportive parent.. 10yr olds can't drive themselves to the hill 100 times a year.

Some combination of Balls, Money, time and being able to ski a lot. I would say to obtain a competitive level of skiing as a sport you need at least 40+ days on snow. On top of that access to trampolines is a must. Then you need summer training which cost guap. A little luck to not get hurt. I do not think coaching is as big of an impact. I know how to do a quad cork but I would never attempt one because I am soft. The advantage to the academies is they give you every resource to be good. Also not saying you can make it without all of these things, but reality is you will be in competition with people who do.