“Old guy in the park” mentality

c-friesSomething I’ve been thinking about a bunch recently. I feel like there’s this weird stigma around freestyle skiing beyond the age of like 23. I think it’s stupid, but it's definitely a real thing.

I’m 27. Some days when I’m lapping the park all day, I feel like I’m the oldest one by a mile. You sit with guys on the chair in their late 20s that are like “back in the day I used to do XYZ tricks but not anymore, I’m too old” (I’m guilty of that one for sure).

Meanwhile in other sports, 27 is an age of peak athleticism. There are plenty of sports professionals that break records and win MVP awards well into their mid 30s. Obviously in our own sport, there are plenty of guys in their 30s that haven’t slowed down a bit. I’m sure we could all name a ton (Henrik, Sammy C, TC crew, fucking candide, etc).

What do you guys think? Which is there this perceived “age cap” in freestyle skiing?

It's because what we are doing is potently hazardous, other sports when shit happens to you it's usually happenstance. Extreme sports peak age is probably 20, you either become a legend or have a bad crash. Or both and your name is Tanner hall.

I'm 29 now and still feeling really good on rails when I'm healthy. My only gripe about being "old" now is that it takes me longer to recover from injuries than it used to.

**This post was edited on Feb 14th 2023 at 3:04:06am

dwt802Shit I’m only 21 and I can relate to this

"Ugh I know what you mean guys, I feel SO old and grown-up!"

Don't avoid me. You always leave me on read when I wanna hang out :(. That's not what friends do.

skierman"Ugh I know what you mean guys, I feel SO old and grown-up!"

c-friesSomething I’ve been thinking about a bunch recently. I feel like there’s this weird stigma around freestyle skiing beyond the age of like 23. I think it’s stupid, but it's definitely a real thing.

I’m 27. Some days when I’m lapping the park all day, I feel like I’m the oldest one by a mile. You sit with guys on the chair in their late 20s that are like “back in the day I used to do XYZ tricks but not anymore, I’m too old” (I’m guilty of that one for sure).

Meanwhile in other sports, 27 is an age of peak athleticism. There are plenty of sports professionals that break records and win MVP awards well into their mid 30s. Obviously in our own sport, there are plenty of guys in their 30s that haven’t slowed down a bit. I’m sure we could all name a ton (Henrik, Sammy C, TC crew, fucking candide, etc).

What do you guys think? Which is there this perceived “age cap” in freestyle skiing?

I'm currently 28 turning 29 in march and personally speaking i feel like im still growing so yeah, mentality and body condition matter the most in that aspect and not age tbh.

I'm almost 27 also, and I totally understand the sentiment.

The thing is... I'm okay with it, and I have this same mentality. I enjoy it, here is why:

I'm going to be a father this year. I can't wait, man. I can't wait to teach my son or daughter how amazing skiing is, and how much joy can be gleaned from sliding down deep snow with a plank under each of their feet.

I fully embrace the old guy in the park mentality. As much as I wish I could huck tricks and not care, I know it's not about me anymore. But I'm okay with it, I'm excited for it. Time for me to be ready to pass the torch on to my kiddo, and it can be their turn to catch their edge on a coping trying a 270 on. Haha!

I had about 2 or 3 years where I really sent it. All in my early mid 20s when I moved to Oregon and then moved to Tahoe. Before then I never really had really consistent skiing as an Adult, but once I was able to ski 5-7 days a week if I wanted, it all sorta changed.

Eventually I started really scaring the shit out of myself and picked up some more bad injuries... and realized that I wasn't actually having fun sending myself off of big shit and feeling sore all the time when I stacked it. Shit started to hurt and the risk wasn't worth the reward anymore. I had other ambitions and as much as I love skiing and wanted to continue doing that, I was very happy to slow down and find a new path.

I got really into backcountry skiing and I'd say I'm far more keen to go on a walk for some good pow and explore around than beat myself up for big lines in-bounds.

I never really felt too old skiing in the park, and honestly still wouldn't in my mid-late30s... I just simply dont throw anything as big anymore and have fun making the simple stuff feel smooth and good.

As one that is creeping closer to 50(still have a few years) I still spend some time in the park. Im not throwing down but I will still jump the large jumps and go slide boxes along with some rails as well. Again nothing crazy, 3's, 1's and working on my zero spins this season, will pull out the old backflip when feeling right. I do eat somewhat healthy, exercise regularly, stretch/yoga often and also work a somewhat physical job. Have had numerous injuries from skiing but with the right PT and time, have always come back(knock on wood).
I was recently in Avoriaz France a few weeks back and after skiing a few days prior with the wife and kid I ventured into the park by myself. I ended up skiing with some 13-14 yr olds riding some Line Blends. They hardly spoke any English but they could say ON3P and it was like we were instant homies. We made some laps together not knowing what each other were saying but we had a great time hitting the features. May this simple bond live forever with all park skiers!

Yeah people think they can smoke dope, eat junk food, visualize instagram posts.
Most people like the idea of getting good and when they don’t do the work and get hurt doing too much too fast they quit. 27 isn’t old, 85 is old.

I'm 27 and only picked up park riding in the last three seasons - this thread makes me feel better lol. I have felt a little odd hiking a rail by myself at my age, but I'm seeing myself improve and having the best time ever learning tricks. So as long as I keep my body in good shape and stay risk-averse to features and stuff that could actually mangle me, I want to keep doing this even as I get closer to 30.

I guess the only thing that's a little disappointing is I'm probably past the point of having my ski and snowboard friends join me for park laps, but oh well they are impossible to convince to go skiing in the first place (I need to move to a place where people actually like skiing)

TwoPlanks12I'm 27 and only picked up park riding in the last three seasons - this thread makes me feel better lol. I have felt a little odd hiking a rail by myself at my age, but I'm seeing myself improve and having the best time ever learning tricks. So as long as I keep my body in good shape and stay risk-averse to features and stuff that could actually mangle me, I want to keep doing this even as I get closer to 30.

I guess the only thing that's a little disappointing is I'm probably past the point of having my ski and snowboard friends join me for park laps, but oh well they are impossible to convince to go skiing in the first place (I need to move to a place where people actually like skiing)

Yea everyone’s comments here have certainly renewed my confidence.

While it’s definitely a bummer that there’s a smaller crew our age lapping park (I can’t seem to convince anyone late 20s to take park laps all day) (a lot of them never did in the first place), there’s still so much satisfaction in landing something you haven’t done in a long time or that you haven’t done at all.

37 and going to take some park laps later today.

I’m 21 now and I think I’m really hitting my stride now. Pretty sure I’m a “late bloomer” cause legit the last two years I’ve felt way more athletic and have been getting way more tricks. It’s an odd stigma for sure I’m here for the long haul

I can only speak for myself, i turn 30 this year. my goal is going for a triple backflip because i turn 3.0.. the longer i ski the more motivation i get, i dont know but thats just the way it is for me. Also in my homepark there are a lot of people 25+ that still go for it. And yes both my knees are fucked and i have pain in them almost every day.. but i will not slow down. Just keep sending as long as you have fun doing it.. otherwise it doesn´t make sense.

Respect to anyone at any age still sending in the park, but being in your mid 30s with two kids will definitely put your skiing in perspective. I snowboarded for 10+ years before switching to skiing and had my fair share of park riding then so I feel like I got the park riding a bit out of my system. Still, I do wish I could simply slide a rail or throw a 360 off any jump or side hit small enough like I used to be able to on a snowboard.

He literally just posted an edit where he laced one of the wettest nb 5’s. Fuck off scott

skiermanOh look, the fat fuck who is too lazy to keep skiing park. Sorry homie, don't need your validation.

cool270outHe literally just posted an edit where he laced one of the wettest nb 5’s. Fuck off scott

LOL a fucking 540? COOOOOOL

Adult responsibilities got in the way for me. Pre-college, I lived 30 mins from the mountain and would go with the homies after school every day and take night laps until the mountain closed. Now, everyone is working full-time jobs in the city and the commute is more like 2 hours. Turned into an occasional weekend warrior :(

skiermanLOL a fucking 540? COOOOOOL

youve really lost your touch

c-friesSomething I’ve been thinking about a bunch recently. I feel like there’s this weird stigma around freestyle skiing beyond the age of like 23. I think it’s stupid, but it's definitely a real thing.

I’m 27. Some days when I’m lapping the park all day, I feel like I’m the oldest one by a mile. You sit with guys on the chair in their late 20s that are like “back in the day I used to do XYZ tricks but not anymore, I’m too old” (I’m guilty of that one for sure).

Meanwhile in other sports, 27 is an age of peak athleticism. There are plenty of sports professionals that break records and win MVP awards well into their mid 30s. Obviously in our own sport, there are plenty of guys in their 30s that haven’t slowed down a bit. I’m sure we could all name a ton (Henrik, Sammy C, TC crew, fucking candide, etc).

What do you guys think? Which is there this perceived “age cap” in freestyle skiing?

I'm 36 way to make me feel bad bro. Still fucking send tho.

I don't think there is a stigma. People's lives change and skiing takes a back seat. Doesn't necessarily mean that they are over the hill, just that other parts of their lives take precedence.

c-friesSomething I’ve been thinking about a bunch recently. I feel like there’s this weird stigma around freestyle skiing beyond the age of like 23. I think it’s stupid, but it's definitely a real thing.

I’m 27. Some days when I’m lapping the park all day, I feel like I’m the oldest one by a mile. You sit with guys on the chair in their late 20s that are like “back in the day I used to do XYZ tricks but not anymore, I’m too old” (I’m guilty of that one for sure).

Meanwhile in other sports, 27 is an age of peak athleticism. There are plenty of sports professionals that break records and win MVP awards well into their mid 30s. Obviously in our own sport, there are plenty of guys in their 30s that haven’t slowed down a bit. I’m sure we could all name a ton (Henrik, Sammy C, TC crew, fucking candide, etc).

What do you guys think? Which is there this perceived “age cap” in freestyle skiing?

Injuries

I’ll add too that it’s wild to hear people that “retire” from skiing park but then go on to rip trees, drop cliffs, and ski no fall lines like that’s any more safe.

People posting "I've gotten old, I'm 25" makes me laugh. I'm young enough to still remember the kid who I was at that age. Just kind of getting to learn what it means to be an adult and how to become one. 25 isn't old, even 50 isn't old. 75 is old, but if you take good care of yourself, you're still able to ski.

I'm older than Tanner Hall and only a few months younger than Candide Thovex. Started skiing at 34, just turned 39 in December, having my fifth season atm. My kids are older than some of the young guns of NS. Haven't hit a level yet where the risks are mad high compared to the rewards, but if you start this late, you obviously aren't going to be on par with people less than half of your age. Accepting that has helped me a ton, and led me to focus on style & comfort in the few tricks I've gotten good at.

For me, there's still plenty of things to achieve in learning tricks & honing them. It is mentally different headspace than for a teenager for sure, but for like 99% it's just between your ears. People play in NHL deep into their 30's on a regular basis, some even to their 40's. Yes, it's a different sport but it's also WAY more competitive and physically tolling than skiing park.

Just like the current Instagram/TikTok meme says I don't have any hobbies actually. This isn't my hobby, a hobby is something you do on the side. This is not a side project. This consumes my entire life. I'd say eating is my hobby.

The older you get, the higher price you need to pay to keep doing what you want to do, if you want to do it comprehensively. The harder it becomes to recover from physical load & injuries but that's how life goes. You need to focus on general 24/7 physical & mental athleticism, sleep, food, gym, stretching, etc. to be able to ski park in a progression oriented way.

Mental athleticism is picking your battles and winning them all. Push the send button only if you're 100% sure you are in the correct headspace & physical state to go for it and willing to take the risk of having a season ending injury if something goes wrong. In my books that means skiing for 2-3 hours at max per day and for 3-4 days a week on average.

Learning new things and especially overcoming fear is way more rewarding at this age compared to younger version of me. The prize is divided to a long period of incremental progression of which you can have a slice everyday on the hill and not a two minutes adrenaline rush from not dying on a new dub attempt. Hats off to the young senders, not mocking you in any way. Just stating the obvious difference.

The Finnish park skiing scene is mostly filled with youngsters just like everywhere else, but from my perspective there isn't an age gap until from like 30 and up. There's people older than me every once in a while but I'm definitely always in the oldest age group and most of the time one of, if not the oldest guy ar the park.

c-friesSomething I’ve been thinking about a bunch recently. I feel like there’s this weird stigma around freestyle skiing beyond the age of like 23. I think it’s stupid, but it's definitely a real thing.

I’m 27. Some days when I’m lapping the park all day, I feel like I’m the oldest one by a mile. You sit with guys on the chair in their late 20s that are like “back in the day I used to do XYZ tricks but not anymore, I’m too old” (I’m guilty of that one for sure).

Meanwhile in other sports, 27 is an age of peak athleticism. There are plenty of sports professionals that break records and win MVP awards well into their mid 30s. Obviously in our own sport, there are plenty of guys in their 30s that haven’t slowed down a bit. I’m sure we could all name a ton (Henrik, Sammy C, TC crew, fucking candide, etc).

What do you guys think? Which is there this perceived “age cap” in freestyle skiing?

Complete understand what you mean I am 42 and still having fun at the park. Just torn my ACL and Meniscus and see how hard it is to come back. In my time 540 and backflips were a big thing. We didn’t hurt us the way the kids hurting them today with doubles and triples. If we crashed on a big air we had a table of 10m maybe. But the impact today and the pressure for an athlete today it’s much higher. most of us also only skied on weekends for some hours. Today they ski 7 days a week on high level. And this all comes with the cost of broken bones and ripped bands.

This has been a fun read! Currently 28 but had two separate broken bones and a surgery last year. Costed about 8k after insurance and being in a cast for over 3 months last year was brutal. I was still charging last year but now it's more so just maintaining my bag of tricks. The thought of going through that all again makes it harder to get hucking.

First time skiing was 21st birthday.
First rail was this season, 23 years old.

There’s definitely a “Damn, I need to be at work tomorrow” crossing my mind when pushing my limits. I’ve found that repetition is the best way to progress despite the hesitation. Nothing gives confidence like locking something into muscle memory. Learned sideways on boxes by hiking one for 2 hours. Definitely fell a bunch, but I just hit it until I wasn’t even thinking about it.
When slush season comes around, I take full advantage. Stretching and working out beforehand, wearing extra layers to soften crashes, mixing in some liquid confidence. Just gotta jump on the opportunity when it’s there, and be prepared. Hit an easier feature over and over until you remember that you have the tools for the harder one.

jimbobsFirst time skiing was 21st birthday.
First rail was this season, 23 years old.

There’s definitely a “Damn, I need to be at work tomorrow” crossing my mind when pushing my limits. I’ve found that repetition is the best way to progress despite the hesitation. Nothing gives confidence like locking something into muscle memory. Learned sideways on boxes by hiking one for 2 hours. Definitely fell a bunch, but I just hit it until I wasn’t even thinking about it.
When slush season comes around, I take full advantage. Stretching and working out beforehand, wearing extra layers to soften crashes, mixing in some liquid confidence. Just gotta jump on the opportunity when it’s there, and be prepared. Hit an easier feature over and over until you remember that you have the tools for the harder one.

Its fucking hilarious you think 23 is an old age.

I’m 28 and feel old my body hates me most days but I recently quit drinking and have dedicated time to working out more consistently and it makes a world of difference not feeling like shit after riding

I really enjoy getting into the park still at 31, but I’m def not lapping the park all day anymore. Ripping turns around the mountain can be fun, but even that started getting stale. I’m gonna be that guy, I grabbed a tele setup last season as something new to try and that has been really fun getting into. I’ve gotten rid of my alpine stuff now, tele has had the same excitement as park skiing did for me in my younger days. And now getting into the park and figuring out what I can do is great, even hitting things switch and landing switch is enough fun.

If you do it long enough, you can teach your kids. I'm 33 and my son is about to turn 5. He's already asking me to go into the little parks all the time, soon I'm sure he's gonna start asking me how to do easy tricks.

All that's changed for me with age is I don't send many big tricks anymore. I usually keep it to the stuff I'm very very good at and have a fun time doing that. The better you get when you are younger, the more tricks you can add to the "I can do this even when I'm old" pile.

LemuelI really enjoy getting into the park still at 31, but I’m def not lapping the park all day anymore. Ripping turns around the mountain can be fun, but even that started getting stale. I’m gonna be that guy, I grabbed a tele setup last season as something new to try and that has been really fun getting into. I’ve gotten rid of my alpine stuff now, tele has had the same excitement as park skiing did for me in my younger days. And now getting into the park and figuring out what I can do is great, even hitting things switch and landing switch is enough fun.

You son of a bitch!!! Jk. Thats the thing. Learning new shit. Whether it's a new style of skiing, different tricks, another sport. Keeping shit fresh. Thats why I have so much fun skating. Im not very good. I never was good, and it's fresh and cool to learn.
Also theres like a million free skateparks. Not sure how I ever road tripped without a skateboard.

Good to see you still skiing dude! Crazy felt kind of old 10 years ago. Now we're actually getting there

Got absolutely meated on a tiny tube today twice after riding smoothly all day. Feeling old now at the moment 🤕

here's an example of smoothly transitioning from park riding to mellow dad touring at 36...

1064831

The next time I get called "old" for being 27 by kids is the next time I catch hands. What the fuck dude. You 2000s babies are retarded.

Did a backie off a side hit the other day so yea, suck it gen Z!

CoolChillGuy420The next time I get called "old" for being 27 by kids is the next time I catch hands. What the fuck dude. You 2000s babies are retarded.

I still refuse to believe any child was born after 2000, despite the overwhelming evidence.

I got truly bodied on a tube for the first time since I've been trying to put more muscle mass on my back and shoulders. Man it really made it a lot less painful than doing the same thing last year. Especially the following day, I barely noticed I had taken a hard slam.

Like many people already said, it gets more mentally difficult to overcome the fear and send it when you are getting older because:

- it hurts more when you crash
- other stuff in life makes you less willing to take risks ("i have an important interview tomorrow, better not break a leg today")

This doesn't mean us old people don't enjoy to park, we just hit it less often. I am 41 and started skiing when I was already old. I love the park, but I would only hit it when I feel in top condition and even then I am very careful, progressing with baby steps and not even dreaming about the big jumps. I would still hike a mild feature for a couple of hours until I master it. And I can enjoy my day in a group of kids just as good as in a group of people my age.

Freestyle skiing in general is a terrible sport in terms of risk of injury, almost every pro skier has already torn an acl by the time they reach 22-23. I can't think of other sports with such a rate, maybe gymnastics. Football (soccer) is famous for acl tears, but the rate is much lower. A professional footballer plays daily for 25+ years (starts daily training around 7-8 years old and retires at 32+). And yet at least half of them would never blow a knee.