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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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Community assessment on street skiing

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thewayshego3s
Posts: 185 - Karma: 1,484
Hey everyone,

I'm working on a community assessment on the street skiing community for my grad program in Social Work and was hoping I could get some input from anyone who has participated (regardless of experience/technicality). In other words, I don't care if you did a sw 4 onto a quad kink or jibbing a park bench - I want to hear from everyone (even filmers). The questions I ask below are framed in a way to fulfill a requirement for the assignment. In the case you're interested, the tools are called SWOT and SOAR analysis.

Anyways, I'm looking to find out what the street skiing community strengths and weaknesses are - Example of a strength: People are generally stoked on street movies and the effort that goes into each spot. Example of a weakness: There's low funding for projects and skiers often rely on support from sponsors and in some cases, their own finances. Also, what are some threats that may impact the street skiing? In other words, will people ever stop because they're not being fairly compensated or do people do it because it's fun and a way to express their skiing? Lastly, what are some elements that could improve street skiing? One thing that comes to my mind is Level 1s movie tour where they show pro and amateur movies/projects.

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to contribute and I'm stoked for all the projects that've been released!

- Bruce
Oct 23 2023 12:12AM
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partyandBS
Posts: 4597 - Karma: 70,721
strengths
-access
-creativity
-clout

weakness
-wear and tear on skis
-lack of mainstream popularity
-funding

opportunities
-highlighting beginner and intermediate street skiing to encourage participation sooner
-sanctioned street events
-dedicated street spots
-resort partnerships in urban areas (ruby hill rail yard but instead of park features its street fratures)

threats
-legality (tresspassing, destruction of property, etc)
-lack of snow seasonally/climate change
-injuries and insurance (us only lolol)
-risky business venture

from a business standpoint, you will never be more than a niche company. the reputation of trespassing and damaging property is a deterrent for any major capitol investments. losing real ski x games was a step back however a shit ton of street skiing video parts are out this year!! its sick
Oct 23 2023 1:44AM
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mikem
Posts: 912 - Karma: 8,604
@partyandBS spoke full truth.

I have a lot to add to this but too much to post.

Street is the future we have chosen, and if we choose it; it wins.
Oct 23 2023 4:08AM
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thewayshego3s
Posts: 185 - Karma: 1,484
mikem@partyandBS spoke full truth.

I have a lot to add to this but too much to post.

Street is the future we have chosen, and if we choose it; it wins.


Never too much to add. I've been interested in hearing more about people's views on this topic but I don't blame ya if you don't want to type it out.
Oct 23 2023 1:21PM
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weastcoat
Posts: 6419 - Karma: 74,067
I think Mr. PartyandBS hit the nail on the mf head
Oct 23 2023 4:09PM
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K-Dot.
Posts: 3740 - Karma: 7,745
I would say a major strength of it is that it isn’t able to be properly corporatized like other aspects of skiing. The very fact that people don’t get paid much for it is, for better or for worse, what retains its counterculture status. The few brands that support it are there because someone working there feels a kinship to it, not because it makes financial sense to pursue the market.

There really isn’t anything about it that needs to be improved. All of its essence lies in its high level of risk basically only being rewarded by admiration of the community. Truly ‘dudes rock’ behavior, the type of stuff that has no deeper intrinsic meaning or purpose but simultaneously makes someone feel truly alive.
Oct 23 2023 4:38PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5050 - Karma: 51,269
K-Dot.I would say a major strength of it is that it isn’t able to be properly corporatized like other aspects of skiing. The very fact that people don’t get paid much for it is, for better or for worse, what retains its counterculture status. The few brands that support it are there because someone working there feels a kinship to it, not because it makes financial sense to pursue the market.

There really isn’t anything about it that needs to be improved. All of its essence lies in its high level of risk basically only being rewarded by admiration of the community. Truly ‘dudes rock’ behavior, the type of stuff that has no deeper intrinsic meaning or purpose but simultaneously makes someone feel truly alive.


Agree first half, kinda disagree second half. I think you’re focusing too much on what street skiing currently is and not what it could be, which is a more casual sport similar to skateboarding. It doesn’t have to be high risk to be praised by the community
Oct 23 2023 7:29PM
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Casey
Posts: 7855 - Karma: 24,375
Strengths:

people that do it are fucking nuts
Cheap compared to lift accessed skiing
high visibility (urban setting lots of people around)

Weaknesses
very niche, unrelatable for most skiers
relys on quasi illegal activity- trespassing
creates liability for property owners, matter of time before massive injury lawsuits
limited by climate/geography
Oct 23 2023 7:29PM
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K-Dot.
Posts: 3740 - Karma: 7,745
hi_vis360Agree first half, kinda disagree second half. I think you’re focusing too much on what street skiing currently is and not what it could be, which is a more casual sport similar to skateboarding. It doesn’t have to be high risk to be praised by the community

it’s like that in salt lake, casual on some level. what I meant by high risk was just that you can get in trouble with the cops or get seriously injured on seemingly basic shit. random kids will go out and risk a ticket from the cops or a season ending injury just to get a five second clip for a video that will get ten likes on newschoolers
Oct 23 2023 10:06PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5050 - Karma: 51,269
K-Dot.random kids will go out and risk a ticket from the cops or a season ending injury just to get a five second clip for a video that will get ten likes on newschoolers


See IMO if you’re doing it like this you’re doing it wrong. Creativity and vision are definitely rewarded and there are tons of spots that aren’t high bust.

I think the problem is that almost everyone’s first exposure to street skiing is through watching pro skiers on ski videos. People think that in order to go street skiing you MUST assemble a crew, go hit some crazy scary rail, get in fights with security, otherwise you won’t be noticed. The reality is that there are small fun spots everywhere, and if you hit spots that are more appropriate to your ability level your clips will look better and be more interesting in the end. I think that promoting this type of street skiing is critical to growing the discipline because let’s face it, we aren’t all on the same level as the forre crew
Oct 24 2023 8:56AM
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Dlonetti
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 18,600
hi_vis360See IMO if you’re doing it like this you’re doing it wrong. Creativity and vision are definitely rewarded and there are tons of spots that aren’t high bust.

I think the problem is that almost everyone’s first exposure to street skiing is through watching pro skiers on ski videos. People think that in order to go street skiing you MUST assemble a crew, go hit some crazy scary rail, get in fights with security, otherwise you won’t be noticed. The reality is that there are small fun spots everywhere, and if you hit spots that are more appropriate to your ability level your clips will look better and be more interesting in the end. I think that promoting this type of street skiing is critical to growing the discipline because let’s face it, we aren’t all on the same level as the forre crew


This is valid. Reminds me of what Tom Wallisch was saying in the his "Baltic Ski" vid from 2017. The strength of urban is its accessibility and he is trying to show kids that all you need is a rail and some snow to be able to ski. It can be the same as seshing with your friends in the park, just less barrier to entry
Oct 24 2023 9:58AM
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thewayshego3s
Posts: 185 - Karma: 1,484
hi_vis360See IMO if you’re doing it like this you’re doing it wrong. Creativity and vision are definitely rewarded and there are tons of spots that aren’t high bust.

I think the problem is that almost everyone’s first exposure to street skiing is through watching pro skiers on ski videos. People think that in order to go street skiing you MUST assemble a crew, go hit some crazy scary rail, get in fights with security, otherwise you won’t be noticed. The reality is that there are small fun spots everywhere, and if you hit spots that are more appropriate to your ability level your clips will look better and be more interesting in the end. I think that promoting this type of street skiing is critical to growing the discipline because let’s face it, we aren’t all on the same level as the forre crew

I agree with this 100%. At the end of the day, who cares if your video gets noticed. Go out there and jib a park bench or a downrail. There's no reason to "prove" yourself by attempting a sketchy feature and potentially smoke yourself, unless it's within your ability and/or if you really want to do it. I learned this the hard way trying to hit a sketchy quad kink in my hometown with Tucker Fitzsimons and played myself. If anything, the videos of people hitting smaller or "easier" spots only makes the community more inclusive and relatable.
Oct 24 2023 12:02PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5050 - Karma: 51,269
Another strength that hasn’t been brought up is how low carbon street skiing can be. I made a whole edit without ever getting in a car, straight up walking out my front door with ski boots on. People are out here driving 2+ hours from a city in their suv to go ski touring thinking they are saving the planet just cause they didn’t ride a chairlift lol
Oct 24 2023 6:56PM
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Steezy.Stephen
Posts: 28 - Karma: 58
Strength
- Its much harder then park so when you land something, you feel more accomplished
Weakness
- Cops, they always show up so it gets cut short (this also goes for threats)

Real ski is sick, and it would be cool If they had more things like that
Oct 24 2023 8:50PM
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