So, I became a USASA judge

Good for you getting trained to do that kind of judging. I find it's just as hard to differentiate front/backside from left or right spins, and I ski and snowboard.

None of this matters when MSA flashes a band in front of your face to add some extra points to their athletes scores... keep your integrity, a lot of comps in VT lacked that.

what’s the backstory with why Quebec always got the weird tricks. like I get the people are weird but we always got some funky tricks

LemuelBtw most snowboarders probably can’t tell when you spin left vs right. It’s not as distinguishable as frontside vs backside.

Interesting I have the exact opposite problem. Snowboarder spins all look the same to me

Never did any sanctioned judging, but have judged plenty of rail jams and slopestyles to know that it's not always easy and can be stressful. Can't imagine actually having to document every trick during a rail jam.

We used to do rail jams for kids 8 thru 12 at my resort, there was usually a few standout kids that were easily placed, so besides some chicken scratch here and there we never took notes. One parent asked why his kid didn't place and demanded to see the score sheet, he was not happy with our lack of record keeping. The kid usually did USASA events and we were not up to their standards. That interaction made me never want to judge anything like USASA.

Also remember some people being pissed at the one Sean Jordan Open when we bumped Ryan Stevenson to the open category from the 13 and under category and gave him the win. Sorry a 12 year old had a better run than everyone that day but it was was it was.

What is the time commitment like?

trippinnpetewhat’s the backstory with why Quebec always got the weird tricks. like I get the people are weird but we always got some funky tricks

-People from Quebec have had a major influence on style and innovation since the beginning of 'Newschool' skiing:
The 'New Canadian Air Force' in the late 90s early 00s was almost all Quebecois (with the exception of Mike Douglas)- Jp Auclair, JF Cusson, Philou Poirier and Vincent Dorion.

-Les Freres Gagnier, Jp Auclair and B-Dog all are super influential, especially in Quebec and all innovative in their own way.

-Young skiers in Quebec, as in Finland are most likely to go into park skiing due to the icy conditions, small mountains and parks lit for night skiing. When you have more people skiing park on small hills, then you get more innovation.

-Quebec probably has the largest population with proximity to ski hills anywhere in Canada, maybe North America so statistically there is more probability of people from there being great skiers with the opportunity to innovate in the park.

-I think something about the Francophone culture offers more license for young people to be athletes and be creative as opposed to working toward some sort of money making profession at a young age. Even within skiing, I think there's more of an emphasis on cultivating a unique style instead of linear progression of more spins or more switchups or whatever.

**This post was edited on Jan 5th 2024 at 11:01:13am

Way to contribute to the meritocracy, you fucking asshole.

ReturnToMonkeyWhat is the time commitment like?

7 events on the calendar, no idea how that compares to other regions / series. Both jams I was helping out for 6 hours, but I also helped with cleanup afterwards. It takes a ski day from ya, but you’re on hill and get to visit some of your local mountains and get paid / get a day pass for free. I had time for a few runs after each event for sure.

Farmville420None of this matters when MSA flashes a band in front of your face to add some extra points to their athletes scores... keep your integrity, a lot of comps in VT lacked that.

That doesn’t surprise me. Happens time to time in my day job, boomers waving hundos in my face thinking that’s going to help them and their problems. That’s just dealing with the public unfortunately, it’s everywhere.

LemuelThat doesn’t surprise me. Happens time to time in my day job, boomers waving hundos in my face thinking that’s going to help them and their problems. That’s just dealing with the public unfortunately, it’s everywhere.

I know, I was just venting that it's been a problem in VT for a while and to look out. Other than that, good luck soldier, USASA comps were always my fav days of the season

Farmville420I know, I was just venting that it's been a problem in VT for a while and to look out. Other than that, good luck soldier, USASA comps were always my fav days of the season

Just take the cash and don't let it have any weight on your scoring? What are they going to do implicate themselves in a bribe attempt?

What was the process for becoming a judge?

nCrowWhat was the process for becoming a judge?

A friend of mine is helping run the series, so she reached out to see if I could help.

As far as training, there were two 3 hour zoom sessions going over trick ID and how to score / document runs. There are a couple other online course type things to complete that didn’t take much more than a couple hours. Mostly to make sure you aren’t a kid toucher

Lemuel1st ever skier judge in the history of the Northern VT Series apparently. And I tele, so does it really even count.. I know, I’ve trashed talked USASA for a long time too. I get it, always annoying rolling up to a mountain to shred the park all day only to find out there some points obsessed, comp jock, #nationals bullshit going on. So I’m kinda intrigued to see what it’s all about.

I’ve judged two railjams so far, and let me tell you, shits not easy. I’ve attributed to many a hate thread that pops up during x games year after year about judging. I have sympathy for the high level judges. So I’m kinda motivated now to figure this whole thang out.

Maybe, being the first judge that’s a skier for a whole region’s history in 2024 is part of the problem. I judge skiers and snowboarders btw, so boarders have been in control of your base level comp oriented skier, at least in this series. This is where a lot of pros get their initial start. I feel a bit guilty judging the boarders, especially when the field is tight cuz I know what’s cool, but I’m not as tuned in as I am with skiing obviously.

The snowboarder judges were blown away as I was just basically announcing some practice runs. Btw most snowboarders probably can’t tell when you spin left vs right. It’s not as distinguishable as frontside vs backside.

Shout out to you guys that were throwing down at Bolton’s rail jam last night. The next generation of skiers is doing some crazy shit, even at very young ages. I was skipping rails in the park almost 20 years ago when I was their age, definitely not doing Tokyo drift blind 3 swap continuing 2’s on a legit rail. And we’ve got some youngsters doing some québécois type of slides. Maybe the USASA attendee isn’t as lame as we all thought. This whole organization seems like it benefits the sport, it’s actually aiight.

We all trend towards the hating on comps end of the scale here on NS [Insert link to FIS pole controversy]. So, here is how the judging actually works, at least at the USASA level. There are 5 criteria that are evenly rated (lol ik right), those being Progression, Amplitude, Variety, Execution, and Difficulty. That’s a lot of stuff to think about as you’re trying to also document the trick, what the bib number is, etc in the span of a 30 second run with three or more features.

It really made me appreciate rider judged comps / rail jams / events. It always seemed easy to rank the order when your apart of the group / skiing against others. But we all probably pay attention to the best in the field that are throwing down, and those at similar skill sets.

I guess my point is, if you think judging in comps needs improvement, go out and be apart of it. It’s a fun side gig. @JArens hit me up if you need a judge in training, I hate my management job and might be looking for a change 🙂

If you think we are doing well for the sport, Go to Nationals this year. Im a Class B judge, 2nd year judge, returning after 20 some years. Next year, Ill be class A.. I never got why some skater and riders hate on contests. It's not about being the best rider, it's about who was able to do their very best that day, and it showed. Contests push you out over your comfort zone, and the comradery is abundant. Everyone cheers for everyone. Its like minded individuals pushing eachouther to do their best. And I absolutely love watching it unfold. Beleive ot or not, MI produces some sick riders. See my screen name? Well that slush quickly turns to ice. Why do you think I love riding Vermont? Feels like home, but bigger.lol/ I went to Nationals after last season(leisure), and dude.. It was like bigger than Dew Tour, the riders/skiers were going off and it really helped me understand the difference between a 59 or a 62, abd making sure you clearly mark your steno (still working on the scribble). I've been riding I'm 48 yrs old, riding 28 years, and I'm still a park rat. Nothing excitres me more than to see a "New Schooler" stomp out a lofty, lenghtly---- sloooooooww 360 with a melon, or stale grab (well, almost nothing ;) Im honestly not impressed with any rotations over a 9 dude.. but whatever, its Difficulty, Amplitude, Variety, and Execution. DAVE.. It may be just the GLSS, but I beleive we have gotten a bit away from scoring based on progression. (check the new rule book). Skiiers were going down on 1 ski, and just doing shit that wasnt sick, it was just danger, not progression. Tying to make sure they got that scored. Progression should happen more natrually, not to score points.

The USASA dont just produce pros, we breed Olympians... We are the stepping stone for a Career in snowboarding, Whether as an athlete, official, or above. As mentioned, Im 48 , I will soon turn from park rat, to park Possum, (yea, big, old and ugly lmao). And I want to stay connected to snowboarding and all its radness as long as I live, well past the age of shoing those whipper snappers how that long , drawn out stalefish 3 is supposed to be executed.. (still got it)..

After my 1st day last year, it was clear what I was put on this earth to do (Other than be a good father), and thats to Coach our Olympians on the US SKi and Snowboard Team to be the best in the world. Ive taught snowboarding from bginner to advanced park for over 20 years. I can tell someone in great detail the physics behind executing any trick, including those I have never tried. I can explain it in laymans terms, or in techincal terms, then critique the execution until its executed properly. I know the science, and.... I know what the judges are looking for. Why? Because I am one.. What better way to coach an athlete, then to be able to explain WHY just becasue they landed it, dont mean its going to be sdored high... Sloppy take off? rolling up the windows? Was that grab a pat on the back? oooooooooo those reverts look sick in the park, but your taken down a peg. Adn you better hit all different features (if possible) on all your runs.. You can damn near win a contest on that merit alone.

But Im glad you've come the ... The Darkside... lmao, jk, we love what we do!

nCrowWhat was the process for becoming a judge?

First reach out to your local series Team Supervisor to see if they could use some help. They will direct you to sign up for a membership (judges), USSA Membership for the Safe Sport Training. ( you interact with minors ie ) Then there is a 2 day clinin, either on line or in person. Act fast if you want to help out because the juges clinics fill up fast, and they dont run them all the time. And to my surprise, you get paid for this. not bad either.. Funny story, When I started last year, I thought I was volunteering. Drove almost 3 hours to a resort in a blizzard to my first event . When he asked me how I wanted to recieve compinstation , I said "for my gas".. He said, "No, you do realize you get paid for this right? You're certifications, and memberships all get reimbursed and your knowledge is valuable. " They all laughed and said they should have told me next contest and we could have spent my pay in the "Lounge" lol Hope you are a female. I feel we need more female judges on our panels. Good Luck!