In a sport that has become chronically ‘online’, like everything else, there is a greater pressure to appeal to the masses. In every aspect of our lives, we want to feel socially accepted, Maslow's hierarchy yada yada. I think skiing has always had that show off for others factor not in an unhealthy way but because it's part of the fun. It’s fun to make edits and post them on Newschoolers, it's fun to send your clips to friends and family, or even making short cuts on IG because you’re proud of your skiing and you should want to share it. I think the introduction of social media, despite all the negative effects, has added a more competitive aspect to the sport that can be looked at as fun or daunting. By competitive I don’t exclusively mean tricks but everything else that comes in an edit. The music, the outfits, the filming, the effects. There is so much pressure these days on fitting in and ‘being cool’ especially on the younger generation and it’s evident in skiing.
So, is skiing too much of a fashion contest?
We are seeing a golden era in small brands, home brands, core brands. And it’s allowing us to be more creative with our kits. Some of us pull up to the hill with basic snow pants and a winter jacket; some of us pull up in jeans and a vest and a studded belt with motocross gloves and headphones tied around the head with a shoelace lmao. Neither is wrong though, and let me preface this by saying I totally like to make kits I think are cool and it is important to me.
As someone who has never competed in skiing, not even a rail jam, I don’t really look at it as a sport. To me it is an art, an outlet for self-expression, and an all-around fun, teaching, and rewarding hobby. I love everything about skiing ‘media’. Choosing the music, the tasteful tricks, film angles, and of course, the outfits. I think it’s important to focus on those other pieces because it adds uniqueness and individuality.
But is there a limit? At what point does it become ‘unhealthy’ to care about what you look like on hill. I think we may already be there, myself included. And while I may not be the standard for that healthy balance, some of us are pulling up to the mountain in some questionable outfits. So where do we draw the line? Because I feel like an increasing part of the community is more focused on how we look rather than the tricks and the skiing itself (content wise).
Thoughts? Opinions? Do you agree? Am I overdramatic? Do I need to start making plug edits wearing as much camo and vintage clothing as I can find?
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