What part of the Ski Team should I join?

Question

I am going be 15 years old by the time next ski season starts. I live in Colorado and am going to join either the Winter park or Loveland Ski team most likely. People I know have told me that downhill is probably what event I should do (slalom, giant slalom , etc) However, even though I know I'm fast and like to go fast I am also interested in the freestyle aspect. Although I am not that good at jumps and tricks yet I really feel like that is where I should expand. I can do a 360 and am not afraid to go off any jump but realistically I would be stronger at downhill. I want to have a good time and feel that I would at both events but which one should I choose if I have to. Should I go where I will be stronger or the one where I think it looks cool and fun? Freestyle just seems like more of a challange to me but I don't want to be constantly told that I suck at it and should do downhill. Which one should I choose?

Answer 1

Try ski jumping.  Winter Park is working on getting their program going, and isn't all that far away from Steamboat Springs, were they have a world class program, hills and coaches.

If you like speed and jumps, ski jumping is defintely the way to go.

Answer 2

being on a ski team relies on a lot of commitment, I had a few friends on the ski team at my school, they had to miss school for races, they pretty much practiced everyday including the weekends, and they didn't really get any time to free skiing, so if you really wanted to be committed to a team that takes up pretty much all your time go with the team, but if you wanna just go and have fun go with freestyle, I mean you can still just ski for fun and go fast and whatnot. It's completely different skiing, but it's your choice man.

Answer 3

If you want to do free style, go to one of the summer camps, take up diving in a swimming pool. These are the easiest way to learn the skills needed. For Alpine events, practice on skiis at speed and precise technique are the skills needed. The only way to gain them is through practice and good coaching.

Answer 4

You need to listen to your coaches if possible. Go with what your best talent is.  If you're already competetive in SL and GS, then you will be earning top places in those events. You may be playing catchup in freestyle skiing with other kids that have been doing it longer.  I am not sure of the stats, but the season-ending injuries might be higher in freestyle due to the high jumps and missed landings. You can get injured in SL and GS also, but its really only in DH that you hit very high speeds that will cause a bad crash.

Answer 5

i know a few people who do both if you really cant choose. i picked racing because its what im better at. although, slalom and gs are only really rewarding with a good coach who can teach you... otherwise its kind of hard to pick up to the extent of some of the better racers who have been doing it since grade school

Answer 6

you should choose the freestyle.  racing can get boring, trust me i know.  If you want to do freestyle and think you would have fun, then go for it.  people will not tell you that you suck at freestyle.  it takes time to learn tricks, but it will be easier and you will learn quickly if you have a coach and friends helping you.  Racing can be very competitive, freestyle is more laid back and fun.

Answer 7

Choose the one you are already good at.  You will improve immensely with good coaching and you'll love it even more.  It is a blast going fast and you know it!  If you have the talent you'll only excel with practice and good instruction. Go for the downhill.