[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Snowboarding is less complicated... Posted by IrieTom [Email]  (#1032)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from IrieTom) on Mon, 22 Dec 2003 08:06:45
In Reply to: OT: skiing or snowboarding, which is easier?, RedAeroGirl, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 05:36:19 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
but skiing is more versatile. Fairly simple when you consider the equipment. Skiing requires two skis and two poles working in unison. Snowboarding requires one snowboard.
I've been skiing since 1973, and snowboarding since 1988, and love both. I usually take the snow conditions into account when deciding which equipment to strap onto my feet for the day. Hardpack=skis, Deep powder=snowboard, moguls=skis, trees/groomed snow=flip a coin.
It's likely that you will fall down more often when first learning to snowboard, but will progress from newbie => beginner => intermediate much faster than you would on skis. If you decide to snowboard, make sure to get some snow pants with padded knees and a padded seat- they're worth every penny to a beginner. Wristguards and a helmet are highly recommended as well. Soft, fluffy snow is a gift from heaven when you're learning to 'board. Any skateboarding or surfing experience will give you a slight head start on the learning curve, as well.
If you choose to ski, you will find that it takes a few more days of lessons (you ARE going to take lessons, right?) to become comfortable on intermediate trails, but once you have reached that level you will have more control of yourself on the hill. Skis respond more easily to crappy snow conditions (scraped-off hardpack, scraped-off hardpack alternating with piles of wet snow, hardpack with frozen chunks of snow known as "death cookies") and are much easier to navigate on level ground. Don't let this scare you away- virtually all ski areas have a learning area which always has well-groomed snow.
Lucky for you, you have a decision to make where there are no wrong answers. Just remember that you will have to sacrifice a day or two where you will be both physically challenged and mentally uncomfortable. Every skier and 'boarder has been there. A good instructor will help you minimize this time and get you quickly to the fun part- where you control where you're going and how fast you're getting there. Pace yourself- you don't have to learn everything on the first day. If you fall down a lot, you will get tired out just picking yourself off the ground repeatedly. Once you are exhausted, you will fall more often, starting a vicious cycle. Know when to pack it in for the day.
Oh, yeah- I should mention that it's an expensive habit, and highly addictive. Stowe and Copper are both wonderful mountains that will offer you new challenges and rewards for years to come. Have a great time!
posted by 24.195.5...
, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 19:20:21, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 08:06:45 <-- Viewing This Message, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 17:34:04, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:00:29
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
