Skiing vs snowboarding - which is easier to learn

[AFC-911]

I'm looking to try one of these as I'd like to experience this whole going the mountain thing...Both look fun enough, not sure which one to try while doing my best not to injure myself.

FWIW, I can rollerskate & ice skate ok, haven't been on a skateboard in years (more of a biking person).

[924slover]

Being a snowboard instructor i can say that skiing is easiest to learn the basics and get on the hill but its harder to fine tune... whereas snowboarding is absolutely miserable to learn the basics and get on the hill it gets easier to fine tune your riding.......if you want to get on the hill quick learn to ski if you want to be in pain and struggle for a while learn to snowboard

[island911]

I'll add, snowboarding takes less leg strength, but generally you fall harder, than when on skis.

[924slover]

with snowboarding alot of people think that it isn't as gracefull as skiing and for the most part 90% of boarders are park rats with no style but i will say there are a few of us that can carve just as well as skiers or even out carve skiers.

[island911]

Now that's just crazy talk.

Skiers have two (longer) edges. Even the Olympic snowboarders carve relatively pathetic. . . .chatter chatter. . skid skid . .

[sailchef]

Having grown up in Vermont I've been skiing my entire life.....I say go with snowboarding, It's way more cool.

[island911]

But you have to learn how to wear baggy britches and oversized coats. ...I think they double as padding . .. or maybe for the parachute effect.

[sailchef]

Now with skiing there is nothing like staring down a line with moguls the size of VW Bugs, and then just shredding the sucker.... or skiing along the tree line because there isn't any snow on the trail in mid-June.

If I only had those knees again.

[BK911]

I have never skied (skid?) and have always snow boarded. I just didnt like the idea on my legs going in two different directions when I wiped out. I went to the top of the mountain, and I learned how to snow board by the time I got to the bottom. Get a helmet.

[924slover]

Originally Posted by island911

Now that's just crazy talk.

Skiers have two (longer) edges. Even the Olympic snowboarders carve relatively pathetic. . . .chatter chatter. . skid skid . .

they dont ride alpine boards and hard boots i do not claiming to be an olympic athelete but you dont see carving much anymore because everything is about park and since all manufacturers follow the trend they dont produce alpine snowboards anymore....

[Brian 162]

Having done both skiing may be easier to get down the hill.
Snowboarding has a painful learning curve. Once you get it it's worth it. There is nothing like carving through knee high powder.

[sailchef]

Yeh, baggy camo pants and knarley hoodies, be sure to duct tape your gloves, even if they don't need it, way more cool, the chicks dig it.

[pete3799]

Skis first.
Didn't know they had skiing in Florida.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by 924slover

they dont ride alpine boards and hard boots i do not claiming to be an olympic athelete but you dont see carving much anymore because everything is about park and since all manufacturers follow the trend they dont produce alpine snowboards anymore....

Still have my old Burton PJ -- if you're interested.

I never got into the park bonking scene -- always enjoyed carving - and it's not always chatter-chatter -- skid-skid: remember, those olympians are typically running on black diamounds and dealing with a lot more ice than most mountains have, even on the east coast!

Oh, and yes - staying on the edge of the trail near the treeline works best for boarders too -- 'cause that's where all the skiers push the good snow!

I did skiiing and then switched to boarding. As stated above -- skiing is easier to to learn the basics -- with boarding, expect to spend the first day or so on our butt.

I got so well at snowboarding that I broke my front (left) leg in several places at Stratton -- which, incidentally has a wonderful medical clinic.

Hmm - maybe I should bust out my Asym air -- would help shed a few pounds this winter...

-Z-man.

[sailchef]

I've never understood why the snowboarding GS competitions are always 4 boarders in the gates at the same time. It seems more like a roller derby. I would think you could get better times going solo and get faster runs. The first guy out definately has the upper hand.

[924slover]

hey zman send me a pm with a price and a pic and we might be able to work ou a deal

[Dennie]

Concur with 924slover. I too instruct and would recommend starting on skis, then try snowboarding once you get the hang of it. Much easier to go from skis to snowboard vice the other way around. Skiing is easier to learn, much harder to perfect. But perfection is not the name of the game for you right now - getting on the snow and having a good time is - go for the twin boards.

[gduke2010]

Skiing is easier to learn as many have said on this thread. If you want to find out for yourself, you might want to rent a snowboard after a day or two of skiing. A few years ago I went on a ski trip and decided it was too much of a pain to fly with my skies, so, I rented skies for a couple days and the rental shop let me swap the skies for a snowboard.

I would recommend a helmet, especially for snowboarding. They comfortable and warm. You can really hit hard if the board catches an edge.

gary

[nynor]

yep, a helmet is a must. the initial learning curve on a board is harder, but the rewards are greater. i taught a couple of friends to board last year. in three days we were doing the intermediate runs together. you just have to remember that short of hard carving, boarding is mainly a controlled slide. i taught them by having them slide sideways all the way down the bunny run, one edge per run. then i had them start stringing slides together.

i'll be at brighton tomorrow. and tuesday.

[vash]

right from the beginning skiing is easier. getting off a chairlift on a snowboard is much much more difficult!!