Skiing vs snowboarding - which is easier to learn

[Tim Hancock]

Skiing is the sport of kings.... Snowboarding is for non-conformist types and teenagers railing against the machine.

Both are fun..... I will stick with skiing.

[9dreizig]

snowboarders always have the better drugs..

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

snowboarders always have the better drugs..

Which is why, with my hip, I started snowboarding!

I have skied all my life and enjoy it. Still do.

When we started taking the kids skiing about 11 years ago, they both wanted to learn to snow board, which I though was great.

So I learned as well. I was in my early 40's at the time. I have come to prefer snowboarding. A few observations:

- Take lessons. Don't just launch off on your own regardless of the ski/SB decision.
- SB'ing is much easier on my back and knees. Since my left leg and foot are deformed from an accident in college, I really like the soft boots as well.
- Getting on and off the chair is harder SB'ing than skiing. Enjoy.
- It took me a 1/2 day to get to where I was enjoying SB'ing. You will fall a lot in the beginning and your wrists will hurt. Really good gloves are a must.
- Since I surfed as a kid and kayak still, I found SB'ing really satisfying...learn to stay and edge and always manage your time in between edge work. I had a few yard sales once I got up to speed and stayed neutral on the board too long. Stupid wrecks.

Learn both.

[Rikao4]

a rule you should apply..
go as fast as your willing to go splat..
and best you lay down before meeting stuff that won't move..

Rika

[Eric 951]

I taught both skiing and 'boarding for several seasons, and hands down, I found snowboarding was the easier of the two to learn.
There are only (2) edges to worry about instead of (4) and less likelihood of getting all crossed up

If going for the first time--dress warmly--obviously, but keep in mind that 'boarders spend alot of time on their rears buckling in/out, resting, etc. and if you can go when the snow is lighter and not a wet sloppy mess--if your soaked you won't have any fun.

watch your wrists. If falling try and land on your forearms--the most common injury is broken wrists from straight-arming while trying to break a fall.

Take a lesson and be vocal. Don't rely on your buddy that has been boarding to teach you--inevitably you will end up at the top of a slope(after struggiling with getting on/off the lift) with no ability to control your speed and will hate it. I have seen lots of folks walking down slopes carrying their boards because they didn't spend enough time on the flat or training area learing how to slow down, stop, and turn.
When taking the lesson provide your instructor with feedback, if you are cold, intimidated by the terrain or what is being taught, something hurts--let it be known.

Let the instructor inspect your gear--this was the first thing I did with every class--yopu would be surprised how many people had gear that wasn't right for them, or set up incorrectly--the 5 minutes it takes to make sure everything is right is worth the comfort for the rest of the day.(I once had a student show up for a ski lesson with their boots on the wrong feet--talk about painful.)

Have fun--this is recreation after all--and if the lesson is good--tip your instructor, trust me, they don't make anything and any tip is greatly appreciated.

[Drisump]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Skiing is the sport of kings.... Snowboarding is for non-conformist types and teenagers railing against the machine.

Both are fun..... I will stick with skiing.

Depends what age you are, the true non-conformist teen/early 20's, skis...since almost all teens do the board thing. If you want true non-conformity, do what I have done for the last 25 years, telemark. Admittedly the knees at this age are not quite as able as they once were. I will throw my support behind the "skiing is much easier to get up and running" camp, I've been there and supported many learners over the years (boarders and skiers) (I used to be a ski patroler) , and you have to be EXTRA patient when dealing with a new boarder.... you sure don't get many runs in, over a day. Snow plow turns enable a newbie to control speed and direction with much ease.....comparatively. Have fun

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by 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.

That is boarder-cross not GS

[Spede]

The fact that they don't give beginning skiers helmets says something.

[vash]

off topic..but i found ICE skating to be the most difficult thing to do on the planet..i learned to ride a unicycle easier..

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Eric 951

I taught both skiing and 'boarding for several seasons, and hands down, I found snowboarding was the easier of the two to learn.
There are only (2) edges to worry about instead of (4) and less likelihood of getting all crossed up
.....................................

Good post. Lots of good info there though I'm not a boarder. I did grow up on skateboards and will still ride one now and then at age 65. I would think a skateboarder would have an "edge" in the learning curve.

Right or wrong?

Originally Posted by vash

off topic..but i found ICE skating to be the most difficult thing to do on the planet..i learned to ride a unicycle easier..

Used to do both, ice skating way before the unicycle. I took a year to be good at the uni.

[rcooled]

You'll have much more control and maneuverability on skis. This will be an asset as you encounter groups of snowboarders sitting on their butts while playing with their iPods and/or phones. They seem to do this quite a bit and will usually plop down right in the middle of a run or very near a lift's drop off point.

Whichever you choose, have fun and be safe.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by rcooled

You'll have much more control and maneuverability on skis. This will be an asset as you encounter groups of snowboarders sitting on their butts while playing with their iPods and/or phones. They seem to do this quite a bit and will usually plop down right in the middle of a run or very near a lift's drop off point.

Yep

[sailchef]

Boarder cross. Thanks James.

[85eurocarrera]

Skateboarding didn't help me much but a friend who could skateboard a whole lot better than me took to snowboarding first run down.

I snowboard now, but going back to skis as I am sending my 5 yo to skiing lessons. Kinda hard to keep near a little skier when I am on a snowboard.

[island911]

Originally Posted by milt

Good post. Lots of good info there though I'm not a boarder. I did grow up on skateboards and will still ride one now and then at age 65. I would think a skateboarder would have an "edge" in the learning curve.

Right or wrong?....

wrong . .kind of. Skaters generally go in thinking that a snowboard will turn at least somewhat like a skateboard. Once you accept that a snowboard only provides a (somewhat) controlled slide then maybe skating skills help. After that you have to learn how to twist (not rock) the board to get it to carve a turn. ...sort of.

[AFC-911]

Thanks for the info guys! I will definitely take some lessons before heading up the mountain.

At this point, I'm tempted to go with skis as I don't want to spend too much time on my ass! That said, I would still like to try snowboarding...This will probably be a last minute decision as to which I'll decide to go with.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by 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.

On your first day, you have a much better chance of getting hurt on a snowboard.

With skis, esp. short beginner skis at relatively slow speeds, you are able to get much more controlled falls. This makes the learning process a lot easier and safer.

With both feet strapped to a snowboard, you have a lot less control when you fall. Esp. when you fall backwards. You can't really fall straight backwards on skis, but you do it all the time when learning to snowboard, and it's a very awkward fall.

If you just want to experience the mountain thing, I'd say, for an adult (esp. one from FL, lol), go with skis at first.

[Rikao4]

take lessons..
what ever you do..
if you go with ski's..
you will do so within a few hrs..
then it's just..
how fast /how steep..

Rika

[axl911]

I don't understand the appeal of skis over snowboard. Skis looked so much more graceful, but it seemed there is so much more control and maneuverability with the snowboards.

Clothing is different for snowboard than skis. SB pants are like overalls. SB gloves are different, longer. I wore ski pants and at the end of the day, it was loaded with snow and ice. Same goes for the gloves.

You must have a helmet. Catch a heel edge and your head will smack the ground backward hard enough to give you concussion. Wrist injury is common. I actually use a roller blade wrist guard worn outside the gloves. It would also get knee guards since you can smack them pretty hard very often when learning how to SB.

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Thanks for the info guys! I will definitely take some lessons before heading up the mountain.

At this point, I'm tempted to go with skis as I don't want to spend too much time on my ass! That said, I would still like to try snowboarding...This will probably be a last minute decision as to which I'll decide to go with.

If you decide to try skiing instead--here are some tips.

Once again--dress for the weather--water proof/repellent pants and jacket--layered with thermals of some type--a jacket with vents is best as you can easily work up a sweat during a lesson. Only one pair of (good) moisture-wicking socks--some people tend to wear 2 pair of socks--this makes your feet uniformally larger--which is not how ski boots are fit, and they also tend to make your feet sweat as they don't breath.

Good gloves, hat, and goggles(they are worth buying--even your first time out)

Make sure your ski boots fit correctly--they should be firm, but not painfully tight. You should be able to wiggle your toes--your heel should NOT slide up and down. Use the adjustment buckles and take your time--ski boot/foot pain is one of the biggest contributers to people not enjoying their first time out.

Make certain that whomever youa re renting your skiis from knows it is your first time--they should be able to provide you with the correct length skiis and poles.

Prior to your lesson--if you can--take some time to familiarize yourself with your equipment--walking on flat ground in your boots, properly carrying your skis and poles--not the cross-armed, everything is in a pile--method. Practice putting your skis on and taking them off on a level flat area .
Always check under your boots prior to clicking in for snow buildup--if there are chunks of snow stuck to your boot bottoms, you will not be fully engaged in your bindings.
You should practice walking/skating around (on the flat) with one ski in so you get a feeling of how it slides and how it makes your foot feel with the additonal length of the ski. Then do the other ski.
After that, your instructor should take you through everything else you need to know from a staright-run, to stopping, speed control, and turning right and left. If ou take a standard beginner 1-hour lesson--all of these basics should be covered.

Depending upon which resort you are visitng all of your lesson time may take place in a beginner area without getting on a lift--if this happens, stay and practice after the lesson untill you are comfortable doing everything, and when the time does come to take the lift--tell the operator that it is your first time--if it isn't a detachable chair, they will usually slow it down and help you.

Ans, once again--remember to have fun!