Snowboarding - tell me all about it!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi Colby

I was definitely planning on taking lessons. Oh, and, also, spending a lot of time on my backside for the first few days

It really looks like a blast and I just thought, what have I got to lose? Having gone skiing a grand total of ONCE in my life, lol, it isn't as if I'm particularly attached to being a 2-planker

Thank you for sharing that and for the advice. Very much appreciated

[Kimmyt]

I am a skiier, but I will dabble in boarding once in awhile, particularly at the small hills that aren't challenging enough for me in SEPA. The Boy rides, however, and seems to like it.

Some ups I have found:

Way more comfy boots!
I have heard it's easier to 'get good' faster...
I think it's easier to do jumps and tricks on a board because you don't have the added difficulty of two feet doing two different things at once
Boarding in powder is supposed to be an amazing thing
I have heard it is much easier on your knees than skiing

Some downs:

It's attached to a 'hip culture' which i'm not really into
Since it's easier to get passably decent at quickly, I find that lots of boarders put themselves on slopes that are too difficult for them and end up riding down on their butts (the snowboarder slide) and taking all the snow with them!
It's easier to break a wrist (when you fall forwards you tend to put your arms out and I've heard of a lot of beginners hurting themselves this way)... but then skiing is easier to break a thumb, so whatever...


Some things to keep in mind. When you fall, and are sitting on your butt in the middle of the trail, ikeep in mind that that's probably not the best place to be, especially if you are near a jump or a significant change in pitch.

The reason most skiiers dislike snowboarders is because of this reason... if you've ever seen a group of teenage boarders sitting at the top of a run and strapping in while blocking the entire thing, you'll understand.

That, and the fact that they can utterly destroy moguls.

But seriously, most skiiers don't just 'hate' snowboarders, they just get pissed off at the inconsiderate ones. A really good carving snowboarder is such an amazing thing to watch...

I'm sure you'll be great at it! Have fun!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Kimmy - thank you!

Good to hear about things from your angle. One I really can't say I have, since I have so, so little experience with skiing.

What you said about injuries, saw that mentioned in an article....they said supposedly you have more knee injuries in skiing, but more wrist and arm injuries in boarding. Guess it evens out in the long wrong.

I'm a little bit of a hipster so hip snowboarding culture is alright by me

You know, I was talking to a friend who, has never boarded but is a great skier, and she mentioned some of the same things you did about boarders. Specifically, about sitting in the middle of the slope, or rather, to try not to do that, as it is difficult for others to avoid you. Last thing I want is some kind of accident up on the mountain, so I'm taking that advice seriously!

Again, thanks

[Kano]

Some downs:

Some things to keep in mind. When you fall, and are sitting on your butt in the middle of the trail, ikeep in mind that that's probably not the best place to be, especially if you are near a jump or a significant change in pitch.

We skiers gotta get outta the way too -- those boarders, though, they do seem to be able to bounce up faster than us!

The reason most skiiers dislike snowboarders is because of this reason... if you've ever seen a group of teenage boarders sitting at the top of a run and strapping in while blocking the entire thing, you'll understand.

OOOOH the traffic jams at the tops of the lifts today!

That, and the fact that they can utterly destroy moguls.

Yes! Something to like about snowboarders, at last!

But seriously, most skiiers don't just 'hate' snowboarders, they just get pissed off at the inconsiderate ones. A really good carving snowboarder is such an amazing thing to watch...

True -- they tend to startle the heck out of me as they cruise by -- FAST and loud, kinda like a harley rider!-- but when they're not scaring the bejeezus out of me, or using my skis as board rests -- I got these short legs -- they can be pretty amazing to watch!

Karen in Boise

[Kimmyt]

It's true, the sitting down thing after falling should be kept in mind by everyone... I guess the most important thing to remember is that no matter how disoriented you are from your fall, always pay attention to what is upslope of you. If you are invisible to an oncoming person until it's too late, then you can get hurt even worse!

And hey, don't knock the moguls! I aspire to be one of those old crusty dudes zipperlining down a mogul field!



K.

[Kimmyt]

(except for the dude part! hahah)