snowboarding

[Dash8]

hey, how hard is it to learn?
never downhill skied
do they have lessons and rentals at most ski places?

 

[Gulfstreamlover]

A lot easier then learning to fly It's not hard at all, after an hour or two you aught to be ok at it. Yes they have rentals at most ski places.

 

[Ailerongirl]

Hey Dash.....if you go can I come with you?

 

[Dash8]

A lot easier then learning to fly It's not hard at all, after an hour or two you aught to be ok at it. Yes they have rentals at most ski places.

even for a lumbering oaf like me? (6'3" 240#)
lol

 

[MarineGrunt]

I tried snowboarding ONCE. Two words can sum up the experience: "Human fly-swater."

 

[shamrock]

It's funny how the timing of questions on this board works out. I'm coming up on some time off and since my sister lives in New Hampshire, I figured I'd give snowboarding or skiing a shot when I visit. (I grew up in New England and have never done either one. How many people can say that?)

I've been told that since I play hockey I shouldn't have trouble with skiing but then have been told that snowboarding is easier to learn.

What to do, what to do.

 

[labbats]

I started snowboarding ten years ago. Transferred over from being a decent blue run skier and it was miserable. Flailing around helpless knowing I could just strap on skis and go was tough, but I perservered and wouldn't trade my board for anything. It's a much smoother and natural ride IMHO.
My advice would be to pay the extra cash for a good instructor to give you one-on-one help for one day. Those groups don't teach as well. After one day, you've got the basics and can learn on your own.
Be aware that you'll break your fall with your hands and wrists, so protection isn't a bad idea, and catching an edge on ice is a painful experience. Take it slow and have a blast! I think you'll love it.

 

[Dan CFI/CFII]

As a lifelong outdoor uber-stud... (or dork, one of the two)

I've skied since I was 2 (literally), Cross Country, then when I ended up going to ski areas, I was using my good old Cross Country skiis to Telemark down the slopes. Never really liked the whole downhill skiing thing: free the heels!

But that said, I tried snowboarding when I was in high school, and I can't get enough of it--generally. Snowboarding is much more difficult to learn than skiing, in that you only have one edge with which to control yourself. With skiis you have two edges to help you turn and slow down. But onc eyou've got the hang of it, it's far easier to "master" snowboarding because you've only got one edge to screw you up, with skiis you've got two.

Yes, every ski area I know gives lessons (not that I took them though--I've got a reputation to live up to). Be prepared to be sore, especially your calfs. You will fall a lot on your hands/wrists, and also your butt, and possibly your knees as well. They'll all be a bit bruised and/or cold.

Go for it dude. I really, really like snowboarding to the point that I won't use my skiis and hippie-sticks unless there is No powder. Snowboards were really meant for powder, and steep hills, not groomed runs and moguls (whatever you do, avoid moguls--they are just plain NOT FUN on a snowboard). The only downside to snowboarding is that if you aren't on a good, steep hill, you can have some problems. Specifically, if you are on a flat spot, you are going to have to unstrap and walk it out a bit, skiers can just skate or pole thier way through it. Same goes for powder, if you fall, it can be tough getting up without the aid of some hippie sticks if you're deep in the pow.

Real advice: just go out there and do something. I'd recommend Telly skiing, but that's a real tough one, and they probably don't give lessons and very well may not rent stuff depending on where you go. But the popularity of free-heeling it is going up, so you can get in on the ground floor now...

Dan

PS-try not to go to the yuppie stupid ski areas, avoid the muppers and support small towns!

 

[wildbill]

I had a 4 day layover in SLC last week and took the five dollar bus ride to Snowbird and watched the snow boarders and skiers on the slopes. Looked like fun and really wanted to try, but the visions of broken limbs and the vision of a pink slip kept me from trying. Maybe one day.

 

[Gulfstreamlover]

even for a lumbering oaf like me? (6'3" 240#)
lol

I'm 6'2'' and I have no problem with it.

 

[labbats]

If you have big feet request a Fat Boy board from K2. It's not a put-down, just a board made for big feet. Anything over size 11 is going to have your feet hanging over the edge of the board and mess you up.

 

[Riddle momma]

Most places in the Tahoe area have packets for first timers. They'll rent you a snowboard and give you lift tickets with an intructor for even cheaper than the regular lift ticket. Lessons can be half day or full day, I would recommend the half day.

I learned on my own. Just strapped a board on and down I went. It's not impossible to learn on your own, but man I would have loved to have had someone give me some pointers! DO take plenty of ice bags. The falls hurt much more than skiing.

Don't go to a Heavenly/Squaw valley place. Too crowded! You'll definately be the human fly-swatter! I recommend Mt. Rose or Kirkwood. Less visited, and lots of powder.

Also, if it is icy, I recommend a helmet. Personal experience talking, I fell and hit my head so hard it hurt the rest of the day. No need to loose your medical from a dumb concussion you know?

Anywhoo, have fun with it. WISH I COULD GO

 

[Wankel7]

I love snowboarding man! I ended up teaching my self how to do it. As a result, I would HIGHLY recommend lessons. It will speed up your learning big time. It was a painful process to teach myself how to ride.

For your first few times go a head and rent. So, if you just hate it you have not sunk that much money. However, if think you are going to get into it. Then buy your own stuff. Having your own equipment is going to be great for you. Your learning should increase because your equipment is not a variable like when you rent. And you can make sure your board is waxed. I am sure the wax job resorts do their rentals is not good.

Also, make sure you wear a helmet out there. You might think you look dumb. But the last thing you want to do is check that box on your medical that says, concussion. It could limit your ability to hold down a 1st class medical if you hit your head hard. I have already broken one helmet and it saved my ass.

Have fun!

Wankel

 

[Dash8]

If you have big feet request a Fat Boy board from K2. It's not a put-down, just a board made for big feet. Anything over size 11 is going to have your feet hanging over the edge of the board and mess you up.

hmmmm. i wear 13's.... can i get a
'were gonna need a bigger boat'?

 

[Dash8]

Most places in the Tahoe area have packets for first timers. They'll rent you a snowboard and give you lift tickets with an intructor for even cheaper than the regular lift ticket. Lessons can be half day or full day, I would recommend the half day.

I learned on my own. Just strapped a board on and down I went. It's not impossible to learn on your own, but man I would have loved to have had someone give me some pointers! DO take plenty of ice bags. The falls hurt much more than skiing.

Don't go to a Heavenly/Squaw valley place. Too crowded! You'll definately be the human fly-swatter! I recommend Mt. Rose or Kirkwood. Less visited, and lots of powder.

Also, if it is icy, I recommend a helmet. Personal experience talking, I fell and hit my head so hard it hurt the rest of the day. No need to loose your medical from a dumb concussion you know?

Anywhoo, have fun with it. WISH I COULD GO

yeah sounds great, but i'm stuck in central ny gotta find a place around here if i was still in AZ i'm sure i'd be easier just go to the snowbowl

 

[skyking1976]

New England sucks for skiing. Come on out to CO, I'll get you some lessons!

 

[Dash8]

New England sucks for skiing. Come on out to CO, I'll get you some lessons!

lol if i didn't just bid down to reserve so i could have weekends off i'd prolly take ya up on it lol

 

[Riddle momma]

Ny.... they have mountains there??? JK Maybe you can find a tall overpass or a big ditch.

Where in AZ were you? Did you ever get out to Mt. Humphrey's or the one by Show Low? Good luck with the resort search!

--RM

 

[California]

snowboarding is the easiest of board sports

 

[Dash8]

Ny.... they have mountains there??? JK Maybe you can find a tall overpass or a big ditch.

Where in AZ were you? Did you ever get out to Mt. Humphrey's or the one by Show Low? Good luck with the resort search!

--RM

i was in prc

not a skiier so i never hit any of the resorts, this is something new for me

 

[darien]

guards

when my girlfriend tried i told her no problem she'd get the hang after the first day she did but needed wrist guards for the next couple of days So I highly suggest getting wrist guards because when you catch a lip you fall forward or backward on you hands every time good luck

 

[Dash8]

Re: guards

when my girlfriend tried i told her no problem she'd get the hang after the first day she did but needed wrist guards for the next couple of days So I highly suggest getting wrist guards because when you catch a lip you fall forward or backward on you hands every time good luck

like my rollerblade advanced wrist guards? (the old style with teh plastic nubs on palm and wide segmented brace on the back with leather and mesh fingerless glove )

 

[Wankel7]

Those might work.......but realize you will have to fit those under gloves. And that might not work. I tried something like that and it did not work. The do make snowboarding wrist gaurds that will go on the outside of your glove.

Wankel

 

[Dash8]

Those might work.......but realize you will have to fit those under gloves. And that might not work. I tried something like that and it did not work. The do make snowboarding wrist gaurds that will go on the outside of your glove.

Wankel

lol yeah i was being semi facetious, i know they wouldn't really fit under gloves (especially considering finding gloves that are big enough to cover my big ol paws is hard enough to do)

 

[Dash8]

any recommendations for basic equipment, on the off chance i don't kill myself or shatter every bone in my body?

 

[Wankel7]

Yeah, I just noticed the winkie smile thing.

Equipment? I suppose that depends how cold is gonna be where you go.

-Nice warm jacket
-Snowboarding pants. Might wanna get some bib types. You gonna spends a lot of time sliding on your butt. Snow in that area is cold. At least the bibs would keep it out.
- Googles ( In case they are making snow)
- Helmet
- Some sort of hat that covers your ears. But isnt too bulky to fit
a helmet over. Almost like a skull cap.
- Wrist gaurd
- And an open mind

But if your not sure how much you will like it. See if you can borrow this stuff. You can sometimes rent jackets and pants at the resort. And do not wear jeans under your snow pants.

 

[Dash8]

Yeah, I just noticed the winkie smile thing.

Equipment? I suppose that depends how cold is gonna be where you go.

-Nice warm jacket
-Snowboarding pants. Might wanna get some bib types. You gonna spends a lot of time sliding on your butt. Snow in that area is cold. At least the bibs would keep it out.
- Googles ( In case they are making snow)
- Helmet
- Some sort of hat that covers your ears. But isnt too bulky to fit
a helmet over. Almost like a skull cap.
- Wrist gaurd
- And an open mind

But if your not sure how much you will like it. See if you can borrow this stuff. You can sometimes rent jackets and pants at the resort. And do not wear jeans under your snow pants.

i've got a nice columbia coat already so thats covered, a helmet? seriously? what about my hair? i got some of those ratcheting ear cover things 180's i think they're called, snow pants huh? cool then i can do the happy snopants song *pfftpfftpfftpfft*