Skiing/snowboarding advice

PikeyPriest · 23 Feb 2010 at 20:45

I`m thinking about going skiiing/snowboarding in a few weeks and was just wondering whether people would recommend one over the other. I have never done either before and will be out there for ~7 days. Costs seem similar with lessons in the AM and free time in the PM and hire.

Any reason that I should go for one over the other? Any advice or things I should read first, or is it just a case of getting out there and learning to not fall

Stupot_ · 23 Feb 2010 at 20:49

Snowboarders = gays on trays.

Don't do it.

With skiing you'll be much quicker learning, no sitting around on your bum, falling off lifts and walking over the flat bits. You don't look like a total gimp either.

(runs and hides)

touch · 23 Feb 2010 at 20:51

Skiiers = ***** on sticks

Don't do it.

With skiing you'll be much quicker learning, because its easy.

(seriously tho - if your only going to be going for 7 days and never again, then ski because you should pick it up much quicker. If your planning on it becoming a regular thing, then choose whichever you like the look of)

Language!!

Stupot_ · 23 Feb 2010 at 20:54

Hehehe

Guitarman0 · 23 Feb 2010 at 21:00

Snowboarding is easier to pick up for a beginner but for me I prefer skiing

mrthingyx · 23 Feb 2010 at 21:23

Depends what you want to go in for.

Personally, I prefer snowboarding, but learned to respect skiers, snow, ice, etc. because I skied for eight years... and then tried snowboarding, found out how much more fun it was (for me) and that was that.

The first two days of snowboarding are an absolute nightmare for most people, because there are only two places you can fall: bum and knees. And that happens a lot, and it really hurts.

If you get past those first two days, however, you can probably deal with most things that come your way bar the harder reds and blacks.

Skiing, on the other hand, is much easier to get started with (i.e. less painful) and it's reasonably easy to get going on the greens and blues. However, it's a lot harder to get better after that point.

As a snowboarder, I'm going to teach my daughter to ski when she finally turns 3, and when she's older she can learn to snowboard. There are too many snowboarders that got into the sport through SSX or whatever and can't actually do anything on an interesting run (or outside of a snowpark for that matter) other than sit around and try and look cool. Likewise, there are too many snobbish skiers who think that they (as a sport) were there first and so own the mountain. Or just blat down the mountain with sticks waving all over the shop without any semblance of control.

Aero · 23 Feb 2010 at 22:05

Boards have always been my thing so snowboarding it was for me, fell down twice in my first 2 days both whilst standing still =/ skiing is good fun though but I prefer a board

semi-pro waster · 23 Feb 2010 at 22:20

touch said:
Skiiers = ***** on sticks

I'd say "***** on planks" but I'm not sure if that's just something I made up.

However contrary to most here I'd say snowboarding is a lot easier to pick up, the first couple of days might involve a bit more falling over but after that the progression to being competent is much more rapid than on skis. However people differ of course, I just know that I found snowboarding a lot easier and so have most of the people I've helped teach. I also find it a lot more fun but I may try going back to skis again at some point, test out the new technology.

PikeyPriest · 23 Feb 2010 at 22:28

What equipment would I need to purchase beforehand? I have nothing in terms of ski jacket, trousers..etc Any guides for how much this would cost/brands to look for?

Naamiko_O · 23 Feb 2010 at 22:30

I've done both and I'm pretty good at both, black runs etc.

Skiing is easier, plus with the poles you can push yourself along slow runs. You have better speed control on skis and you don't have to sit down once you've stopped, so no getting cold.

Snowboarding is more difficult for a beginner. If you're on slow runs (Blue, Greens) and going slowly which no doubt you will be, every time you stop, you will have to unbind your snowboard and push yourself one footed, which takes a fair amount of balance to do, which I don't think you will have first time. As you can only stop on your front or back edge on a snowboard, it's more difficult to control your speed especially in deeper snow and on ice in comparison to skis. Also with a snowboard, if you stop on a hill, you will have to sit down on the cold snow to stay there ^^ With skis, you can just use your poles or angle yourself correctly.

Also drag lifts on a snowboard are pretty difficult, even for me!

Falling is also a issue. With ski's your binded in but can snap out of them when you fall, and so reduce injury

With a snowboard, your strapped in completly, so if you fall forwards your chest will hit the deck hard and your legs will kick that snowboard up behind you and you'll boot yourself in the ass haha

If your on the top of a slope and having difficulty with skiing, you can slowly snow plough down and control your speed well. With a snowboard, if you're having difficulty that slope will be a ****ing nightmare and you'll get demoralized about being in the snow much quicker.

I would highly recommend skiing over snowboarding, even though I enjoy both. For a first timer, skiing will suit you much better.

Hope this helps, sorry for the wall of text! But it has a lot of information in there

touch · 23 Feb 2010 at 22:32

Get down to TK Maxx. They have a lot of decent ski wear.
Dont forget goggles.

Stupot_ · 23 Feb 2010 at 23:19

touch said:
Get down to TK Maxx. They have a lot of decent ski wear.
Dont forget goggles.

This. TK maxx is excellent.

Also, if you're not too fussed about image (if you go for boarding you probably will be

) then places like tog24 do excellent ski gear. I've got an awesome jacket from there, fully waterproof with snow skirt, waterproof seams/pockets, avalanch thingy, goggle cleaning cloth! etc etc...

touch · 23 Feb 2010 at 23:55

Could also try mandmdirect.com and sportsdirect.com
I'v got this jacket and i love it. I'm lucky tho in that i can buy a jacket just for how it looks and not bother how warm it is because i'll be roasting in it anyway with just a tshirt underneath.

Nexus · 24 Feb 2010 at 12:42

Having taught snowboarding....

I personally always say for people who are for the first time learning while away on a holiday and in this situation to choose skiing. You are much more stable and won't be falling over anywhere near as much. Not to mention, once you've got the basic technique down, you can ski about some of the easy runs.

Snowboarding as much as I love it, is really hit and miss with people. Some will pick it up in a day or two, especially if you've had any balance control from skateboarding or surfing. But on the other hand, there are people who take ages to get it down and just don't get on with it at all. The other issue is that all the falling down takes it's toll on some people, so much so that people end up with some seriously bruised bottoms!
It also depends on your nature as well, as to whether you push on through and learn it, rather than giving up.

If you want to learn Snowboarding, do it... but learn before you go away, you will have a 100% better experience.

Aero · 24 Feb 2010 at 16:59

PikeyPriest said:
What equipment would I need to purchase beforehand? I have nothing in terms of ski jacket, trousers..etc Any guides for how much this would cost/brands to look for?

If you can get yourself down to Bicester outlet village the tog24 shop there has some good deals on some nice kit as does the helly hansen shop. Failing that tk maxx and the bay of e have been good for me