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The 7 - One Question... - Ski or Snowboard and Why? Register and log in to post!
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tricia
Chipolata
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#1 Posted on 7.2.06 0033.27
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0034.47
Do you ski or snowboard and is there a reason for choosing one over the other? And which sport do you think is easier to learn?


Explanation:
I went to Whistler with the Husband; he had a conference there and he likes to ski. I have no motor skills to speak of and I don't know how to ski or snowboard at all. (My Husband tried to teach me to ski five years ago; then we had one of the very very few really serious fights in our relationship.) This year when I went to the resort, I felt pangs of envy at all of the people on the slopes having fun and now I wonder if I should try to learn again. Due to my lack of real motor skills, I think I should pick just one (skiing or boarding) and stick with it. But which one?

When I go to Whistler, I still have fun though, even without the winter sports. I shop, read my books, wander around enjoying the scenery, and try to eat at a new restaurant every meal. Also, Whistler put in a new tube hill. FUN!!!

Me: "My ass is cold, wet, and yet has rug-burns. How is this possible?"

Tube Park Attendant: "Physics."
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emma
Cherries > Peaches
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#2 Posted on 7.2.06 0231.59
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0232.43
I go with skiing. I have quite torn-up knees (soccer, karate & bad inherited orthopedics from my father), but I can still have a nice, pleasant cruise down a lovely blue run (See Forever at Telluride is gorgeous.), & still rendezvous with the macho-boys at the mid-mountain lodge for lunch.

Definitely take lessons from a professional. If you can rustle up something like a semi-private lesson, it's worth it!. Do not ever attempt to have a boyfriend/husband teach you. The ugliest spousal argument I've ever witnessed was at Telluride, as I was riding one of the main lifts up the face in the morning. The run had been a slushy blue the afternoon before (when the sun was full on it), but had totally iced over overnight. I could hear him talking her into "oh c'mon, it's not that steep" at the very-very top. She actually managed 2 turns on the ice before the yard sale. She swore at him continuously as she careened down the entire face of Telluride Mountain. I'm guessing the ski patrol has a divorce lawyer on staff for exactly this eventuality.

Especially with the softer, shorter, shaped skis, that's definitely the easier way to get out onto the mountain.

(edited by emma on 7.2.06 0034)
Oliver
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#3 Posted on 7.2.06 0604.12
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0605.10
I prefer cross country skiing. I've never felt comfortable with downhill skiing or snowboarding.
The Goon
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#4 Posted on 7.2.06 0618.09
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0618.59
I've been downhill skiing semi-regularly since I was in grade school. I tried snowboarding a few years back and it didn't go so well. I was told that it's tough for someone with a skiing mindset to hop into snowboarding. I thought about taking snowboarding lessons but I don't get to the slopes as much as I'd like so I just spend my time on skis.

I'm lucky where I live to have so many ski resorts a short drive away: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Fernie, Kicking Horse, Nakiska. I'm going to Fernie next month for a weekend with some friends. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to ski as I'm rehabbing my ankle from surgery a few months back.
Von Maestro
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#5 Posted on 7.2.06 0804.02
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0806.16
I was a skier until I was 19, tried snowboarding, & have not put on skis since. I actually switched because I found that skiing put a much greater strain on my bad knees than snowboarding did.

As others have said, take lessons from a professional. If you go to a ski school with other adults looking to learn, you will have a better time learning, but you will probably learn faster with private lessons.

A quick piece of advice. If you decide to snowboard, I would suggest wearing hard plastic rollerskating-type knee pads, as you will both fall on your knees & rest on your knees thoughout the day. You will thank me if you do... :-)
dunkndollaz
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#6 Posted on 7.2.06 0806.36
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0812.29
I have been skiing for 33 years now. Got on my first pair of skis when I was 11 years old. The closest thing we had to a snowboard back then was a Snurfer and I sucked at it. I was never good at skateboarding either. Skiing has been such a big part of life. I went to college in Vermont so I could ski. I worked in the kitchen at a summer camp in Switzerland so I could summer ski on the glaciers. I moved to Denver after college in part so I could ski. I have skiied at Arapahoe Basin as late in the year as June 15 and the conditions sucked but I was skiing. I have anchored my company's ski team for the past few years. My wife learned how to ski after we got married and no, I definitely did not teach her at first. (Golf & Skiing - don't try to teach your spouse) My 2 girls (6 & 8) are skiers now but have told me that they want to try boarding so maybe I'll have to try it as well but it will be a tough sell.

Now for some really bad snowboarding jokes...

Q: What is the last thing a snowboarder says before he dies ?
A: Hey Dudes, watch this !

Q: What do you call a snowboarder who has just broken up with his girlfriend ?
A: Homeless

I'm almost ashamed.....
samoflange
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#7 Posted on 7.2.06 0900.29
Reposted on: 7.2.13 0901.02
I've been skiing since I was 5 and snowboarding since I was 11 or 12. I also worked as an instructer throughout high school. My theory is:

Skiing is easier to pick up, harder to master. Snowboarding is harder to pick up, easier to master.

Many mountains will have deals where you can do a ski school session for half a day on skis and half a day on a board. That way you can see which one you prefer more. Do that a few times until you've got a feel for them both and then pick the one that feels more natural and is more fun. In my experience about 75% of first timers choose skis.

Another option is skiboards (or skiblades), which I think as the most fun of all since they are so easy to manuever and mess around with. If you've ever rollerbladed, you've already got most of the necessary motions. But I'd probably recommend learning the basics on skis before trying skiboards.
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