Learning to snowboard, how hard?
Discussion
As others have said - lessons, impact shorts & wrist guards.
I don't know any boarders that haven't done at least one wrist. We had a mate of a mate come to LDA with us didn't take any lessons or advice from any of my boarder mates & spent the whole week on his arse or knees & hasn't been since.
& most importantly don't forget it's a holiday & therefore supposed to be fun so don't try too hard & over do it.
I don't know any boarders that haven't done at least one wrist. We had a mate of a mate come to LDA with us didn't take any lessons or advice from any of my boarder mates & spent the whole week on his arse or knees & hasn't been since.
& most importantly don't forget it's a holiday & therefore supposed to be fun so don't try too hard & over do it.
The learning curves are just different. Snowboarding is very hard work for the first few days but once you're linking turns nicely you just grow in confidence. Skiing gives a nice gentle intro with easy rewards but then getting to faster speeds, parallel turns, etc takes a lot more work.
The main thing that's "hard" IMO is the physical effort. You'll be picking yourself up dozens of times a day, including many of those going from lying down to standing up on your heels or toes. If knocking out push ups, squats or sit-ups fill you with dread it would really be worth getting some training in. I learned in a week in my late teens when I was pretty fit and everything ached by the end of the week - while you normally do lessons for half of each day, you get the most out of it by practising the rest of the time. I dread to think what it'd be like doing the same now at nearly 40. If you're exhausted by lunchtime then you'll be more prone to silly mistakes or just sacking it off till the next day.
The main thing that's "hard" IMO is the physical effort. You'll be picking yourself up dozens of times a day, including many of those going from lying down to standing up on your heels or toes. If knocking out push ups, squats or sit-ups fill you with dread it would really be worth getting some training in. I learned in a week in my late teens when I was pretty fit and everything ached by the end of the week - while you normally do lessons for half of each day, you get the most out of it by practising the rest of the time. I dread to think what it'd be like doing the same now at nearly 40. If you're exhausted by lunchtime then you'll be more prone to silly mistakes or just sacking it off till the next day.
I learned to snowboard when I was 28/29 in MK. I did a day course the a couple of follow up lessons before heading out for a week in the three valleys. I managed to get to the stage where I could just about go down the main slope without any dramas.
When in the mountains I forked out for 2 hour 1 on 1 lesson, and it made a massive difference. As did my mates refusing to do anything bar the occasional blue and the rest reds.
I've been lucky with falls, and not really injured myself until last year (off the side of the piste in deep powder and twisted my knee quite badly. could still board but couldn't walk too well for a few days).Have spent maybe 4-5 weeks of snowboarding now over last few years.
Taking my wife and her friend skiing at new year, they're both pretty new to it. It's tempting to grab some skis and give it a go.
When in the mountains I forked out for 2 hour 1 on 1 lesson, and it made a massive difference. As did my mates refusing to do anything bar the occasional blue and the rest reds.
I've been lucky with falls, and not really injured myself until last year (off the side of the piste in deep powder and twisted my knee quite badly. could still board but couldn't walk too well for a few days).Have spent maybe 4-5 weeks of snowboarding now over last few years.
Taking my wife and her friend skiing at new year, they're both pretty new to it. It's tempting to grab some skis and give it a go.
Richard-390a0 said:
As others have said - lessons, impact shorts & wrist guards.
I don't know any boarders that haven't done at least one wrist.
whilst I don't know you, 22 odd years here, including 3 full seasons and nothing broken (yet!). Didn't do the impact shorts or wrist guards thing, but I was 14 when i started, tend to bounce more the younger you are!I don't know any boarders that haven't done at least one wrist.
Edited by S100HP on Monday 19th November 13:21
Mr E said:
TheLimla said:
What did you get?
Lib Tech T Rice pro. Last years. This is my first rocker (my stepchild was a conventional board).
I suspect the board will be rather more capable than I am.
Some great info and tips above! Couple of my own tips to make your snowboard trip more enjoyable [ I am not an instructor, but just observations from myself and the newbie boarders from my group]
Exercise - do some before you go. Usual Cardio and leg exercise with be great, but I would also suggest core strength exercises too as it really helps (when you are picking yourself up from the countless falls during your early days)
Breath and relllaaaaxxxxxx - I always see newbie tense up before they set off. As with most sport, boarding is about feel and it easier to feel and react when your body is relaxed. i.e. my track driving instructor remind me 'soft hands' when I am holding the steering wheel.
Look AHEAD to where you are going - Yes, let your eyes/brain do the work, and your body will follow.
Final tip - don't eat yellow snow
It will be painful initially, but it will be worth it. Enjoy!!!!
Exercise - do some before you go. Usual Cardio and leg exercise with be great, but I would also suggest core strength exercises too as it really helps (when you are picking yourself up from the countless falls during your early days)
Breath and relllaaaaxxxxxx - I always see newbie tense up before they set off. As with most sport, boarding is about feel and it easier to feel and react when your body is relaxed. i.e. my track driving instructor remind me 'soft hands' when I am holding the steering wheel.
Look AHEAD to where you are going - Yes, let your eyes/brain do the work, and your body will follow.
Final tip - don't eat yellow snow
It will be painful initially, but it will be worth it. Enjoy!!!!
For me, as a complete new starter, never snowboarded before..
I had 2 x 1 hour lessons at the Snow centre in Hemel then 2 weeks later i went on my first trip to the French Alps. First 3 days was mostly spent sliding down hill on my ass or falling over in various different ways! On the 4th day all of a sudden i just seemed to 'get it' and thankfully over the remaining days i got better and better to the point i could keep up with the rest of my group! lol
Fair few trips later and i would say i am a fairly competent, all round Boarder now! One of the best things i've ever learnt in my life, enjoy it so much. Just wish i'd started earlier!
Edited to add: I wore motorcycle lycra shorts for my first few trips, they had some nice hard padding in them which made repeatedly falling on your tail bone more bearable!!
I had 2 x 1 hour lessons at the Snow centre in Hemel then 2 weeks later i went on my first trip to the French Alps. First 3 days was mostly spent sliding down hill on my ass or falling over in various different ways! On the 4th day all of a sudden i just seemed to 'get it' and thankfully over the remaining days i got better and better to the point i could keep up with the rest of my group! lol
Fair few trips later and i would say i am a fairly competent, all round Boarder now! One of the best things i've ever learnt in my life, enjoy it so much. Just wish i'd started earlier!
Edited to add: I wore motorcycle lycra shorts for my first few trips, they had some nice hard padding in them which made repeatedly falling on your tail bone more bearable!!
Edited by Jez m on Monday 19th November 13:50
yeah, learn to ride poma/buttons properly early on...don't become another rider that can't ride certain areas of resort because of the button lift access.
Also worth learning switch early on...i neglected it in my first few years of riding, and it's a lot harder to pick up later.
In a fall, tuck in and try to take slams on your thighs, side, front etc...think like a tortoise.
On the slopes, ride defensively, you are most likely to be injured by a collision with someone else...on a snowboard, always check your blind spots before turning across the piste or stopping. NEVER stop in the middle of the piste, NEVER stand in the landing of a kicker...and assume everyone else on the slope is trying to kill you.
Once you have the basics of riding down, don't ride into the park thinking you are the next shaun white...it won't end well...get a bit of basic freestyle tuition from someone who knows their front boards from their back lips...instructor or a park rat, either will help.
Buy cheap used gear for your first setup, you will progress beyond it in a season or two. BUT invest in decent well fitting boots (don't buy online, it isn't like buying trainers), you can go to snow and rock etc and get a properly fitting pair, this is the difference between 8 hours pain free on the mountain to 2 hours and sacking it off because you bought the wrong boots.
Also, invest in a decent helmet, and wear it. I've had a few concussions from snowboarding, two of my mates have had TBIs, riding without one is not worth the risk.
Also worth learning switch early on...i neglected it in my first few years of riding, and it's a lot harder to pick up later.
In a fall, tuck in and try to take slams on your thighs, side, front etc...think like a tortoise.
On the slopes, ride defensively, you are most likely to be injured by a collision with someone else...on a snowboard, always check your blind spots before turning across the piste or stopping. NEVER stop in the middle of the piste, NEVER stand in the landing of a kicker...and assume everyone else on the slope is trying to kill you.
Once you have the basics of riding down, don't ride into the park thinking you are the next shaun white...it won't end well...get a bit of basic freestyle tuition from someone who knows their front boards from their back lips...instructor or a park rat, either will help.
Buy cheap used gear for your first setup, you will progress beyond it in a season or two. BUT invest in decent well fitting boots (don't buy online, it isn't like buying trainers), you can go to snow and rock etc and get a properly fitting pair, this is the difference between 8 hours pain free on the mountain to 2 hours and sacking it off because you bought the wrong boots.
Also, invest in a decent helmet, and wear it. I've had a few concussions from snowboarding, two of my mates have had TBIs, riding without one is not worth the risk.
Remember to sit around in an incovenient location - middle of piste, take off and landing of any kickers etc.
Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
Parsnip said:
Remember to sit around in an incovenient location - middle of piste, take off and landing of any kickers etc.
Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
get f**ked.Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
The whole skier vs snowboarder thing is so 2001...it's not really an issue these days apart from the ignorant few who choose to make a division where there really isn't one.
Edited by designforlife on Monday 19th November 14:14
Parsnip said:
Remember to sit around in an incovenient location - middle of piste, take off and landing of any kickers etc.
Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
This is the specialty of Skiers! Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
i've seen truly unforgiveable slope etiquette from skiers and snowboarders over the years...stupid people are stupid regardless of which discipline they choose...most of it is common sense, but it helps a lot when you ride or ski with those more experienced, and get a bit of a guiding hand in things.
I owe my worst ongoing injury to being taken out on piste in france by a skier around ten years ago... 8 shoulder dislocations later i've just had the surgery to fix it, but I don't tar all skiers with the same brush.
I owe my worst ongoing injury to being taken out on piste in france by a skier around ten years ago... 8 shoulder dislocations later i've just had the surgery to fix it, but I don't tar all skiers with the same brush.
Parsnip said:
Remember to sit around in an incovenient location - middle of piste, take off and landing of any kickers etc.
Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
Yeah, but then you have to tell your dad you're gay Buy trousers way too big and wear them improperly.
Speak in an irritating yoof manner - pow pow, gnar, describing sliding about on your glorified mono ski as "riding" etc.
Make an absolute mess of every lift queue you are in. Piss about with your bindings at the top of every lift you get off - DO NOT under any circumstances do anything sensible like moving to the side of the piste to do it.
Alternativley, you could just learn to ski?
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