Learning to snowboard, how hard?

[Contract Killer]

I'm off to some snowy parts of the USA and Canada in January (Colorado, Calgary etc) and would like to have a go at snow boarding out there as it looks pretty good fun.

I have never ski'd or snow boarded before.


Is it the sort of thing I can just hire a board etc and give it a go?, or would I really need some lessons first?



There is one of those fake snow places not that far away from me, would I be best to get a few lessons before hand to get the basics?


Also what bits of equipment is usual to hire, and what bits should I buy?

Cheers

[Contract Killer]

Cheers Guys, Snowdome do a full 1 day course for snowboarding for £170, so thinking of going for this.
https://www.snowdome.co.uk/ski-snowboard/snowboard...

If it teaches the basics, then I would say job done.

Yes I did read ski'ing is easier to learn, however boarding just looks cooler to me!


I am just under 30! (29), fairly well built and never broken a bone, so hopefully I wont break on the 1st fall.....


I may however take out a good insurance policy as I'm self employed......

[Contract Killer]

Mr E said:

Generally, we walk to the lift and the boarders whine about waiting for the skiers. We all get off the lift and the skiers step into while bhing about waiting for the boarders to bind in.
The boarders tell the skiers to bugger off ahead, and that they will catch up.
The skiers waft away elegantly swishing from side to side.
The boarders finish farting about, get up, realise the skiers are half way to the lift and tank down the run after them.
Everyone at the next lift bhes about waiting for whoever fell over.

I Will be on my own, so no issues of keeping up with other people, one of the great benefits of holidaying on your own is you can do things at your own pace!

The snowboard companies (DC) sure know how to charge for snowboard gear, just managed to spend £600 on a pair of snowboard boots, jacket, trousers and gloves!! So thats me committed to it now!

Planning on doing a days course next weekend, will report back with how many bones I still have in one piece after

[Contract Killer]

Well I almost had my first injury trying to put my new boarding boots on.......

Im sure there must be an easy way, but trying to get my feet into them was a challenge.., once they were in they are nice and snug and rather comfortable.

[Contract Killer]

Well after all the comments in here, I went into the 8 hour lesson with low expectations, and am quite pleased with how much I improved during the day.

They taught us to go backwards to start with which seemed really odd, but soon managed to get the hang of it.

Then they had us going forwards, and I was struggling to go more than 5 feet without going on my ass, but after a few hours I was able to go down the slope mostly without going on my ass, and even stopping at the bottom upright occasionally!

Then they had us turning and switching from forward to backwards, which just seemed impossible!!

My biggest failure seems to be turning smoothly, I just couldn't put the weight onto one foot/leg without twisting my body and ending a heap on the floor.

However I feel part of this was due to how busy the slope was, it was very difficult to find some space, as the moment someone came close to me or fall in front of me, it put me off guard and ended up slamming myself down to save taking them out.


The other was after falling on my ass on the slope getting back up, especially by the end of the day once my energy was exhausted!


My body is certainly aching a bit now, not looking forward to tomorrow morning!!


Im going to book a 2 hour level 3 lesson for in a fortnight and a days lift pass, and have another bash at it...

[Contract Killer]

Well just to update, I had my first day on a real slope, Lake Louise resort in Banff (Canada)

Firstly the "Grizzly" Gondola (Cable car) is a treat in itself, stunning views and must take around 10 mins to get to the top.

I was stting myself after seeing how far I had to go back down on the first run!


After around lunch time, I was getting fairly confident, and was doing OK on heel side with minimal falls, and mostly turning ok.

Speed is defiantly the answer to snowboarding.

However my biggest issue was if the snowboard got itself straight, or I ended up on my toe edge, I just couldn't get back onto my heel edge!


However after early afternoon, all went to pot, I accidentally veered down into a black route which was hell, as it was so steep and rough, and spend most of the route down on my ass, with real snowboarders wondering why some incapable tt was on a black run!!!

I gave up for the day after this, as I was battered!! My ass is kinda blue and purple.


Hopefully I won't feel too bad in the morning, and will have another go!


On another point I found it a lot easier than in the snow dome, as there is so much more space, and the run is not over in 20 seconds!

However it was a whole lot colder, it was -23D when I arrived this morning, my beard was frozen with icicles after each run!!
I think its going to be much warmer tomorrow at around -5.

Edited by Contract Killer on Wednesday 9th January 02:11

[Contract Killer]

Thanks guys, well day 2 went quite well.

Firstly, things were a bit different from yesterday, as there was snowfall over night, so the snow was a lot thicker.
And at one point while trying to get lots of speed down a hill before an up section, i over did it which dug in, and sent me right over and landed straight on my head!! (I wanted to get value for my helmet rental )

By lunch time things just suddenly seemed to click with my footing etc and i was starting to go exactly where i wanted

Im mostly able to get from toe side to heel side.
I found bending the one knee really helps spin it round.

My biggest trouble now is riding the board straight, to get the speeds to get along the flat sections. It seems If i just over adjust slightly, i end up doing a 180!

But i managed my last 3 runs without falling over which was good.

When i get it right its bloody good fun

Im off snow mobiling tomorrow, but plan to have another crack at it on Friday, my last day here!

I may have to book another winter holiday then, as it seems a but addictive....

Oh and one good thing about Lake Louise is the stunning scenery all around, which gives you something to look at on the way down!

Edited by Contract Killer on Thursday 10th January 04:33

[V8 Stang]

OP here, thought i would re-vive the thread as its getting close to my second snowboard adventure! This time im going to Park City in Salt Lake City, at the start of March. Starting to get Excited.

Ive also just bought myself my own board this time, a "Yes Basic" which all the reviews say is very good for beginners, as its nice and flexible. And got Union Flite Pro Bindings for it:




Ive also booked myself for some lessons level 2 + 3 at the Snow dome next Thursday, but not sure on how i should set the bindings?
Or should i just use a hire board for the lessons?

From what i can see online, some say +15 front and 0 rear, but others say to go +15 front and -15 rear (duckfoot). So not really sure.
What is the standard for hire shops?

However i have discovered a problem from last time. ive been using right foot forward which i thought was standard, so was asking for the board to be setup in standard, whilst i should be Goofy. Which may have made things more difficult?


So anyone any suggestions for binding angles? or am i best of using the hire board for lessons?

[V8 Stang]

Yes there is an X to mark the central set of nuts, which feels good while standing on it.

As for footing i am definitely Right foreward (goofy), as my right foot is my stronger foot. Ive hurt my left a few times
In fact i twisted it badly after a MTB off a month ago, and just starting to get back to strength.

+15/0 does feel ok while standing on the board.

[V8 Stang]

Well i had 2, 2H lessons on Thursday at the Snowdome, and firstly it was Very busy which made things even harder.

However my first lesson i was fairly pleased my 1st few runs i didn't even fall over! My balance on the heel edge came straight back, but not so much on the toe. And was starting to go heel to toe edge on a hit or miss basis.

Now on the 2nd lesson things got a lot better. Partly because it was at 4PM there were less people, and there was only 2 of us to the instructor, so it was almost a private lesson!
He got me doing "S's" while switching from heel to toe pretty consistently.
Then took us to the top, and did about 5 runs from top to bottom which was great fun.

However as i got faster, i did keep catching an edge during the transition resulting in a few face slams into the snow!!

But was pleased with the progress. And he said i am now at recreational standard.

I did notice all the hire boards were set up at 15/-15 (rather than my 15,0), and when i spoke to the coach's they both suggest i try "duck footed" next time.


I have just changed the bindings to 15/-15 and stood on the board with my boots, and it actually feels much more comfortable, maybe as it brings my knee's at a more natural angle, as they did feel a little stretched before. And find it easier to bend my knee's foreward on the toe edge.


So im thinking of booking a 3 hour lift pass next Sunday evening, which they told me will be the quietest time outside of a working day hours.
And having another go!

Hopefully my body will have recovered by then, pretty much every muscle in my body was aching yesterday!