I want to learn a new winter sport. which is easier to learn skiing or snowboarding? i already mountain bike, kayak, and i'm learning to rock climb(!). so, i'm pretty adventurous. any ideas?
2006-10-17 04:27:50 · 12 answers · asked by â?¥sarah 4 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports
Problem with Y!A is you have no idea whether the answers you receive have any foundation in fact. IMHO the boarders who have replied here appear to have little if any idea about skiing.
If I were you I'd definitely learn to snowboard. It's great fun, easy to learn and you'll rapidly reach a level where you can get around the mountain pretty well. The first couple of days are tough and bruising - make sure you learn on a day when the snow is nice and soft, wear a helmet and bum pad, and wrist/elbow/knee protectors also.
Just for your own info, the first couple of days learning to ski are easier (and certainly less painful!) but compared to snowboarding, skiing just takes ages to get any good at. People do it 'cos they've always done it, they want to do the latest cool thing ("newschoolers" and "jibbers"), they want to go fast or they want more versatility, amongst other reasons.
Whichever you choose, you're bound to have a great time!
2006-10-17 08:28:47 · answer #1 · answered by servir tres frais 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are both quite similar.
Snowboarding has a slightly faster learning curve.
Once you get the hang of it, they're both *very* much the same.
Boarding takes less time to reach top levels, but it's less versatile. With the board, it's much more difficult to explore 100% of the mountain. Even after you've become proficient, skiing will continue to challenge you. Skis are faster and slightly more stable than boards. Boarding takes less muscle and energy, so you can get more runs in per day before becoming exhausted.
As I said, they're both very much alike in technique and sensations, and the learning phase is *about* the same for both.
I would say that if you just want something easy to pick up, boarding will be cheaper, and you'll need less time to progress out of the novice phase. You'll need less time to get in good physical condition. If you're only going for a few trips per season, choose the board.
On the other hand, if you think that you're going to take it seriously, skiing will be a little more rewarding in the long run. It'll take just a little more time to learn, and until you develop those skills to a high level, it's tougher to get back up to speed at the start of each season. But, you can go faster, and once you're advanced, you'll be a little more maneuverable and stable in challenging situations.
But both are fun, so no matter what, you can't go wrong!
I have worked for years as a full-time professional instructor teaching both skiing and boarding. The first few days of learning to snowboard shouldn't have to be painful, but they usually are because people try to teach themselves or learn from friends. Trust me, a good coach for your first couple of days will save you many days of pain in the long run, making riding more fun overall.
2014-01-13 15:03:21 · answer #2 · answered by Tahoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a snowboarder...
Skiing is easier to learn, however, it is harder to master... whilst snowboarding is harder to learn, yet easier to master. Seeing that you're adventurous (I'm taking that to mean you're a thrill seeker), you'll probably like snowboarding better, as free riding and alpine snowboarding will certainly give you the thrill you seek.
Seems that we're similar in some ways... I also mountain bike, kayak, and rock climb :)
2006-10-17 05:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by Wedding Crasher 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Snowboarding is easier to learn, but you hit a plateau sooner. Skiing is more satisfying in the long term and you dont have to walk on the flat bits.
2006-10-17 11:12:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skiing is easier, but then i started sowboarding and am semi pro sponsored by Sobe! I will never leave the board, it is so much more fun! I learned on the east coast in ice i could see my reflection in, during a rain storm. So I learned to ride various terrain, that is why i win a lot of my boardercross races, especially in Vermont in 2 inches of powder when all of the west and rocky boarders are complaining of conditions. That is some of the best we get over here!
2006-10-17 04:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by Jon C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been a skier for 25 years. Needless to say I am very skilled. I tried snow boarding a few times. It is also fun but ultimately they a very similar and I'm not willing to put in the effort to learn snow boarding.
If you're just starting I would say snowboarding because it seems to be the wave of the future. but skiing will never die out!
2006-10-17 04:36:19 · answer #6 · answered by Fire_God_69 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The challenge of making as close to a perfect series of turns down the mountain in any conditions on any slope. Also the the memories of the days when stretch pants were the thing for ski wear.
2016-05-22 08:41:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well to me skiing is much easier but snowboarding is in the new generation so if you want to look cool...snowboarding
2006-10-17 05:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by yog2541 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Skiing has the shorter learning curve.
2006-10-17 04:35:09 · answer #9 · answered by Jim H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This might be a bit biased because I board but its WAY better once you learn, granted that its tough at the start.
2006-10-17 06:41:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋