First Time On Snow

I am going to Wyoming this December to hit the slopes for the first time. I was wondering which I should try, snowboarding or skiing? I wakeboard on a regular basis and wondered if that would make snowboarding a little easier??

Yes, if you skate board, or wakeboard you will find snowboarding easier than if you had no related sport experience.

For most people, the bigger question is, are snow sports something you might do often in the future. If this is a one off thing, then skiing will get you on more of the mountain sooner. Snowboarding progress is generally slower to start out, but is very rewarding if you are going to be doing it often. If you are very comfortable on a wakeboard, you should have no problem with snowboarding though.

I have to agree with Trancher. Skiing is quicker to learn initially but takes longer to perfect technique (if thats what you want to do) whereas snowboarding takes longer initially but once you have mastered the basics its a free for all.

As for which one you should try then thats personal preference. I had always wanted to try skiing so went with that and will admit its all I have ever done despite promises that I was going to give snowboarding a go (which I will one day!).... :shock:

Brimster wrote:I have to agree with Trancher. Skiing is quicker to learn initially but takes longer to perfect technique (if thats what you want to do) whereas snowboarding takes longer initially but once you have mastered the basics its a free for all.

A :shock:

Is the idea of a perfect ski technique compared with snowboarding more a reflection on snowboarding being relatively new & skiing much older and consequently thought about, written about & arguably over cerebralised.

Which is right - emphasis on technique & lessons or the JFDI approach of snowboarding? I don't know - I've never snowboarded although I did skateboard back in the 70's and snowboarding did strike me as more intuitive. The absence of poles for the flat bits swung it for me.

In great part it reflects that many higher level skills learned in skiing are prerequisite for the beginning snowboarder. There are skills like carving, which most people take years to master on snowboards, as well as skis.

I secretly want to learn to snowboard but with the limited amount of slope time I get, I think I'll stick to skiing. I'd rather get sh*t hot at one thing than be mediocre at two.

I have been skateboarding on and off since the late 70's. I also wakeboard when the poxy South Coast of England is flat enough. I thought snowboarding would be for me BUT i also wanted to ski as well. I opted to start with ski's, then if I got bored move on to snowboards. I am in no rush to snowboard now, if ever, after three years on ski's i still have a lot to learn. It is without doubt one of the best things I have done. I wish I had started earlier in life. If you do any form of balance sports, they will help you to do either.

Why not get off to a dry slope or indoor snow slope and give one or both a try? You'll also have loads more fun in the mountains if you have learnt the basics already.