Why I am not too keen on many snowboarders

I have stuck to skiing for the last 3 years because my daughter is learning to ski. She has just said that she wants to learn to snowboard so who knows what the future will hold.

Ice isn't easy to contend with on a snowboard as you only have one edge where you have two in skiing. Drag lifts and chair lifts are designed for skiers so they can cause issues. Schussing is easier on skis. Falling over when snowboarding is more painful and is the main reason why I bought a helmet (sorry to bring that up). As for steep terrain, it is easier to get down on a snowboard by letting the board slip but you aren't really doing it properly if you do that. Turning on steeps properly on a snowboard is probably the hardest skill to learn and requires a different type of turn altogether.

idkwia wrote:
With regards to deep snow it also makes sense that a board is easier

Probably the only point i would agree on.

idkwia wrote:I also think that steep and difficult terrain would be easier on a board because the whole board will turn as one whereas a tentative turn on skis might leave one behind. In addition a natural part of boarding is to skid which is essential for steep and difficult slopes but with skis this is not such a natural movement.

Couldn't disagree more.
Having just spent a week with some on piste boarders i can tell you that difficult terrain, bumps and ice, were something they would travel miles to avoid.
When you think about it what could be more unnatural then having two feet clamped together? You spend your whole life on two independent feet and to tie these up would go against everything you have learnt about balance from the day you could walk.
I think skiing would be far easier on difficult ground given the fact you can switch your weight from foot to foot, move them about independently and gain additional balance from your poles.
As for skidding, do you mean where they scrape they whole slope clean by taking the full length of it sliding down on their back edge?
This to me suggests lack of confidence on the steeps.
Skiers naturally skid too, its an important skill to master, its just side slipping.

Jimbobilini wrote:

Ice isn't easy to contend with on a snowboard as you only have one edge where you have two in skiing. Drag lifts and chair lifts are designed for skiers so they can cause issues. Schussing is easier on skis. Falling over when snowboarding is more painful and is the main reason why I bought a helmet (sorry to bring that up). As for steep terrain, it is easier to get down on a snowboard by letting the board slip but you aren't really doing it properly if you do that. Turning on steeps properly on a snowboard is probably the hardest skill to learn and requires a different type of turn altogether.

Beat me to it.

An interesting comment Dave but I think this actually emphasises the point I am making. To reach the level of Staatlicher as a skier takes at least a couple of decades.

I knew this was wrong, because I have an Austrian friend who is Staatliche approved at the age of 30. However, to double check, I wrote to another Austrian friend, and received a remarkably anglo-saxon response.

"20 years is b****cks but you do have to teach between Anwaerter and Landeslehrer

Anwaerter to Staatlicher takes about 5 years if you pass all the exams ..usually one season teaching between each level. You also now have to do snowboard exams in order to obtain Staatlicher."

I venture that this is a pretty good command of English for an Austrian. (It was me that converted the word with some*****!)

Jimbobilini wrote:I have stuck to skiing for the last 3 years because my daughter is learning to ski. She has just said that she wants to learn to snowboard so who knows what the future will hold.

Ice isn't easy to contend with on a snowboard as you only have one edge where you have two in skiing. Drag lifts and chair lifts are designed for skiers so they can cause issues. Schussing is easier on skis. Falling over when snowboarding is more painful and is the main reason why I bought a helmet (sorry to bring that up). As for steep terrain, it is easier to get down on a snowboard by letting the board slip but you aren't really doing it properly if you do that. Turning on steeps properly on a snowboard is probably the hardest skill to learn and requires a different type of turn altogether.

Very good points Jambolini. I hope you and your daughter both become expert skiers and boarders because that has to be the ultimate and is something I am aiming for.

idkwia wrote:

Very good points Jambolini. I hope you and your daughter both become expert skiers and boarders because that has to be the ultimate and is something I am aiming for.

Well it shouldn't take you long.

I knew this was wrong, because I have an Austrian friend who is Staatliche approved at the age of 30. However, to double check, I wrote to another Austrian friend, and received a remarkably anglo-saxon response.

20 years is b****cks but you do have to teach between Anwaerter and Landeslehrer

Anwaerter to Staatlicher takes about 5 years if you pass all the exams ..usually one season teaching between each level. You also now have to do snowboard exams in order to obtain Staatlicher[/i]."

I venture that this is a pretty good command of English for an Austrian. (It was me that converted the word with some*****!)

Dave, when did your friends start skiing?

Snapzzz wrote:

idkwia wrote:
With regards to deep snow it also makes sense that a board is easier

Probably the only point i would agree on.

idkwia wrote:I also think that steep and difficult terrain would be easier on a board because the whole board will turn as one whereas a tentative turn on skis might leave one behind. In addition a natural part of boarding is to skid which is essential for steep and difficult slopes but with skis this is not such a natural movement.

Couldn't disagree more.
Having just spent a week with some on piste boarders i can tell you that difficult terrain, bumps and ice, were something they would travel miles to avoid.
When you think about it what could be more unnatural then having two feet clamped together? You spend your whole life on two independent feet and to tie these up would go against everything you have learnt about balance from the day you could walk.
I think skiing would be far easier on difficult ground given the fact you can switch your weight from foot to foot, move them about independently and gain additional balance from your poles.
As for skidding, do you mean where they scrape they whole slope clean by taking the full length of it sliding down on their back edge?
This to me suggests lack of confidence on the steeps.
Skiers naturally skid too, its an important skill to master, its just side slipping.

How many weeks have your friends been boarding Snapzz?