tino_11 wrote:AllyG wrote:I wouldn't say I hate snowboarders, but they frighten me, because most of them keep falling over and seem to have very little control of their boards. This is not really the case, most beginner snowboarders fall more often than beginner skiers, but thats due to the nature of the activity not skill level. A lot of snowboarders have a huge amount of control and can get through a difficult spot/situation with relative ease.
I hate it when I'm innocently ski-ing along and I hear that nasty scccccr sort of noise behind me , and I know it's another blasted !!! snowboarder, who's very likely to crash into me and knock me flying. So I try and get out of the way as fast as possible. Very likely? You must get hit often by snowboarders, as there are a lot these days. When a snowboarder needs to lose speed quick, he or she must get the edge, and this make the noise you describe.
And I also hate it when I'm ski-ing behind one on a very narrow piste, and I know if he/she falls over there's nowhere for me to go and I'm going to smash into them. Hence I always try and give them a very wide berth. And I try not to get on a chair lift with them, because they behave in a very odd way when they get off at the top. First point is identical for both skiers and snowboarders. I used to hate blue runs through trees for this reason, now I love them and get p****d of with skiers for carving the entire width, but I accept it and would not post about it. Second point I grant you, but it's thier mountain too! A little understanding and awareness goes a long way )
I have snowboarded down the main route to Wengen to be confronted by over 10 skiers standing across the entire piste, waiting, chatting or whatever. I agree snowboarders seem to sit in stupid places, but when on a flat and thin run on a board the last thing you need is a bunch of skiers waiting for thier pals
Most of all, I hate it when they lose their board, and it comes rocketing down the mountain like a javelin straight for me :shock: Seen it once in 80 days of being on the mountain.
The people who 'ride' them seem quite like 'normal' people when I talk to them once they've returned to the normal bipedal state.
Perhaps the problem is that there are an awful lot of bad snowboarders on the slopes. Anad all skiers up there are born good??? I don't have any problems with the skillful sort, who wouldn't dream of crashing into me, None of them dream of any such thing any more than I would be likely to crash into them. We co-exist together quite happily on the slopes :D
Ally
Ally, this is a bit of a generalisation. Not wanting to argue I think there are a few things need corecting amongst this. I have no problem with anyone up there, and admit to getting frustrated from time to time, but I dont think slating an entire disiplne is very constructive.
Couldn't agree more. I have spent a little time with you, and a number of other mates who are boarders, and whilst we always have some skiing vs boarding banter, none of it is nasty or aggressive. I actually think a good boarder looks better than a good skier, and very nearly swapped my skis for a board for a day in ADH recently.
I think you're right - the issue is with beginners and people of each discipline with limited experience. I know what Ally means about the sound of a board behind you on icy terrain, but you have to get on with it and trust the person behind you to avoid you, as it is their responsibility. Otherwise, you'd never get down a slope anywhere.
Now, I thought we were talking about people with snow blades?