J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by idkwia

snapzzz, I am sure we both know skiers who have been skiing for many years who also avoid steeps ice and bumps. they are just happy to do what they do

anyway I have decided that the only way I am going to answer this question is to take up boarding myself which is what I will do.

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?

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?

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.

Jimbobilini wrote:So, I have 23 weeks of snowboarding and 17 weeks of skiing under my belt. Some elements of snowboarding are easier than skiing but some elements of skiing are easier than snowboarding. I find powder on a snowboard easier but I find bumps are easier on skis.

Finally a sensible and logical response, thanks Jimbolini. In addition to what you said I would have thought that schussing is easier on skis as well.
With regards to deep snow it also makes sense that a board is easier and interesting that you confirm this which emphasises the point I am making because to ski well off piste can take a long time whereas with a snowboard it happens much quicker.
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.
And the biggest point of all is body position. A board lends itself very well to a natural body position particularly in the ankles whereas 90% of skiers have stiff and fixed ankles making improvement beyond a certain level impossible.
So I agree with your fundamental point but feel that there are more technical elements that are more difficult on skis rather than the other way round and hence making skiing more difficult overall.
For someone prepared to stick it out I also believe that skiing offers the greater reward due mainly to its larger range of versatility in all terrain.
Do you have any preference for either or do you continue to do both?

Brucie wrote:Idkwia, you have committed the cardinal j2ski sin of having an opinion which differs from the mainstream gang

Yes Brucie I have come to realise that! The strange thing is I was merely asking why other non helmet wearers had made their decision and suddenly all helmet wearers jump in!

Snapzzz wrote:

idkwia wrote:Ha, ha, well done Ian Wikham. We all know it is freedom of choice but why did you decide not to wear one?

WELL DONE? What a ridiculous statement to make.
Congratulating someone for making a decision not to wear a helmet is irresponsible.
Its fine to ask why they made that choice and also to respect that choice but not to applaud them. Silly man.

I think it is pretty obvious that I was laughing at Ian saying he was brain dead as well as congratulating him on his self mockery.
Why that is a ridiculous statement and why it makes me a silly man beggars belief.

Maybe in hindsight I didn't make myself very clear so I will try to do so now.
I am certain that overall snowboarding is significantly easier than skiing with the exception of the first few days. Nothing wrong with that at all but I think it is for this reason that quite a lot of snowboarders switched from skiing. I think it would be hard to get them to admit it but I wonder if anyone else thinks the same.
(I do intend to become good at snowboarding but I know I would never give up skiing because it is just so damn great. I fully accept that when I do get good at boarding I will be more qualified to post this suggestion and maybe I will change my mind but I doubt it).