Does anyone here ski and snowboard?
- Thread starter calcium
- Start date
Snowboarding is the bomb.
When I was home last month my friend wanted to go snowboarding. I'm a pretty good skier and was hesitant to try boarding. But he twisted my arm on it and I'm totally glad. It was a blast. I took a lesson and was on the intermediate hill within 2 hours. I think it's 'rawer' than skiing, if that makes any sense. It also seems to be a class thing i.e. younger hipper=boarding, old stodgy=skiing. When we went, it seemed me and my friend were the only ones over 30 on boards. If I went for a weeks holiday in the mountains I'd probably board 3/4's of the time and ski 1/4. Basically skiing seems boring after boarding.
By the way I know you're from the Chicago area, Calcium, so I'd recommend Galena as a cool local place to try snowboarding. The prices are pretty cheap including a lesson, the locals are easy going and the view of the Mississippi river is really nice. Whatever you decide to do, Enjoy!
By the way I know you're from the Chicago area, Calcium, so I'd recommend Galena as a cool local place to try snowboarding. The prices are pretty cheap including a lesson, the locals are easy going and the view of the Mississippi river is really nice. Whatever you decide to do, Enjoy!
phil - Thanks for the info (looking up galena now). The thing is I haven't skied since I was like 15 I'm 22 now. This year no matter what I'm going skiing. But then I thought, hey what about snowboarding? Everything about it from the rentals to the lessons is more expensive but I thought it would be worth it if I ended up liking it more.
Why is boarding rawer than skiing for you? Could you elaborate?
Why is boarding rawer than skiing for you? Could you elaborate?
I'm no expert, but I'd say boarding is harder at the beginning, but once you get the hang of it it's probably easier than skiing. It definitely feels awkward for a while, especially balancing which is different than skiing because of your feet position. Once you feel comfortable and in control it the balance issue is not a problem. To me boarding seems 'freer' than. Ok, my adjectives are lacking here..basically to me it was more exciting. I wouldn't worry about age either (as if 22 were old anyway :yelrotflmao
I'm in my late 30's and had not a problem. I felt all those squats and deadlifts paid of too. I'm sure you're reasonably athletic and coordinated, so I think if you took a beginner lesson you'd be fine.
Galena is about a 3hr drive from Chicago. You'd be best to make a weekend of it and stay overnight, they have a lodge. That way, if you found boarding wasn't for you, you could always ski the second day.
I'm in my late 30's and had not a problem. I felt all those squats and deadlifts paid of too. I'm sure you're reasonably athletic and coordinated, so I think if you took a beginner lesson you'd be fine. Galena is about a 3hr drive from Chicago. You'd be best to make a weekend of it and stay overnight, they have a lodge. That way, if you found boarding wasn't for you, you could always ski the second day.
Snowboarding Vs. Skiing
go boarding!
I give 2 thumbs up to boarding.
I was never an expert skier, but since the edge work is the same as skating, it came naturally to me. However, downhill skiing places a lot of stress on the knees.
I switched to snowboarding a few years ago. The beginning was rough - mainly due to the repeated falling. Haha!
After that, it's been snowboarding all the way for me!
I give 2 thumbs up to boarding.
I was never an expert skier, but since the edge work is the same as skating, it came naturally to me. However, downhill skiing places a lot of stress on the knees.
I switched to snowboarding a few years ago. The beginning was rough - mainly due to the repeated falling. Haha!
After that, it's been snowboarding all the way for me!
Thanks for your thoughts. More are welcome!
I'm leaning towards taking a boarding lesson. A little nervous considering I'm pretty good at falling down and off things but I want to give it a shot.
Phil - Have you ever been to Villa Olivia in Bartlett? It's a crappy little hill but it's closer to me. Check out these rates for a snowboard lesson:
I was thinking of doing the lesson, slope and rental package for 90 dollars. Right now I only have a day available.
Also, I was thinking of getting some wrist guards. Anyone use them? I already broke my right wrist a few years ago and man did that suck! I'm not sure if they will have them available at the resort so I will have to buy them which sucks cause they seem kindof pricey.
I'm leaning towards taking a boarding lesson. A little nervous considering I'm pretty good at falling down and off things but I want to give it a shot.
Phil - Have you ever been to Villa Olivia in Bartlett? It's a crappy little hill but it's closer to me. Check out these rates for a snowboard lesson:
I was thinking of doing the lesson, slope and rental package for 90 dollars. Right now I only have a day available.
Also, I was thinking of getting some wrist guards. Anyone use them? I already broke my right wrist a few years ago and man did that suck! I'm not sure if they will have them available at the resort so I will have to buy them which sucks cause they seem kindof pricey.
Nope. Learned in 03. With our mild winters I only went once last year and twice the year before.
Imo Villa Olivia kinda sucks. Not that anywhere in the midwest is going to be great, but I just think Galena is a lot nicer. I really like the view over the Mississippi and the atmosphere, it's a rustic New England-like little town. I mean how often do you go skiing? Once a year at best? So you might as well pay a couple bucks more, go somewhere nice and scenic, and if you have the time spend a romantic(hi, hi) weekend with your BF. Even better if you can take a couple weekdays off, when it's less crowded. You could also stay overnight in the town or in Dubuque for cheaper. It certainly would be possible to drive early, board, drive back in one day though. Other options might be Cascade (WI) or Wilmot up by IL/WI border. Anyway, just my 2 cents, but wherever you go I wish you a good time. Make sure you report back to us on your success(with pics!)
When you board, you can fall down, but you won't fall OFF. The board is stuck to you! Hahaha!
I think a lesson is crucial for the first time out. One thing they teach? How to fall correctly, of course.
As for wrist guards, I don't use them. I broke a wrist years ago (my left one), and I find that my instincts are NOT to put my arms out forward to brace a fall - maybe because of the injury! Though I do not know if left vs. right makes a difference here (assuming that you'll be riding 'normal' like I do and not 'goofy'). I know people who do use wrist guards, though.
My one big recommendation: wear a helmet! I didn't when I started out, and now I always do. What changed my mind? Well, one or two full body slams when I caught an edge definitely contributed to the decision. But the primary reason was being slammed into from behind from another boarder when I was at a complete stop just after a minor fall of my own. I was in a pretty visible place on the mountain too. Granted, once I got off the beginner/green areas, I found that the risk of someone else being out of control and hitting you are a lot smaller. Still, to me, helmets are a must, both because of the risks you create on your own as well as the risks from other people!
Good luck! You'll love it as long as you have a good sense of humor and attitude about what it means to spend that first day ON the mountain! Hehehe.
Update - Tried snowboarding the other day. Took a lesson and rented some equipment. I basically never got the hang of it. I didn't feel too bad about it though since there were only two other people in my group and they never got the hang of it either. Even after the lesson when we were practicing not one of us could make it down the bunny hill without falling. I also never was able to turn on the heel. I was kindof confused about certain things and my boots seemed too large too. I'm planning on taking another lesson at maybe Galena or somewhere else (went to Wilmot before). I think I'm going to buy a helmet too since I saw quite a few people with one on.