Should I Stick With Skiing Or Go To Snowboarding?

What should I do

  • ski

    Votes: 11 47.8%

  • snowboard

    Votes: 12 52.2%
  • Total voters
    23
U

UW_Husky88

Rookie
So basically, I enjoy both a lot, and although I'm a lot better at skiing, I'm thinking about doing snowboarding simply because it translates better to so many more sports. For example, snowboarding will help with skateboarding, surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are more. The only thing skiing translates to is rollerblading and water skiing.

Do you think this is a legit reason (I'm not doing it solely because of this since I do like snowboarding as much as skiing), or should I just stick with skiing since its what I'm better at?

Also, are there any veteran skiers that surf/wakeboard that can weigh in on how much or little skiing helps with those?
 
you should do the sport you enjoy the best and not the one which .."translates" the better to other sports you probably never will do.
 
If you're still under 40, then do both. If you're over 40, skiing is probably more relaxing and easier if you should fall.
 
snowboard!! you don't have to worry about one leg twisting one way, and the other leg twisting the other way...plus it's much cooler :)
 
downs_chris said:
plus it's much cooler :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, nothing's cooler than a snowboarder stuck on a flat section, having to hop along to move. Watching a snowboarder who's fallen in powder and can't get back up is pretty funny (I mean coooool) as well.



Stick with skiing. If you're bored on the groomers, get yourself some twintips, wideboards, or (best of all) wide twintips and go nuts in the powder and/or terrain park.
 
spaceman_spiff said:
Yeah, nothing's cooler than a snowboarder stuck on a flat section, having to hop along to move. Watching a snowboarder who's fallen in powder and can't get back up is pretty funny (I mean coooool) as well.
Click to expand...

just keep your speed up! point and go!

i've seen skiers get stuck in powder and on steep mogul runs...it goes both ways...

it's all personal preference...i've had no desire to ski -- ever...but i hear that people who switch from skiing to snowboard, rarely go back...
 
Ironically, I find snowboarding to be a lot easier on my body (especially my feet!). But I cannot imagine snowboarding when I am older.
 
snowboard now cause it feels great to surf on snow. unless u have a former downhiller g/f who doesn't want to wait and bolts once off the lift (as is my case).

maybe do both if you have time and money...
 
Just because you are turned sideways, does not mean it "translates" better. The weighting of the body is different in all of those sports and is something that can only be learned by doing them.

You will get more benefit by pushing hard at what you are already better at. It's the learning to react and keep your balance at speed that will help the most. If you are better a skiing, you will be going faster.
 
downs_chris said:
i've seen skiers get stuck in powder and on steep mogul runs...it goes both ways...
Click to expand...

Ah, but skiers have one simple trick that snowboarders can't use: put both poles in one hand and cross them. When you do that, you can just push yourself right back up (trust me, I've had to use that one many times).

Easy peasy.

Then you go pull out your stuck snowboarder friend, just to be nice.
 
Try them all, stick with what you enjoy. If there's one thing I've learned it's to never put yourself in a position to regret a missed opportunity to try something new.

I know if I'm ever out west again I'm trying telemark skiing.
 
UW_Husky88 said:
So basically, I enjoy both a lot, and although I'm a lot better at skiing, I'm thinking about doing snowboarding simply because it translates better to so many more sports. For example, snowboarding will help with skateboarding, surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are more. The only thing skiing translates to is rollerblading and water skiing.

Do you think this is a legit reason (I'm not doing it solely because of this since I do like snowboarding as much as skiing), or should I just stick with skiing since its what I'm better at?

Also, are there any veteran skiers that surf/wakeboard that can weigh in on how much or little skiing helps with those?
Click to expand...

I've surfed for 20 years and IMHO, skateboarding helps my surfing more than snowboarding. I prefer skiing but still snowboard from time to time. I enjoy the versatility of skiing and like the option of transitioning from cross country to downhill in the backcountry. When I surf and skateboard, I am constantly moving my feet/repositioning them and being strapped into a snowboard has never felt "right' to me. I also had a horrendous crash in Utah a few years back and my body being unable to leave the board torqued my knee-was out for 4 months. I've had some bad crashes on skis but I personally like the fact that my bindings release and I'm sliding. :) I also like the speed of skiiing. Unless you are training for the olympics, do both. Nothing like the feeling of gliding on good snow, on a snowboard or skis. Just don't be one of the young d-bag snowboarders with no clue of mountain etiquette. :)
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know if skiers can do aerials/halfpipes like snowboarders can? I'd imagine if you ride backwards, the lack of a second tip on the back of the skis would be a problem.

Also, to the guy talking about skating helping more with surfing than boarding, wouldn't skis be just as harsh on the knees/ankles if they don't snap off? I haven't gone skiing in a while, so I forget if they snap off easily or not.
 
Unless you're planning on training competitively, why not continue to do both? I wouldn't attempt those snowboard tricks on skis unless you want to try the full body traction for six months sport.
 
UW_Husky88 said:
Does anyone know if skiers can do aerials/halfpipes like snowboarders can? I'd imagine if you ride backwards, the lack of a second tip on the back of the skis would be a problem.

Also, to the guy talking about skating helping more with surfing than boarding, wouldn't skis be just as harsh on the knees/ankles if they don't snap off? I haven't gone skiing in a while, so I forget if they snap off easily or not.
Click to expand...

Skiers do the same tricks/halfpipe stuff, it just looks better on a snowboard and isn't as popular. The park skiers use twin-tip skis, meaning the front and back (usually flat) of the ski curve up. As for skiing/bindings, you can set the tension/how easy/hard it is to pop out based on your weight/level/terrain/etc. On the other hand, you're not coming out of a snowboard, which is one reason you hear so many stories of broken collar bones. Skiers def get a lot of ankle/knee injuries but I guess I've had better luck.
 
CanadianChic said:
Unless you're planning on training competitively, why not continue to do both? I wouldn't attempt those snowboard tricks on skis unless you want to try the full body traction for six months sport.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. Snowboard tricks are meant for snowboards...just as there are certain things that you can do on skiis. Each platform has their own capabilities and limitations.
 
If you are a fairly strong/good skier you'd likely get the hand of boarding quickly after a lesson or two and sheer practise. IMO you can get better, faster on a board than a pair of skis. Also, if you live where the ski areas are small/lousy vertical then boarding keeps it interesting/fun again.

I took up boarding after 20 years of skiing and when I go on trips in the East I sometimes only board. But when I go out West I only ski because I can hit terrain that I dare not attempt on my board.
 
UW_Husky88 said:
So basically, I enjoy both a lot, and although I'm a lot better at skiing, I'm thinking about doing snowboarding simply because it translates better to so many more sports. For example, snowboarding will help with skateboarding, surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding just off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are more. The only thing skiing translates to is rollerblading and water skiing.

Do you think this is a legit reason (I'm not doing it solely because of this since I do like snowboarding as much as skiing), or should I just stick with skiing since its what I'm better at?

Also, are there any veteran skiers that surf/wakeboard that can weigh in on how much or little skiing helps with those?
Click to expand...


I would not use the riteria you cite. Rather I would use the conditions that you usully ski. If you usually ski great conditions I would choose boarding and if you find yourself on marginal conditions some of the time, I would stick with skiing.
 
Bad Dog said:
Many strings, including some top multifilaments, may often LOSE resilience after a few hours of hitting, and GAIN tension.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but unfortunately that may not be true. :) All strings, including all top multifilaments, LOSE tension after a few hours of hitting. Noticeable tension loss after hitting seems to be an open secret; but people often don't understand why it happens. Check out the link below:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=313647

:-)
 
As a former snowboard instructor, who has never tried skiing by the way, I would still say:
do what you like and what gives you the most enjoyment.

which would lead to me say:

1. Snowboard on Powder days (it's Heaven on earth)
2. Ski on sunny groomer days

problem solved!
 
I've skied for like 17 years, and then I tried snowboarding. Let me tell you, skiing is much more elegant.
 
Definitely keep you mind open to doing both. I do both, but mostly boarding cuz i like it better. Spend some quality time boarding, pushing your limits and you can progress your skill level rapidly.

And it does translate to other sideways standing sports, although not directly, as the mechanics are vastly different. But you just get comfortable with being sideways and going forward.

Here is a video of my 2 year old learning to snowboard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d8SL5_jkCw

And here is vid of me and my buddy boarding (so very un- elegantly) at Squaw on my 40th bday a couple weekends ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWbOLiASch8

And i feel compelled to shout out a RIP to CR Johnson who died Wednesday on the Light Towers at SV. Peace and Serenity !!!
 
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