Should I Learn To Ski Or Snowboard?

Should you learn to ski or learn to snowboard? It’s a question as old as time (at least modern times) and one that many people struggle with. The worlds of skiing and snowboarding have merged closer over the years and opened doors for participants to switch from one to the other easily. But finding a starting point can be difficult if you’re starting to test the water- or, in this case, the snow.

Skiing and snowboarding are fun, but some people like to start with one over the other.

Asking a skier if you should learn to ski or snowboard will probably end in them saying skiing is the way to go! If you ask a snowboarder, you’ll likely get the same answer. So, where does that leave you? It might be beneficial to ask those around you who are experienced in both what their opinions are. However, we feel we’ve got good insight and can provide unbiased answers.

It’ll still be up to you to choose which sport is best. You can learn to ski or snowboard and then learn the other and know both! In the meantime, take your time as you weigh your options before heading to the resort. The best part about it is if you choose one and think you’d prefer to do the other, go ahead! You can use gear and equipment like helmets, coats, snow pants, and other accessories for either. Just be sure to rent your skis or snowboard at the beginning if you’re still on the fence. There’s nothing worse than jumping into a purchase only to realize you’re interested in something else. And with that, it’s time to take a step back and determine if you’ll start skiing or snowboarding first!

Which is Easier, Skiing or Snowboarding?

When you break it down to the nuts and bolts, skiing is overall easier to learn. The thing to keep in mind, though, is that out of the two, it’s harder to master. Snowboarding is the opposite, where it can take longer to learn, but once you do, you’ll be gliding down the mountain faster.

You can start with skiing and move to snowboarding or vice versa, depending on what you want to do.

Skiing can quickly be taken down to the basics so that you can pick it up immediately. But once you do, you must be reasonably technical with your technique. The hardest part of learning to snowboard is getting on your edges (both heel and toe). Once you do, you can accelerate your skill level much faster, whereas skiing won’t be as straightforward.

Over the first week of both, it tends to look a little like this:

Skiing

As you learn to ski, the beginning stages are usually pretty fun. You’ll also want to avoid steeper slopes to hammer in the basics.

You also have more control over your balance and can move around at slower speeds. Your legs remain separate since each foot has its own “board” to work with.

Snowboarding

When you begin snowboarding, you’ll inevitably fall — numerous times.
It can quickly become tiring because you must pick yourself up more than once.

However, after a couple of days, you do discover how to stay upright.
Give yourself plenty of room for growth. If you’re short on how much time you have on the mountain, try skiing first to get comfortable in the snow. It might not be the sport you want to keep practicing, but at least you’ll still have a lot of fun.

Which One Is More Fun?

This is a bit of a subjective question, primarily because it’s based on your preference. Either option offers challenging & thrilling moments as you learn to get better at them. Both are also frustrating and can leave you feeling tired, but they are rewarding all the same.

It depends on what your end goal is as well. Skiing can be the ultimate answer if you want to learn how to race down the mountain on groomed pistes. But when you’re looking to “feel” out more of the terrain, snowboarding is excellent so that you can ride out bumps, jumps, and the like.

There’s no rush when you decide to ski or snowboard.

When to Try One … or Both!

There’s no wrong or right way to enjoy these winter sports. Think about the way you approach other sports and how you learned to get better at them. If you want a little more challenge, snowboarding makes sense because it’s more complex initially but tends to become more intuitive over time.

On the other hand, those who want to ease into learning the ropes could find skiing more beneficial. You’ll pick it up immediately but must put in more effort to continue enjoying it past the beginner area. If you’re more technical in how you think, skiing could be the way to go and give you a chance to conquer a different challenge.

Whatever you decide to do will be an excellent opportunity to try something new. You’ll experience the outdoors in a new way and join thousands of others out on the mountain, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Do I Need to Be in Shape?

To make your experience more enjoyable, there is a level of fit you should be at before your winter adventures. There’s no need to be an Olympian before you hit the slopes, but you should feel prepared for a lot of movement and muscle soreness. Just be sure you can handle the demand your legs, core, and back will go through!

If you’re trying out skiing, be sure you’ve done plenty of leg work to minimize muscle injuries and stress. If you’re starting snowboarding, do more core and back strengthening.