Should i Ski or should i Board? [Archive] - North Shore Mountain Biking Forums

nouseforaname

09-24-2007, 01:24 PM

gooch

09-24-2007, 01:26 PM

are you a fat kid?

patrolskid

09-24-2007, 01:43 PM

if you think you want to stick with it and experience the mountains : ski

if you want to learn real fast , and hang with the bros : schnee board

if you just want to slide around , and don't give a shit what anyone thinks : 'blades

:lol:

seriously , probably cheaper to get into snowboarding , easier to learn , and you can just wear whatever :lol: , but if you want to be able to get out and experience the mountains beyond the ski area boundary , it is worth taking the time to learn how to ski . not saying you can't do that with a snowboard , but skis are better tools to get around in the mountains with .

Joe Dick

09-24-2007, 02:59 PM

I'm of the opinion that you do one or the other. if you fear speed and want to wiggle your bum, ski. if you don't mind being strapped to an anchor and falling on your face alot, snowboard.

it's easy to feel like you know what your doing on a snowboard, that doesn't mean you don't suck at it. its hard to put a snowboard to use in all situations.

Swampy

09-24-2007, 03:35 PM

So this year i am going to learn to do something snow related - i was all set on the idea of snowboarding, but then i thought "hey what about skiing?".
I'm not going to be doing tricks or anything crazy, and am sub beginner in terms of experience, but should i strap 1 or 2 planks to my feet?

Has anyone got any advice?

Edit: I imagine i'll mostly be skiing Seymour as it's in the backyard - at least initially.

I come from a warm country and when I came to Canada last year it was winter. what do you do? take up a winter sport.

I've snow boarded a couple of times before and have even bought the snow board boots.

I snowboarded on the open day of whistler but kept falling on my bum. I re-assessed my situation and knew that if i took up boarding or skiing, I had to stick to one to be anywhere decent.

I decided to ski because you didn't have to strap on, off before and after getting on lifts and weren't stuck when it came to flats/small inclines.

then I learnt about ski touring.

and I'm so glad that I decided to ski. But I hear that there are people out there who split board and totally rip it too. mind you, I think cost is a big barrier into back country skiing.

I took an avalanche course and a few snowboarders were put off touring by having to hike in snow shoes.

Therefore, in my (not so experience) opinion, I think if you intend to go back country, go ski, but if it's inbounds, then anything goes.

I'm not telling you one or the other, but hopefully sharing with you how I went through making my decision will help.

whatever it is, enjoy the snow!! :)

DUDEONABIKE

09-24-2007, 04:30 PM

I've done both for a decent amount of time (snowboarded for 6 years, skied 7). I think that skiing is way better than snowboarding, you can do steeper terrain easier, you can throw tricks, and you don't have to undo your bindings and hike up small hills.
Do you have any previous board skills (skate, surf)? If you do then it would be easier to learn to snowboard, if you choose to go that way.

JasonM...

09-24-2007, 05:15 PM

ski 100%, i have tried both and its not that i sucked at snowboarding that made me switch, its that snowboarding is unprogressive and BORING, and there are skis that ride as good as snowbaords if not better in powder now, and skis are more versatile

Marvel

09-24-2007, 05:26 PM

heckler

09-24-2007, 05:44 PM

for shits and giggles on Mt Seymour , I'd board.

but only cuz Seymour's flat.

Snowboarding's a lot easier to learn, but your ass will be bruised. Better than twisted knees though!

If's it's long term, I'd ski 110%.

robholio

09-24-2007, 06:03 PM

its not that i sucked at snowboarding that made me switch, its that snowboarding is unprogressive and BORING

Uh..........What?

For an "unprogressive sport," it's market share is growing twice as fast, and other than big air competitions and guys throwing helicopters in the pipe, you see far more people throwing new tricks on snowboards than on skis.

I skied for several years and have snowboarded for over 10 years now and prefer the board. Easier to float pow (yes, better than the Space Frame twin-tips my buddy rides), more surface area, easier to stop, less physical moves to coordinate to connect a turn, and a more natural body flow at speed and on steeps. Got good knees? If you don't, don't ski. As to the strapping in-out issue, ever heard of Flow bindings? Lest you forget you are supposed to take off your pole straps and hold those while boarding a chair. Six of one, half a dozen of the other in my opinion. Oh yeah, let's not forget the "yard sale factor" for a beginner skier (I.e.: chasing gear down the run that fell off of you when you fell). It really just comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

As to taking boards "exploring," well.........How bad do ya want it? ;)
http://gravitysport.ringlandata.com/spring_2002/whitervr-800.jpg
Strapping back in near the Hog's Back at just over 11,000 ft - Crater of Mount Hood

kalisto

09-24-2007, 06:13 PM

Uh..........What?

Uh oh!

Start the war!

robholio

09-24-2007, 06:29 PM

for shits and giggles on Mt Seymour , I'd board.

but only cuz Seymour's flat.

Why would you want to board somewhere that's flat? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? Speed is your friend on a board, as are steeps. Maybe I need to ride a Canadian mountain other than Blackcomb to understand?

kalisto

09-24-2007, 06:37 PM

Why would you want to board somewhere that's flat? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? Speed is your friend on a board, as are steeps. Maybe I need to ride a Canadian mountain other than Blackcomb to understand?

Sounds about right... I don't know why flat = better on a snowboard?

LeeLau

09-24-2007, 07:19 PM

Mt hood is flat and for pussies. Dhaulagiri is where it's at

heckler

09-24-2007, 08:08 PM

really, I meant too flat to want to ski it. I suck at boarding, so I found Seymour to be a nice flat mountain to learn on. nouseforaname is total noob looking to pick up a sport.

cameron

09-24-2007, 08:18 PM

Skiii.

robholio

09-24-2007, 08:38 PM

Mt hood is flat and for pussies. Dhaulagiri is where it's at

Tell that to the people that die there each year. They probably thought the same....

And since when do you consider an 11,000 foot glaciated mountain flat? Which parts of it have you ridden, or are ya just flicking shit for giggles? I'll post a few shots from the Shuksan Arm next time (closer to you guys and "less flat"). Hood is good for a day-hike to the summit and back, and is good for almost 7,500 vertical feet if you ride it all the way back to lower Government Camp. I doubt anyone in here will ever pull that off with Dhaulagiri or Chogori in a day........And I hear the aprés ski fare in Pakistan kinda sucks ass.... ;)

LeeLau

09-24-2007, 08:40 PM

rob - i've climbed it via cooper spur and skied down. just messing with you. slow day

robholio

09-24-2007, 08:52 PM

I suck at boarding, so I found Seymour to be a nice flat mountain to learn on. nouseforaname is total noob looking to pick up a sport.

Trust me, don't learn on a flat mountain. Quickest way to lose your love for it is to get frustrated right off the bat, and no slope to speak of will definitely do that. Nut up and try some blue runs so you can get some speed and engage your edges. A snowboard bends at the sidecut just like a ski, and you need to be able to transfer weight from one edge to the other without braining yourself every time you try (as with a green run).

My advice is just swallow your pride and take a lesson, and you'll be looking for the steepest stuff you can find within a few more trips. Ruby Bowl on a big pow day is enough to stoke anyone on snowboarding. If not, they shouldn't be on the mountain!!

JasonM...

09-24-2007, 08:57 PM

Uh..........What?

For an "unprogressive sport," it's market share is growing twice as fast, and other than big air competitions and guys throwing helicopters in the pipe, you see far more people throwing new tricks on snowboards than on skis.

I skied for several years and have snowboarded for over 10 years now and prefer the board. Easier to float pow (yes, better than the Space Frame twin-tips my buddy rides), more surface area, easier to stop, less physical moves to coordinate to connect a turn, and a more natural body flow at speed and on steeps. Got good knees? If you don't, don't ski. As to the strapping in-out issue, ever heard of Flow bindings? Lest you forget you are supposed to take off your pole straps and hold those while boarding a chair. Six of one, half a dozen of the other in my opinion. Oh yeah, let's not forget the "yard sale factor" for a beginner skier (I.e.: chasing gear down the run that fell off of you when you fell). It really just comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

As to taking boards "exploring," well.........How bad do ya want it? ;)
http://gravitysport.ringlandata.com/spring_2002/whitervr-800.jpg
Strapping back in near the Hog's Back at just over 11,000 ft - Crater of Mount Hood

easier in pow? go check out the ep pros from line, they're ridiculously fat and have a 3 inch rocker so that pow is effortless. or how about armada arg's with the opposite shape for pow? as for the yard sale factor, you'd have to work that one out... far more people throwing new tricks on snowboards... not so much. look at tj schiller, he landed a 1440 on skis, thats more rotations than a snowboarder has ever landed. and way way way easier on steeps

freakonaleash

09-24-2007, 08:59 PM

It all comes down to personal preference. Personally I like snowboards, A LOT more. They rip, carve so nice and are just more fun. Small inclines.. Wow, take your foot out of one binding and give it a kick. Waste all of 20 seconds. Lifts... They'll suck at first but after a number of times you'll be able to do it fine.

You'll hurt yourself learning on a snowboard, but after a while it becomes just as easy as riding a bike. I'd go snowboard.

robholio

09-24-2007, 09:01 PM

rob - i've climbed it via cooper spur and skied down. just messing with you. slow day

I figured, hence the Chogori/Pakistani aprés ski reference. Cooper Spur is a good hike. I've had more than a few of my buddies think Eliot Glacier would be a cakewalk......Uh, yeah......At least it doesn't look that steep on the way up....

As far as the gear for the way up, MSR Denali's and a pair of short, old-school K2 Ascent Skis (non-Clicker) do the job rather nicely and strap to the pack for the ride down with minimal grief. Unfortunately, the weather was mild enough down here last season that I spent more time on my Norco than I did boarding......Which isn't really a bad thing.

I intend to make a Whistler trip at some point this season once the leg is 100% again. I'll have to make some turns with you guys when I get up there, ya think? :)

Jah

09-24-2007, 09:08 PM

Skis are way harder in the steep and deep. Boarding is far easier to master and more fun. Skiing is pretty fun going fast though and you can't argue with the ease of back country access. I haven't been on ski's since I switched to boarding, I would never have predicted that.
I'll live with snow shoes or a split board until I can afford a sled. The ride is that good over skis in my opinion of course. I don't hate ski's just prefer the delicious ride of the board.

EDIT: Oh and snowboard boots are WAY more comfy...

kalisto

09-24-2007, 09:37 PM

I'm sorry... but I have to...

Uh..........What?

For an "unprogressive sport," it's market share is growing twice as fast, and other than big air competitions and guys throwing helicopters in the pipe, you see far more people throwing new tricks on snowboards than on skis.

I skied for several years and have snowboarded for over 10 years now and prefer the board. Easier to float pow (Not any more... It's about the same) (yes, better than the Space Frame twin-tips my buddy rides), more surface area (See last comment...), easier to stop (2 edges vs. 1? I don't think so...), less physical moves to coordinate to connect a turn (Skiiers body follows the fall line... Last I remember, a snowboarder's does not... I think you're backwards on this one.), and a more natural body flow at speed and on steeps (I like to face down the hill... not have my head rotated 90 degress all the time.). Got good knees? If you don't, don't ski. (Or don't fall on steeps with a board strapped to your feet...) As to the strapping in-out issue, ever heard of Flow bindings? (Most riders don't like them... They're preference for sure.) Lest you forget you are supposed to take off your pole straps and hold those while boarding a chair. (I'll give you this one, but it's a LOT faster to put on your poles then to do up bindings, and you can do them while you're moving!) Six of one, half a dozen of the other in my opinion. Oh yeah, let's not forget the "yard sale factor" for a beginner skier (I.e.: chasing gear down the run that fell off of you when you fell) (If it keeps me from hurting myself, I'll take it any day of the week.) It really just comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

As to taking boards "exploring," well.........How bad do ya want it? ;)

That said, snowboarding is still awesome... But by no means for the reasons you stated here...

Hack On Wheels

09-24-2007, 09:50 PM

If you board there will be trouble,
And if you ski it will be double.

After snowboarding for a bit and not feeling very passionate about it, I decided to try skiing last year. Great fun, seemed to wake me back up to enjoying chairlifts in the winter, although as a beginner, having two planks to worry about instead of one caused some issues. Overall, it is tough to say due to personal preference being very crucial. However, I would be tempted to recommend skiing. My only reservation with skiing is that I found myself worrying about my knees, which I never did while boarding.

So all in all, I would have to recommend snowshoeing!

Joe Dick

09-24-2007, 10:00 PM

funny that people think snow boarding is so much easier then skiing, but you can't ride where it's flat, or explore the mountain or keep up with skiers. yeah, pretty easy stuff. full spectrum skills, got em?

shirk

09-24-2007, 10:40 PM

Snowboarding is the ghey, so it's a pretty easy decision.

If you wanna be the ghey then board. Or be a real man and ski.

freakonaleash

09-24-2007, 10:44 PM

Snowboarding is the ghey, so it's a pretty easy decision.

If you wanna be the ghey then board. Or be a real man and ski.

Pfff. Dam planker, just scared to bruise your back on a board :fu: :lol:

SkunkworkS

09-24-2007, 11:54 PM

And here we have it, a battle between skiiers and snowboarders. With a couple washed up folks in between.

kalisto

09-25-2007, 12:41 AM

And here we have it, a battle between skiiers and snowboarders. With a couple washed up folks in between.

Yep.

robholio

09-25-2007, 12:52 AM

And here we have it, a battle between skiiers and snowboarders. With a couple washed up folks in between.

No battle. That's a teenage mindset. It's just different people killing it on the mountain using different tools to do so, and expressing that preference.

No one will ever sell me on skis over my board. Been too many places in too many situations to feel comfortable otherwise. I'm sure many skiers here feel the same about their skis and hard boots, etc. The reasons I stated before were my reasons, not necessarily anyone else's. Ride what works for you, and get out there and slash some pow!!

243_ht

09-25-2007, 01:05 AM

XXX_er

09-25-2007, 08:23 AM

depends on what you like

Jah

09-25-2007, 08:28 AM

I`ve skied all my life, and snowboarded most of my life. I can`t really comment on learning to ski as i learned when i was really young and it`s obv not the same situation. However, snowboarding is ridiculously easy to learn to do reasonably well, but it takes a long time to do hard things.

Basically i`d say learning to ski is much harder then learning to snowboard, but once you are competent at skiing, you can do steeps and drops really easy. Whereas with snowboarding i`d say becoming competent is very very easy, but becoming really good and being able to snowboard steeps and drops well (anyone can slide down a steep run, but to actually turn it well is waaaaay harder).

So there are trade offs to both, so i`d reccomend doing whatever your friends do. You will invariably enjoy it more if you are using the same thing they are. Also if there is any chance you might be doing back country ever (ie. you have friends that do this) then skiing is best.

On a personal note i enjoy snowboarding more now, though i could never bring myself to quit skiing.

I must be abnormal because I find I can turn my board way tighter and faster than on skis. I found it took me a lot longer to learn the steeps on skis than on the board. Maybe because I was used to them on the skis already, but I honestly just feel more maneuverable. I've never heard anyone say skiing is easier on the steeps or trees until now.
Not dissing skiers either, just offering my opinion. If time was unlimited I'd do both. The best boarders that I know all have a ski background and most of them got bored with both and ended up teli'ing for an extra challenge.

Joe Dick

09-25-2007, 09:09 AM

Snowboarding is the ghey, so it's a pretty easy decision.

If you wanna be the ghey then board. Or be a real man and ski.

I'm confused. learning how telli turn my splitboard. looking for the door to my closet. or just trying to hang out with more men. ;)

come to think of it, I don't think I ever ride with other snowboarders. oh shit, now I'm worried.

Poz

09-25-2007, 09:09 AM

It all comes down to preference, none of this dick swinging!

I used to board, then sold it all last year because I switched back to skiing. All preference, I still like the board but prefer the freedom of the two-planks plus I want to start exploring the backcountry this year.

Typical learning curve:

Snowboarding: harder to pick up initially but after a few days you'll have it down pretty well and able to do a lot. This is why I started getting bored with boarding, I got to a point where the next progression was doing stupid shit in the park. And I like my bones in one piece.

Skiing: first two days you'll be able to get down the mountain fairly comfortably, itll look awkward and slow but your ass will be fine. After that though, the progression takes much longer. This is a big reason I love skiing now, there is more to progress in.

Oh and I used to always be sore after a couple of days of boarding. Now with skiing, I do more difficult stuff than on a board, I am less sore and my knees never hurt... just don't cross your tips!

just my 2 cents.

gooch

09-25-2007, 11:27 AM

Mt hood is flat and for pussies. Dhaulagiri is where it's at

Meh, Nuptse is where the real players hang

Sharon

09-25-2007, 11:35 AM

I'm confused. learning how telli turn my splitboard. looking for the door to my closet. or just trying to hang out with more men. ;)

come to think of it, I don't think I ever ride with other snowboarders. oh shit, now I'm worried.

must be all that time spent in the woods! Now you want to be a knee dropping tree fairy!

worse thing about being a snowboarder is how to tell you parents your gay!

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

TheGiggler

09-25-2007, 12:56 PM

snowboards are cool if you only ever go straight downhill.

soon as you start to explore the mountain and hit stuff that might not be in bounds and i have to wait for my snowboarder friends as they can't really move across a flat traverse easily, something that skis handle quite nicely.

unless you're running a splitboard, skis are WAY more versatile tool IMO, compared to a normal snowboard with is really a one-dimmensional tool.

nouseforaname

09-25-2007, 02:57 PM

heckler

09-25-2007, 03:01 PM

Rent before you buy.

robholio

09-25-2007, 03:22 PM

Rent before you buy.

Best comment in the thread.

I'd say take a ski lesson and take a snowboard lesson, both from certified instructors (don't learn from friends).

Go with what you enjoy more.

.max

09-25-2007, 07:10 PM

I like snowboarding, and that's what I would do ...

... if it didn't take away time where I could be skiing ;)

If you try both, put in the effort to learn one properly. Even if we assume (for the sake of argument of course :evil:) that skiing is totally superior to snowboarding, it would still be better to board well, than to ski just average.

XXX_er

09-25-2007, 08:30 PM

some people are better boarders than skiers and vis versa

one is not better than the other, it is just different .

YOU have to justify the energy/ money and time spent in what is essentialy an entirely useless pursuit and whetehjr or not yer having fun ... I mean the world wouldnt end if you didnt go sliding downhill

DUDEONABIKE

09-27-2007, 05:57 PM

Boy - some good even arguments there.
I still don't know what to do, but at least now i know that the question isn't unreasonable to ask, seems like almost equal numbers of sensible points on each side.

If you can, try and take a week long lesson on both snowboard and skis, so you can get the hang of both then it will be easier to find out what you want to do!

XXX_er

09-29-2007, 10:37 AM

to be a tele whacker is somewhat of a lifestyle choice you gotta eat granola ,drive a clapped out volvo or subaru with faded flower power stickers and smoke alot of ganj.

But the best part is when some one on a lift asks you if tele is hard to do cuz it looks hard ... you get to act really cool

I went alpine,tele, AT/Tele/alpine and possibly taking up boarding this winter ... I still have to tele cuz telebabe sez she will dump me if I don't tele

sliding downhill is like sex or pizza ...even the bad stuff is pretty good

robholio

09-29-2007, 01:38 PM

the ghey, so it's a pretty easy decision. wanna be the ghey

I hear "Hooked on Phonics" is having a clearance sale....

onepunch

09-29-2007, 03:22 PM

I have skied longer than i have boarded, but the last 7 years have been boarding. The main reason i remained on the board of late is the lack of knee twisting injury. The crashes on boards are harder IMO. Skis are more versatile, in almost every situation. Back country is the huge one there. Personaly i can go faster on skis in every situation. Especially in the trees. I can stay more square to the hill, and turn tighter, and faster, and still be in control. You have to be a very compotent boarder to ride moguls. Skis rule for bumps(im surprised no one mentioned this yet). Im going to get back on 2planks this year, and am stoked to do it. I have enough skill base to pick sking back up again and enjoy it, but wont be selling my board soon. Sking mimics mtn biking more, in that your shoulders are square, facing down hill like biking. the first four hours of learning to board are way harder. The skis will just pay off more in the long run. I would give the sking a try, unless your a "bad knee" guy like me.

Mattsquatch

10-08-2007, 09:36 AM

There is a reason that they call it "slowboarding"
If there is a slowboarder in our group at Whistler - I usually end up ditching them because I get tired of waiting for them all the way down the mountain.
Same thing in the backcountry... ever wait around for a snowboarder on snowshoes to catch up with the group?
If all your buddies snowboard then go with that... cheaper to get started at least.

No friends on a powder day

kadmille

10-08-2007, 12:12 PM

"slow boarding" that's funny.

i think it depends on where you ride too. at least for me. i had skied for about 13 years and moved to mt. baker. i rode the first half of the season on skiis and decided to try boarding. picked it up really quickly and was soon off into the backcountry. in my opinion, boarding is the way to go. the terrain is more open and flowy. i tried it on skiis and a board, with my ability level being above average on both, and i was waaay more stoked on the board.

but i still say that i do both sports, because they are both sweet! someday i'll pull the skiis back out.

old&new

10-08-2007, 04:20 PM

I'm of the opinion that you do one or the other. if you fear speed and want to wiggle your bum, ski.

Couldn't let this one go. Skiers Fear Speed??
Try this on a snowboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD7f3G7fuQk&mode=related&search=

Good Luck!

Joe Dick

10-08-2007, 05:59 PM

I ride with enough skiers to know my place in the world. what I mean is it's easier to go slow on skis. on a board you have to charge.

I realy don't care what you do, but it seams that most people opinions of snowboarding is based on the vast amount of skilless hack snowboarders out there, while ignoring the very small presentage of trully skilled riders.

me, after way to many years not riding or being a weekend warrior, I'm hoping to have something resembling a full complement of skills by the end of the season.

freerider-1

10-12-2007, 11:11 AM

Couldn't let this one go. Skiers Fear Speed??
Try this on a snowboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD7f3G7fuQk&mode=related&search=

Gotta love the spread eagle at the end.

I'm gonna have to also say do what you like best. As long as you are out there enjoying the snow, who cares what is on your feet?

Grumster

10-12-2007, 04:28 PM

with recent ski tehcnology breakthroughs, you dont loose anything with skiing, so i would say that you cant base ether on performance, its just preference and natural feel.

wezz0

10-12-2007, 10:23 PM

fat kids ski, while fit kids snowboard ..easy.. hah
Umm for me snowboarding was more of a challenge to learn . snowboarding is more fun to just cruise around on. but you can go faster on skis

mbking

10-13-2007, 11:14 AM

I'm sorry... but I have to...

That said, snowboarding is still awesome... But by no means for the reasons you stated here...

most of both your arguments are about strapping in and such.

who cares? okay skis you got the whole pole issue, and boards you got bindings. It comes with the sport, you can't avoid it. so it takes 10 seconds of one foot walking up a hill to do a little hit you miss or something( mind you are really tired after ) if you want to do it and love what you are doing you will do it.

and for the person that said there is no progression in snow boarding. go watch first decent, it shows how the sport came to be how it PROGRESSED from the snurfer and so on.

nouseforaname

10-13-2007, 11:52 AM

Well this argument has been well and truly settled by my Immigration Lawyer. $5000 by the time the whole process is done means no snow fun for me this year :choke:

Thanks to everyone who hasd given their advice - i still don't know what i should be doing, but at least have another year to decide. I'm leaning towards the skis - i'm too old to be RAD on a snowboard.

leggatt

10-13-2007, 01:52 PM

I have skiied for 20 year and boarded for about 15 years. Both are about as easy as walking to me now even though Have only been about 3 times a year since I had kids.

I taught my wife to ski and board. I say do both. Why limit yourself to one? Both are a lot of fun.

I just ride what my buddies are on the day I go.

PS. New ski tech sucks ass because any jerk can buy their skills now. It took a lot of skill to crank out nice turns on skinny 202cm skis! ;)