 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I rode a board for 20 years and then learnt to ski when my children started. My son has always had his own board and skis and can choose when to do either. He is now 9 and has probably done less than 12 hours on a board in total, so roughly 3 hours per season. He can heel/toe down any slope and comfortably keep up with other kids who have done 3 or 4 weeks skiing. He quite enjoys snowboarding, but just prefers skiing, generally only getting the board out when we have guests staying with us whom he wants to spend some time with on the slopes and not get bored by the slow pace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I took that fun hit for about 10 years riding with my kids. By the time they were 14 or so, I couldn't keep up with them.
It's quite a strange moment when it changes from being the guy showing them what to do to having them waiting for me, but also great to see them have a true passion. I think for teenagers having a thing like that keeps them mostly pointed in the right direction in life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| kosmoz wrote: |
| sbooker wrote: |
| If you’re footing the bill for the holiday - you decide whether he’ll board. |
THIS is why you’re a skier, you’re pathetic  |
I have no problem with snowboarding. It looks great fun.
While we ski as a family I’ll decide if my son can have a board day. I’m not having a learner boarder hold back the rest of the family every day. The odd day is fine. Once he progresses to being as competent on a board as he is on skis he can choose what he wants to do.
The reason I am a skier is it is the first thing I tried and I loved it. I’m not going to sacrifice a couple of days/weeks (whatever) learning to snowboard while I could be having max fun on skis. If I tried boarding first and picked it up I would likely not want to give skiing a go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Personally I think all skiers, but especially those British husbands/fathers who can't really ski but who are forever criticizing their wives/kids, should have a go at snowboarding. If nothing else it will remind them what it's like to go up a chairlift worrying about whether they will get off successfully at the top. I love watching young kids learning to snowboard - so brave, so determined. I sometimes read posts on SHs from men who are bemoaning their wives lack of confidence, and reluctance to pick up speed, and just long to get them on a snowboard.... level up the playing field a bit!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@pam w, good call and I think it's a cop out that instructor quals don't mandate snowboarding as a second discipline.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Learn to slide on everything from a bin bag to some beaver nibbled birch planks and wherever you are and whatever you can beg, borrow or steal will give you joy on a white hill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
I think it's a cop out that instructor quals don't mandate snowboarding as a second discipline.
|
Why? Personally I don't see the need for a second discipline. Most people are going to have a favoured discipline (likely the one they have most experience in and enjoy most), let them focus and specialise in that. The last thing we need is ski instructors that did a few days compulsory snowboarding for a qualification roped into teaching it to beginners (or vice versa).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
I think it's a cop out that instructor quals don't mandate snowboarding as a second discipline.
|
Why? Personally I don't see the need for a second discipline. Most people are going to have a favoured discipline (likely the one they have most experience in and enjoy most), let them focus and specialise in that. The last thing we need is ski instructors that did a few days compulsory snowboarding for a qualification roped into teaching it to beginners (or vice versa). |
We already do have ski instructors that "did a few days compulsory snowboarding for a qualification". Personally, I think it is a good idea for people to experience both wherever possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
It's just part of the whole scene. I've had a go at snowboarding, XC skiing, touring and a bit of off piste (with easiski). Like I've sailed lots of different kinds of boats. I'm no great shakes at any of it but good to get wide experience. Some people who get good at onething dislike feeling like a "beginner" again but I positively like it. I'm hugely enjoying my table tennis coaching sessions for that reason. Learning from a proper expert who knows how to teach is a privilege.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I don't think being aware of the challenges of each discipline, to the extent of having a few days at it, can ever be a bad thing, although 'compulsory' might go a bit far.
As regards the 'hit' re little 'uns and older 'uns, I've got to be perfectly honest having recently got involved ..... again .... I'm kinda enjoying the 'inconvenience'.
There's an enormous sense of fulfillment giving something back, the enjoyment they experience alone is worth everything, knowing that some of the best times I've ever had have been in the hills, but I guess as someone who doesn't ...... can't ...... do first to last lift now, it's no real sacrifice anyway .......
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I have a fair experience of riding a bicycle, a moped, driving a car, and a 7.5 ton truck around London. Makes me a lot more understanding of other road users.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| It's just part of the whole scene. ... Some people who get good at onething dislike feeling like a "beginner" again but I positively like it... |
Precisely that. That's why I started snowboarding in the sport's early days after all. The fact that the learning curve is significantly easier/ quicker for expert skiers makes it even more fun.
In my case, learning to surf recently has helped me be more tolerant of novice skiers.
Most snow sports athletes are able to both ski and snowboard. I don't watch the Olympics, but the evidence is right there.
I would think snowboard instructors probably would need a ski qualification if they're serious because of the asymmetry in numbers of lessons bought.
My mates run a helicopter company and for a while they forced their ski guides to learn to snowboard. It was kind of an old joke, but it did teach some ski guides how to better guide snowboarders. For example if you're guiding snowboarders, you don't stop ("re-group") ahead of a run out, because whilst skiers can shuffle out of a flat, snowboarders either make it across or they're paddling. If you think about it, that makes the guiding experience better for everyone, as actually skiers don't want to walk either, even though they can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
it is what it is
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
