Poster: A snowHead
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For a few years now we have got into the habit of 2 holidays a year. One with kids and one on our own. We can ski ok and have started having the odd private lesson and venturing off piste.
We have now bought a place so 2 weeks a year is the minimum. We are out the end of March and we are seriosuly considering learning to snowboard. Thinking of hiring snowbaording kit but skiing first day, then having a private lesson from 3-5pm. Not expecting to get snow boarding instantly so would aim to ski most days and practice for a few hours late in the day.
Any reason not to learn a new skill?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Quote: |
Any reason not to learn a new skill? |
thefatcontroller,
Nope...none whatsoever....
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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?
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thefatcontroller, blades ?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Just remember wrist guards, impact shorts etc........
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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thefatcontroller, every reason to have a go at learning to board. However, I'd be guided by the snow conditions, not a pre-conceived timetable. Board when the snow is soft. Learning to board on hard-packed pistes is no fun at all. Can strongly recommend the book and video from Neil McNab "Go snowboard". Armed with that, you can teach yourself quite a lot.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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rayscoops wrote: |
thefatcontroller, blades ? |
rayscoops,
Don't be silly, he talked about learning a new skill!
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Another vote for "Go snowboard". Bought after pam w had mentioned it a while ago. Very good indeed.
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pam w, Thanks, we had a ski lesson a few weeks ago and we chatted to the instructor about learning to snow baord. He said what you said, check the snow conditions. As it is off peak when we are there no need to rush to book a lesson. Will look for the vid
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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.
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thefatcontroller, I can send you the DVD if I can find it and if you promise to send it back ! I do not have DVD burning facility !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thefatcontroller, good on you for trying something new! i hope you end up loving it as much as us lot do. as cad99uk said, impact shorts are your friend if you've already learnt to fall properly. otherwise, borrow someone's flexmeters too.
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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.
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I learnt (self taught) because I could ski quite well and wanted a new challenge. That was 15 years ago and the rest, as they say...
If you can ski OK you will understand about weighting/unweighting and will also be able to keep your CoG low. You will also understand about fall lines and holding an edge.
Its not hard to learn but like everything, the last 10% takes 90% of the learning time, with a diminishing curve of returns on the way there. I think the initial process of learning to ride is harder than the initial process of skiing but there is a nice gentle learning curve after this, where you can make good progress quite quickly.
I still threaten to put on a pair of skis one day, its just that that day hasn't arrived yet. Given the choice and providing the mountain is not sheet ice, it would be a board every time.
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go for 15-17.......but pay attention to don't be too tired........if not your learning gonna finish in an hospital.......
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You know it makes sense.
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rayscoops, Arrived this morning thanks. Shall read and watch over the coming weeks. Not going until the end of March but we(?) are both committed now to learning to snowboard, think it will involve some pain but hey..........Will let you know the outcome.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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thefatcontroller, Great decision. I skied for many years and took up boarding a few years back, like yourself, to learn a new skill. As long as you are prepared for the first week to be painful then you will be fine. Once you have mastered the basics you will progress faster than skiing (IMHO). Stick with it as you know the kids will be begging you to learn in a few years anyway!
Incidentally I had not skied in 3 years until a few weeks ago. I needed to get back on the skis in order to help Mouth junior (2) as he learns this season. I can honestly say that is the only reason I will ski nowadays. Am a total convert to boarding. Go for it!
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Poster: A snowHead
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You are going to hurt your arse, and balls, a lot. I promise.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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i had couple of board lessons now generally ski for first 5 days and board the last two. Getting good at both now.
Skiing gives you a massive advantage in understanding the feel and not being scared to the slope knowing that you can make your own gradient. Greens and Blue runs can be a nuisence when learning as often flat bits that when less experienced, you may not have the necessary speed to get past.
I really enjoy both.
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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?
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paulio wrote: |
You are going to hurt your arse, and balls, a lot. I promise. |
Sounds like my average weekend, can't wait
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Although if you really are called Sue as suggested elsewhere, you might only care about half of that statement.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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thefatcontroller, go for it, you will have fun and appreciate being able to switch between the 2 depending on the conditions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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go for it..
But take lessons.
Don't grab a board and try to have a go yourself! (unless you're covered in sponge and pads like an American Footballer!)
(My Uncle who's skied for many years tried this - just assumed he'd be alright but its as different from skiing as motorbiking is from driving a car - the physics are the same and the road conditions but it takes different skills)
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boardiecouk, Don't worry we would books some private lessons. For 2 of us it would be easier than doing a weeks class.
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thefatcontroller, I can lend you knee pads and a bum protector (cut up camping mat) if you like. Wrist guards (the dakine neoprene ones) can get quite sweaty, so I'd buy your own - some of the shops round here (sport 2000 in PP IIRC) sell the flexmeter ones...
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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.
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I had snowboarding lessons on a Uni trip many years ago. Snowboarding was a real minority thing then and looked 'really cool', whereas skiing was seen as an old persons hobby. It was fun but I prefer skiing so much more that I haven't bothered trying snowboarding again since. I think the irritating things (not being able to pole along flat bits, the nightmare of using lifts and having to sit down and get a cold bum everytime I wanted a breather) irritated me just a bit too much...
But each to their own eh...?
You can't dismiss something until you've tried it, and you may even end up liking it...
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bertie bassett, Thanks for kind offer. Kids ain't with us this trip so we are flying over. As we can now leave stuff at the apartment the plan is to buy what we need in the sports shop beside the supermarkets in Bourg. Potentially cheaper to do it at the Hypermarkets in Albertville but so much easier in Bourg.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thefatcontroller, Great to hear you want to join the dark side. I will even offer to take you out for a taster if you like. PM me when you get here.
For instruction I would recommend Alan, he runs Intial-snow.com ski and snowboard school. Speaks good English and is great as a teacher. You can look him up on line and book but he is very hard to get as is very popular. Do get protection for as much of your body as you can. falling over hurts and you will do it quite often to start with. Once you have mastered it get in the powder. On a board it is amazing. As someone else said, check the weather, hard icy snow are not fun conditions to learn in, it can really hurt when you hit the ground.
But do not be put off. Go for it oh yes and you have to start learning the talk. And then getting the clothes. Your kids will think you are 'way cool'
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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.
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snowcrazy wrote: |
But do not be put off. Go for it oh yes and you have to start learning the talk. And then getting the clothes. Your kids will think you are 'way cool' |
You forgot to add boarding around with your braces hanging down, and with you're boxers sticking out at the top of the back of your pants...
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