Snowboard or Skis

Lynpar said:
Devildog, did you think you would get so much response to this question? It seems skis vs snowboard is the Colorado equivelent to Army vs Navy! It is a passion thing, :shake:
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Really, but I appreciate the insight as I'm no skier and I want my son to find a reason to like the winters in CO!

Keep the stuff comin'

What's a freshman's survival guide to maximizing the opportunities?
 
I think another consideration would be what his friends do. If you're really good at either, it wouldn't make a difference, but I believe it's much harder to learn to snowboard than ski. My whole family does both and learning to ski takes a 4 year old a couple times out. The boys have taught many of their friends/GF's to ski as teens and usually by the end of one evening they're riding the lifts and having fun. Snowboarding usually takes a full season to master with any confidence and results in a LOT more falls and pain. As Stealth said, since we're from that same state with lack of altitude, we generally snowboard around here just because it can be fun while skiing down a total drop of 300 ft isn't all that exciting.

But what their friends want to do will make a big difference. If they're all competent snowboarders, he could probably ski in the areas they'd be likely to board or even learn to board there (while avoiding the terrain features). But if they're all competent skiers, he'd be lost trying to keep up with them on a board. My sons all ski with the objective of "greatest vertical/greatest velocity" (think like the Olympics downhill) but if they're with friends are more apt to board just because then they don't get as bored if they're on easier hills or slower speeds.

I also would strongly recommend renting until they know for sure what they want and/or learn how to do one or the other because he may not even know yet. My sons all started out on skis and raced for years, then switched to boarding and now pretty much only ski unless teaching friends how to board or hanging out with only boarders. I skied for years but now my husband and I both prefer boarding (at least in WI!) since it's more fun at these altitudes and far less painful on your knees.

I'll let you know what I find out about the ski club - I know my son signed up for it but haven't heard much since then. Know he's hoping to get out some during the next few months and we did buy him new skis and a new helmet over PW (since he smashed both of them up in a pretty bad crash last spring). Definitely consider a helmet, no matter how uncool. Seeing the side of the helmet broken in pieces (along with a ski) makes you realize how much worse it would be had it actually been his head instead absorbing the impact. Especially on a snowboard, especially learning, it takes NO time from being upright having fun to laying flat on your back. Sorry to sound so preachy but after this experience (and a couple other in the past) I'm a big believer in helmets! :thumb:
 
As my Christmas/Graduation/Appointment present, my grandmother bought me a snowboard and snowboard boots that I picked out. I've skiied all my life since I was 6 at least once a year (I'm from Georgia, so we don't have good access) but never snowboarded. I figured a snowboard is easier to travel with, especially with arranged transportation. Also, I wake board and enjoy it, so I'm sire I'll love snowboarding. I'm taking lessons out in Wyoming over Christmas break. You should defiantly ask your son, because it's not cheap. It's totally worth it though if he'll enjoy it since they last. Also, just a thought, I've heard skiing is more difficult to master than boarding in general, but I'll find out for sure next week. Good luck to you and your son!
 
it depends on whether you want to spend your first year sitting on your butt on the top of the hill or the middle or the side while learning to snowboard:yllol: or actually skiing with your friends down a hill albeit slowly according to my son!! - he is obviously a skiier and has participated in ski club in middle and high school as well as skiing with his family. his group of friends that he barrells down the slope with include both snowboarders and skiiers. i agree - let him try both while renting. he'll gravitate toward one.
 
I am a ski instructor and my son, who is a 3 degree, is a certified snowboard instructor. He also skis and does park and pipe.

In my opinion, most young, athletic people can have immediate success skiing with instruction. Snowboarding takes a little longer to master and without proper instruction, injuries (particularly relating to the wrist) occur.

I would concur with the recommendation to rent equipment this year and let your son decide whether he wants to own skis or a snowboard or BOTH!

Most importantly, get a helmet! Neither my son or I will get on the snow without one!
 
Devildog, I think you just got the best authoritative answer.



Now,,,,
Boxers or briefs
Edward or Jacob
 
I did not expect so many responses to this question. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the information. I think it would be best to rent for a year. I think I will give him the money to buy the seasonal pass as part of his Christmas gifts. (not Holiday gifts in our household, we still believe in Christmas).
 
ski_mom63 said:
Snowboarding takes a little longer to master and without proper instruction, injuries (particularly relating to the wrist) occur.
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Most importantly, get a helmet! Neither my son or I will get on the snow without one!
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And even a little longer the older one gets. For learning to snowboard, highly recommend the gloves or mittens with the reinforced wrist bracing. Not sure if they work, but at least a vision of life in a body cast does not flash in front of me anymore every time I fall.

Ditto the helmet. Never groke one but I have a couple of deep gouges which I could not imagine had they been on my head instead of the helmet. Ski edges are very sharp.
 
So? How did this epic debate turn out? Skis? Snowboard? Pass and a rental voucher for the season? Now that Christmas is over,,,,,,,what did he get?
 
Looking at both sports

Usually see more injuries with snowboarding and they are upper body injuries. I would suggest wrist guards as there are wrist injuries. Helmet is a must, and I suggest for both sports. Skiers and snowboarders do well on a slope together, but it is a bad feeling to be getting up after falling while skiing only to see a snowboarder headed toward you!:eek:

Skiing, take care of your knees. Both are great sports. Be sure to take lessons if you are trying either for the first time as that helps reduce injuries.

So many great slopes in Co. :thumb:
 
Future aviators

You will be able to pick out your future pilot buddies....look for the ones going for the most air! They really push the envelope. :wink:
 
Be sure to take lessons if you are trying either for the first time as that helps reduce injuries
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and don't forget to use your Mil discount on the ski lessons.
 
On base, at least here at Hill, you can get tickets for a lot cheaper than at the ski resort.
 
He hit the slopes in both for a good portion of the Christmas Holidays, he told me he liked snowboarding better. We got him a snowboard.
 
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