Snowboarding tips?

[Penny Lane]

I'm trying it for the first time on Sat. I am a less than average skiier because i don't go enough--i'm hoping that i'll pick up snowboarding quicker. Is that unrealistic? Do i need wrist guards for the first time?

the lessons are too $$ so i'm going to try to just learn it on my own or get the feel of it, but are there some tips that would help me w/the falling or w/the stopping?

[el_chode]

i taught myself. ice is not your friend. the learning curve is different. for skiing i picked it up real quick but didn't really get much better at it. Snowboarding took me maybe 3 trips (through school, would equate to like 1 full saturday) and all of a sudden on the 3d trip I got it and was racing down hills. edit: this also applied to all of my friends. also, whenever i've taught people, the bunny hill did not translate well to the simplest of green circles. you're best off making a fool of yourself on an easy real slope.

I'm not a graceful person. i can't do tricks, but I can go fast and steer well.

your calves are going to painin'

and just get ready for the first time you slide across a field of ice while trying to stop. it'll scare the shit out of you because you'll be slowin' your roll and then all of a sudden go fast

the hardest part will be learning to get off the lift (without your pants falling off and getting stuck upside down)

[Jaimoe]

Take lessons or don't try it. Snowboarding is extremely frustrating for first-timers even with lessons. The instructor told me that if you can slalom waterski then it won't be a problem, but I CAN slalom waterski and snowboarding was nearly impossible.

[capt. scotty]

I just heard its really hard and Ive never even skiied, so I havent tried it

I wish I learned awhile ago  :'(

[el_chode]

I think it also matters what mountain you go to. By me there are those mountains known for snowboarding, and those that are known as the "novice" places where everyone is pretty new at it.

I don't think its ever too late to start. I taught my 40-something uncles how to do it a few years ago.

[Penny Lane]

the only places i've ever been skiing are in new hampshire--but this mountain is in NJ--it's a pretty weak/novice mountain---taking a skiing lesson definitely helped me the first time but the lessons are running like 120 extra dollars and my friend thought i might be able to just figure some things out (but when i saw them giving lessons up in N Hammy--most of the people were on their a**sses all day. That's why i figured i needed wrist guards.)

i know i should def take a lesson but that w/the boots, the board, the pass ---i guess i'll see if they're running a special or maybe try to get someone to show me a few tips.

[ycartrob]

I taught my 40-something uncles how to do it a few years ago.

The 40-Something Uncles

(the name of my new punk rock cover band)

[el_chode]

I taught my 40-something uncles how to do it a few years ago.

The 40-Something Uncles

(the name of my new punk rock cover band)

I'm still determined to one day form "Phunk" (pronounced "Punk"), the punk band where we take Phish songs and make them into 2 1/2 minute power-anthems.

[el_chode]

the only places i've ever been skiing are in new hampshire--but this mountain is in NJ--it's a pretty weak/novice mountain---taking a skiing lesson definitely helped me the first time but the lessons are running like 120 extra dollars and my friend thought i might be able to just figure some things out (but when i saw them giving lessons up in N Hammy--most of the people were on their a**sses all day. That's why i figured i needed wrist guards.)

i know i should def take a lesson but that w/the boots, the board, the pass ---i guess i'll see if they're running a special or maybe try to get someone to show me a few tips.

Let me guess, you're going to the Creek! That's what I had in mind when I said "snowboarders" mountains, and the novice places being Camelback and Shawnee. Are there any other mountains in Jersey? I live about a half hour south of the creek.

Are you going at night? You can do what I did as a punk ass teenager and loiter at the McDonalds down the road and ask families if they would give me their all day passes so I could go for free

If it is the creek, there is one part of one trail (it's been years since I've been there) where it gets waaaaaaaaaaaay too flat and snowboards get snagged.

Just start out on your heels, make sure you get the proper foot in front, and get used to balancing on those heels.

Again, the worst part will be the lift.

[ycartrob]

I taught my 40-something uncles how to do it a few years ago.

The 40-Something Uncles

(the name of my new punk rock cover band)

I'm still determined to one day form "Phunk" (pronounced "Punk"), the punk band where we take Phish songs and make them into 2 1/2 minute power-anthems.

I'd go see that if I knew any Phish tunes

[red]

i wish i lived closer to a hill, cause i used to really enjoy snowboarding.  took me a few times till i really got the hang of it.  caught an edge and knocked myself out once.  

[ALady]

I'm a pretty decent skier; when I was in high school, my best friend was on ski patrol at the local hill so we used to go skiing there every day after school.  One year we decided to buy snowboards, thinking it looked fun, and how different could it be, anyway?

Ow.  Ow ow ow.  There was a lot of falling down and getting up.  Bruising and soreness.  I never did quite get the hang of it.   ;D  She eventually did, though, and she rocks at it now; she and her husband go snowboarding in Colorado every winter.  

I'd like to try it again someday.  I never was a good skateboarder either, though; I think it's probably a lot closer to that than skiing.

Good luck to you!  Let us know how it goes   :)

[Penny Lane]

the only places i've ever been skiing are in new hampshire--but this mountain is in NJ--it's a pretty weak/novice mountain---taking a skiing lesson definitely helped me the first time but the lessons are running like 120 extra dollars and my friend thought i might be able to just figure some things out (but when i saw them giving lessons up in N Hammy--most of the people were on their a**sses all day. That's why i figured i needed wrist guards.)

i know i should def take a lesson but that w/the boots, the board, the pass ---i guess i'll see if they're running a special or maybe try to get someone to show me a few tips.

Let me guess, you're going to the Creek! That's what I had in mind when I said "snowboarders" mountains, and the novice places being Camelback and Shawnee. Are there any other mountains in Jersey? I live about a half hour south of the creek.

Are you going at night? You can do what I did as a punk ass teenager and loiter at the McDonalds down the road and ask families if they would give me their all day passes so I could go for free

If it is the creek, there is one part of one trail (it's been years since I've been there) where it gets waaaaaaaaaaaay too flat and snowboards get snagged.

Just start out on your heels, make sure you get the proper foot in front, and get used to balancing on those heels.

Again, the worst part will be the lift.

yeah lol..Mountain Creek-- My friend also goes to Camelback? I know the mountains here don't compare to NH or VT but at least it's something. I heard it gets packed, too. Thanks for the tips. I guess i'll just try the balancing i guess--oh and stopping's key for me.

[Penny Lane]

i wish i lived closer to a hill, cause i used to really enjoy snowboarding.  took me a few times till i really got the hang of it.  caught an edge and knocked myself out once.  

can you elaborate on 'caught an edge?'

thanks ALady--i'll let you know.

[capt. scotty]

I'd like to try it again someday.  I never was a good skateboarder either, though; I think it's probably a lot closer to that than skiing.

Another reason I doubt snowboarding is for me

I can barely stay on a skateboard while moving slowly on level ground...I dont think my balance is too good  ;D

Im pretty sure Id be teh suck at snowboarding

[red]

can you elaborate on 'caught an edge?'

i think it's more of a skating term, but anyhow - i was carving on my front-side (leaning on my toes) and somehow managed to do carve too much, or something, and i flung myself down.  back of my head hit the ground first.  (on a beginners hill, sadly)  

[el_chode]

catching an edge is more hazardous when you're going fast. the edge of the board gets caught in a little something in the snow and you go flying.

creek gets packed with a lot of people from NY on day trips, mainly families. they flock to the main mountain moreso. South mountain will be mostly boarders.

i cannot compare snowboarding to surfing or skateboarding at all. i'd say if anything, it's a bit more like wakeboarding, but i think that is the hardest boarding to get a grip on.

[Penny Lane]

sounds like i need a helmet? really dumb question but can i use my mountain biking helmet?

[el_chode]

for all you know it's probably a law in jersey for anyone under the age of 95 and over the age of 94 to wear a helmet while doing anything from sneezing to snowboarding.

you might find it cumbersome or that it restricts your vision more than you'd like. and you shouldn't be going too fast. As K said, it'll happen while carving moreso, and you'll be a bit away from that.

If anything, make sure your butt is well insulated and at the risk of sounding like a perv, you may benefit from bringing some knee pads

[ALady]

I'd cosign the helmet and knee pads, in a completely non-pervy way.   ;D

Also, maybe some shin guards.  I remember my shins getting bruised like a mutha.

I think it feels like skateboarding in that you have to have your weight back on your heels to make a left turn, and it's hard for me to do that without falling over backward.