Trying snowboarding for the first time......

21Architect

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.........end of January in Tahoe.

My wife said we’re going to Squaw Valley or something in/near Tahoe City.

I agreed because I loved Tahoe the one time I went (summer of 2014) and I’ve kind of been interested in trying it.

But I definitely feel like I’m too old to be a first timer (I’m 45).

I’m used to pain (I mountain bike at this ripe age) so I have that going for me.

Any snowboarders here? Any tips for a noob like me? I’m going to rent as much as I can and buy whatever I can’t rent.
 
.........end of January in Tahoe.

My wife said we’re going to Squaw Valley or something in/near Tahoe City.

I agreed because I loved Tahoe the one time I went (summer of 2014) and I’ve kind of been interested in trying it.

But I definitely feel like I’m too old to be a first timer (I’m 45).

I’m used to pain (I mountain bike at this ripe age) so I have that going for me.

Any snowboarders here? Any tips for a noob like me? I’m going to rent as much as I can and buy whatever I can’t rent.

I was a skier till my teens (still XC and love it). Snowboarded since. Lived on Keystone and worked for Vail for a season. Here’s my advice:

1. They make snowboard pants with butt pads. Or just butt pads you can buy separate. Invest in those, you’ll be on your butt a lot!

2. It takes an average of 3-5 days to figure out how to snowboard (even with lessons). I’ve taught plenty of people. Skateboarders pick it up quicker, but still takes till day 2. So I hope you plan for a week up there or you may not actually get to enjoy it this time around.

3. When you start, you’re going to spend most your time on your heal edge or toe edge. It’s natural, as that’s the way to stop. If you want to actually carve and truly board you have to ignore all fear and aim the nose of your board straight down the mountain. Then turn off of that. (You always need some flex in your legs, but stand up when nose is straight down, bend your knees as your turn; it’s that simple).

4. Boarding is better than skiing in old age because your legs are locked in place and your can’t twist your knees. It’s safer for us old men with fragile joints.

Enjoy Bra!!!!
 
I learned how to snowboard when I was 11/12 and willing to take a beating. My older brother wanted to snowboard, so of course I had to do the exact same. We took a single beginner lesson, and then I spent the day falling down the bunny slope. It was painful.

Next season I decided I didn’t want the aggravation, so I switched to skiing, got bored halfway through the day, then switched back to snowboarding, and have stayed snowboarding for the past 16 years.

I’ve seen this said by others, and found it to be true myself, but snowboarding is generally harder to learn then skiing, but easier to master. It took me a few days on the slopes to consistently stay on my feet during a run, while I was immediately racing down the bunny hill when I skied. However, once I got comfortable, it wasn’t long before I learned how to properly carve and was moving up to more difficult slopes.

One thing to think about is the ski lift. Getting off the ski lift was one of the hardest things to master when snowboarding. You are only allowed to have 1 foot strapped in, so it’s always more difficult then just getting to stand up and go on skis. You also will spend time strapping in at the top of every hill. Some of the rentals have a mechanism where you can just step in and make sure it clicks.

All that being said, I love snowboarding. It’s a ton of fun and exhilarating.

Make sure you rent a helmet. You will need it
 
Oh, if you don’t mind shlepping gear on the plane. You can rent a full setup (board, bindings, boots helmet) at a local ski shop and bring it with you. It will be cheaper and save you time avoiding the rental crowds at the resort.
 
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I went snowboarding a few years back... Lemme just say, the first few times down your life flashes before your eyes as you helplessly tumble. Until eventually you figure out "hey I can sorta turn and stop myself" but then when you reach the bottom, if you don't properly ground yourself on your unstrapped leg, the board will just slide you wherever it wants. :p
but overall, it was fun.
 
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I've never snowboarded - my available time for mountain sports is too precious to not just ski.

I've been to Tahoe a couple of times. Try Homewood. Smaller, less fancy resort right off the lake. More for locals. Some really great runs. Incredible views of the lake.
 
Great responses!

-I will definitely be wearing a helmet. And after reading the posts I will be wearing butt pads!

-I used to be a pretty hardcore skateboarder (to the point I made my own quarter pipe) but I haven’t skateboarded since I was 18.

-I will be taking lessons

-I’m bummed to hear it takes 3-5 days to learn (but I don’t doubt it). I’ll only be in Tahoe for 7 nights and I know we’re only planning on going snowboarding 4-5 days max.
 
Did you skateboard or surf before? And were you on blues by day 1?
Haha, you’re sounding a little defensive there buddy - worried R roxfontaine is a more natural athlete :)

You should have clarified the question about the Blues, because everybody knows East coast blues aren’t as tough as out West.
 
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Haha, you’re sounding a little defensive there buddy - worried R roxfontaine is a more natural athlete :)

You should have clarified the question about the Blues, because everybody knows East coast blues aren’t as tough as out West.

Lol. Just curious because it’s a bit unusual. Awesome that he did, I’m a bit jealous. It’s true west coast trails are a bit tougher terrain wise and steeper. But the sheets of ice we have to ride on in the east vs the soft powder of the west makes up the difference. I personally feel if you can learn out east you can ride anywhere.
 
I’ve seen this said by others, and found it to be true myself, but snowboarding is generally harder to learn then skiing, but easier to master. It took me a few days on the slopes to consistently stay on my feet during a run, while I was immediately racing down the bunny hill when I skied. However, once I got comfortable, it wasn’t long before I learned how to properly carve and was moving up to more difficult slopes.

Was going to say the exact same thing as someone who has done a considerable amount of both skiing and snow boarding I find this to be very true.

Only other thing I will add is where ever you rent from make sure all your stuff is sized correctly and feels right. It might even be worth reading up on how to size yourself for gear before you go and know about what size board you want. I've seen too many people have their first experience made considerably more difficult because some lazy guy at the rental shop just grabbed a board that was close enough and thew it at them. Poorly fit gear makes the learning curve so much steeper. The west is a more forging place the learn the snow tends to be a lot softer than the icy mountains up here in the north east I'm sure many on these forums including myself learned on, Enjoy!
 
Did you skateboard or surf before? And were you on blues by day 1?

I guess you can say I skateboard but the most I can do is just ride it.

Not sure what blues means. I was at White Valley in Minakami, Japan. Whatever their 1st level is is where I taught myself. I rode the entire trail on the 2nd day.
 
I guess you can say I skateboard but the most I can do is just ride it.

Not sure what blues means. I was at White Valley in Minakami, Japan. Whatever their 1st level is is where I taught myself. I rode the entire trail on the 2nd day.

Green - easy
Blue - medium
Black - expert
(There are more intracies. But that’s the basis)

Riding green from top to bottom is normal for Day 2. I start that way with Day 1 since the bunny slope is the same as the green trails in slope and terrain. In fact, there’s less crowding on a green slope towards the peak then if you stay on the bunny and gets you over fear of the lift at the same time. Better way to learn. Never rode in Japan, must be cool as hell.
 
Green - easy
Blue - medium
Black - expert
(There are more intracies. But that’s the basis)

Riding green from top to bottom is normal for Day 2. I start that way with Day 1 since the bunny slope is the same as the green trails in slope and terrain. In fact, there’s less crowding on a green slope towards the peak then if you stay on the bunny and gets you over fear of the lift at the same time. Better way to learn. Never rode in Japan, must be cool as hell.

Yeah, it would be blue then. Because I took a lift up to ride down. There are only two lifts on this mountain. I rode blue on Day 1 and Black on Day 2. This map scale is way off but this is the mountain. The two black lines are the lifts. The kid's course is actually to the right of the lift. The Fantasy section has a few features. I did bottom right on day 1. On Day 2 I went up to White Heaven and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I shouldn't have been up there but I did it. I was riding pretty fast and took my first real spill and was like, "Oh, shit. This is crazy." Had I injured myself, it would have been a while before anyone came up there.

foreign_course_pic_0_r0116.jpg
 
I couldn't get beyond pizza and french fry as a skier. Switched to snowboarding very early on. Haven't been on a mountain though is a very, very long time.
 
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