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Original poster

should I get DD (10) to learn to ski or snowboard?

33 replies

Wittow · 13/08/2018 20:05

I want to go skiing at Xmas with my DD, who's 10. She has never been so I need to decide whether to encourage her to ski or snowboard. I'm not spending 3 days on my arse again so I will ski.

My mum died this year so I don't want to be home at Xmas and have found a great little catered chalet in Morzine over the festivities. Haven't been for several years, been a single mum since she was little. I can ski, assuming it is like riding a bike and I won't forget in the 8 years or so since I've been....

What do you reckon, do I encourage skiing or snowboarding? What's quickest to learn? We can go to an indoor snow dome thing a couple of times between now and xmas but not loads, so she needs to get the basics down before Dec!!!

help!!!

OP posts:

Ishouldntbesolucky · 13/08/2018 20:09

My impression is that you fall over a LOT in the first few days of snowboarding but that you can get to a better standard after a couple of week than you can skiing. But you fall over less when skiing!

For a while it seemed snowboarding was the in thing and therefore cooler than skiing, but I've noticed a lot more teenagers skiing again recently.

Also it's a pain during on a chairlift next to a snowboardwe if you're a skiier, in case that influences your decision!

BikeRunSki · 13/08/2018 20:11

Ask her?

Rodent01 · 13/08/2018 20:14

Ski. 100%. Snowboarding is slowly loosing its trend and broadly speaking you can Ski a lot more years than board. You don’t see many 65 year old + boarders but plenty of skiers!!

leighdinglady · 13/08/2018 20:14

Skiing is far easier to learn the basics. Anyone can snow plough. It's harder to then progress

Snowboarding is really difficult to get the basics, but then you progress quickly.

If you're going year on year give her the choice as she'll get better each trip. If it's a one off, ski

CraftyYankee · 13/08/2018 20:14

If you ski then it will be much easier to do it together later on if she learns to ski as well.

barnet · 13/08/2018 20:16

Ski, definately

FadedRed · 13/08/2018 20:17

Snowdomes usually do "Learn to ski in a day" sessions. It'll be pricey but will save time and money in resort. You won't be able to just go to a snow dome with your DD and do 'free ski' sessions unless she can do linked snowplough turns and is in control. And you are not allowed to teach her yourself in a snow dome (H&S and PLI innit).
If you are a skier, then I would encourage her to ski rather than board at this stage. It will be easier for you both in the resort.

PatriciaHolm · 13/08/2018 20:21

Speaking from the perspective of a skier whose kids do both - ski!

It's impossible for me to help when they are boarding (DH boards which is why it works for us) as I don't know what to say when they need a hand. Also, boarders suit different snow and terrain to skiers (long flat runs are death to boarders) so skiing together is much easier than ski + board.

Todayissunny · 13/08/2018 20:24

Ski

Original poster

Wittow · 14/08/2018 19:18

ahhh thanks, it looks like it's coming out skiing on top? I have asked her and she thinks she likes the look of snowboarding better and some bugger has told her the boots are comfier!!! (she's a highly sensitive child so I am worried about the whole discomfort factor!!)

We have a few months to do a couple of tasters but basically I'm going to strongly encourage the skiing for ease and tell her she needs to pick one pronto and then we will do a few intense lessons so that come Xmas we can just hit the slopes and cruise the blues together!!

OP posts:

LIZS · 14/08/2018 19:23

Ski, otherwise progress will be painfully snow. Maybe have a private snowboard lesson towards the end of the holiday if she still fancies it.

twiglet · 14/08/2018 19:24

Skiing is easier to pick up in the first instance but harder and slower to develop past a certain level (without scaring the crap out of yourself....)
Snowboarding is harder in the first instance but easier progression after that.
That's our experience with DH a snowboarder and me as a skier

museumum · 14/08/2018 19:30

There is no doubt that the boots are comfort and it’s easier to walk around in them carrying one board than in Ski boots with skis and poles.
But I don’t board so feel happier “coaching” my ds on skis. He’s younger though. At 10 I think it needs to be her choice.
Boarding is more physical I think but not an issue at her age.

Cittadineve · 14/08/2018 21:51

I would get her a taster lesson of each then she can choose herself.

boarders suit different snow and terrain to skiers this is true but my family is a mix of skiers and boarders and we manage fine together.

broadly speaking you can Ski a lot more years than board. You don’t see many 65 year old + boarders but plenty of skiers I don’t think this is true. The main reason you see less older snowboarders is because it’s a relatively new sport and most of them haven’t reached 65+ yet.

She should just go with whichever one she enjoys the most.

Izzy21 · 15/08/2018 09:19

I have skied 27 years and took my daughter when she was 6. She loves it and has been every year since showing no intention to 'move to the dark side' on the snowboard. However my friend did the same with her son, he couldn't take to it bat wanted to board so year 2 he did and has never looked back. You need to ask HER. Just remember for beginner boarders though, the drag lift can be a total mare and so you may not be able to access the same runs as easily.

WoodenCat · 15/08/2018 09:27

I’d say ski as well. We went to morZine a couple of years back with new to skiing dc, two skiied and one snowboarded. We found that as a resort it wasn’t ideal for mixed skiing and snowboarding with beginner snowboarders - lots of long flattish runs which are fine for skiers with a bit of speed but tricky for the novice snowboarder to maintain a flat board and keep going - and once they fall all momentum is gone. Plus if you’re a seasoned skier it’s much easier to help a new skier than a snowboarder, and to plan routes that will work, ime anyway.

Lim3Trousers · 15/08/2018 11:21

I've been to Morzine and a group of us booked in for ski lessons. There are lessons for toddlers upwards. We didn't try snow boarding

cestlavielife · 16/08/2018 15:00

Definitely do learn to ski sessions at dry slope or snow dome first

namechangedtoday15 · 16/08/2018 22:07

If she's highly sensitive then ski. Boarding is really hard to start with, your knees and bottom will be screaming with the aches and it is much harder to control the speed (and therefore fear factor) with boarding. If it's her first trip I would make it as easy as possible to gain a love of snow / winter sports especially if it's just the 2 of you.

Original poster

Wittow · 17/08/2018 10:16

thanks everyone. wish me luck, I am going for a snowboard taster with her today, fully know I am going to hate it!!!

OP posts:

mariniere · 17/08/2018 10:24

Another vote for ski. Get the basics she can switch easily. Also much easier to ski in resorts with flat bits!

QuinionsRainbow · 17/08/2018 10:27

Which would she like to try?

Original poster

Wittow · 17/08/2018 22:28

well we went all of 20 minutes before she was on the floor crying that this was 'the worst day ever' and she hated snowboarding....

I knew I should have put my foot down and said ski.

OP posts:

Cittadineve · 17/08/2018 22:37

HAve you booked her a ski taster too. Fingers crossed she takes to skiing better. Or you could just wait until you’re there and book her into to ski school. It’s much more fun learning on a mountain than in the UK.

MrsFezziwig · 17/08/2018 22:39

Result for you then! So now she can learn to ski & you don’t have to learn to board.

Seriously, we’ve had 3 kids learn to ski. Two went on to boarding later (but still as children) without any difficulty - I think some of the comments on here are from skiers who tried to learn to board as adults, which isn’t so easy.

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