Never skiied, knees knackered, snowboard?

[TailEndCharlie]

OK I am going on a ski trip with a bunch of friends and kids next year (yet to book) and I have never skied. My kneecaps are hypermobile (dislocate a lot due to a rare type of arthritis) so am thinking I will just après ski all the time. Two other wives also don't ski so I will have hot tub / spa day company.... this will be fab totally. But I have always wanted to try! Am mid forties - should I admit that I shouldn't risk it, or try even though I will be crapper than my 7 yr old, or try snowboarding? Which is easier on the knees? Or just easier?

Watching with interest. Going on ski trip next month - never skied before and slightly nervous. Am unfit and had slipped disc two years ago. Wondering if this is a bad idea or worth a try!

I think the key to both skiing and snowboarding is how able are you to get up again if you fall over? Can you roll and stand up again, or get up reasonably well using your poles?

I ski ok, but there's a lot of tumbling involved in my case and I'm getting concerned that as my knees age, I will not be bouncing back up again like I used to.

@TailEndCharlie have you got medical advice not to ski? I don’t think snowboarding will be any better for your knees.
Would knee braces be of any help, they are quite sophisticated nowadays.

@KiplingAngelCake how much time until you go? Can you get stretching? Up your exercise? It will all help when you get there.

You'll spend a fair amount of time on your knees when you learn to snowboard (both kneeling and falling). Would recommend getting a decent pair of knee pads if you go down this route. I wore them for quite a few years.

Husband learnt in his forties, so the age isn't a deciding factor.

It’s definitely worth trying on some indoor snow before you go. Most snowdomes will have instructors who are trained to work with skiers who have physical issues.

I do think snowboarding is easier on the knees.. mainly because your legs can't go in different directions and do that horrible twisty knee thing. My husband's knees are knackered with multiple AcL injuries and he only snowboards these days.

Worth a shot! You'll spend a lot of time falling over initially but it'll be your bum that takes the brunt of it.

Editing to say.. You do spend time on your knees snowboarding too but it's more of a bruising than a twisting if you know what I mean?

Ah well I tore my medial ligaments whilst snowboarding so I wouldn’t say it’s advisable. Sounds cool though

I do both and find snowboarding is harder on my knees. But skiing is quite bad too tbh. (Sorry)
Having said that I think Id rather not go at all than go to a ski resort and not ski. It’d be like going to an amazing restaurant and not being allowed to eat. Id give it a go, especially if it’s something you’ve wanted to do. If it’s too hard to enjoy you can always stop. Good luck!!

Try snow shoeing in resort. As easy as walking.
I skied first time age 50 + and take it slow. Do a learn to ski in a snow dome.

(And I have hypermobility and dodgy knees)

try it, you'll be fine if you're reasonably fit, just take it steady on the gentle slopes. And have lessons so they can guide you.

I have Hypermobility too but have skied since a teenager, and knees arent worse affected. When teaching my kids to ski theyve crashed into me a couple of times and knocked a knee out. I wear a heavy duty knee brace when that happens and that helps a lot. If your knees are bad you could maybe where knee braces pre- emptively?

As a complete beginner id say you wont be going fast/steep enough to really mess up your knees, though they might ache. Slather on ibuprofen gel in the evenings.

Cross country skiing in tracks has a lot less turning. You could also look for a resort that has a lot of dedicated toboggan trails, can be very scenic. You take your toboggan up on the cable car, not walk to the top of the hill UK style !

I agree that you need to be looking for an alternative winter activity that's less likely to knacker your knees than skiing or boarding. Cross-country is excellent for that, but I take the point that tobogganing can have that downhill fun factor, and if you have a lift pass you can meet up with your friends for lunch uphill.

I found snowboarding much much harder than skiing. Spent a lot of time falling on my knees. Skiing I find much easier all over and have done it whilst recovering from a slipped disc (although I needed help carrying my skis!) x

Both are hard on the knees!

You quote possibly won’t be able to get health cover/travel insurance to do the activity and I would never ever not have insurance for an extreme sport.

Snow shoeing- gorgeous! Do that instead.

Have you thought about snow-shoeing? The resort I usually go to has some beautiful paths and it is also great exercise. No specific skills needed. Strap the shoes onto your boots and away you go! The other women you mention might also be into this and it would allow you to meet the skiers for lunch and apres-ski after you’ve done that of a morning or afternoon. Usually the paths skirt around the pistes and so you can come off to the bars and restaurants. A half day of this, lunch or the apres-drinks and the rest of the day free for massage and hot tub of course sounds pretty idyllic!

I’m a very fair-weather skier mainly because I’m ancient and also broke some ribs while skiing. I would say it is much easier if you are fit (especially if haven’t yet mastered technique) and snowshoeing is quite a nice experience if you want to get out in the snow and not ski.

Cross with @atalune ! I tell myself every year I will take a half day snow-shoeing but thrill of the slopes usually wins me over! Maybe this year...!

I knackered my knees when I took up hockey again in my early 40s after not playing since my teens. My advice: don’t take up any new sport that could potentially damage your knees. (I’m lucky I can still go walking, but I have to be careful and always carry a stick. I also spend a lot of time in the gym doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that support my knees.)

Coming to this quite late but I do both (skiing for 40 years and boarding for 20) and have dodgy ish knees. Snowboarding is easier on the knees. There is lots of twisting when skiing, the fact that you are attached to a board in snowboarding limits this greatly. Knee injuries are very common in skiing, not so much in boarding, you fall on your arse when you board more than the knees. Once you can board well you rarely fall unless attempting jumps. I plan on being a grey on a tray well into my twilight years as it is easier on the body than skiiing in general... and way more fun... >>>