skiing or boarding- which is 'easier' on 45 year old knees??!

[miljee]

I am a rubbish skier- haven't been for 12 years but I did have fun when I did it! However, anno domini has taken its toll a bit esp on my left knee. As yet, it just 'twinges' from time to time but I am wondering whether, seeing as it's highly likely we will be taking the DSs to a place where we can ski (ie not a 7 day ski holiday as such, just an option available there), if I should have a go at snow boarding instead of skiing. Somewhere I THINK I read it's not as punishing on knees.

A skiing friend who has dodgy knees always reckons that when they get too bad, he uses his snowboard instead. But he is good on both - if you've not done it before, prepare for a steep learning curve.

snowboarding is not as punishing on the knees eventually. However i feel it's like this. Skiing is easier to learn, as in the basics, and once you have your balance you don't fall over as much at the beginning. Snowboarding is far more difficult to learn, cushions on bum, pads on knees and helmet are how I've taught my female friends. On a board you will be looking at 3 full days of being battered and bruised, before you are off and gliding. This is when things change. Skiing is then more technical (4 edges to think of), whilst snowboarding, (unless you are up to throwing yourself of edges, jumping, grabbing etc )Is easier cruising on the pistes.
Oh one last thing, If you fall whilst on skis, most of the time they come off. Fall whilst on the board, you will make beautiful triangle shapes with your legs. (that board ain't coming off!). Have fun whatever you decide.

Q; this'll give me away as a COMPLETE Know-Nothing re boarding- what do you wear on your feet? Surely not the reinforced plastic lunchboxes known as ski-boots??! The ones that (unless they cost REAL money) keep your knees always a bit bent?

Hi. I learnt to snow-board when I was in my 40s and I agree totally with everything sixer says. It most definitely is easier on the knees as you turn by going from toe to heel and vice versa with no twisting to the knees. The boots are soft things like snow boots and are easy to walk in when not on the board. The ski instructors I met who had damaged their knees all became snow board instructors! My tip is to take a few days course in a place like the Snowdome in Tamworth or Xtreme in Milton Keynes. That way you get past the battered and bruised and lying on your back phase while at home and dont waste time when you are at your resort. Enjoy...

I have a bad knee - no ACL and other damage and must say when I tried snow boarding I found it a killer. It was all the trying to stand up - and you do spend a lot of time on your bum when starting (at least I did!). It may well get easier, but I just couldn't get over that initial day so gave up. Of course if I were fitter (and lighter) I'm sure it would be easier, but for me I prefer just to ski in a brace and stick to groomed cruisers - when I ski powder I have dislocated the knee despite the brace.

IMO,

first have a refresher ski lesson to remind you how much you love it or hate it.

second, book a snowboarding lesson.

Only by actually doing it you will be able to assess it.

I am on my early 30's and learn to ski when i was little girl and snowboarding in my 20's. I found it harder to learn to snowboard and found that you need to be fitter to snowboard properly.

How fit are you? Learning to snowboard will definetly make you work your tummy muscles!

A good sauna at the end of the day will help your muscles!

IMO apres ski is the best for the knees

snowboard boots are softer and easier to walk in. it all depends on whether learning to snowboard will finally kill off your knees, or whether you think you will survive until you too can glide effortlessly alongside all those teenagers

imo, you also have to be a bit more careful about IMAGE on snowboards - call me old fashoined but I think 40 year old snowboarders can look a bit sad like teenage wannabees. but of course nowadays all teh really cool kids are skiing again. sigh.

yeah yeah and lots of cheese and red wine!!! uhm uhm

I went on a snowboarding holiday in my forties having never skied or baorded..you have to be fit to snowboard it is the getting up repeatedly which is knackering

so get fit first

Thanks everyone for the input. I laughed at the 'image' one- yes, I'll definitely be a saddo! All I'll need is a pair of those padded blue salopettes that look like an outsized toddler's rain gear to complete my 'look'! I think I'll say to hell with it, work on my fitness a bit (I'm in reasonable shape for 45!) and try snowboarding, it'll give the boys a laugh if nothing else! My knees are by no means knackered- I get a bit of a twinge, now and then, if I kneel down on my left knee. My ligaments are all ok, it's just a touch of arthritis but I don't want to be cavalier about it!

you'll be fine, i have a little arthur in my right knee. I checked with the doc last year if i'd still be ok boarding, as long as you exercise the knee before you shouldn't feel it. Although learning toe edges can be hard as you will land on your knees quite a bit. (pads maybe a good idea). As for the boots, comfy as, in my day i could dance the night away in them. Go girl, like you say, you'll have fun learning and unless you give it a go you'll never know.

oh, and if you are hiring boots, insist on womens boots. There is a difference, ladies calves are longer therefore the boots dip lower at the back for that reason, so they shouldn't dig into your calf muscles.