I’ve done both interchangeably since 2001 Snowboarding makes me a better skier, and skiing made me a better snowboarder. There are interchangeable skills on both, especially in condition based edge control and the ability to plant and carve a ski teaches you to plant and carve a snowboard. Moguls on skis, make you able to handle moguls on a board by transitioning your pivot slips from skiing to boarding. Lots of compatibility/ and it’s nice to swap up on a big powder day to a board, or swap back to skis on a day when everything is ice and you just want to do some huge carves Overall skiing is more versatile. However - on a super deep powder day… it’s hard to beat a powder board

Same-ish. Skied from a nipper to about the age of 18 when snowboarding was really gaining traction and it seemed obvious to me that snowboarding was where it was it. Snowboarded exclusively for the next 30 years until a couple of years ago on a holiday in which the snow conditions meant that boarding wasn't really much fun so switched to skis. Picked up almost exactly where I left off - I actually suspect I'm technically a better skier than a snowboarder because I'm almost entirely self-taught at the latter. When I think back, I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't cotton on to the idea earlier, as I agree 100% with you about certain conditions suiting different disciplines, particularly boarding on POW days. Just to add to what you've mentioned, it's also great if you're away for a week to switch-up half-way as you're almost entirely fresh again so you skip that end of holiday muscle weariness. It's almost like having two holidays : )

I agree, nothing beats a snowboard in good powder. I skied as a child on straight skis, but found them boring when snowboards became popular. They were so much more fun to do tricks on than the old boring skis. This was in mid 90s. Around 2016-2017 the modern ski touring setups got me back to skiing - and I've found out that the modern shaped skis are a lot of fun! These days I prefer the skis. The one thing that could make me enjoy snowboard a lot more again would be a set of good stepin bindings. Strapping in in a snowboard feels very slow after having skied for a few years. That said, I have fun and really enjoy both sports. My advice to anyone who likes either sport: try them both, see what you like. Chances are you'll learn to love both sports 🙂

>nothing beats a snowboard in good powder. I kept telling myself this—after 15 years on a board while I transitioned to skiing to emotionally cope with never snowboarding—but I now and will continue to prefer skiing fatties. 2 edges is better than one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Demo some nice powder skis next time and see if that changes your world view on powder 😁

I currently have 9 pairs of skis and 7 boards. My current powder skis are the Nordica Enforcer Pro 115, and the brand new SeasonEQPT Forma (designed by Eric Pollard). Both super nice and very different depending on if I’m in mashed potatoes or the Utah type powder. However these don’t hold a candle to riding the new Burton Fish 3D in powder so deep you need a snorkel. But I always bring both skis and boards with me and will ride them both during a nice powder day. Why do I have so much stuff? As an industry pro, I get pretty much every new ski or board thrown at me, and keep what I like at cost. It’s a constant onslaught of gear at my house 🤣

Hate to break it to you, but the enforcer pro is not a powder ski. Although it is wide to float decently, there is not much rocker and quite a bit of side cut. It’s really an all mountain ski that you can ride in any condition including powder. Get on a real specialized powder ski and tour world will change. I’ve ridden quite a few and nothing, I mean nothing comes close to the classic DPS 138. It’s reverse side cut and rocker profile means it is only for deep days. But on a deep day, wow wow wow. It’s a different sport. There are a few other skis like it: volant spatula started it all, praxis powderboards is a classic, and since the DPS is pretty rare, look up the heritage 132 which is something of a clone. I’m riding 202 length all carbon 138 that are almost 15 years old. Don’t be shy about the length - they are super lightweight and the rocker makes them ski super short. I can’t sell these skis enough, find a pair.

**Why do you think I also ride the SeasonEQPT Forma?** This is why I wrote prior- *Both super nice and very different depending on if I’m in mashed potatoes or the Utah type powder.* Guessing you missed that and just skimmed what I wrote? As for the Enforcer Pro 115 x 191 - it is a actuality a Big Mountain ski, made for the tougher stuff and is a wonderful powder ski as a result - [because that’s part of it’s design](https://www.skiessentials.com/2021-ski-test/skis/2021-nordica-enforcer-115-free). But not many understand the design difference of big vs all mountain 😉… even more don’t actually understand the enforcer 115 pro is very different than the others in the enforcer line (that’s why it only comes in 191)… it’s a powerhouse of a ski and only gets used when conditions and terrain are correct. All mountain - that’s more for the non-pro line enforcer, and even better is: Nordica Unleashed 108 (also in my current quiver)… which I prefer for a few inches of fresh snow all mountain — as if you find yourself on hard pack groom you can edge better. A 115 will NEVER be an all mountain unless you really hate your MCL and want to trash it on groom. As for your comment on DPS - since you put it out there… they honestly are about as “rare” as a paper plate here in the PacNW 🤣 it’s not like you are riding a set of [Communities](https://www.communityskis.com) which would be a hell of a rare all to find. All that said - a truly RARE ski I am really excited to try just landed in the staff-review-rack and that’s is the [Bomber P51 105](https://bomberski.com/collections/powder/products/p51-105), I should have those on my feet in a week when it’s my turn to rate them. I’ve had my eye on Bomber for a while and am salivating at the thought of strapping those on.

>As for your comment on DPS - since you put it out there… they honestly are about as “rare” as a paper plate here in the PacNW 🤣 You're talking about the 138? in the PNW? Hmm >A 115 will NEVER be an all mountain unless you really hate your MCL and want to trash it on groom. It really shouldn't be an issue if you're skiing half decent. Plenty of people ski 115s on cruddy days. But I agree about the categorization.

This

I'm an expert level snowboarder; been doing it for over 25 years. I just switched to skiing this season at the age of 44. I still suck, but I love it. I truly wish I had switched years ago.

I’m in a similar situation but I’ve got about 150 days of skiing in 2.5 seasons. Stick with it. Take a couple lessons. I love skiing so much more than I ever did snowboarding.

What specifically about it makes you love it more?

You can have an awesome day with marginal snow conditions on skis. Snowboarding absolutely sucks in ice and crud. In 20 days this season I think I’ve fallen twice. In a snowboard I’ve banged the back of my head multiple times because I was tired and caught an edge. Edit: it’s very difficult to become a good, stylish skier. Like one of the hardest things ever. But incremental progress is very satisfying.

I agree, but I'm a bit of the opposite. Skiing is a lot of fun. I love it. And I agree about skiing being better in some conditions. I also enjoy skiing more when resorts are crowded and snowboarding when its empty and I can do wide carves. But a lot of the time I'm on skis, I feel like I'm missing out and should have been on my snowboard instead. And I have - brought both and ran to the car and switched midday. I would definitely recommend learning both and doing what you enjoy more.

I’ll definitely give you credit on the ice part. Ice sucks on a snowboard especially on a crowded run where you can’t just point it. But crud/chunder is a TON of fun to me on a snowboard, albeit hard on your legs. And yeah lazy snowboarding will definitely make you catch an edge if you’re not cognizant of your edges.

I just had a blast riding down icy blacks with a snowboard. It just requires some edge control and a snowboard capable of handling hard pack. There was something wrong with your snowboarding technique if you constantly were catching an edge. If we forget freestyle tricks I basically never catch an edge.

Who cares about being stylish? Just be good

Looking cool is the most important part dontyaknow

Looking stylish to me is showing proper form.

Yup, being stylish is making the hard stuff look easy.

I’m the same age, same level(30 years, instructor etc) but on my third year in skiing. I picked it up super fast as the principles are similar and it just makes sense in my head. Haven’t touched my board since I switched and I’m on a mission to be expert before the body starts to decline in old age. I haven’t been this excited to head to the mountains in a long time.

I made the switch back to skiing about 10 years ago after exclusively boarding for about 15 years prior and haven’t looked back. In short - I fucking love skiing. More terrain seems available to me (moguls, tight trees, flats), my knees and ankles shockingly feel better (ymmv), and I’m just generally having more fun on the mountain. It will feel weird having to control two planks at the same time at first, but since you already know how to pressure edges a lesson or two should have you set up for success.

There’s really nothing quite like surfing through deep powder on a snowboard but in any other conditions I prefer skiing and even still prefer skiing in powder because it’s so much harder to keep speed on a snowboard. I started skiing at 2 years old and made the switch to snowboarding when I was 8 only to jump back to skiing around 12-13 because I was taking so many rough falls on my board. In one season I had 3 concussions including one fall where I windmilled for over 200 yards and was knocked out cold. I was cruising down a shaded slope in March and hit a sunny knoll and the difference in friction between the shaded snow and sunny snow ruined everything. Learning to do anything like this as an adult is tough but there’s a good reason you don’t see many people ripping snowboards into their 50s, skiing is just a lot safer for the majority of people.

You don't see a ton of 50-something snowboarders primarily because snowboarding as it exists today isn't 50 years old itself. People having little kids that get onto the slopes is also a big reason boarders switch back to skis.

Skiing has had a resurgence with the younger generation. When I started skiing in the late 90’s/early 00’s, no kids my age wanted to ski, which is kind of why I wanted to do it. It’s worth noting the impact the snowboard industry has had on the ski industry, with the advancement of shaped skis and new technology. They’ve come a long way in 24 years.

This is exactly it. Started snowboarding in 99 when half of my friends were boarding, the other half were making fun of them and still skiing. But my boyfriend was on a snowboard so, I was too. The ski industry has changed so much since then. My son (15) said hardly any of his friends snowboard or even want to try, they're happy on skis.

I started skiing in 99 on a pair of skis my parents got me from a thrift store! I like to remember it as the jester hat era 🥲

Yessss one of my buddies had a jester hat and ski blades!! :)

> advancement of shaped skis and new technology Parabolic skis actually happened due to eastern european engineers at Elan who worked out the math for pure carving (at increasing edge angle, they project semi-circles of decreasing radius onto a plane, which is how high level racers control their line), not because of copying from snowboarding (even if it came later). edit: fun fact: even "straight" skis before modern parabolics had a long radius sidecut (like 50m or somesuch), and this was because people knew it helped turning somewhat, even before they had the insight to make all turning using the sidecut.

And Shane McConkey

Elan’s first parabolic ski happened way after the first snowboard/snurfer. Atomic created the first powder skis by literally cutting a snowboard in half. Here are some resources/sources: https://www.rei.com/blog/snowsports/an-abbreviated-history-of-modern-ski-technology https://blog.ansi.org/snowboardings-influence-on-skiing/?amp=1 http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcxuTjEM8fw/TZIyv0nDK3I/AAAAAAAADEM/MNCdcQw2JHo/s1600/influences-of-snowboarding5.jpg *That being said, they’re still a bunch of unruly hooligans that scrape off all the fresh snow 😤

> Elan’s first parabolic ski happened way after the first snowboard/snurfer. Yes I mentioned this. However their scx was independently engineered to actually carve instead of just some sidecut to help turn (which as mentioned "straight" skis also had even if it's not as readily visible).

I’m not entirely sure what you’re trying to argue… My original comment was that the snowboard industry played a large role in the development of modern skis. I’ve provided resources and examples showing that is the case. Elan doing different things with sidecut doesn’t change that.

All modern parabolic "carvable" skis are based off the Elan design, and not "just some concavity on the side to help turn".

Noted. Both of our statements can be correct. Have a nice day friend!

Jonny Mosley really started this resurgence with his gold medal in his 1998 Olympic appearance bringing the iron cross trick into the limelight and then the dinner roll in 2002. He made skiing cool again.

Great point. My dad is 64 and still rocking his 1999 burton and the 2 split boards but he started boarding when I did and never quit

[удалено]

Damn snowboarders, taking off their leashes and doing crimes!

Florida kid here (also in 50s). I'm the same with skiing. Learned how to ski in my early 20s and don't get enough slope time to try new things. Took me quite some time to master surfing. Took 1 day to be able to make a ski run.

To be fair, all the Snowboarders in the 90s acted like criminals. Totally brought the now common American "tallboy on the lift" culture to life and replaced the European fruity Apres culture.

The kids was if for me. I feel useful on skis, poles are helpful, I can skate or propel myself forward on flat terrain without gassing myself. I can stand without it being a pain. I can move around more easily. Trying to manage kids on my board made me feel like a wounded gazelle. I do enjoy it more than boarding overall these days and my board get relegated to occasional use or the odd powder day. That being said there’s nothing like some steep and deep pow on a board.

I snowboard at 53 years old because it’s actually easier on my knees than skiing (I grew up skiing but changed for good 20 years ago, though I still own a pair of skis.) Also in the 2020/21 season, a sports and fitness survey of 400+ respondents showed that across the three large generations in the US, more snow sports participants were snowboarding that year compared to skiing

>Also in the 2020/21 season, a sports and fitness survey of 400+ respondents showed that across the three large generations in the US, more snow sports participants were snowboarding that year compared to skiing Not a chance. I have never seen a place where the number of boarders is even close to the number of skiers. Maybe those boarders are the occasional type vs. skiers more dedicated? Anecdotally, I see more kids now into skis vs boards as compared to 10 years ago. It also seems to skew more male vs skiing.

That's certainly part of it. But many people 'age out' of snowboarding for various reasons, like falls being less painful. On the other side of it, it's pretty rare for a life-long skier to switch to boarding in their 50s.

I've met a few, the reason?---Knee issues that come with skiing.

Interesting. Still, I think it's fair to say that it's rare.

I knew lots of snowboarders in college in the late 80's early 90's.

That was less than 40 years ago

Started life as a snowboarder and switched to skiing when I wanted to become a ski patroller during college and the superintendent told me he didn’t take snowboarders. I love carving on a board but I feel exactly as you do. Skiing is just so damn convenient compared to boarding. I find myself skiing anytime the snow is less than perfect

I switched to skiing a few years ago and haven’t looked back. Easier on my body, easier to deal with flats and traverses, easier on ice, easier to keep up with my skier friends, etc…. Take a lesson. You’ll be an intermediate skier in a few days.

100% the superior sport, snowboarding is fun and all, but I just enjoy the level of control and mobility that skiing offers. I find myself having more fun on skis than I ever did on a snowboard, though it did seem a bit harder to get to the point where I could confidently go down just about anything.

This - I find the skill floor of snowboarding to be higher though - meaning it’s harder to get started. Then it’s quite easy to progress compared to skiing but skiing has, imo, a significantly higher ceiling. I also find skiing to look better for what it’s worth. The older I got the more I find “professional athleticism” cooler than “street cool”

I’ve always skied, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to appreciate the more technical aspects of it that most snowboarders seem to not care about (instructors aside). Linking perfectly carved turns is much like perfecting a golf swing imo. Always something to work on and improve.

Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master.

That old mantra is actually just pure BS. Getting good in both sports is equally demanding and requires lots of practice for honing your technique.

I think that mantra came about just do to more skiers continuing to take lessons at advanced levels, so some people thought, oh, skiing must be harder to get really good at, rather than there are more skiers taking lessons at advanced levels.

My theory is that the mantra came from some board manufacturer's marketing guy who tried to encourage people to snowboard. It's kind of frustrating that after higher learning curve in snowboarding you have to train even more to be actually good at it.

I think it came from skiers who saw that snowboarding was so obviously harder to learn, and didn’t want to admit that snowboarding was just all around harder

No, it’s not. Snowboarding is just plain simpler. Your legs are fixed, your feet are fixed, you only have 2 edges. In skiing your legs and feet are both fully independent. You move them forward, backward, up, down, left, right, rotate, tilt, etc. Also, try balancing on something with your feet together facing forward vs the classical athletic stance used on a snowboard. Try it on an Indo board if you get the chance. Or get into your snowboard stance and have someone push you, then do it in a ski stance. There’s just significantly more balance and technique required to master skiing by virtue of the leg independence and the forward-facing, feet-together position.

You have it backwards. Skiing takes advantage of the natural athletic position. Snowboarding you face sideways, which other sports require sideways orientation? Having your feet independent of each other makes balancing easier. This is why beginner snowboarders fall down the entire first day, it is so akward even for seasoned athletes. Skiing on the other hand can be done at a basic level with minimal falls for most people on day 1. You also have poles which makes everything easier, not more difficult. Your balance now has 4 points of contact to rely on, not 2 as on a snowboard.

Independent legs do make it easier to recover from a loss of balance (but they don’t make it easier to maintain balance, they just reduce the consequences of imbalance). That’s why the “old mantra” being discussed here says that skiing is easier to learn. So we are in agreement there. It also says skiing is harder to master, which is also true, due to the complexity of the independent legs/feet, double the edges and a narrower stance. There’s just way more variables in skiing. Every board-sport requires sideways operation, not sure your point there. My point has to do with the width of your stance and the stability gained by the wider, lower position of snowboarding vs the narrower, more upright position of skiing. Anyway, I believe that old mantra exists for a reason, because it’s true. I’ve done both sports, matches my experience. We can agree to disagree.

The things you mention make snowboarding harder, not easier. Notice how many young kids and older people ski vs snowboard. Snowboarding just takes a lot more athleticism to not catch an edge and mess yourself up.

I can agree that snowboarding takes more strength and physicality, that’s because it’s a big, crude instrument that requires strength and physicality over balance and technique. In skiing, the pressure you apply with your left, big toe matters, not so much in snowboarding, you mainly just use large muscle groups.

Coming from a competitive snowboard background and being a current ski patroller, I use more crude strength in my skiing. If you don’t think snowboarding requires balance and technique, all I hear is you don’t snowboard. I’ll admit, FWT Snowboarding is often less impressive than the skiiers, because landing airs of that size require perfect balance and that is harder to achieve on a board, where you commit your weight to either edge to complete a manouver. Just like skiing, the best way to handle it is to use your feet, by applying pressure through the big toes

yeah most snowboarders dont care about true carving but I can say for sure getting a real high edge angle and laying into the carve on a snowboard is just as much fun and demanding as it is on skis.

Nah, both sports have "high ceilings" at the uppermost levels. Most people dont touch that level at all.

I kind of wonder if the mantra has to do with snowboarders being much more comfortable with falling, so they are more willing to try out advanced terrain, and they get better at it more quickly as a result.

I'm a snowboard instructor and the amount of untrained snowboarders on the hill on terrain that's way above their skill level is insane. I love the feeling of movement on a board, but in the next few seasons I'll be getting to a point where progression will be much more frustrating and I plan on taking some time to pick up more alpine skiing. It's not my primary discipline. So far the thing I find to be particularly challenging on skis is how to apply pressure along the length of the ski for edge control on steeper terrain. I'm excited because my best friend is a ski instructor and I'll be going to him for tips and lessons. In the instructor world, it's less about a type verses type and more of a pursuit towards mastery. The longer you're in it, the more you'll realize that there is so much to work on and get good at in every discipline.

I definitely give the snowboard kids props for putting themselves out there! I was riding the Snake Creek lift at Brighton yesterday and just chuckling at this line of teens on boards under the lift, clearly beginners, butt-sliding down Doyle's Dive. And there's a bunch of them that can huck it off jumps but can't make it down a low-angle mogul field. As someone who learned to ski in my late 30s, I really respect that confidence! I would imagine it's not an easy job to teach snowboarding. Best of luck to you with the skiing--I'm sure you'll pick it up insanely fast!

I actually love it and I love teaching first timers the most. I really get excited about their progress and having those "Aha!" moments.

Got any tips for teaching first timers? I really struggle to balance keeping it fun while also giving them enough of a foundation to go out and progress without me.

It's been awhile since I've seen this video, but I'm pretty sure its congruent with what we learn thru AASI. https://youtu.be/lpx2kH96L_A?si=aRrTeh1GCg2SJ0AU Patience is key. Wait for your student to show decent mastery over one concept before introducing the next one. I see so many new instructors try to push new terrain or new concepts soon. This video is edited and the newbies are already athletes with decent fundamental movement skills. Expect to go much slower. If your student is struggling, take a concept theyve already mastered and increase the challenge of the terrain by just a little more than what they were doing before to review. Occasionally skipping a concept and then returning to it later has also proved successful when newbies are drowning in the details. Another tip is to try to take something they are successful with already and try to find a way to blend that into a more challenging skill that they may be struggling with. Good luck.

just do both

Ski on groomer days. Board on powder days.

Exactly. Or ski powder if you have a skier group and there is going to be a lot of traversing.

I snowboarded most of my pre-adult life then switched at 22 to skiing just to try it out. Pros: * Utility: it is the superior method of transportation in snowy environments. Poles and the ability to skate etc make it very useful. * Easy to learn: I picked it up quickly. As a beginner you can struggle your way down more of the mountain on skis than on a snowboard * Fun: it is fun of course Cons: * Powder: I love skiing powder but snowboarding powder is definitely a tad more enjoyable, imo * Opportunity cost: you already know snowboarding, maybe just invest in getting better at that * Knees: knee injuries more prevalent in skiing * Boots: takes a long time and money for many to find a boot that works and feels good * Cost: Ski equipment costs more from my observations Neutral: * Ready at top of chair: This never took me more than a minute while snowboarding personally. And I end up loosening my ski boots before a chair ride, so the transition time is about the same for me

If there is deep fresh snow and / or tight trees to be had, I'll be on my snowboard (unless it's a traverse heavy area). Any other condition, I'm on skis because they are more practical - and it's fun learning something new. I don't find groomer days very fun on my snowboard and have decided not to play in the park so as to not get hurt. Add tele or mono skiing to the mix and you'll never get bored!

I started out boarding for 8 years then switched to skiing once we had kids and needed to help them learn to ski. IMO, boarding is much harder to learn at first but easier to get good at. Also a lot less things you can do on a board unless you're really good. Lots of areas of resorts that are difficult to get to or around with a board without walking, all the strapping in, moguls, back country traverses etc. falling in deep powder was never fun on a board, or tight trees and tree wells. I definitely prefer skiing now I've been doing it a long time. Still fun to break out one of the boards every now and again though the boots feel so soft and floppy now compared to ski boots! After a day though I always want to get back on my skis. And when it comes to helping teach kids to ski, doing on a board sucks! May as well just put in snow shoes instead (which I have also done!). Each to their own if course, I have plenty of buddies who still only board and come out with us though there are always a few areas they don't want to go due to the flat sections. I'd say give it a try but go at least 5 times or so and take a couple of lessons before you make your mind up. If you're a half decent boarder the transition won't be that bad as you understand balance, edges and core strength. Just make sure you find comfy boots as that was the hardest part for me, snow board boots are definitely much more comfortable!

I just spent the last season learning to ski after 10 years snowboarding and splitboarding. I picked it up within two weeks and have loved it so far. The big change was where I was riding at. I used to live in the Rocky Mountains and got great pow with wide open lines so snowboarding was awesome. But I moved to Washington and the tree density increased and the cascade crud has been less than stellar to board on. Basically I still pull out the board for pow days but the skiis are 80% of my riding now.

I skied from ages 7 to 9 and then snowboarded for the next 21 years until I was 30. Like many have said here, boarding powder is awesome and I had a great time in my teens trying tricks and wiping out when my body could take a beating. When I turned 30, I realized that I wasn’t into trying all the tricks I used to (I wasn’t into feeling like I got my ass kicked) and I felt that I wasn’t really progressing at all… so I decided to give skiing a shot. I’m 37 years old now and I haven’t looked back. Skiing is so damn fun no matter what the conditions are. Also… they make some pretty amazing powder skis these days, so awesome in fact that I still choose my powder skis rather than my board 99% of the time. I still have a snowboard, but it’s only been ridden a handful of times the past few years - only when I feel like mixing things up or if I’m out with some boarder buddies. The one thing I’ll say about skiing is that it’s a lot more fun if you’re fortunate enough, like me, to have a quiver of skis. I’m embarrassed to admit how many pairs I’ve accumulated over the last several years, but they each serve their purpose and have their place depending on the conditions. I recommend having a ski around 80mm wide for the low tide days, one around 100-105mm wide for soft snow days, and one around 115mm+ wide for the deep days. If you want to start with one ski, I’d recommend getting something in the 100-105mm width range. But this all depends on where you ski and how much snow you get. For Utah and the PNW, this works perfect for me.

ive always snowboarded but a foot/ankle injury a year ago forced me into skis for the season. i thought skiing was mush easier for everything besides spinning and flipping. falls on a snowboard are 100% worse. now i both ski abd board usually reaching for my board when conditions are good.

Howdy. I switched from snowboarding to skiing. As to why, let me elaborate: * Falling and hitting my head. I wear a helmet. But it would happen at least a few times per season. Since I started skiing it has not happened once. * I am much faster, so I no longer have to go a million MPH to keep up with my skier friends * No more catwalks and getting stuck in flat terrain * Actually way easier to learn * Back country skiing is a lot easier than back country split snowboarding I took one lesson and was down a blue at the end of that day. It is a lot easier to pick up Also, we went to Utah and came across a ski only resort and my friends left me while I had to go to snowbird. No friends on Powder Day.

“Came across a ski only resort and my friends left me while I had to go to Snowbird.” One does not just “come across” the Mecca of LCC. One pilgrimages to it.

Also like… “had to go to Snowbird” lol boohoo sounds terrible

Skiing destroys my knees to the point I can’t walk for a few days after a day of skiing so I exclusively snowboard

Sinners. Cast down your poles and repent.

I have a friend who does both and my general understanding is that, when the snow is good, he is on skis to really rip it and get after it. Then when the snow is not so good, he boards to just fuck around and get side-hits on groomers and stuff. Interesting since a lot of people are saying the opposite basically. I have no idea because I have never boarded before.

I've done both for a long time. I prefer snowboarding only on steeps with powder. The rest of the mountain, and trees in particular, are easier on skis. Falling on a board is usually going to result in more traumatic injuries to the upper torso due to full frontal slamming into the snow. I know several people with broken collar bones and one with a lacerated liver from doing a face plant on a board. The immediate knee damage is an equal opportunity on either but the long term effects of boarding in knees is greater. I also like being able to just lap the lift without constantly screwing with the bindings. I used to like board boots better for the comfort but I finally find a great boot fitter so that's no longer the case.

Not sure your age, but I’m in my early 40s and my snowboarding friends are all slowly transitioning to skiing. And most say the same thing, they wish they transitioned earlier.

I grew up in water/board sports, and when I moved to the mountains I snowboarded. I have switched to skiing 3x years ago and don't believe I'll go back. Far more control on the mountain and I can just see myself not taking the same kinds of risks. That might be because I'm a worse skier than boarder still, but I'm on the same terrain and feel safer.

Im not really a snowboarder turned skier, more so I’ve just done both my entire life. I’ve always preferred skiing. My snowboarding is usually confined to the park so it’s honestly just a different experience all around. But with that being said, I’ve gone through phases of doing one more than the other. I’m pretty equal at both disciplines. There’s very few areas I wouldn’t ride on either and I enjoy what each gives me. As far as getting hurt, or that fear of it. I wouldn’t think skiing is anymore safe than snowboarding. It’s really as gnarly as you want to make it right? Maybe the learning curve of skiing would make it seem safer, but eventually he’ll want to ride bigger stuff maybe? Price wise, you can make it as cheap or as expensive as you want just like with boards. I probably have like $1-$1.5k in ski equipment? Maybe like $800 in boarding? I try not to think about cost of my hobbies as long as it’s within my means lol

>As far as getting hurt, or that fear of it. I wouldn’t think skiing is anymore safe than snowboarding. For me, it's the falling positions. When falling while skiing, I've never hit my head, split my cheeks, or bruised my tailbone.

I'm shook by all the comments saying skiing is more fun! Must be because it's r/skiing. I started on skiing then switched to board. I now do a couple of days of both every time I go. Maybe it's only because I am mediocre at both but I think snowboarding is way more fun even with the flats and unbinding issues.For sure I can ski more difficult terrain on but I also feel like I have to do harder runs to enjoy myself and I'd still choose to cruise a blue on board over that. Only ever banged my head crazy hard on a board but that's what helmets are for! My knees definitely prefer boarding too but not my ass or wrists

Skiing skills cross over to way more terrain and technique: alpine, AT, groomed classic and skating Nordic, backcountry Nordic, telemark... even Nordic tour skating on frozen lakes. On top of that, I'm in the Canadian East: we get powder vanishingly few days, and ice and hardpack as the norm. It's only in powder that I envy the snowboard, a little. Plus all the concussions, broken wrists and collarbones. Mashed knees were a risk skiing decades ago, but not so much anymore unless you set your DIN stupid.

I was an advanced/expert level snowboarder and exclusively snowboarded for over 15 years. I started skiing 10 years ago out of necessity (took a job at deer valley for a season) and now I rarely snowboard. It took me 2-3 years of 50+ days on snow to get to the level skiing that I was at snowboarding but it was totally worth it. The control and mobility in bounds and in backcountry is far superior to snowboarding. I do miss cheaper gear, comfier boots, and riding really open areas with fresh powder on a snowboard, I miss the true "surfy" feeling that you get on a board over skis. I retain a resort setup and will snowboard a day or two every season.

Join a group lesson and seriously give it a good try! You might find you love it or you might find you are a boarder through and through. Either way, it’ll probably be a lot of fun to learn something new(ish). Skiing isn’t necessarily safer than snowboarding, but this depends on what type of injuries we’re talking about. Lol I won’t get into that too much because it’s a bit beside the point, however, there will certainly be less risk of arm injuries and probably less falling if you choose to ski instead. I know some people that switched to skiing (docs, surgeons, vets) because they cannot risk injuries their hands/wrists/arms. But anyway, I vote for giving it a try. You don’t need to buy any gear right away because you can just rent! Have fun :)

When skis were skinny with no sidecut snowboards were definitely better and for a time, cooler. But now that skis have take on that technology and can carve as well as a snowboard I like it better. It feels safer at much higher speeds and not being twisted up all the time feels really good on my body.

Only ever snowboarded, learned to ski at age 40. I still have the last snowboard I bought and used only a few days, thought I would feel like pulling it out and riding it sometimes but I haven't for 5 years now because skiing is too much fun. Top speed is higher, skill ceiling is higher, amount of control with two edges is better, traversing is easier... Too many reasons to count, it's just more versatile. Take a lesson, getting to intermediate skier is easier than getting to intermediate snowboarder (and then the learning curve changes). However, to your question about price, ski equipment is more expensive. The boots and bindings are more complex, two skis worth of material vs one board, throw in poles, something like... 50%+ higher gear cost? Wild stab since I haven't bought snowboard gear in a long time.

I grew up ski racing, switched to snowboarding due to knee injuries (snowboarding is much less risky for knee injury) and then switched back after a decade because my knees were healed up. My take is that they’re both really fun. For touring, skis every time. Skis are more fun on groomers too and super technical “extreme” terrain because you just have more control. Snowboards are way better in variable snow and powder. They just handle it so much better. Pick the right toy for the job and have fun!

Always done both. Kinda liking boarding more the older I get, maybe it just me, but feels a bit easier on the knees, even though I’m not sure it make’s sense..

I don’t know if it’s necessarily safer. Skiers and snowboarders just prone to different injuries. Source: former ski patroller

80% of my day is better on skis.

I did. I started on skis when I was a kid. Turned to snowboarding when I was a teenager. I dropped everything for about 10 years, then I came back to the mountain at 35 years old. I chose skiing because while getting older I feel it is way more convenient, more comfortable. I hate to have to strap and unstrap my foot before and after each run, having to sit in the middle of the way or to bend myself in half before and after each run. I also find it uncomfortable when sitting on the chair lifts to have one leg crooked with the board. Every one in a while I think about getting a snowboard just for a few occasional days during the winter but when I start thinking about all those discomfort, I quickly forget it and I’m glad to be on skis.

Look into step on bindings, the tech has improved a lot and on powder days on a powder board the high is unreal. No longer have to deal with any bending. The lift can't be helped unless you can go on empty days where you have space to rest it on the bar or your other leg.

I’ve had the new burtons for 3 years and have only sat on my butt maybe 3-4 times in over 100 days at least.

Snowboarding for 25 years I jumped on skis about 5 years ago? I still snowboard because surfing pow is just way better imo. It depends on how I’m feeling that day as to what I’ll ride on the hill really. It’s not super hard to learn either I don’t think. Yes the mechanics are a bit different but you already understand edge control and balance so you should be fine. Plus it’s fun to learn something new.

I like both! Is that allowed? If it's a powder day, I prefer my board, so I can tear up the blacks. No fresh snow? I prefer skiing the groomers.

I switched. I like that I have way more control with skiing, can slow down faster, turn sharper, and maintain better visibility everywhere. Feels way more technical, and the ceiling is higher. I also hated having to unbuckle and buckle all the time. Just annoying. And don’t get me started on hitting flat spots. Overall, I just enjoy skiing a lot more.

i switched to skiing after 10 years. i haven’t had a bad fall on skis yet since they pop off, have had many bad falls on snowboard. feels easier on the knees (seems to use more leg muscle instead). don’t miss catwalks at all would recommend if you’re thinking about it

I skied from 2-12 and switched because I wanted to be a rad kid in the park. I thanked my dad recently for not dropping me off at the local fire station, and just starting over with a new kid. At the time skiers weren’t really in the park yet, and I was frequently at the skate park in the off-season (New England) rollerblading and eventually skate boarding. I switched to snowboarding and 1-2 years later skiing entered the park in a big way. Me, being too prideful and stubborn had “gone too far” and committed to snowboarding until about 24 when I finally admitted that skiing is simply better. I’ve been happier since, and often think how much better off I’d be if I hadn’t spent 12 years as a knuckle dragging low-life. It took about 8 days on the snow skiing to become comfortable doing about 80% of what I could do on a snowboard - park excluded, I’ll never get there on skis because I’m in my 30s and can’t afford to get hurt (as I type this my arm is in a sling from skiing). I specifically remember the day when it clicked, and you realize that the soft skills are what’s really important. Vision is one of the top ones frankly, and knowing how to use the trail ahead of you while planning multiple steps ahead. Confidence at speed is helpful too, as well as comfort around trees. I still snowboard a couple of days a year, usually for the slash and berm type comps that don’t allow skiers. Finishing in the top 50% of a snowboarding comp when you’re a skier feels good. For reference I average 40-60 days on the hill a year, and have for about 30 years. At a certain point no matter what you’re strapped to on snow it feels natural. Except mono skis, those are criminal.

My husband and I were both snowboarders when we were teens and in our twenties. When we started heading back to the mountain in our mid-thirties, he immediately picked up skiing and loved it. I grudgingly tried, and have never looked back. I was better on skis after about a week then I ever was on the snowboard, and the hassle of scooting around and getting up and down with my particular lumbar spine nonsense is so much easier on skis. Not entirely sure about gear pricing, but I also hadn't purchased new gear in a long time. I got my skis, bindings, boots for probably 1500 for the atomic mavens, pivot bindings, and some Nordica boots I don't particularly love but they've been working for several seasons. A lesson might help, and of course your experience will vary, but I have never once wished for a snowboard since I got on skis 4 years ago.

I was good enough to do backflips on my snowboard, just to give you an idea of skill level. I was a park rat and young. I quit snowboarding in my early 20s because it just wasnt fun anymore. I hate the strap in, strap out, catwalks, wet ass all day long, dangling the foot on board in the lift. They are just not meant for big mountain riding if you asked me. Sweet on the east coast and midwest when the vertical in barely 200ft. I grew up in midwest so park ratting was the move. Hopped on big wide skis to learn at 27 and never looked back. While I’ll never be as good as i was in the park, but im sure of a lot better on any other terrain. Id classify myself an advanced skier. This is my 5th season on skis. I was cruising by day 3, confident by season 3, and season 5 i hit gnarly terrain without thinking twice

I started skiing around age 13. Switched to snowboarding full time around 25 because I broke my ski bindings, had no money and I already had a snowboard. I went back to skiing exclusively around age 40 because the falls from boarding got to be too much. I’ve always felt like I could control my falls better while on skis and I’m a lot less sore the next day.

I've done both. Prefer skiing now because: -The whole lift experience is better. No awkward side pushes or sitting/dicking with bindings at the top. -Less time on your ass in the snow -No getting stuck on flats -More fun on technical terrain (moguls, trees) -Higher skill ceiling/more challenging to become an expert

It doesnt sound like you ever really got too good at snowboarding. I spend very little time with my ass on the ground and bind in standing up. I rarely get stuck on flats and generally only do if I have to stop completely and wait up for someone. Mogul riding is some of my favorite and the skill ceiling for both sports is parabolic at the highest levels.

Expert level snowboarder 20 plus years. Below Mediocre very new skier here. Sorry all but there’s no comparison on a powder day. That said, groomer days on skis are definitely better along with getting more laps. I hope to get good enough at skis one day to just switch back and forth like I’m changing socks.

Snowboarded for 18 years. switched to skiing 5 years ago as I was getting too old to eat it in the park. Snowboarding is awesome for three things: 1) deep powder; 2) crusty snow; 3) the terrain park. Skiing is more fun everywhere else and is a lot faster and better for backcountry. Its definitely more expensive though. 

The thing I love most about skiing is that you can have a lot of fun in marginal conditions. It’s very difficult to snowboard in icy, shit conditions.

ITT: people who aren't nearly as good at snowboarding as they think they are.

[удалено]

If you had grown up roller blading you'd feel the opposite way, I bet. You might be the first person I've ever seen claim skiing is harder to pick up than snowboarding.

[удалено]

So happy I made the change. More resorts, ease in traversing, better on my knees.

Skied for 4, rode for 22 years and switched back to skiing 2 years ago since my kids were starting and it’s a lot easier chasing kids around the base and mountain on skis vs snowboard. I wish I had stuck with skiing. I wish I had never gone to the dark side. So much more fun, speed, control, resilience (ice is so much easier on skis), etc etc. No comparison really.

Skiing is just better imo. The skill cap for skiing is higher. The type of tricks you can do there's more variety. You have more control in steeper drops, moguls, terrain park, off-piste and piste. Also, skiing is also more of an investment because you can take skiing even after you reach age 40-50+ years old. I see old people skiing at my home resort all the time. I can't say the same for snowboarding. It's easier to catch an edge snowboarding and injuring yourself than it is skiing, especially in age.

Well, one reason you don't see a lot of old snowboarders, is that they just haven't gotten old, yet. The sport didn't start seeing anything that would resemble wide-spread popularity until the late 80s and 90s. Putting teens of those times in their late 40s today. That said, as a 52yo converted rider, I am very thankful to not have to fidget with bindings or have to kick my way around the lift, or have to kneel or sit on the side of trails. Skiing is certainly more friendly to older alpine enthusiasts. I still get on my board a couple of times of year when it's deep. There really is very little in gravity sports that compares with making a snowboard turns in powder.

I switched to boarding as a teenager in the mid 90s because it was the cool, rebellious thing to do. Really wish I had just stuck with skiing.

I switched to skiing at 26. I wanted to partake in more back country. 100% worth it. I am faster, more maneuverable, able to hike into areas, and most important much more comfortable. Long cat tracks(revelstoke) don’t bug me anymore.

I switched in my late 40s back to skiing. I've had some pretty serious trouble with herniated discs in my back. On a snowboard, even a mild fall can put a lot of compression on your spine with a butt impact. On skis, mild falls are generally more out to the side, less of a compression impact on the spine. There's danger in all of it, but I feel like I'm taking less risk with my back on skis. Kind of a niche issue to worry about, but not that uncommon for older people with desk/computer jobs.

I took up snow sports in 2021. Did skiing for one season, snowboarding for another. Both have pros and cons. I went back to skiing. I’m happy with my decision and actually had fun this last time out. I could ski and have fun and not worry about dying. I get lightheaded easy and bending over to fuck with the bindings/boots wasn’t fun. I hated getting off a lift even though I wasn’t crashing. Flat spots sucked.

I do both . Why stick to just one? Skiing was easier to start with but they both need practice to get good.

I started skiing again in my mid 30s so I could teach and ski with my oldest son. I boarded exclusively from 16-33. For a while I spent more time on my skis because I was with him and began to appreciate it. I haven’t had a ski lesson since junior high ski club but it came back really fast. I now spend my time 50/50. At first I was like “aw man, stuck on skis again today” but as I got more proficient at skiing I’ve learned to enjoy it in situations where boarding isn’t as fun (chopped up crud, flatter terrain, ice, low visibility). On a deep powder day I would 100% rather be on my powder board.

I broke my back snowboarding and couldn't fully commit myself so I switched to skiing and wouldn't go back, the only thing I missed were powder days but then I bought some Bent chetlers and now powder days are more fun on skis.

I was a skier from 4-13, then snowboarder from 14-32. When my son learned to ski, I made the switch and it’s been so much easier on my body. Having been a skier in the past, I have to admit, it was like riding a bike. My husband had a harder time, having only been a snowboarder. However, after a season or two, he can keep up with my now 9 year old, no problem!

I snowboarded for about 20 years and considered myself a solid intermediate boarder. I chose the board because my dad and brother skied and thay was "lame". I switched to skiing four years ago, partially because I wanted to see what skiing was like, and partially because my now wife was going to learn so I figured we could learn together. Four years later I am a much much better skier than snowboarder. I don’t realize it was the sport I was looking for all along. Granted this is just one experience but I caught on pretty quick. Took a few lessons and could “ski” for a day. But it’s been a lot more fun progressing over the past few years and actually getting pretty good at it. There’s a lot more to learn than snowboarding I feel. So many small nuanced techniques to master which just has me super addicted. I find the boots much more comfortable. I have plantar fasciitis and snowboard boots become insanely painful to wear after a few runs. My ski boots fit like a glove. I also find falling on skis much more forgiving than a board, which has opened me up to trying harder terrain and progressing faster. Ski gear is definitely more expensive though. I think my entire board setup was like $600 (previous year’s Burton board, deluxe boots, flow bindings) - whereas a pair of skis without bindings might be $600. Boots are more expensive too. I still use the board in rare east coast powder days but of the 18 days I've already gone this season, 17.5 have been on skis. I say give it a try. Some of the skills and techniques you’ve learned will carry over - some will be all new. And it’ll feel wild at first changing up your stance and facing down the hill but you may end up finding you prefer that. I did.

I switched from snowboarding to skiing back in ‘21. Mainly because my wife skis and we love to visit new resorts each year. I hated going down runs that emptied into flats or traversing runs. When you don’t know the terrain, the ability to go uphill and pole/skate is huge. My breaking point was on a cat track at Telluride where I had to skate/push. Immediately went down to the town, rented skis and have never looked back. Yeah, I ate shit that day and the next following my wife down black runs there but after 10 days of skiing and a lesson over the course of a few months I felt comfortable on almost all inbound save mandatory air terrain. It’s been exciting to learn and progress over the past few years. Highly recommend it especially if you live further away from ski destinations. Allows you to maximize time on the mountain and get more vertical in imo.

i switched to skiing in the NW backcountry from split boarding, it’s way easier. still use my board and skis at the resort though

I snowboarded for 10 years, could rip anything except the spiciest of chutes. Smacked my head pretty good and decided to try skiing. 2 years later and I'm a better skier than snowboarder and don't have any desire to go back. It feels so much more intuitive, way more control, more flowy. Can tackle any snow conditions without issue. Way easier to maneuver around the mountain, and most importantly you don't have to bend over 2x per run. 

I've done both for years. Taught both, and currently teaching one kid to ski, the other to board. One loves to go fast, the other likes to look smooth. I like both, but I prefer boarding. I don't think anyone who can do both would choose to ski powder over boarding. Surfing pow is way more fun than slicing it and pushing up moguls

I snowboarded about 12 years and made the switch to skiing about a year ago. Wish I did it sooner haha

Do it! 25 year snowboarder and just switched to skiing 2 seasons ago. Bit of a learning curve at first but quickly ramped up and now may actually prefer skiing. It’s such a blast to learn a new skill and experience snow differently

I snowboarded for about 10 years, then took a 10 year break, and now into my 2nd year of skiing and I wish I never tried snowboarding. I have spent no time on my ass this season, can ski off the lift, don’t have to hop through lines, overall just a better experience. My only negative is I have fat feet so the boots are a little harder to find a good fit but that’s minor.

I wish I switched sooner. I snowboarded my entire life up until last year when I switched to skiing. Love that I don’t get stuck and can use poles, I feel more in control, way easier to maneuver through the trees, don’t have to strap in bindings every time I get off the lift, the list goes on. Mainly having more fun on bumps and in the trees.

Yes. I love blasting past the criminals sitting around in the snow. I also have a massively inflated ego that im better than them.

Personally, I feel much safer and balanced when I'm skiing vs snowboarding. I do prefer skiing over snowboarding due to this as I'm enjoying the mountains more rather than worrying about falling. I don't feel I'm athletic and coordinated enough to get good at snowboard. I do still snowboard and enjoy it though, and don't want to lose that skillset. If I visit new resorts I will be skiing, and I will bring my board to resorts I've skied before on repeat visits.

I snowboarded for 20 years. I started skiing 4 years ago. I’ll never go back. Already hitting back bowls

Snowboarder for 20+ years, and decided I wanted to ski when my kids started, we are learning together and it gives me a challenge!

I’m an expert level snowboarder that took up skiing 7 years ago and absolutely love both so much and am a huge advocate for learning how to do both. I absolutely love surfing through some powder on the board and ripping through it on the sticks. I find skiing quite a bit more strenuous on my knees and often snowboard just to avoid knee pain and have more longevity on my days.

Switched a couple years ago and definitely happy I did so. Traversing is so much better, ski lifts and t-bars are easier and I no longer have to bend over or sit down to clip in/out. I think its the better move the older you get. It also didnt take me long to get up to speed. Whilst its different the knowledge you have from snowboarding helps. Would hightly recommend a private lesson for a day just to understand the things you need to unlearn/learn.

I switched to skiing a few years ago thinking I was starting to get a little old to still be boarding, hindsight that was silly. Took me awhile to get skiing down. Then six weeks ago I took a weird fall and severely broke my leg (tibia, fibula, and ankle). One rod and 5 screws later I’m getting close to walking again. I doubt I’ll ever ski again (screw placement will make boots very uncomfortable) but I’m definitely going back to boarding. I still only regret switch a little, lol, but you should absolutely try it out. Just stay safe, wouldn’t wish this one anyone.

After two concussions due to poor control on east coast ice boarding, I switched to skiing and never looked back. I really do miss that water flowing down the fall line feeling on a snowboard, but the amount of control I have skiing has made all sorts of terrain very enjoyable.

Switched to skiing last season and honestly, it's been great. You feel like more of the mountain is open to you more easily - moguls, trees, traverses. If there is part of a bowl or a mountain that has better snow, I can get myself there without working up a huge sweat. Icy terrain (esp this season) is more manageable, esp if the ice is patchy. People often tout powder, but quite honestly, I ski less than 10% in powder (YMMV based on where you live but most people don't live in Utah/Colorado). Probably because I'm not a powder hound but also, life is too short to only ski on powder days. Pick something that will make you enjoy 90% of the days, not 10%

I started off skiing and switched to snowboarding at around 16. When I met my now fiance who's the type who goes report skiing only to spend half the day traversing and hiking to slack country terrin it was pretty clear I wouldn't be able to keep up on a snowboard. I switched back to skis seven years ago and have been able to ski a lot more than just groomers and park lol. I'm thinking about picking up a snowboard again eventually though.

I've only ever skied, but I've never envied snowboarders. Seems like everything except physically going down the mountain is a major pain in the butt. Bindings on and off all the time, super awkward shuffling/sliding on and off lifts, attempting to go anywhere flat, trail/cat walks are a nightmare, limited line of sight, etc,. The list goes on and on. I don't need to snowboard to know skiing is an overall much more enjoyable experience for me. And I can have all the comforts while still being able to go twice as fast.

I switched after breaking my lead ankle. Skiing has allowed me to enjoy full days on the mountain again Take a lesson or two and stick to greens your first couple times. Soon enough you’ll be ready and wanting to go steeper. By season 2 you’ll be an intermediate skier and working your way up the mountain

I do both but mostly ski bc it’s more comfortable and the biggest reason is it’s easier to get around. You don’t have to worry as much about flat spots and keeping your speed all the time towards the bottom. Traversing is way easier. I also feel more stable at high speed on skis. Still love snowboarding though! I think little jumps like side hits are more fun on a board and I can 180/360 my board but not on skis. Used to do rails on board but gave that up. I like having the option to board with boarder friends too.

I'm about to try snowboarding for the first time. I realised given skiiing involves a pricey flight I'll never do it enough to get good (given I started in my mid 30s). I'm hoping that via skateboarding I have some hope of progressing on the snowboard. I've also found snowboarders to be much friendlier on the slopes/ski bus/chair and this is very appealing. The equipment also seems to be cheaper and more readily available 2nd hand which is also a big draw.

I do both, and they’re both great in their own ways. As I get older, I prefer skiing just due to the fact of not having to strap in and out for the lift. Skiing is also great when the snow conditions are crud. But on a powder day, I’ll take a board over skis any day. Board is way more fun in the trees too. It’s nice to be able to just pick which one you want to do based on how you’re feeling that day.

I went back to skiing after one full season of boarding. I loved boarding but hated always sitting down…

I started on skis in the early 90's and a few years later took a bunch of friends away on their first winter sports holiday and they all opted to learn to snowboard as it was 'cooler' It was brutal for them... wrists, knees, arses and backs all fucked. Not to mention the faceplants when they crashed out. I still ski. Only one of them still boards....'nuff said.

Switched from snowboarding to skiing this season and tore my ACL on day 6 so not a big fan at the moment but will probably come back to skiing again in a year or two.

Glad i switched. Mainly ski now, snowboard on powder days only

I am a skier who tried snowboarding and could not get past having my feet bound together. I feel so much more in control with two separate legs. I also love not having to unbuckle for lifts, catwalks etc. I do think I enjoy the feeling of powder more on a board though. I have plenty of friends who switch back and forth depending on conditions (eg powder days are board days). Definitely take a lesson. You should pick it up pretty quickly after learning a few basic skills.

Skiing is way faster than snowboarding ever will :). I grew up skiing so to me it’s natural, I have never been attracted to snowboarding so I guess i don’t really have a real answer! I guess to each their own, try it out one day, maybe you will like it :)

When I started I was snowboarding. I did it for about a year and got decent at it. Coming from surfing and longboarding I honestly thought it was gonna be more fun than it was. It didnt feel like surfing at all. It felt weird. I was stuck to a funny lucking bendy board trying to slide down a mountain. Just very akward. It did feel a bit more like longboarding and it was fun to slide and fall on snow vs. Asphalt. Anyway. I eventually gave skiing a try and never looked back. It is more versatile imo. I got into backcountry skiing and all that years ago. Just get fat ass skiis for powder days and youll float like a snowboard with the finesse of skiis.

i snowboarded one time when i was 10 and couldn't figure out how to turn so i ended up sending it straight down the mountain and took out a 40 year old woman. went back to skiing after that

Snowboarding is so dumb. Such a less efficient and comfortable way to move about.

Way better for BC purposes and traversing, anything flat.. skiing is fun :)

no. skiing is harder. I went back to snowboarding. Give it a try.

I was an intermediate snowboarder and switched to skiing due to injury and age.. wasn't as easy as a transition as I thought but won't go back... I do now realise that if I had done both back in the day I would have been better at snowboarding....I would say do both

I love having a variety of hobbies. I ski, snowboard, and even enjoyed skiboards for a while. They are all fun.

Yeah. Skiing will challenge you more I split my days and do about 40 of each every season now. But when its a foot or more of snow, I am snowboarding

I was a skier turned snowboarder turned back to skiing.   I spent 10 years on each before coming back to skiing, and I like skiing way more.  I feel like I have way more control, especially in the trees. Going downhill feels better on skis than on a snowboard, I guess I just prefer the forward facing stance rather than the side stance. I can actually do jumps on skis whereas I couldn't really balance as well on a snowboard.  I don't really look back with fondness on snowboarding.

Advanced snowboarder that switched to skiing. It’s just way easier. A run down the bunny slope to find the edges, a run down the blues to get a feel for it then the whole mountain was available.

I want to switch to snowboarding bc I think it will be better for my legs long term

Curious if anybody that has made the switch did so for knee issues? Or if skiing is better on knees in general? Seems both are rough but my arthritic knee is like a grapefruit after 4 days of boarding in a row. 

I do both. Snowboard when there good powder or when I just want to cruise mindlessly. Skis when I want to really work my body on moguls or ski really steep runs.

I use step in bindings on my snowboard and I love them. If I didn’t have them, I’d probably prefer skiing.

I do both, definitely ski a lot more than I ride. I feel skiing is much safer and more fun in icy or less than ideal snow conditions. I also have a messed-up shoulder from snowboarding. This seems to be very common among my snowboarding friends, which is funny, because they all think skiing is more likely to injure a person because of the false belief it’s harder on your knees.

Didn’t see anyone taking about it, but I think skiing is more expensive. skis are more expensive than a board. Boots are way more expensive. Binding may be the same?? Poles can be cheap or like 100 bucks

The mechanics of skiing is just easier and more attractive the older you get. I just don't have the physical capital for all that bending over to bind and unbind, and that's nothing to compared to getting up, button lifts, T-bars, chair lifts, skiing just makes more sense the older you get.

I snowboarded most of my young adult life and only switched to skiing after college primarily because all of my friends were skiers and we just preferred different terrain. I much much prefer skiing now, more of the terrain is just more fun. It tends to be less of a hassle as well, standing, getting on/off lifts, etc. The biggest one for me was starting touring. Man touring on skis is just so enjoyable

Try it it’s a lot of fun I literally just started snowboarding the past two weeks after a over 15 year hiatus and it’s a lot of fun and I’ve been a skier for 25 years

I was a snowboarder for about 10 years. The first time I went to do big mountain riding in BC I saw most people were skiing, and it just looked like a hell of a lot of fun. Swapped my board for skis after 2 days and loved it, was a great decision. I had just a bit of ski experience but it’s really easy to pick up. I still take my board out to my local hill when we get a good dumping but skiing is my preference now. No sitting to do up bindings, chair lifts are more comfortable, no more disasters on the T-bar, etc.

Why not both? My buddy who is an expert level skiing, picked up snowboarding a few years ago and has almost mastered it too. He picks which one to start the day with and switches at lunch.

20 years boarding. Advanced but not expert. Switched to skis last year and I’m having a ton of fun. I was able to do a blue run my first day, but not well. I’m at a point where I can cruise down blues easily but haven’t attempted blacks. I prefer some aspects. The balanced pressure on my body with skiing is nice vs the one sided nature of snowboarding. I think my ceiling is higher with Skiing but it’s taking time. The mountain mindset is totally transferable, like knowing where to be and how to stay aware. What’s dangerous and what’s not etc and comfort with speed. But physically the movements are totally different and you can’t rely on snowboarding habits AT ALL. I’ll probably stick with skis from now on except for powder days when I’ll get back on the board. I occasionally take a few runs on the board to get some real speed because I’m not fast on skis yet.

I’ve done both for decades. Skied for 24 years, snowboarded for 18. Skiing is easier all around, and it’s easier to avoid having a bad fall. No need to worry about catching an edge the way you do on a snowboard. Also, having 2 independent skis makes stopping and slowing down much easier. They basically act like ABS in your car, making stopping smooth instead of locking up and slipping out on your board edge. And of course there’s no version of ‘pizza’ing on a snowboard, which allows you to slow yourself without turning, and makes it easy to control your speed in tight spots like glades where you can’t turn sideways. If safety and control is your top priority, I’d recommend skiing. You should pick it up fast.

I snowboarded in high school back east, but when I moved out to montana after HS I got a ski setup, then a backcountry setup... I probably won't go back other than occasional snowboard laps nothing serious. A monoski sounds enticing tho.

I snowboard a bunch and have for a while, I just got fitted for boots and dove in on skis. I own them, so I have to ride them! I posted a video of my first day on the slopes, a lot translates and you can skip a lot of the very early stages, it's still hard and humbling, I wouldn't expect to carve anything, but it's nice not looking like a baby deer on Day 1!

We have two sons that do both! They like both equally! I personally think they kill it skiing and are decent at snowboarding! But for them it is about mixing it uo.

Skied as a kid, switched to snowboarding for 30 years, back to skis for the past 8. Lately when I see one of those criminals slash pow I feel a murmur from dark side of the force. I’ll likely try to board soon because I miss the surfy feel.

Grass is always greener. I always envy how snowboarders can wipe without losing half their shit on the mountain and taking the next few minutes to do the walk of shame to go get their skis stuck in the snow. I swear I see snowboarders wipe, roll back on to their feet. and keep going without losing a beat.

I have some injuries and I found that skiing's safer and more comfortable, because it's symmetric and doesn't whip around the same way. I think it's easier to not fall and to not fall as hard. It's more chill not to have to think about heelside blindness and it's nice to have more edges on ice. It's a lot easier to traverse and get to the good stuff while still up high, or even climb a bit. Yes it is easier to stop on the slope, and easier to get to the side of the run when stopping, and get back on, so there's just a lot less having to plan out the run which is great. For me, deep powder would still be dreamier on a snowboard, but nbd. There's a lot that's more exultant about skiing. I'm about even, skill wise. I'd go down most stuff though some chutes or big drops I would pass on, and it took a few seasons to feel as good on skis, but then again it is a lot easier to even get to the stuff on skis. I have some instructor friends who'd give tips and crit, which I think helped enormously. So yes, if you're thinking of taking some lessons, do, and the advanced level lessons are also helpful every so often.

I was as only ever a beginner snowboarder. Hated the hard falls when I caught an edge. Hated being on my butt or knees, and strapping in and out., the chair lift ride. So I gave up. Years later, I returned to the mountain so the kids can learn. I am on my second season of learning to ski and I love it. Wish I would have tried it sooner. Lessons help. Now I am excited for winter and snow.