Should I Ski or Snowboard?

17 June 2024

So, you’ve decided to get into snowsports, but now you’ve got to make that big decision; should I learn skiing or snowboarding. It can be a tough choice; both can be exciting and adventurous, leisurely and social. There are so many pros to both sports and at The Snow Centre, you can easily learn to ski or snowboard.

To help you make up your mind, we’ve listed a few things you should know before you decide which snowsport to take up. No pressure; remember, once you’ve taken your pick, you don’t have to stick with it; you can always swap back and forth.

Should I Learn Skiing or Snowboarding

If you haven’t heard, in relation to snowboarding, skiers have a famous saying, ‘skiing is easy to learn, but harder to master.’ While snowboarders might tell you, ‘snowboarding is harder to learn, but easier to master.’ We can help you master it with our adult snowboarding lessons and ski lessons for adults.

Generally, these points are both very true. As a beginner snowboarder, you’re likely to spend much more time on your bottom than a beginner skier. Snowboarders shouldn’t always expect to be able to stand and slide on their board straight away. That said, nor should skiers, but as a generalisation plenty of skiers can stand and slide at least a little bit straight away. Our beginner ski and snowboarding lessons are perfect for getting used to mastering the basics. 

For snowboarders, determination and grit is needed at the beginning of the learning journey, to balance on the board, stop, control the edges, and learn to turn. Meanwhile, usually, those learning to ski can get to a level that allows them to potter around on the easy slopes relatively quickly. 

Once snowboarders have mastered the basics, snowboard progression is often thought to be quicker, than that of skiing. With either sport, the learning journey has its pros and cons, but both can be very rewarding and enjoyable.

If you wish to learn the basics of snowboarding or skiing with a tailored approach then be sure to take up our private lessons, with both private snowboarding lessons and private skiing lessons available you can learn from our team of experts. 

Skiing Equipment vs Snowboard Equipment

It’s not often talked about when you take up a snowsport, but the differences in equipment can be a deciding factor for some snowsports enthusiasts. For starters, snowboard boots are far easier to walk around in than ski boots. This, plus the fact that carrying just your snowboard rather than two skis and two poles makes moving around a lot easier for snowboarders.

However, on the slopes, skiers will be pleased they have their poles, as they use them to push themselves past those snowboarders on the flatter parts of the mountain. Plus, it's much quicker to head off after getting off a lift as skiers pass and weave their way around snowboarders who need to strap in whenever they use their lift pass to head back up the slopes.

Does Your Personality Suit The Ski or Snowboard

Before making a choice, the type of snowsport experience you’re hoping to have should also be considered. 

On the mountain, some slopes or terrains can be more enjoyable for skiers, and others can have greater appeal to snowboarders. If the social side of snowsports is important to you and you’re planning to hit the slopes with a group of skiers, it might be an idea to ski, so you can agree on which runs to do. Alternatively, if all your friends are snowboarding, perhaps picking up a board is a better bet.

There are also different snow conditions to consider. If the idea of an adrenalin buzz from slashing powder (thick, heavy, ungroomed snow) and making the most of every bump with a few flatland tricks on the way down sounds like more your thing, perhaps cursing on a snowboard is for you. Although you can also do this on skis, snowboarders tend to be known for this kind of riding.

If you love the idea of picking up some speed, skiing is probably better suited to your needs. Skis normally run over the snow more quickly than snowboards, and racing down steep, packed powder is often far more popular with skiers than snowboarders.

Whichever snowsport you choose, there is plenty of fun to be had on one plank or two. If you still can’t make up your mind, consider taking a lesson in each snowsport at a full day ski lesson or one day snowboarding lesson at The Snow Centre before you visit a mountain resort. Take the time to ski or snowboard whenever you choose with a Snow Centre membership. 

Get in Touch

Make sure to book your ski or snowboard lessons with The Snow Centre. If you require further information about any of our services or need help making your booking, then be sure to contact us, and a member of our helpful team will be on hand to help.