The Transition From Skis to Snowboard

As a skier who wants to learn to snowboard there should be a reasonably quick transition to make. You would already have gotten used to the feeling of sliding across the snow with your feet bound to equipment. But there are essential differences between the two disciplines that the skier will have to get used to.

The transition from two skis to a single board may take a little getting used to. Rather than being able to spread the load across both feet which may stand as wide as you need to keep your balance, the snowboarder must stand relaxed with their weight on one edge or the other.

The fact that there are no ski poles to catch yourself with may also take a little getting used to. For this reason one of the first essential learning steps that the new snowboarder must master is how to fall. Sure, most of us get a lot of practice in falling when we take up snowboarding, but doing it safely will reduce the number of bruises and aching joints that you may sustain.

Snowboard bindings are different to ski bindings, too. They are not standardized like ski bindings but there are two more common kinds. The first are binding used with the soft snowboard boots that are simple looking strap bindings that ratchet over the top of the boots. The second are step-in bindings that are more high-performance and come with a quick release lever. Generally, in order to use step-in bindings you will have to buy step-in boots from the same company.

The stance is obviously a big difference that skiers will have to adjust to as well. The obvious difference is that the snowboarder is standing with their feet sideways to the board in a surfing position. Less obvious is that there is no set stance for the snowboarders. You can choose the width between your feet on the board and the degree of angle of each foot.

While a skier may have a head start over the raw beginner when learning to snowboard, there are going to be some adjustments to be made. Taking some snowboarding lessons should quickly bring you up to speed so that you will be confidently shredding the mountain trails, or at least, you will be able to link a few turns together without taking a tumble.