Snowboarding for Geeks • Hacker News Board

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#81

Post by amalcon » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:21 PM UTC

tribeofone wrote: post #23

My 2 cents for beginners, most of these are covered in the article: 1. Get a flying-v or CamRock - makes turning easier and will hold an edge better until you figure out how to carve. 2. Don't put your feet perpendicular to the board, you want some angle, 30° Front, 15° Back. It will make it easier to square your shoulders down the hill and get your weight on the front of your edge. 3. Start on a Blue slope. Seriousl…

Re: #3, it is important to remember that slope difficulty is primarily rated for skiers. The two sports are very significantly different, even though both can get you down the hill. Ask other snowboarders which runs are the best for beginners.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#82

Post by volkl48 » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:31 PM UTC

lui8906 wrote: post #16

ultrasounder wrote: post #3

+1. Always wanted to learn to Ski not having been exposed to snow early on but was told that Snowboarding is easier than Skiing for absolute beginners. Perhaps this time i can actually get some proper lessons. Timing couldn't be perfect!. Thanks.

A general rule of thumb I've heard many times is: 'Skiing is easy to learn but hard to master, Snowboarding is hard to learn but easier to master'. You're likely to fall over more learning to snowboard but will become competent and able to carve down the mountain faster. Other elements to consider, Skiers are usually able to go faster than snowboarders down the hill. Snowboarders will have to unstrap and strap into t…

I'll note that skiers seem have a much easier time learning to handle difficult terrain/higher typical skill cap in that area.

I don't see many boarders who can handle mogul fields without looking miserable. Likewise, when you've got some vertical ice skating going on a double diamond, the skiers usually have a much easier time maintaining control (two edges and all that).

I'll also note that a flat traverse is way more miserable for a boarder, skiers can "skate" along.

All depends on what you want to do any your interests.

Either way, it's a great hobby.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#83

Post by paulcole » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:34 PM UTC

bendixso wrote: post #26

Some of the geekiest people I know have become the best skiers/snowboarders on the mountain. I know a guy who used to regularly show up to the terrain park and do double frontflips over 60 foot jumps. He's got a PHD in physics now. I know another guy who used to compete in big air competitions. Senior iOS developer. My friend Brian does double cork 10s. Medical doctor. This sport is for nerds. If you're nerdy, you ha…

> This sport is for nerds.

Having a lot of disposable income helps, too.

Or if you're a dirtbag, the ability to live as cheaply as possible so you can spend as much time as possible on the mountain.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#84

Post by chaostheory » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:38 PM UTC

sudosteph wrote: post #47

Snowboarding absolutely is as fun as it looks, but don't underestimate how much it's going to hurt the day after. I've gone nearly a dozen times and I still end up bruised by the end of the day. Admittedly, I'm a bit clumsier than most, but I've never collided with another human being at least. Also, I was surprised that the article didn't mention the one aspect that I actually found way harder than anything else to…

It's easier to get back up by facing the ground and pushing up; instead of pushing up from a sitting position facing the descending slope. You need a lot of core strength and acclimation to higher altitudes if you want to do the later.

Misc

For beginners who are also skateboarders, you're used to turning and moving by pivoting on your foot behind you. In snowboarding (and surfing) it's the opposite foot, your front, that you pivot on.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#85

Post by jolesf » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:41 PM UTC

Yizahi wrote: post #51

As a skier who only took a beginning level instructor and then learned by myself for multiple seasons - take as many instructor hours as you can, even if can already ride down black slopes. Seriously, last year I took an advanced instructor and it was a revelation. Take instructor even when you think you don't need him and don't listen to your friends joking about it.

yes. lessons will improve your riding no matter how long you've ridden, and they are KEY at the beginning stages. so many movements are counter intuitive

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#86

Post by kenneth » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:42 PM UTC

This is a great in-depth guide. I wonder if there's anything like it for skiing. I'm a life-long skier and about the only thing that seems appealing about snowboards to me is the more comfortable boots.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#87

Post by danr4 » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:42 PM UTC

If you're a snowboard romantic, I HIGHLY suggest listening to the "How I built this" podcast episode with Jake Burton, the founder of Burton snowboards.

It's an incredibly moving and honest look at the beginnings of the sport.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#88

Post by paulcole » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:47 PM UTC

chrisfinne wrote: post #44

I grew up waterskiing, so when I moved to the mountains, I thought I'd pick up snow skiing easily. I did o.k., but after a few years I still hadn't gotten that "flow". After a few years of skiing, I tried boarding and got "flow" the second day when there was 12 inches of fresh pow, even though I still sucked at it. Immediately switched and haven't looked back. Several years later, it dawned on me that waterskiing is…

> it dawned on me that waterskiing is done on a single ski

Isn't waterskiing on a single ski called wakeboarding? Where I grew up in Florida plenty of people waterskiied on 2 skis.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#89

Post by Phenomenit » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:48 PM UTC

sudosteph wrote: post #47

Snowboarding absolutely is as fun as it looks, but don't underestimate how much it's going to hurt the day after. I've gone nearly a dozen times and I still end up bruised by the end of the day. Admittedly, I'm a bit clumsier than most, but I've never collided with another human being at least. Also, I was surprised that the article didn't mention the one aspect that I actually found way harder than anything else to…

Taught myself riding at an adult age with a lot of pain and preservance. In my experience the hardest thing to do on a board is standing still or going really fast straight.

Regarding your problem just try and go back directly instead of standing on your heals. And then do it slower and slower till you can control the action.

Re: Snowboarding for Geeks

#90

Post by kenneth » Fri, Dec 14, 2018, 5:49 PM UTC

Yizahi wrote: post #51

As a skier who only took a beginning level instructor and then learned by myself for multiple seasons - take as many instructor hours as you can, even if can already ride down black slopes. Seriously, last year I took an advanced instructor and it was a revelation. Take instructor even when you think you don't need him and don't listen to your friends joking about it.

Last year in Colorado, skiing alone, I met an 80-year old instructor on a ski lift who was nice enough to take me under his wing and teach me more advanced form and technique for two days. I'm from Switzerland and have been skiing my whole life, but had never had a lesson. Having a pro teach me the fundamentals was an absolute revelation. I highly recommend taking a class if you can!