Why skiers should consider snowboarding
If you've been skiing for years and are up for a new challenge, you may wish to invest in snowboard clothes and tackle a new winter sport. While you will still want to exercise your passion for skiing, it could be fun to try something different as well when you're on the slopes.
By doing this, you will ensure you get as much excitement as possible from your time on the piste.
There may be one thing you are asking yourself, though: is it easier to pick up snowboarding if you are experienced at skiing or will you be coming to it at the same level as someone who has never skied before?
Well, your experience will be unique to you but you will find in some respects snowboarding really is a whole new sport and in others you can rely on some of the skills you have gained skiing.
For instance, you will already know what its like to take a tumble off your skis and on to the snow or dry slopes, so you shouldn't feel too embarrassed if this happens when attempting to board, as you will be expecting it.
As well as saving your blushes, your time skiing could also have taught you the correct way to fall when you do lose your balance, so you may be less likely to risk suffering an injury compared with someone who is completely new to winter sports.
In addition, you will understand how to move and balance while wearing far more layers than you usually would for a sporting pursuit, so you will know how to move fluidly in your new snowboarding pants.
However, aside from these areas, you should except to treat snowboarding as a totally new discipline when you start to learn it. Indeed, surfers could find it is easier to get to grips with the sport than skiers, as the two share similar attributes in terms of stance and balance.
Overall, the general consensus is that skiing is easier to pick up initially but mastering it can take time, while snowboarding can be a struggle at first, but once you've got the hang of it, there is little more to learn.
In order to be the best you can, it may be worthwhile clearing your mind of everything you know about skiing and the skills you have picked up here and instead start learning afresh.
The good news is that many people think snowboarding is easier to pick up than skiing - although being back on the beginner slopes and falling over could put a dent in your ego!
Spend your first days really focusing on you balance and position on your board, as well as getting to grips with moving it.
Your key areas of focus once you are able to remain upright should be changing direction and controlling your speed - while you may also wish to get tips on how to manoeuvre on and off the ski lift with your board on, as it will be different to the technique you use while wearing skis.
Once you have got the hang of the basics, you could find you are able to return to the slopes you are used to and start really working on improving your skills in this new sport - and don't be surprised if you end up loving it even more than skiing.
