See what I did there?! I'm so clever.
In a nutshell: I've lived in Florida and Texas. I am now in Nebraska. There is a ski hill across the river in Iowa.
All the cool kids snowboard instead of skiing these days. I've seen snow twice. Wisdom me up; gear, tips on not being a noob, best way to drink Lo-Carb Monster, etc.
I used to ride a Neversummer Evo 161. The best advice I can give is to just go do it. Nowhere is it more true than in snowboarding, you don't learn by sitting on the sidelines, get out and try new stuff.
Oh, and wear a helmet (but not a ski helmet, make sure it is a snowboaring helmet!).
Snowboarding is just as much about looking cool, as it is about having fun. Either wear the newest, coolest stuff, or be as retro kitsch as you can be. Neon Pink gloves? great! Yellow coveralls? Wicked!
Have you ever skied before? Snowboarding became absolutely huge for awhile then sort of petered out a bit, but still has a presence (at least at the resorts that usually go to). I started skiing when I was 7, switched to snowboarding when I was 16 or so, and switched back to skiing when I was 21ish (I'm 27 now). I still have my snowboard and use it occasionally. I'm not going to try to tell you that one is better than the other, 'cause that ain't the case. You may hate skiing and love snowboarding, or vice versa, or hate love/hate them both.
For me, snowboarding had a tougher initial learning curve, but was easier to become pretty good at (tricks, etc.). Skiing was just the opposite (again, for me, YMMV).
As far as gear and stuff, don't spend any money til you try it. Wear what ya got as far as cold weather stuff, and rent a board (or skis) a few times at a resort. If you like it, and plan to continue doing it, then buy the stuff.
Ski and snowboard stuff isn't cheap, so make sure you'll use the stuff before you commit to buying it.
Have you skateboarded or wakeboarded at all? They are somewhat close to snowboarding (some basic fundamentals apply). One big difference, though, and it's a steep one to get over for a lot of folks. With a wakeboard, you will have most of your weight on your back foot. Doing that will have catastrophic results on a snowboard - you're going to be more centered, if perhaps putting more weight on the foot facing downhill. And that can be a very odd thing to get used to.
Try 'em both, and rent for a few times.
And I've lurked long enough to know that you guys will appreciate this - I'm the guy that's outskiing the yuppies with $2500 worth of skis and clothing, and I'm on used CL skis wearing Carhartt overalls.
Personally, I think Skateboarding is pretty far removed from Snowboarding, but Wakeboarding is very similar.
The learning curve is very similar as well.
I agree that wakeboarding is much more similar. But body position and placement of weight have more in common with skateboarding (at least with my limited and short-lived success with skating).
Get a cheap bib/snowboard pants. Don't try to do it in jeans or anything that will absorb water.
In regards to snowboarding: When you rent the board, rent the boots to go with it. Get the "soft" boots, don't get the "hard" boots (they look like ski boots). Easier to walk in and be comfortable with.
With either, take a lesson. Trying to figure it out yourself will be frustrating and take the fun out of it.
If it's a big powder day, snowboards rule.
I've snowboarded. Never been on skis, so I'm a bit biased.
-Rob
yes, Step-Ins suck. I had some custom molded 32 boots with heated liners that were awesome! I could stay on the slopes all day.
I also had Mark Frank Montoya bindings that pushed the toes toward the back of the binding as opposed to downward. Really helped with blood circulation.
I miss snowboarding.
I carve mad wakes, so I'm hoping there's a little crossover.
The movements are very similar, but you are relying on gravity for movement rather than getting towed. (Snowboarding behind snowmobiles is more like wakeboarding, way fun!)
Oh how i would love to go snowboarding again, but its sooooo expensive. Had a Burton Shaun White Pro 161 with Cartel bindings and Forum quick release boots. All the outer wear is pricey, lift tickets ect.
Any advice, just have fun. Hit the bunny hills first, work your balance, and just have fun.
I've skiied for years - about 25, I think. I have a monoski (now there's a mutant you rarely see in the US). I have a snowboard. I used to split my time between the snowboard and the skis, or the monoski and the skis. But now I only use my skis. They're simply more fun to me. I can do a lot more with them.
I found snowboarding really easy to pick up when I first tried it. That was back when snowboard boots were snowmobile boots and the swallowtail was still considered a good idea. 1988 or so. I had some experience skateboarding and a lot of experience windsurfing.
My one piece of advice is that you need some slope in order to make a snowboard work. Don't pick a bunny hill that flattens out too much - I found I needed something to lean against. Crank up the mental Beach Boys music, get up a bit of speed for steerageway and just go.
In Colorado, snowboarders may still be in the minority but not by much. It's a popular sport.
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