Snowboard and Ski Gear

I started snowboarding a couple years ago i never got really good at it. My mom skis and skiing in general look a lot easier and I have heard it’s a lot easier to learn. I wanted to know if next year i should switch to skiing on the snowboard i never even really figured out how to turn! I am wondering if everything will be easier on the skis. And plus my mom will be able to help me because she skis.

Read Nic’s post again for my answer – although I probably would have tried to suppress my skiing bias a tad bit more, he’s still right on the money. Although boarding is hard to start it’s easier to master once you get beyond a certain point. Skiing is the reverse. You will travel faster on skis – but it’s easier to pull tricks in the park on a board. Besides that there’s just the "I’m cooler" claim and the never ending skier boarder feud. There are the facts, now the choice is up to you…

At a real Ski Slope?
Say if i was staying at the bottom of the mountain near the slopes?
Can you get up there and go skiing for a day?

Definitely, if travelling is not part of the problem. You will be able to hire ski equipment, and possibly specialised outer clothing.

If you have never skied before you may find one day to be an unsatisfying experience. It usually takes a 2 or 3 days to begin to get skilled enough to start to enjoy (and a lifetime of improvement after that). I also suggest you take a lesson, otherwise you will never get to enjoy yourself.

Most resorts are well set up for beginners.

im taking up cross country skiing so how are most of the trails like? r there some hills? what gear should i get? just tell me ,ostly about the trails?

Well, it depends on where you go. Some XC Trails are flat and some are very steep. Usually, most XC Trails are flat with short rolling hills. And while XC course almost never attain the steepness of downhill resorts, I’ve skied some pretty steep trails on my XC skis. All the trail networks I’ve ever been to are very well marked and it is easy to avoid trails above your ability level.

If you are just picking it up I suggest holding off buying equipment until you do it a couple of times as there are two distinct types of XC skiing.

First is Classic skiing or Striding. The classic style is often used on prepared trails that have pairs of parallel grooves cut into the snow. This style is made up of an exaggerated running action with parallel skis and a glide on each stride. The poles are planted alternately on the opposite side to the kick. For experienced skiers this technique is used uphill. This style of skiing is a great way to start XC skiing as it is fairly easy and allows you to go further and longer much more easily.

The next is Skate Skiing. Skate skiing is much more arobic and is faster than striding. Skate skiing involves the skier pushing one ski outward with the ski angled, so that the inner edge of the ski is driven against the snow, much like an ice skater. As in classic skiing, transferring weight completely from one ski to the next is essential to learning to skate. Those who have learned to ice skate or rollerblade may find ski skating technique easier to learn than classic skiing.

As you can imagine both of these styles require specific equipment so you might want to establish which style you prefer before you buy. I personnaly prefer Skating as it is more arobic, faster and offers more of a challenge but many people love Striding. It’s really up to you, I just suggest you not commit to a specific style before you try them both.

Good luck and have fun.