16.01
2014 Mountain activities

Can’t choose between skiing and snowboarding? Not sure what are the advantages and difficulties of learning these two activities? Two ESF (French ski school) instructors who teach both provide some answers.

Can’t choose between skiing and snowboarding? Not sure what are the advantages and difficulties of learning these two activities? Two ESF (French ski school) instructors who teach both provide some answers.

Let’s start by saying that skiing and snowboarding are not exclusive, in fact quite the opposite. “These are two complementary sliding techniques. Snowboarding, which requires good balance can bring a lot to a skier on this aspect. Similarly, having skied before is an advantage for learning to snowboard, because you already have the experience of sliding, which helps to feel things better,” says Pascal Bohard, Deputy Director at the ESF  Arc 1600.

Start with skiing

It is better to learn how to ski before snowboarding, “because with skis, the movement is more natural. You can walk and slide, whereas with snowboarding you can just slide", reminds Pascal Bohard. “In snowboarding, movements are asymmetrical, and therefore harder to understand from the start, particularly for children. Balance is also more precarious, and you can't get away with small mistakes, as you can in skiing. This is why you can start skiing lessons at 3 years old, whereas you have to wait to be 7 to snowboard” explains Mickaël Maes, ski and snowboard instructor at the ESF in Font-Romeu.

Smowboarding: a rather more difficult start…then a rapid progression

According to Pascal Bohard, you need around six hours to be able to link two turns in snowboarding. “The first two hours are very delicate in snowboarding”, confirms Mickaël Maes. “Learner snowboarders very often find themselves with their backsides in the snow! However, after that, learning progression is faster than for skiing.“ You need around three days to go down a blue run, against a week for skiing. And at the end of the week, I find it easier to take a snowboarder on a red or black run than a skier, as he can always go down by side slipping. In skiing, to go down a steep slope, you need to master parallel turns, as it is impossible to go down in snowplough. With snowboarding, even without really mastering it, you can explore all the ski area.

It all depends on what you are looking for 

Whatever you opt for, you will experience the pleasure of sliding. “Having said that, you should know that snowboard was designed for soft or powder snow. In deep snow, it’s easier than skiing, as the latter requires more technique. However, skiing is more polyvalent”, judges Pascal Bohard. And Mickaël Maes adds, “If you are looking for speed, I would advise skiing. But if you are more attracted by freestyle, opt for snowboarding, which is more accessible.

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