10 Reasons To Give Snowboarding A Try!

For an accomplished skier looking for the next challenge on the slopes, there are a few ways this can be approached. If you go to the same resort regularly, you could change and try somewhere different or you could take some more lessons and try and push yourself to the next level. But, you could also look at changing your ski holidays to something entirely different.

For those feeling even more adventurous, you could drop the skis completely and give snowboarding a try! It’s very much the same as skiing in that you’re sliding down a snowy piste… but that’s where the similarities end! If you’ve never done it before, here are 10 reasons why we think it’s worth a go…

1. Snowboarding will give your favourite runs a new perspective!
   That same run that you’ve been hammering down for years will suddenly be a brand new challenge.
2. You’ll be grinning like a little kid when you master your first linked turns
   Remember how it felt when you first progressed from snowplough to parallel? Well, you can re-live that same experience, but on a snowboard!
3. It has a much steeper learning curve than skiing, but you’ll progress much faster…
   Getting the hang of having both feet strapped to the same board takes some adjustment when you’re used to skiing. However, once it starts to click, you will find yourself progressing really quickly.
4. In the early days, you won’t need a huge resort – just one with plenty of easily accessed wide blues
   Nice, wide, easy blues are a dream scenario when you’re starting out, giving you relatively gentle slopes to get to grips with the board and boost your confidence. We recommend trying your holidays in La Thuile? The blue runs here which run from the top of the gondola are ideal.
5. Skateboarded as a child? In theory, you should take to it like a duck to water!
   You’ve more or less mastered the balance element already, so how difficult can the transition from tarmac to snow be?
   
6. Powder snow? It’s much easier on a snowboard
   The larger surface area of the board should help you glide across the top of the powder. And there’s a whole new word for powder… keep on reading!
7. Did you know, there are far fewer leg injuries than when skiing?
   Absolutely true… but there is an increase in injuries to wrists!
8. You’re going to look cool as you saunter around in your comfy soft boots and baggy trousers
   All the gear and no idea? Why not! Embrace the whole snowboarding lifestyle and kit yourself out in the latest clobber. Besides, when you’re sat supping a beer at the side of the slope, no one will know you’re a complete beginner!
9. Learn a new language at the same time
   No, we don’t mean French or Italian… we’re talking snowboard dialect! There’s a plethora of words which have either been created or hijacked by the snowboard community – have a look at our quick guide below.
10. It’s fun, it’s different and it’s a challenge.
    It’s definitely fun, it’s definitely different if you’re a skier, and from personal experience we can confirm it’s a challenge. But, why not give it a go and see what it’s all about?

Snowboard Lingo – Terms

Shreddin’ – Going down hill on a snowboard, but probably with a bit more attitude than you’re used to on skis

Gnar – Difficult and uneven terrain – gnarly terrain

Pow – Short for powder

Pow pow – Lots of powder

** TIP ** get in to the habit of not wasting energy on unnecessary syllables, many words are easily shortened as above ** TIP **

Kicker – A jump

Stomp – Landing a jump very well

Hittin’ – Used for when you go over a jump or other obstacle e.g. hittin’ the rail

Jibbin’ – Riding a snowboard on a non-snowy surface i.e. rail

Chatter – Vibrations on your board caused by hard terrain

Yard/garage sale – When a snowboarder falls and become detached from their equipment which is scattered around.

Wipe out – Falling over on your board

Taco – Comes from the shape you will make when you fold over a rail – ouch!

Crunchy – Cool

Steez – Style

Planker – Affectionate, if not patronising, term for a skier

Sick – Extremely awesome

Squirrelly – Lacking in style and finesse e.g. I felt squirrelly coming over that jump

Brain bucket – A helmet, you’ll need one!

Fartbag – A one piece ski suit

Free refills – A powder day where the snow just keeps on falling

Snowboard Lingo – Phrases

I’m tearin’ it up – I feel as if i’m boarding really well

I’m gonna shred the gnar – I intend to board really well across the difficult terrain

Come on brah, check yer steez – I suggest you need to work on improving your style and finesse

I used to ski but I got board – Often heard by converts from skiing to boarding, describing the positive effect it has had upon their life as a Christian may describe finding God

Hold up brah, I gotta strap in – Please wait a second whilst I do my clips up