SNOWBOARDING

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:33 pm

Hi folks, any snowboarders in the audience.

After putting off learning to snowboard for the past 10 years ( i was always too busy windsurfing) i have finally decided to give it a bash.

Looks to be lots of snow forecast for this weekend, so me and a mate are heading up to cairngorm on monday, in the hope that it'll be quieter for us to learn.

I'm not gonna book any lessons. Managed to teach myself to windsurf, and i learnt to to wakeboard in 15 minutes, so i reckon it'll be easy

. Of course i will live to regret saying that, especially if i break my neck.

So, anybody got any tips, or even better, any experienced snowboarders fancy a day out on monday??

cheers

neil

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:46 pm

Cairngorm should be okay for 'boarding, but Aonach Mor near Fort William is a more dedicated snowboard venue. Also if it's open Glencoe is great for 'boarding..

I'm no expert at it, just been a few times and without lessons, it's great fun though and not as intimidating as ski-ing (imo).

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:51 pm

MacK wrote:Cairngorm should be okay for 'boarding, but Aonach Mor near Fort William is a more dedicated snowboard venue. Also if it's open Glencoe is great for 'boarding..

I'm no expert at it, just been a few times and without lessons, it's great fun though and not as intimidating as ski-ing (imo).

Aonach Mor is a great hill for it if there's snow. If not, expect to get rattled by DH mountainbikers!

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:54 pm

the appeal of cairngorm was the raliway to the top. so i dont need to bother if i cant get the hang of the lifts. I imagine any hill with snow on it will be good fun for a beginner, no??

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:55 pm

GregR wrote:Aonach Mor is a great hill for it if there's snow. If not, expect to get rattled by DH mountainbikers!

There is snow, just can't get up the mountain due to high winds closing the gondola.

http://www.nevisrange.co.uk/winter/moun ... itions.asp

Edit:

Yes Neil any hill with snow is okay for beginners, my first time 'boarding was on a snowy/heathery bank beside the car-park at the Lecht!!

(heather makes for a softer landing compared to hard packed/pisted snow, and I fell/fall lots!!)

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:02 pm

You're prob right with choosing Cairngorm or the Lecht at the moment(IMHO).

Snow looks average at this point all over, nevis range(fort william) shut due to high winds. If weather is looking a bit rough over the next few days then prob. not worth fort william(IMHO) because it's prone to shut from the wind(gondola cant hack more than about 55 mph winds).
Glencoe good for boarding,but quite steep I think.

Generally east coast a better bet as gulf stream doesn't affect so much. you get cold air from the arctic and moisture off the north sea. V good for lush, light, fluffy snow.

Lecht is a good beginers area as its not so steep, and the snow is generally the best(in scotland), but further to drive i think.

So after all that i haven't really said very much. East coast better(generally), and if you're into outdoorsie stuff (wakeboarding etc.) you'll find it a doddle.

Wish i could get up there. I haven't slid for more than 2 seasons.

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:20 pm

cheers guys. I got the piss ripped out of me by the boarders at my work, for being too cocky, but i've windsurfed for 12 years and everyone i spoke to has said there very similar. The balance required is the same, just you use gravity instead of wind.

It was only when i went home and thought about it, that maybe they were right and i should go with an experienced boarder. acht well, i'll find out on monday

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:31 pm

If you can get someone to go with you thats done it before, it'll really help. I've always found the falling leaf theory (hard to explain without showing)works really well for teaching people. One of the hard parts of learning is learning to turn as board has to go across the fall line(which makes it accelerate v. fast).

I found a good tip is, when trying to turn, imagine a pound coin under the big toe of your front foot. When trying to turn, press down hard on the coin with your toe. That'll flex the board the correct way and (should) make it turn.

Apologies for the essay length posts.

once i start talking about snow it's difficult to stop.(Have worked 4 ski seasons and had to give it to move to the city- am going cold turkey).

Hope it all helps.

Sassy · Post by **Sassy** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:34 pm

Last time I went ski-ing I decided to take snowboarding lessons a couple of days before the end. The instructor said it usually takes three days to learn and then it's like riding a bike, you never forget.

I only managed two days but I reckon one more and I'd have nailed it.

Be prepared for a sore, wet, cold bum and nearly broken wrists, but it's all worth it!

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:15 pm

Tom wrote:If you can get someone to go with you thats done it before, it'll really help. I've always found the falling leaf theory (hard to explain without showing)works really well for teaching people. One of the hard parts of learning is learning to turn as board has to go across the fall line(which makes it accelerate v. fast).

I found a good tip is, when trying to turn, imagine a pound coin under the big toe of your front foot. When trying to turn, press down hard on the coin with your toe. That'll flex the board the correct way and (should) make it turn.

Apologies for the essay length posts. once i start talking about snow it's difficult to stop.(Have worked 4 ski seasons and had to give it to move to the city- am going cold turkey).

.

cold turkey doesnt work. you'd better get up there on monday with me. go on go on go on go on. SE day out on the slopes
Hope it all helps

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:18 pm

[quote="Sassy"]

I only managed two days but I reckon one more and I'd have nailed it.
quote]

Come up on monday, SE big day out.

Sassy · Post by **Sassy** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:50 pm

Well that's an excellent idea*

*apart from the small matter of work.

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:57 pm

Take a sickie!!

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:04 pm

Sassy wrote:Well that's an excellent idea*

*apart from the small matter of work.

i'll warn you before shug or one of the other moderators has a go at you. THAT word is never mentioned on here

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:06 pm

I'd be well up for it, but I'm saving my pennies for my imminent car purchase (which lets face it is miles more important)