I was all pumped up to get away for the weekend with a stay at the cozy Winter Park Mountain Lodge and take advantage of the mounds of snow that came down during the week leading up to opening day at Winter Park. Brandon and I bought our ski passes a few months ago and decided we would try out snowboarding as neither of us had ever gone before. I had no idea what I was in for.
We signed up for the full day lessons and prepared to hit the slopes. The snow was coming down hard and the resort was filled with people from all over who came to enjoy opening day. By the end of the weekend we actually ended up with a hefty amount of snow between the machine made and the blizzard all day on Saturday!
We had a great instructor who showed us the ropes as we were all first-timers in the class. We practiced on a smaller hill until we got the hang of it. Rather, I should say “got the hang of it,” because I don’t think anyone was completely stable when we finally got on the lift to take on the big guy.
I probably fell about 2736489 times throughout the day, including the majority of times I was getting off the lift. Eventually, I couldn’t help but let the frustration get the best of me. The instructor was kind enough to help me out a little extra and stay next to me as I would practice my runs (or should I say falls) down the hill.
I will say I did get better though! There was certainly an improvement from the beginning of the day to the end, but with another whole day ahead of us I was ready for a switch to skis.
Despite being extremely sore from the day of snowboarding, skiing was a much better experience once we got the hang of it. Instead of opting for the lessons, this time we watched a few minutes worth of YouTube videos and went down the small practice hill a few times to get warmed up.
Once we felt ready, we went to get in line for the lift up to the top of the beginner hill we had been practicing on. As soon as we stepped up to the line they announced they were closing the lift for the next 20 minutes. No biggie, right? We just walked on down to the next lift to give that one a go. This one was a little higher, but it was still a beginner run. Plus there was a little kid who couldn’t have been older than 5 or 6 that was heading down right in front of us. Here’s a little tip: Some kids are really good at skiing/snowboarding.
So we followed this kid, ready to get our skis in motion. Within 10 seconds we were both on the ground almost in the trees. After falling a few more times, we found the smaller run we were on the day before and headed over there. Soon enough, we finally started to get our turns down and were making it down the run without a single fall!
Needless to say, day two was much less frustrating for me. Not to say that I will never try snowboarding again, but I will certainly be opting for skis during the majority of the days I spend on the slopes this winter!
What about you- Are you a skier or snowboarder?
38 Comments
Jade
July 4, 2022 at 4:52 amSuch interesting content! I would love to snowboard if I have the chance to learn it! Sounds super fun!
Terry
May 23, 2022 at 3:10 amI’ve only tried snowboarding (and yes, I fall many times). However, I still want to be good on it one day only because it looks really cool, lol.
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Jess
December 4, 2014 at 4:34 pmI think skiing is more intuitive – after all, we’re used to moving our legs to get around! Of course, I prefer cross-country skiing, so that’s probably the easiest of all to get the hang of. It’s like walking with an extra glide.
Marissa Sutera
December 4, 2014 at 10:11 pmVery true! It certainly was not intuitive for me to have two feet strapped to one board. Thanks for reading Jess!
Hannah
December 1, 2014 at 3:37 pmLol poor you! Definitely an adventure eh? But I’m glad skiing came easier. Despite being an avid hill-goer I have never tried snowboarding- grew up skiing and now I have ski blades- love them 🙂
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:19 pmIt sure was! There was another girl in our group for lessons that was an avid skier trying snowboarding for the first time. She loved it so maybe it’s worth a shot! 🙂
Vlad
December 1, 2014 at 3:12 pmI’ve never skied before, but it’s one of the things on my bucket list. Preferably, some place where there’s no one around, so I won’t be too embarrassed when I fall 3534534 times, haha.
PS: If I may say so, you have very beautiful eyes! 🙂
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:25 pmThank you Vlad! It’s a lot of fun, but I feel you on finding someplace secluded when first starting out. Would be ideal! Gotta start somewhere though 🙂
Martina Donkers
December 1, 2014 at 1:28 pmI tried snowboarding once, and my experience was similar to yours. I can’t work out how to stop on a snowboard! Give me skis any day. 🙂 I get so jealous of snowboarders though, it looks like so much fun as they streak down the hill. And this sounds dumb, but… snowboarding is just so much *cooler* than skiing!! I’m going to try snowboarding again, one day… but I don’t want to go back to being a beginner either!
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:23 pmI completely agree Martina! I’ve come to the conclusion that I am just much better off embracing my inner nerd and strapping on those skis. Maybe I’ll make an agreement with myself to try snowboarding once a season 🙂
Laura
December 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm“Here’s a little tip: Some kids are really good at skiing/snowboarding.” This killed me! The shame of being out-snowed by a ten year old is firmly why I’ll never go skiing.
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:22 pmHaha glad I’m not the only one Laura 🙂 Those kids sure put me to shame when I could barely get off the lift without falling and they’re out there doing circles around me!
Amy
November 30, 2014 at 6:41 pmWe just got back from Winter Park. Our son is spending a year in the area and we were there visiting him for Thanksgiving. Such a beautiful place. I no longer ski, but it was fun to wander the resort and watch everyone.
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:20 pmThat is wonderful Amy! What a great place to spend Thanksgiving 🙂 It sure is a lovely place just to walk around and enjoy the views!
San
November 30, 2014 at 9:30 amOMG I miss the snow!! Everywhere it’s cold and I am sitting in hot Buenos Aires… a bit frustrating^^
But I’ve never tried snowboarding, neither skiing, I really want to, though!
But I guess snowboarding is way harder and I think I would fall about thousand times as well^^
Marissa Sutera
November 30, 2014 at 10:42 amHaha I have a feeling many people would happily take your place in Buenos Aires! It was a lot of falling when snowboarding, but I’m still glad I tried it! Either way, you’re certainly going to have to try at least one of them 🙂 Thanks for reading San!
ANDA
November 29, 2014 at 11:54 pmI’m so glad to have read this post, Marissa! I was tempted to try snowboarding a few times, but was sort of afraid I’ll get hurt. Now that I hear your story, I am absolutely convinced it’s not for me. I’ll stick to skiing and save myself the disappointment.
Marissa Sutera
November 30, 2014 at 10:38 amSkiing was much more my forte! They say that snowboarding is harder at first but is easier to get really good at, and skiing is easier at first but is harder to become great at. I’m glad I tried snowboarding, but I will also be sticking to skiing for the most part! 🙂
Constance - Foreign Sanctuary
November 27, 2014 at 4:24 amBeing from Canada, I have gone skiing many times but I haven’t gone snowboarding! I will have to try it someday. BTW, I love the pictures – such a beautiful winter wonderland!
Marissa Sutera
November 27, 2014 at 11:06 amThanks Constance the scenery sure was spectacular! It’s always worth it to try something new, you may surprise yourself! 🙂
kami
November 26, 2014 at 1:39 pmWhat an incredible winter wonderland!! I’m a little bit afraid of skiing or snowbording but in such a beautiful scenery I could maybe try do learn how to do that 😉
Marissa Sutera
November 27, 2014 at 11:05 amIt’s totally worth it if only for the scenery! Could be worth a shot for skiing or snowboarding!
Izabela
December 2, 2014 at 1:34 pmMe too! That’s why I chose sledging from the top of the Zugspitze, the highest peak in German Alps 😉 That was fun!!! 🙂
Marissa Sutera
December 2, 2014 at 6:16 pmWow impressive Izabela! That sounds like tons of fun!
Adelina // Pack Me To
November 26, 2014 at 11:25 amI hear it’s easy to learn how to ski, but difficult to master, and hard to learn how to snowboard and easier to do well. I think it’s definitely true. I don’t think I want to ever try snowboarding again. My tailbone will thank me! Skis it is 🙂 And yes! It’s amazing how good the little kids are. I wish I could be like them. No fear.
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 12:52 pmYou are exactly right. Glad I tried it out, but will now be returning to the skis even if it takes much longer to master! Thanks for reading Adelina!
Reginia Cordell
November 26, 2014 at 11:25 amI’ve never been snowboarding or skiing. I’d love to do it someday because it seems like such an adventure. I’ve done tubing on snow though.
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 12:50 pmWorth a shot to try them both out and see which (if any) is for you! I actually have not gone tubing yet, but I am planning on trying it out sometime this winter. Looks like lots of fun!
Melissa
November 26, 2014 at 6:52 amGreat post! I love skiing, but I cannot snowboard at all lol.
Question – what camera did you use for your photos? Is it your smartphone or a gopro? I am going on a ski vacation in Feb. and I want nice pics (like yours!) but I obviously can’t lug my DSLR on the slopes. And my iPhone 5 camera just isn’t up to par. Thanks!
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 11:18 amThanks Melissa! All of the photos taken from the slopes were on a GoPro (4th generation). Would not trust myself taking out my phone! haha my boyfriend attaches the GoPro to his coat so it doesn’t fall off. Just make sure you have the waterproof case on it! Have fun skiing!
samiya selim
November 26, 2014 at 4:38 amI must say this was a good read for someone who is about try skiing (and maybe snowboarding?!) for the first time! We have been in England 10 years and have never gone, and we are moving to New Zealand in January and plan to do skiing while we are there for the year. Will definitely sign up for lessons, everyone says that is a must. And think we will stick to skiing as well!
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 12:49 pmWow well you are certainly going to have to try skiing if you are moving to New Zealand! 🙂 Lessons definitely do help. I would still suggest trying snowboarding out because, well, you never know until you try! Good luck with your new endeavors!
Jessi
November 25, 2014 at 10:11 pmOh man, the epic battle between skier and snowboarder. I definitely fall firmly in the skiing camp. I’ve been skiing regularly since I was about four, and while i am definitely no expert the idea of strapping both of my legs to one board is terrifying! Let alone going down the slope sideways! Who are these crazy people!?
I actually relented and gave snowboarding a shot several times, to no avail. After a slew of lessons that had me on my butt more often than not I finally gave up and decided to save my tailbone some permanent damage. I definitely admire anyone who can snowboard successfully – it just isn’t for me!
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 12:47 pmHaha crazy is right! 🙂 I think it’s great that you attempted, I’m glad I attempted as well – it just showed me I am much more well suited for skiing! Thanks for reading Jessi!
Kim
November 25, 2014 at 9:52 pmI have always wanted to try snowboarding. I have tried skiing before but never managed to stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time before I fell. Cool that you at least tried snowboarding!
Marissa Sutera
November 26, 2014 at 12:38 pmI’m glad I tried it but I certainly will be choosing skis next time! It saves my tailbone a whole lot of damage 🙂