Snowboarding

[TOM M]

Im tempted to start, ive seen tamworth snowdome do a full days course type thing to get you to recreational level in a day for £80

Is it quite easy to pick up???

Whats best to wear as well ive never been before

Cheers
Tom
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[Rookie]

£80 for a full day? I was paying about £30 I think for 1 1/2 hour lessons, and I think it was 5 days' worth and 5 passes on each day in order to get your recreational pass.

You start out going on the boards side, sliding down on it's back/front side. Your ankles and shins get absolutely hammered. Then you start 'leafing' it, turning left and right but still going down on the boards side. It's all fairly easy, but hard work.

The hard bit is stopping and turning in a controlled manner. After 2 lessons we went up to Scotland and I ended up snowboarding on the Cairngorms. I make an utter knob of myself, couldn't use the ski lift properly, falling over all the time.

We went the next day and I got a pair of ski blades (basically skis, but much shorter and no poles) - I'd never used skis before but found it incredibly easy. I could use the ski lifts (only fell off once ) and could get some scary speed up before either turning to stop or having one edge dig in and go head first into a snow drift.

Hands down, for me, skiing is more fun. Snowboarding looks cooler and is probably quite rewarding, but unless you're planning on making it a regular thing I don't think it's worth it. You can hop on a pair of skis and be fairly accomplished within a couple of hours, but you just can't learn how to use a snowboard well quickly.

[chasman231]

I have been snowboarding for a number of years - I started off ski-ing but didn't like the idea of doing the splits.

It will be fairly hard on the legs for the first couple of times - I would be concerned that as fatigue sets in later in the day, you will make mistakes and are more likely to hurt yourself. (You will end up on you backside a fair few times!)

If you do try it (I certainly recommend it) then just take things in your own time and make sure you really master the fundamentals first, it will make life easier once you start to progress.



Above all have fun!!!


"Surf the frozen ocean dude!"
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"If everything is under control..........you are not going fast enough!"

[Wave2k]

Its quite easy to pick up, you dont need training, none of that bollocks it took me half a day to pick it up in New Zealand so January this year me and m1ke went to france.
on the first day we were doing black runs, so i guess its just how quick you wanna push yourself.
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[colin1]

snowboards are for powder really (soft new snow, not compacted well used snow)
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[jonboy22]

Over the years having taught people how to snowboard, I would say the average person takes on average three average days to become and average snowboarder......

By average snowboarder I mean turning in both directions adequately but being able to hammer it in a straight line, obviously with a wipe out here and there (hmm sounds like a beginner biker).

Thing is you'll hate it on day one, in fact you'll hate it at lunch time on day one unless you're a natural. Day two you're up and about and don't look like a blind man on a tea tray, so you have hope and can see the "cool" side of it,...............then you catch a rear edge, whiplash your neck and smack your bonce on the deck

Day three you hurt but you're linking turns efficiently and getting some speed up on the straights, plus you're starting to enjoy power stopping and spraying your numpty skiier mates who are in a tangled mess of skiis and poles.....

Just do it you'll know after day one if its for you or not.....

I'd say wear jeans and a jumper for it if you dont have any kit but if you're in the snow dome you might want something waterproof as you'll get a monkeys butt otherwise. Probabaly rent stuff there.

As for injuries, watch your wrists and be prepared for a sore arse..

hth

[Wave2k]

[jonboy22]

[TOM M]

Well its booked, a week on saturday

Cant wait.

As for what to wear, will jeans be ok?
And what would be best for gloves, ive got a think pair of normal winter gloves or my leather motorbike ones??
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[jonboy22]

Surprised if you don't get any kit there, but as I've never been to the snowdome I wouldn't know.

Personally if I didn't have any kit at all I guess it would be jeans and hoody and bike gloves if they're waterproof. But as I don't really care what people think I guess I would rock up with pvc bondage trousers, a fisherman's rain coat, american football helmet and marigolds....oh and a gum shield...

[chasman231]

You could always wear cordura motorcycle gear if you have any (or can borrow some)

Otherwise, something that will keep the wet and cold out - I wouldn't wear jeans as they will get wet and cold very quickly - and have the same effect on your legs as sandpaper (great if you don't want hairy legs anymore)

Winter spec motorcycle gloves would be fine.



Hope you enjoy it!!
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"If everything is under control..........you are not going fast enough!"

[Wave2k]

you really want to wrap up warm but what you want is waterproof, i have a jacket with a snow skirt which stop the snow going up your back.
Gloves are a must really.
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[dainesefreak]

You get no kit other than boots and a board at the Snowdome. Check that the bindings are screwed together nice and tightly too. Gloves are must as you will spend a fair bit of time sitting on your arse or knees and pushing yourself back up. I wouldn't worry too much about snow going up your back as there isn't much, a fair bit of ice though. Which brings me onto falling, it can bloody hurt because it's an ice base.

When it clicks and you go abroad you really realize how shite the Snowdome is in comparison, but needs must.

Good luck, it's good fun.