Should you ski or snowboard? Here’s what we think.
Is it true that skiing is easier to learn compared to snowboarding??
Is snowboarding more fun than skiing??
If I wakeboard and skate, will snowboarding come naturally to me??
Before we begin, you need to understand that picking up either sport will not be a breeze.
It will take a couple of days in lessons to properly learn the correct techniques to manoeuvre down the slopes comfortably and safely. At the initial stages of learning, you will inevitably fall (more often for snowboarders than skiiers) and take a hit or two. However, simple steps can be taken to protect yourself from these falls and minimise the impact, these include buying the protection layers such as wrist and knee guards as well as conditioning your body and improving your fitness before the trip ? skiing and snowboarding are sports after all!
Once you understand this, you will be able to learn faster and more effectively, without beating yourself up or getting demoralised for falling down while learning.
5 main factors to help you choose
AThere are a number of things to consider when deciding between skiing and snowboarding for the first time. We’ve distilled it to five factors to help you make that decision:
- Duration of your ski trip
- General fitness levels and body types
- Sports background
- Goals and expectations of the sport
- Overall budget in the long run
Skiing and snowboarding are both incredibly addictive. With a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a big dose of persistence, you’ll soon be cruising down the mountain, feeling the rush of adrenaline, and experiencing that sense of freedom your friends can’t stop raving about. With that said, once you’ve chosen either ski or snowboard, you can always try the other, and swap back and forth.
Our advice: Stick to one for at least a week to get enough experience and decide if it’s right for you. We often hear of people giving up after less than half a day without giving it a proper go, and never trying the sport again!
Often, you just need to push through the first few days, and by the 3rd or 4th day, you’ll feel a whole lot more comfortable on the slopes.
TL;DR if you’re short on time
Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master at the advanced stages.
Snowboarding has a steeper learning curve, but once it clicks, it’s easier to master and get good at.
Both sports have their injury risks since they’re still high-risk, extreme activities—but hey, high risk, high reward eh? Knee injuries are more common for skiers, while snowboarders often deal with wrist and tailbone injuries. A reasonable level of fitness is key for enjoying both sports fully.
They each have their pros and cons, but in the end, they’re both rewarding and enjoyable. You’ll need at least 3-4 days to get past the initial learning curve for both, so it doesn’t make much sense to go on a ski trip that’s shorter than 3 days—you’ll be stuck at the beginner zone for a while.
Skiing is more intuitive & easier to pick up
For most people, skiing is easier to get the hang of than snowboarding, and here’s why:
- Ability to Use Both Legs Freely
On skis, each leg moves independently (similar to ice skating), making it easier to start, stop, and balance as you get used to the slippery feeling of sliding on snow. Plus, you’ve got the freedom to move each leg to help you regain balance. - A Ski Stance Faces Forward
A forward-facing ski stance will feel more natural for most than a snowboarding stance. When you’re skiing, you have a wider field of vision, allowing you to see where you’re going, which gives you more reaction time to avoid objects and people in front of you. The side-on stance of Snowboarding will feel more restrictive at first, and requires more awareness of body alignment in order to be an effective and efficient snowboarder.
- Skiing Lets You Learn One Technique at a Time
Beginner ski techniques can be broken down into different modules, allowing you to learn and master one thing at a time. With snowboarding, you’re juggling a few different skills at once, such as balancing, controlling your edges, and turning—which requires a lot more determination and perseverance at the start.
- The Cat-Track: A Walk in the Park for Skiers, A Bane for Snowboarders
As you explore the mountain, you’ll come across cat tracks—flat areas that link different slopes. Skiers have it easy here, using their poles to push along. Beginner snowboarders, painfully and unfortunately, tend to get stuck on these flatter areas on the slopes, often requiring you to unstrap and do the “walk of shame.” But fret not snowboarders, as you get better at your turns, you’ll also learn to read the terrain and judge the speed required to get across more effectively.
You Should Ski If…
You Want an Easier Entry into Snow Sports
If tumbling down the slopes isn’t your idea of a fun introduction, skiing might be the better pick. While falling on skis can look a lot more awkward, it’s generally easier for beginners to learn to control and get back up.
That’s not to say skiers can’t go ape with their skills, check out these guys shredding up the pow on skis:
You Don’t Have Many Days on the Slopes Each Year
Skiers tend to get comfortable exploring the beginner slopes faster, while snowboarders need at least a week to start feeling familiar with the sport.
Fitness Isn’t Your Strong Suit
Skiing would be the easier sport to pick up for people who do not exercise on a regular basis. If your body is not conditioned for impact, snowboarding will take a longer time to master because your body is not used to the strength and stamina needed to progress.
What’s the deal with snowboarding then?
Snowboarding is an expression of style.
Fluidity and snowboarding styles have endless combinations. You can create your rhythm and flow on a snowboard with your own signature style. On a snowboard, there is a lot more terrain you can explore, such as navigating through tight trees, slashing and popping in natural half pipes and bowls. The feeling of freedom and creativity in snowboarding is unparalleled when exploring ski resorts.
Progressing to an Advanced Level Is Easier on a Snowboard
Once you’ve passed the beginner stage, snowboarders tend to improve more quickly than skiers. This means that in the same span of time, a snowboarder will more likely be able to attempt advanced terrain such as steeper slopes and off-piste powder runs more comfortably than a skier would. Skiers face more difficulty when attempting the same type of terrain.
Snowboard Boots > Ski Boots
Comfort is a big factor when choosing your sport. Snowboard boots are lighter, easier to walk in, and more comfortable than ski boots. Ski boots can be heavy and take time to break in, making them less pleasant for beginners to wear.
Plus, carrying just one snowboard instead of two skis and two poles is a lot easier when getting around the resort. Not to mention, snowboards are lighter than skis, making the whole experience a bit more convenient.
Once beyond the beginner stage, snowboarders tend to progress and improve their technique quicker than skiers. This means that in the same span of time, a snowboarder will more likely be able to attempt advanced terrain such as steeper slopes? and off-piste powder runs more comfortably and efficiently than a skiier can. Skiers on the other hand, will face increasing difficulty when attempting the same steepness or bumpy (mogul) runs and off piste terrain.??
You should snowboard if…
You like the idea of adrenaline and slashing powder like The Ride Side team does over here
Looks like your thing? Then your riding style will be more suitable on a snowboard.
For some, going off-piste is the epitome of a snow holiday. People tend to be comfortable riding on black runs and have good edging skills before tackling off-piste, and snowboarding definitely wins hands down—transitioning from on-piste to powder is a lot easier on a snowboard than it is on skis.
You’ve Dabbled in Board Sports Before
If you’ve got a background in surfing, wakeboarding, or skating, snowboarding might come more naturally to you. Understanding toe and heel edges, along with being conditioned for impact sports, will help you pick it up faster. But don’t worry if you’ve never tried any of these sports before—if you’re willing to try and have the perseverance to keep going, you’ll get the hang of it!
You Get 1-2 Weeks a Year to Dedicate to the Sport
With snowboarding, most beginners can get the hang of riding down the slopes and linking turns within the first week or two. From here, it will all be about going faster, finessing your turns, riding powder and just having a ball of a time on the slopes! For skiers, however, the real challenge begins once you’ve mastered the basics. Skiing requires years of practice to get both legs moving in sync without crossing them, which makes it more technical at the advanced stages.
You’re generally fit
Beginners often fall more (and harder) when learning snowboarding, but that’s where physical fitness comes in. If you’re in good shape and your body is conditioned for impact, you’ll be able to handle the falls more easily.
Yes, you do get more injuries snowboarding but you get less serious injuries than skiers do.
Snowboarding Equipment is More Affordable
Another bonus for snowboarders: the gear tends to be cheaper than ski equipment. Plus, you won’t have to worry as much about extra charges for weight limits on airline baggage!
Social travel and having a group of people to learn with
If the social side of snow sports is important to you, joining a group to ski and snowboard can make the experience much more enjoyable. On The Ride Side’s Hosted Experiences, we have both skiers and snowboarders in the group, so you’ll always have someone to share the learning experience with.
Being in a group also gives you the confidence to step outside your comfort zone, explore new slopes, and get encouragement to go down that slope you’ve been avoiding. Once you get past the beginner stages, both skiing and snowboarding are addictive.
Check out Keiji Umehara?s (@umeandhara) experience with us in Niseko:
Can snowboarders and skiers explore together in a group?
A big yes! Skiers and snowboarders can absolutely ride together, and there’s no terrain you won’t be able to explore together—except maybe moguls, where skiers fare much better. While we do split the groups up, that’s usually based on skill levels, stamina, and the level of risk when tackling new terrain or tricks.
PRO TIP: Don’t attempt off-piste areas alone! It can be dangerous—and even fatal—due to avalanche risks. Always bring a buddy and have a qualified mountain guide to show you around. Getting lost, or worse, caught in an avalanche without help, is the last thing you want on a ski holiday.
Are lessons necessary?
Absolutely! Learn the right techniques to build solid foundations and good habits, so you can enjoy snowboarding and skiing in the long run.
Sure, you can manage to cruise on green and red slopes with bad techniques, but once you try steeper terrain, you’ll hit a wall. Self-taught skiers and snowboarders often pick up bad habits from friends, YouTube tutorials, or trial and error without proper guidance.
While these habits might not seem like a big deal early on, they’ll hold you back when you start attempting more advanced terrain and you’ll find it increasingly difficult to progress—esepcially with the wrong techniques ingrained in your riding.
Through our years of snowboarding, teaching and guiding groups of all ability levels around the mountains, we’ve seen countless riders struggle with poor fundamentals, especially when tackling steeper runs and off-piste terrain.
How do I get better at either sport?
As you move from beginner to intermediate, and then from intermediate to advanced, it’s always a good idea to get lessons from a qualified instructor. They’ll teach you the proper techniques and tricks, helping you improve faster. We also recommend taking refresher lessons on the first day of your ski trip as most people wait a full year before heading back to the mountains.
For beginners, our Beginner Camp is focused on getting you comfortable linking your turns on gentle green terrain. As you progress, our Intermediate camp will help you tackle steeper slopes, navigate off-piste, powder runs, and even hit the park with confidence.
Don’t rush to label yourself or compare yourself to others. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider, improving your skills takes time. Finessing your turns and techniques is a long journey—so why the rush?
At the end of the day
Whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder, you can always explore and have fun together as a group. There’s no rule that skiers cannot join snowboarders, or the other way around.Interested in social travel? Check out our trips across Japan, New Zealand, and Europe—there’s something for all skill levels!
