Skiing vs Snowboarding: Which is easier for a beginner?

If you are looking to learn to ski or snowboard, you might find it difficult to get an unbiased opinion on which to choose. Both ski and snowboard enthusiasts are, well, enthusiastic (if not a little biased) about their chosen sport. The banter between the two groups is real, so whichever one you opt for, don’t expect an easy time from your newfound enemy in the opposition camp. 

In all seriousness, though, whichever sport you choose, if you can master the basics, you are likely going to have a passion for life. I learnt to ski as a child on Rossendale dry ski slope, long before the days of real snow indoor slopes, but never progressed anywhere with it. Fast forward a decade, and I learnt to snowboard on a week-long holiday to Andorra — and was hooked.   

The general consensus is that skiing is easier to learn but more difficult to master. You might have more fun in the first few days with skiing, but it could take you longer to gain the skills required to tackle the big runs. Technology such as Carv 2 could speed the process up with their real-time ski coaching system that clips to your boot. Snowboarding, on the other hand, might take slightly longer to get used to, but once you have the basics down, you are set up to progress more quickly. 

Is skiing easier to learn than snowboarding?

As a general rule,  most people will find skiing easier to learn than snowboarding. This is for a number of reasons, such as facing forward, and having use of both feet and ski poles to aid balance. Your position when skiing is straightforward, as opposed to snowboarding where you are side-on. You also have use of both feet independently — unlike snowboarding where you are strapped onto the board, which can feel awkward and restrictive to newcomers. 

Ironically, the use of both feet is what tends to trip skiers up when trying to progress — a common problem is the tips of the skis crossing. It may take slightly longer to get used to life as a snowboarder, but generally once you have mastered the basics (using both your toe and heel edges), you can progress to a decent level of skills quickly. 

Of course, there are plenty of other obstacles which make both skiing and snowboarding more difficult. A key issue is mastering the chair lifts. Skiers tend to find chair lifts much easier to use than snowboarders due to having both feet free, whereas snowboarders usually have to unclip one foot. Another hindrance for snowboarders when on a ski holiday is hitting long flat sections where you have to unclip and push yourself along. Although this falls under an annoyance factor, rather than a skill one, it is still worth noting. 

What gear will I need for skiing and snowboarding? 

Basic gear for any ski or snowboard holiday is similar: hat, gloves, goggles, helmet, waterproof jacket and pants, and decent ski socks. The additional gear will depend on which one you choose, and if you have booked a ski trip or you are venturing to an indoor ski slope.  

It’s a good idea to rent the equipment first time around — it’s an expensive hobby, so you want to be sure that it’s actually for you. The emergence of real snow ski slopes has provided the perfect learning experience for beginners — the days of friction burns from dry ski slopes thankfully are a thing of the past. Paying for a taster lesson where skis or snowboards are included in the cost is an excellent way to test the water. Indoor slopes such as Chill Factore in Greater Manchester offer both adult and kids beginner lessons in both skiing and snowboarding. A level 1 adult (minimum age 17) beginner lesson in either discipline (2 hours) will likely cost between £60 and £70 depending on the time you visit. They also offer a 5-hour adult ski day, which costs between £150 for a weekday to around £175 for weekend and holidays. 

Buying your skis or snowboard comes with a variety of different issues – such as what type of snowboard or skis are best for beginners? If you are looking to purchase equipment, do your research to find out what types of equipment are available and how they are best used.