Skiing or snowboarding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am totally biased, but I cannot condone my kids becoming snowboarders. They just cause so many accidents and seem to have a little control. I realize I am speaking about anecdote, but there have been enough across the West Coast middle of the country north east and here that I just can’t fathom it. If they want to become borders after they turn 18 so be it. Until then they are happily scarce. Yes, I realize I am highly judge mental, I have also been Hit three times by reckless snowboarders, twice resulting in injuries.

A friend was hit today by an out of control snowboarder. Ended up in the first aid room.

I've done both for many years. Started skiing before I can remember, early 80s, started snowboarding as a teen in the early 90s. I alternate between the two now.

Both skiers and snowboarders can be out of control. And the real problem is that they have different run lines and blind spots, so each conflict with the other without realizing it. If you've only done one, you don't understand where the other can't see you coming.

That said... I've had far more problems as a snowboarder being cut off or run over be skiers, than I have as a skier being cut off or run over by boarders. Skiers still think they own the slopes and everyone needs to conform to them.

And to answer OPs question ... I had my kids learn to ski first. It's less frustrating for the first day or two, and helps them learn how the chair lifts work, the flow of a ski run. Then, when (if) they want to try snowboarding, they have the advantage of knowing both. See above - knowing both is a distinct safety advantage.