Go out west for the week. board for 2 days -- if you hate it, take a day and switch to skis for the duration.

-- terrible snowboarder who started after 30, but that shit is challenging and crazy fun

Ski. Take few days group lessons. You will learn much faster and have more fun. Yoy might not like skiing here after Utah.

Anonymous wrote:I think you're doing it backwards. Learn on the cheap at Liberty. Then when you're good, go out west and enjoy bigger mountains and better snow. If you're gonna pay to go out West, you want to be good enough to take advantage of it.

But I agree, learn to ski, not snowboard.

Totally agree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two words: padded shorts.

Former instructor again. This will hardly help. All your core muscles will be sore for days from all the falling.

Also, undoing and redoing bindings every run is annoying. So is undoing them to skate on a flat trial.

+1 to all of this. I started as a snowboarder, and switched to skiing a few years ago (at age 36). So much easier!! Everything about it is easier.

I think you're doing it backwards. Learn on the cheap at Liberty. Then when you're good, go out west and enjoy bigger mountains and better snow. If you're gonna pay to go out West, you want to be good enough to take advantage of it.

But I agree, learn to ski, not snowboard.

My kids just had a great experience doing ski school at Snowbird. Of course they aren’t 35...

Ski. And if you are looking to meet people I think there are more people in their 30s/40s skiing than boarding.

I think your plan of a week of lessons is a good one. My DH started in his 20s and that's how he learned. It's also more fun to be with a group. And coming back to ski at Liberty also makes sense. I think it's easier to improve if you ski multiple times over the course of season rather than once a year.

Take a look at ski school ratings. I think Ski magazine includes ski school rankings in their annual resort rankings. Deer Valley is excellent. You may want to consider Colorado for a first trip as well because places like Beaver Creek and Vail have good ski schools. I don't think Alta and Snowbird, as much as i love them, are good places to start.

Have fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two words: padded shorts.

Former instructor again. This will hardly help. All your core muscles will be sore for days from all the falling.

Also, undoing and redoing bindings every run is annoying. So is undoing them to skate on a flat trial.

PP here. Was not intended as an endorsement of snowboarding over skiing or vice versa. More of a general life philosophy.

Anonymous wrote:Two words: padded shorts.

Former instructor again. This will hardly help. All your core muscles will be sore for days from all the falling.

Also, undoing and redoing bindings every run is annoying. So is undoing them to skate on a flat trial.

Two words: padded shorts.

I do both...skiing is much easier. If you only have a week, ski....you will have more fun and be able to do more.

I used to teach snowboarding. The first few days HURT when I was 15. I can't imagine it now. Skiing hurts less, from what I can tell.

Ski. Even if you snowboard ultimately I think most people should begin by learning to ski.

I think if you go out west you might be disappointed by Liberty when you come back. Not saying you shouldn’t do it - just keep that in mind.

I now have a higher income and want to take advantage of the 18-19 winter season.

I'm thinking about going in early to Utah to take lessons for a week so when I come back to the DC area I'm able to take on Liberty and other nearby places.

So, should I ski or snowboard?

I am single if that matters (i.e. I might be trying to meet someone or will go with groups of people through meetup, etc.)

Should I really attend a week long ski or snowboarding school? Or longer?

Thanks!