Source
r/COsnow•
PixelDave

A couple of newb boarder questions...

Hey slope slayers,

I'm a recent transplant who is trying to learn to snowboard. I've been out a couple days with supportive friends who have walked me through some basics, but I've ended up taking a number of bad spills and getting skittish. My head still hurts from a couple of hard cracks at A-basin yesterday.

I have a couple of questions:

Any recommendations for adult classes (preferably with a non consecutive option)? I know they can be expensive, but I'm thinking a more structured approach might help me get things down quicker.

Any areas in or near Denver where a 30 yr old guy can practice linking turns, basics etc? Even short slopes or sledding hills... Ideally next time it snows I'd like to get a little practice in locally without spending a bunch.

Any drills or exercises I can do at home to help me? Any YouTube skills vids you'd recommend?

Any answers appreciated! I'm at the point where I know it'll be fun if I can get over the beginner hump, but right now the hump is kicking my butt.

Posted Jan 18, 2015, 5:57 PM UTC

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Telemachussneezed•

r/snowboarding for the YouTube videos question.

Learning hurts. Learning as a 30 year old hurts more. You just have to stick with it and power through the soreness. There's a learning hump to linking turns we've all had to cross. Stick with it and you'll get there.

Until you have your balance down, you're going to catch an edge and it's going to hurt. Wear a helmet, and never ever for any reason ever catch your fall with your hands, unless compound wrist fractures turn you on.

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PixelDaveOP•

Thanks for the encouragement. So far my helmet is the best purchase I've made. Probably wouldn't be typing this without it.

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HSChronic•

Check out the snow professor videos they have linked in the side bar they will help you out a ton. Like everyone else said you just need to practice. I need to learn to ride switch so if you want to spend a day cruising the greens at A-Basin or just hiking up and down molly hogan I'm down.

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FutureDenver•

Get wrist guards and compressions shorts to wear until you can keep your balance. It's very defeating to fall once or twice on your ass and then be too sore to sit. Pads keep you safe and let you keep at it after falling 20x in a row.

Also, you're always on your toes or heels when boarding...never stay flat footed and try to go straight.

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cgzq•

I'm going to disagree. You're not boarding well until you are comfortable on your center.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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MWalls•

http://www.skiloveland.com/skischool/3_class_pass.aspx

3 lessons and a free season pass.

Loveland has 2 areas, the valley and the basin. The valley has shorter runs, won't be steep and the area in general is very beginner friendly (just like any Midwest ski area).

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PixelDaveOP•

Looks like a good option. Loveland is definitely easiest to get to, and I'd be able to get in more practice.

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JasterMereel42•

I learned how to snowboard at Loveland when I started 3 years ago at the age of 33.

Falls do suck but you kind of have to take your licks to learn. After my first year, I didn't need wrist guards and crash pads anymore. However, I might need them again since I'm learning to ride switch this year which basically means I'm learning all over again.

The first few times you ride, it will feel like you been I a car wreck. It gets better but you have to keep practicing.

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pharmkid•

A basin group lesson mid-week, group rate, private class

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Lambo_•

If check out the ruby park rail yard in Denver. Parks & rec has teamed up with the snowmaking/grooming department from winter park to create a place for inner city kids to experience the joys of skiing/snowboarding with minimal cost.

It's @ ruby hill near Evans & Santa Fe, behind overland golf course.

It's free, so as long as you have gear, it could be a good place to practice.

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g_mo821•

Free rentals there as well

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PixelDaveOP•

I'd heard of that, but figured I'd get laughed out of there by all the kids. Probably worth a shot.

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dubdad•

Get a real lesson or two, it'll save your winter.

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FirewhiskyGuitar•

It sounds like you may be biting off more than you can chew too early. And by that I mean, taking on terrain you're not ready for. I may be wrong, but it's pretty difficult to take hard hits on bunny slopes. It sounds like you've been out with your friends on longer runs. Yes, even greens can be difficult for true beginners. It's easy for experienced boarders/skiiers to forget how daunting it is to first start out... greens look so easy to us now, but thinking back on my time learning, even some greens were too long/steep for me at the beginning. Also, it's not only about the difficulty of a run, but also speed. You could be on the easiest green in the world, but if you're trying to keep up with your friends, you're gonna go faster than you should and lose control more easily and take harder falls.

Do you have any kind of pass?

I ask because if you have any of the epics, Keystone is a great mountain for beginners imo. They have two spacious beginners areas, one of which connects to a very easy mini green run (Endeavor). Once you've mastered that one you can "graduate" to the slightly steeper Scout (which is right next to it). Then there's Schoolmarm and a family/school "slow ski" zone. Couple that with a lesson and you'll be golden.

If you're not confined to a pass, I've heard from multiple people and multiple sources that Loveland is probably the best mountain for beginners. I'd check that one out, as they have great deals on lessons/lift packages. Also, just from driving by it every time I go to A-basin and Keystone, it just seems like it's waaaay less crowded. More space = more breathing room and room for error.

Like I said, I could be wrong but it honestly just sounds like you may be pushing yourself a bit too hard. Taking "bad spills" and feeling a bit skittish is a sign you should take it easy. Don't be embarrassed of spending a whole day on a simple bunny hill or even just the magic carpet. Just accept the fact that you won't be able to run with your more experienced friends for a while, and that's okay. It's worth it if it's the difference between you falling hard 50 times and cruising through a run with maybe one or two slips of balance. A lesson will get you there faster, but ultimately, you need to be comfortable with breaking and controlling your speed before you can tackle normal runs.

edit: oh also, wrist guards (you know, they kind your mom made you wear when you went roller blading as a kid, they're like $10 at sports authority) and extra padding on your butt (I folded up a shirt (or two...) and strategically stuffed them down the back of my compression shorts) are lifesavers. Who cares if it's silly, it will definitely help.

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JasterMereel42•

I got a concussion on a green. Just cruising along, caught an edge, went tumbling, and smacked my helmet on the right side on some hardpack. Accidents can happen anywhere on the mountain.

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FirewhiskyGuitar•

Oh definitely. That's why speed control is important.

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PixelDaveOP•

I think you hit the nail on the head. My friends are well intentioned, but I wasn't anywhere near ready for the greens.

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snowtard•

Winter Park's tow-rope bunny hill is free and long/steep enough to get some good practice in.

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