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Switching From Snowboarding To Skiing

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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
For the past 5-6 years, I've been a die hard snowboarder. But last year I tried skiing a few times and loved it, not to mention skiing is becoming the new thing to do at my resort.  I came to Newschoolers because I know it's the best place to get skiing tips and all that good stuff.  But for this thread i was wondering if there's any snowboarders out there that transitioned over to skiing, and some tips you might have to make this transition easier? I'll probably split half skiing and boarding this year. Not sure yet. Any help would be appreciated!
13 years ago
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Puns
Posts: 2052 - Karma: 429
good luck, I don't apply but I'm sure you'll find someone. also neat to hear that skiing is becoming the 'thing' to do
13 years ago
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
Made the switch last season, couldn't be happier.

Word of advice, go to a bootfitter right off the bat, dump the most money into that. Who cares what skis you ride if your feet hurt like hell. I made the mistake last season and got used boots that didn't fit me. This summer, I went to a fitter, and got boots fitted for me, 3 days into the season its already making a world of difference.

You're going to have a fun time.

Also, for turning, its not like snowboarding where you just lean over. You have to pressure the edges, or else you'll just fall over.


13 years ago
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SteezyVandy
Posts: 137 - Karma: 39
Im in a similar situation. I work at a ski and snowboard shop during the southern hemisphere winters then travel north for the winters there and work in a rental shop. Im a die hard snowboarder and have been for the past 7 or so years but like to keep up to date with the latest tech and gear even though i don't ski. This year though i figured id try some skiing on the more average days while conditions aren't great seeming as though i get free rentals anyway and once i get the hang of it and like it a little more im thinking ill invest in a nice setup for myself when i return to my shop and get the gear for cheap. I've been talking to a lot of my friends and people i work with and they've told me to put more emphasis on the boots as they are much more technical then ur average snowboard boot. Best thing to do would to get fitted for a really nice pair that feel comfy and supportive. Its a huge leap from changing from the soft, comfortable feel of a soft shell snowboard boot to a hard cased, heavy ski boot.
13 years ago
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SteezyVandy
Posts: 137 - Karma: 39
One thing id definitely recommend is to invest in a pair of custom moulded foot beds with heel stabilizers. Its basically a foot bed that's heated up and moulded to ur foot then ground down and fitted to replace the standard stock footed that comes with the boot. The cost could be a little more excessive then originally planned but essentially ur going to have them for many years to come. The good thing about them is that u can use them in ur snowboard boots as well given that they're the same size so u can get much more support and performance out of them. Theyre durable and last years so if u end up getting new boots u can still use them.
13 years ago
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funkykid200
Posts: 81 - Karma: 16
I used to do both but now i realize skiing is way better! Only ski if you want to get better, that's my tip
13 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
Thanks guys! So pretty much the boots are the main thing to worry about? I do have decent boots, bu they aren't fitted to my feet.  Is there any foot beds out there that i can mold to me feet myself?
13 years ago
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SteezyVandy
Posts: 137 - Karma: 39
As long as the boots r comfy and supportive. Id suggest wearing them for a bit first and ride a week or so in them and if u find that they r unbearable and ur getting cramps and such then go with the footbed option. The process of molding footbeds can take anywhere from 30 mins to an hr where majority of that time ur constantly being serviced and somebody's constantly being attentive to u so isn't really something u can do urself. Obviously apart from that u would also need a good pair of skis best suited for u and ur style of riding. Eg the right size (length and width) and of course profile (rockered/cambered)
13 years ago
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,105
threads im in the same boat as op. im thinking of switching next season
13 years ago
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SteezyVandy
Posts: 137 - Karma: 39
Is that 3cs in ur pic? Can't tell from my phone
13 years ago
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
I made the switch about 6 years ago after being a boarder for 4 years and never looked back. I'll still board every once in awhile just to mix things up but I love skiing a lot more. Started on a pair of short rookie skis just to get the basics down, then picked up some Armada AR6's to transition to twin tips. Falling on skis sucks a lot less than falling on a board, so you'll have that going for you, and the best part is you'll never have to worry about being the boarder stuck on the traverse trying to access a certain zone while skiers are flying by you.
13 years ago
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partywithsloots
Posts: 62 - Karma: 14
threads. making the switch this season
13 years ago
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cottage_steeze
Posts: 564 - Karma: 58
Did the same thing a couple years back, best choice ever and super easy to switch. https://newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/534292/
13 years ago
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
its funny because im switching from snowblading to skiing this year! Kudos broheim!
13 years ago
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4237 - Karma: 10,746
I assume you can snowboard quite well then (5-6 years of experience) and if you can then the switch is a piece of cake, just remember to lean forward in your boots, it was probably the weirdest thing for me to get. Other than that the switch is super easy.
13 years ago
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urgent_care
Posts: 111 - Karma: 17
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pRTmD014EVo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
13 years ago
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urgent_care
Posts: 111 - Karma: 17
there we go
13 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
What I noticed in the few times i did ski last year is the difference between ski boot's weight and snowboard boot's.  It felt weird to try to jump and pop. But i'm sure i'll get used to that over time.
13 years ago
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COCAINEandCAVIAR
Posts: 137 - Karma: 31
learn to ski decently before you get into park skiing. it will help so much
13 years ago
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
I say that you just give up snowboarding completely and just ski. That's what I did last year and I'm very happy I made that choice!
13 years ago
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,348
my advice is to not do what everyone else thinks is fun, do what you think is fun.
I switched back n forth for a good 3 years before I realized skiing was for me.
13 years ago
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dirtybackside
Posts: 393 - Karma: 163
I AM IN THE SAME BOAT AS YOU ARE. I have lots of probs when skiing like turning. I turn one ski but the other doesnt. I guess im used to everything being connected
13 years ago
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Calb3rt
Posts: 6005 - Karma: 2,202
I snowboarded from grade 3 until my sophomore year of highschool then switched to skiing and strictly skied for about 6 years. But the last few seasons i have been doing both, mostly snowboarding for the last few hours of the day but sometimes ill ride all day. Some days i'll snowboard all day depending on how my legs feel, i think i had about 25 days on a snowboard last year.  I think they help each other a lot and both are super fun.  I remember reading something a while back that pollard does a lot of snowboarding too.
13 years ago
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,460
I do both. It felt weird the first few times when I did both in the same day but it's something I got over.
13 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
I forgot to mention I used to ski before I boarded, and even though I was like 8 then, my normal riding skills are fine (other than riding switch).  So I guess it's more of a matter of what feels different on skis than on a snowboard, and how i can deal with the differences.
13 years ago
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
It might take a bit to feel the difference. But just like boarding, skiing Is really just having a set of balls. Fuck it and huck it. And oh yeah, welcome to the best site on the internet these days!
13 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
Haha thanks man!
13 years ago
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MaimHelp
Posts: 1748 - Karma: 13,861
Where it all began haha
7 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12682 - Karma: 119,491
Transitioned 4 years ago, never touched a snowboard since. So much more fun and i progressed hell of a lot faster than snowboarding. It's also easier to develop bad habits skiing though due to your snowboarding, for example using your hips to turn rather than driving that dominant leg down and edging. Just a word of caution :)
7 years ago
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benjinyc
Posts: 12 - Karma: 33
I prefer snowboarding

…but in the backcountry, skiing is way better...split boarding isn't as great or convenient

also, if theres' a slide, i'd rather be on skis than anchored to a board
7 years ago
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skiguy04
Posts: 1640 - Karma: 1,272
Pow on a snowboard tho
5 years ago
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Chron_Rabbit
Posts: 988 - Karma: 1,567
skiguy04Pow on a snowboard tho


pow on skis tho
5 years ago
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yngprezto
Posts: 9 - Karma: 15
“Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you.” “I see through the lies of the Jedi" lol i fucks with snowboarding too..

**This post was edited on Jan 1st 2020 at 10:43:00pm

**This post was edited on Jan 1st 2020 at 11:05:49pm
5 years ago
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skiguy04
Posts: 1640 - Karma: 1,272
Skiing is the dark side sno boarding is the light
5 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,379
Safe to say I made the switch successfully and am loving every day I get on skis!
5 years ago
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