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new to boarding
I'm planning a trip out there in mid December, and it will be two of us. I have a couple questions about different programs, how it works, etc. I was looking at the burton learn to board program, and the private lessons. Due to work, i'm only able to actually board for 3 days. Do I want to tie all 3 days up in lessons, or is private a faster track to learn, so I have a couple days to do my own thing. Also, I think i've decided yes on a helmet, do alot of people use them? Do the instructors use them? Thanks for the help.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on -
There is an old saying, Boarding is hard to learn and easy to master while skiing is easy to learn and hard to master. If this is your first time to ride, I would go for the lessons all three days. Once you get the feel and have recovered from various aches and pains from the countless falls getting to learn to ride, than you can slack off on lessons.
As far as helmets, I would suggest one would be a good idea since you will be taking many falls as you learn. After that, its a personal choice. My observation over 12 seasons at the 'boat is that now it is about 30% helmets and 70% not. I use one while in the trees, on very cold days or racing but not otherwise. It is a good idea to always wear one but I do not take my own advice. ;)
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by SteamboatRider on -
Definitely use a helmet - yes lots of people use them and it's close to being mandatory for Instructors from my understanding and other posts on this forum.
My brothers took the 3 day LTR program a couple of years ago and whilst it obviously worked, they had a lot more time (10 days total) to put into practice what they learnt on the 3 day course. The only thing I would say was that they felt the pace in the program was slower than they wanted. They felt they didn't learn/progress enough on the first day because a lot of time was spent explaining the equipment/strapping in and walking up the bunny hill.
If the cost of privates isn't an issue, I would definitely choose to go private than on a 3 day LTR group program where obviously the instructor has to work to the lowest common denominator. With that said, even if you take privates, don't expect to be riding from the top of the Mountain on Day 1. For most people I see, riding seems to click on Day 3 and the first couple of days can be both frustrating and painful!
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Permalink Reply by Luv2Ski007 on -
with only 3 days I'm not sure I'd do all 3 days in lessons. Do 2 and save the final day to have fun and some freedom to go where you want.
2 more pieces of advice -- it will help if your top coat has an drawstring to seal off your coat at the bottom, or wear overall bibs. 2nd, cushion for your button and wrist guards specifically made for boarding newbies. You will fall on your butt and your wrists often till you get the hang of it. Some get it quicker than others but the first effort can be discouraging. And yes, as a beginner get or rent a helmet for your safety.
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Permalink Reply by trudeska on -
Yes, helmet. Yes, padding. My son actually had a colorful array of bruises from his first days on a board. Not to scare anyone, but didn't Natasha Richardson take her ultimately fatal header on a beginner slope? When I learned to ski (in Steamboat) I took a tumble as I was skiing down at the end of the day on the slope that (at the time) led down toward the Sheraton. Not only did it end my day, it ended my trip, and I ended up in the ER with a severe concussion. Everyone in my family wears a helmet now.
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Permalink Reply by Marlene on -
Helmets are required for all ski and snowboard students 15 and under and strongly recommended for everyone else - read the press release: INTRAWEST TO RECOMMEND THAT ALL RESORT GUESTS WEAR HELMETS
Basically...
Steamboat recommends wearing helmets for skiing and riding. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of helmet usage. The primary safety consideration, and obligation under Your Responsibility Code, is to ski and ride in a controlled and responsible manner.
As far as the lesson goes - I personally think a private is the way to go - like you said it's the fast track and that way it will free up your last day to rip it up! According to many snowboarding has a pretty quick learning curve so you might be just fine to take a lesson for a day or two and then be able to board almost all of the mountain on day 3. There are a few instructors that hang out on this site frequently and they offer their best advice based on their experience - l'll bet they will put their 2cents in as well!
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Permalink Reply by Luv2Ski007 on
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re Marlene's link
seems there is a disconnect bet Intrawest info and what I found at gadling.com which says:
"Intrawest, the company that oversees Tremblant and nine other snow resorts across North America, will require helmets for all teen and child skiiers and "recommend" them for other guests. Beginning in 2010, all skiiers and snowboarders at the resorts' freestyle terrain parks will also be required to wear helmets. The new rules will be phased in at Intrawest's resorts in Canada as well as their properties in the United States, including Steamboat . . ."
this sounds like it is not just for employees but for all users. Tremblant in Canada is where Natasha Richardson died last year.
Helmets are no substitute for personal responsibility on the hill. For some it gives a false confidence to hot dog and such and while it clearly has reduced injuries it has not reduce the number of deaths. Helmets for Bono and Kennedy would not have mattered. But $100 is small change to minimize the risk of being a vegetable.
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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on
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Sounds like it is mandatory only in the terrain park and for kids and teens but optional elsewhere and adults. I guess they plan card checks in the lift lines and on the hill? ;)
My interpretation is helmets required for lessons and in the Pipe and Park where it is easy to control but I will certainly find out come January.
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by jeff foster on -
Are you serious??? i wear a helmet 90 % of the time, sometimes i like the wind in my hair. Now its mandatory for people to wear helmets in the park? What are they gonna have some one standing there saying yes,no,yes,no at the top of the park...? What happened to ride at own risk?
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Permalink Reply by Luv2Ski007 on
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next it will be someone checking ski bindings for compliance . . . sorry sir but your 5 yr old Salomons are non-current so park it over here.
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Permalink Reply by Nelson Wingard on -
The helmet policy at Steamboat is targetting lessons. If you are 15 and under or in a park lesson you will be required to wear a helmet, as will the instructor for that lesson. The Park Lesson piece is unchanged from previous years. The student requirement is new this year. I'm super excited to take this next step, but would be very opposed to requiring helmets on all our guests. Here in CO we allow people to ride motercycles without helmets. Personal choice is valued. When you put a guest in our care, we feel a helmet is significant and should be used. You can do as you choose.
Nelson Wingard
Director, Steamboat Ski and Snowboard School
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Permalink Reply by jeff foster on
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Thank you Nelson. I can not wait to get out there.
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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on
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Quite reasonable policy and one I agree with 100%.
Cheers
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i think we are going to the Sheraton for the Christmas buffet. Others have suggested the Ore House, Cafe Diva alos. Yes book ahead of time. thats what i will be doing next week.
Usually kids don't want to wear the hood thing, but carry it in your pocket just in case. If it's really cold once you get on there on the slopes, I'll bet you big money that'll change.
Hard to predict of course but history is on your side. Be glad you didn't plan a trip around opening day at Vail today. They've got only one run open.
Temps have been great for snowmaking and we definitely have more snow this year than we had last year. I wouldn't worry, we tend to get dumped on in December.
Here's a good article about late starts and how the season turns out.
I have been checking the cameras lately, and there does not appear to be alot of snow on the mountain, and not much in the forecast?
Getting nervous about our trip out December 18th. Anything to worry about?
I agree with the balaclava. If your boys are going to wear helmets, which they should, then you can buy a nice under helmet hat/balaclava, a must in Steamboat. The key to keeping warm on the mountain is layers. (and toe warmers!)
I ski with my boys every January in Steamboat (now 10 & 8) and they wear the whole kit every day since they stay up top most the whole day ... base layer top and bottom, fleece top (& bottom if it's Arctic cold), and down jacket. They used to wear...
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