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Brand new to this stuff. It is a lot of fun but NOTHING like surfing (which I have done all my life). Question # 1 for probably everyone/anyone out there…waxing my board??? Again, did it myself when it was a surfboard. I have a new board and just started so how often and does a professional need to do it? Question #2. I have been a few times and can do all the basic stuff like falling leaf, sideslip and so on. Can ride heelside and toeside and can link my turns. But am I just afraid of speed or what? I am not what you would call “Young” and this is new to me. I find that I slow myself down before initiating turns. Is that something that can be taught or do I just have to “do it”??? I have been reading some of the entries and it seems that control while riding “flat” may be part of my problem. When I get some speed, the board feels difwhen you're first starting out it seems like you're going alot faster than you actually are. it canbe quite intimidating really, and if you're on the east coast, seeing as your florida boy, youassociate falling with extreme pain (thanks ice!).The speed is something you get used to over time. When you first start out with freeriding,which is kind of what you're doing now, just riding, you'll still have to think before initiatingcertain moves. The “slowing down” is probably your instinct saying that you're not readyto just rip around the next bend and you need more practice. A quick way to get over speedis to just go ahead and get that extreme fall you're afraid of out of the way, in a controlledenvironment. Catch an edge on your terms and you'll find that falling fast or slow is prettymuch the same pain, other than a cartwh
I agree totally with travz//”seeing as your florida boy, you associate falling with extreme pain (thanks ice!).”Once you get into some powder snow, like 6+ inches or so, you will begin to feel like it is more like surfing. You will be “pointing it” more, getting more of a floating sensation, and doing little to no speed checks (except on hardpacked busy trails or steeper groomers).I think as you become more experienced you will see that the difficulty and sensation of snowboarding changes so much with snow conditions.Also, have a shop tune the board. They will one-on-one clue you in to how often it needs to be waxed / tuned.
Thanks for the advice. I guess I forgot to mention that I just moved to the North. Michigan exactly, so I am getting out there more often. Three times so far this season. Yesterday was warm here so that meant soft snow and I did feel less worried about my falls. I checked my speed less. Yeah, I have never had the opportunity to try nice powder. Also, will get my board serviced by a pro at the beginning of each season. One more question…Seeing as I am linking turns and can do all the “necessary” stuff. Would a lesson help? Would most instructors be able to help me with my fear of speed or maybe even some techniques for better control (staying on an edge)??? Or, am I at the point where I just need to get out there and get a better feel. Thanks again.
Thanks for the advice. I guess I forgot to mention that I just moved to the North. Michigan exactly, so I am getting out there more often. Three times so far this season. Yesterday was warm here so that meant soft snow and I did feel less worried about my falls. I checked my speed less. Yeah, I have never had the opportunity to try nice powder. Also, will get my board serviced by a pro at the beginning of each season. One more question…Seeing as I am linking turns and can do all the “necessary” stuff. Would a lesson help? Would most instructors be able to help me with my fear of speed or maybe even some techniques for better control (staying on an edge)??? Or, am I at the point where I just need to get out there and get a better feel. Thanks again.
See if your home resort offers an “intermediate” lesson. They should be able to clean up your riding style pretty easily by just riding with you. I wouldnt waste the money on a private lesson though, if your resort does not offer an intermediate slot. You can learn what they'll teach you by hooking up with other riders on the mountain, and its a great way to meet people.Now that you've moved up north, things should click alot faster for you. There wont be huge gaps in your learning curve which will speed things up nicely. It wont be so bad if you dont want to waste the money on a lesson, its one of those “practice makes perfect” things, unless you have something seriously flawed in your fundamentals. If you think you do, getting a learn to turn lift ticket might be a good option for you too, most instructors are pretty happy to help.Also, sinThanks. I never thought of that. Thought I would need a private intermediate lesson. I will check if they are offered. What exactly is a “learn to tun left ticket?'
North MI… Does that mean you are a Yooper now or are you just in the upper part of the main section? There are a LOT of ski mountains up there. Michigan has more than any other state!A snowboard instructor can help you at any level. When you schedule the lesson, ask for an upper level lesson. My guess is you would be a level 4, maybe level 5; but they will asses you their way then. The cool thing about upper level lessons at most mountains is you pay for a group lesson (cheaper than a private lesson) and you end up getting a private or semi-private lesson most of the time! Sweet!
Sorry, EVERYTHING is North to me. Just in the Grand Rapids area. There are a lot of places to go. Couple of small places about 30 min south. One small place 20 min north and several Mid sized a couple of hours North. Do you know of any good places to go near here? It seems the runs are so short that it is like being in Disney World. Wait for the lift, wait on the lift and then the ride is over so soon. Would Travers City or Boyne be much different? They are a few hours away but willing to go if they are better. Again thanks for the advice. Didn't even know there were group lessons for more intermediate riders. Great advice, will recommend this site to some of my Florida friends who are interested in riding.
I would check out Boyne for some of the longest runs and biggest vertical drop in the entire region.
Private lessons are expensive, so unless you're really having trouble, id save the money if I were you.And a learn to turn lift ticket is a lift ticket + beginner lesson. They usually let you take as many lessonsas you want if you have one of these without charging you. You could ask them what your problemsare.
I merged these topics because they pretty much discuss the same thing. All of your informationabout lessons and guts are now conveniently collected in one tidy post. And it helps us keepup with giving you advice on what you're working on, instead of reading 2 posts to keep upwith the 1 subject. Hope it didnt get too confusing!
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