Should I Ski or Snowboard: Which is Right for You?

There is sometimes a divide between the two winter sports of skiing and snowboarding. For those who are unfamiliar with both, it’s hard to find a solid answer for the eternal question: should I ski or snowboard?

To answer that age-old question, we have compiled a brief overview of the pros and cons of snowboarding and skiing in Mammoth Lakes. If you are interested in learning either winter sport then we recommend that you sign up for one of the ski and snowbird lessons available at Mammoth Mountain. It’s crucial that you learn from a professional so you can stay safe and learn the proper techniques before you hit the slopes.

Read on, and we will help you decide which winter sport is best for you during your upcoming stay at 1849 Mountain Rentals.

Skiing and Snowboarding Approachability

Both skiing and snowboarding are rewarding and challenging to varying degrees. Yet, as a general rule, skiing is more approachable for individuals new to winter sports. Skiing is often seen as a more leisurely sport and is welcoming for “newbies” since it usually gives you greater control.

Snowboarding Mammoth Mountain, comparatively, is a sport about defiant persistence. You may spend hours flopped on the ground attempting to stand up due to the more intense learning curve. But, even snowboarders will admit that once you can navigate, you can quickly excel the ranks and master the board.

Don’t let the information above mislead you into believing that skiing is always easier and snowboarding is harder. Both can be challenging and competitive, and both can be leisurely and social. It all depends on how you approach the sport, who you are active with, and what you want to get out of it. It’s also worth trying both out to see which one you’re more passionate about – being excited about it will help you overcome the learning curve.

Positioning for Skiing vs Snowboarding

As we continue to answer the question, “should I ski or snowboard in Mammoth Lakes?” consider the positioning of both these exhilarating sports. On skis, you stand straight up with a forward stance, which is approachable for beginners. Skiing offers a more natural position, where both legs are separated, and you can use one leg to rebalance yourself. 

On the other hand, snowboarding stances are side-on and less natural at first, with lower peripheral vision. On a snowboard, both of your feet are attached to the board, and it feels restrictive to many first-time snowboarders. If you lose balance on a snowboard, you’re likely to fall, and it’s expected to happen many times as you get familiar with the feel of the board. That disadvantage turns into an advantage later on – once you get good at balancing on the snowboard, you can avoid one issue that new skiers run into – keeping the skis apart.

Speeding Down the Line

Is skiing faster than snowboarding? Yes, it is, but speed is more of a concern for skiers. Beginners will start on the easiest runs with the mildest slope grades for safety. However, intermediate to advanced ski runs can get quite fast.

If speed isn’t all that important, you may want to choose a snowboard. Skiers can cruise quickly down a terrain, while snowboarders make the most of every bump and curve and are typically slower to reach the bottom of the slopes.

Which One is Best?

The classic argument goes like this: “Snowboarding is harder to learn, but easier to master, while skiing is easier to learn, but harder to master.” But really, there is only one main question you should ask: is it more fun to ski or snowboard? The answer depends entirely on you! It’s easy to learn the skills of these winter sports with the ski and snowboard lessons at the mountain. Stay close to the slopes and have your ski and snowboard gear delivered right to your Mammoth Lakes condo, so you can easily discover the answer to the question “should I ski or snowboard?”

Still need to book your mountain getaway at 1849 Mountain Rentals?