Wednesday 4th February and I was sat on a coach
on the way to Chill Factore, with all good intentions of getting a solid 2
hours of skiing in. Then it dawned on me, although I love skiing it really
wasn’t the challenge I was looking for, the slope isn’t that steep and it is quite
flat and powdery, so I couldn’t work on improving my technique; I would just
develop sloppy habits. These factors resulted in my decision to learn how to
snowboard. I didn’t want to be going up and down the same slope for 2 hours; I
wanted a new challenge, I love learning new skills so this was the perfect
opportunity.
12 months previous I had 3 x 1 hour lessons on my local dry
slope. I picked it up relatively quick however, when it came to going parallel
down the slope in the process of learning how to link turns I just couldn’t do
it so I stopped having lessons. It just felt wrong leaning down the slope going
sideways. Whether this was my skiing instincts coming through or because I
didn’t have enough confidence in my back foot to bring it round to slow down, I
still don’t know to this day. There was something different about this trip; I
knew that I could do it. I sat on the coach going through what I needed to do, the
memory of falling in Tignes still fresh in my head. I asked myself what is the
worst that could happen; the answer being a bruised soggy bum and/or knees.
Resulting in a new found sense of confidence. I probably wasn’t up to the level
of what I should have been for recreational boarding, but I knew the only way
of me doing it was throwing myself in the deep end and learning it in my own
time.
Queuing up for boots and a board I had butterflies in my
stomach and also a sense of worry and doubt. The first thing I noticed was that
snowboarding boots are heaven to walk in compared to ski boots, making it so
much easier to get to the bottom of the slope next to the lift. I had good
intentions of going to the top of the lift and doing the ‘falling leaf’ all the
way down and then cracking on with learning to link turns. Half way up my first
ascent I fell off the lift, not because I tripped over, but because the lift
slipped out from between my legs and I didn’t want to get pulled along hanging
on for dear life with my arms. A lot of people stared at me, but I didn’t care,
I slid along on my bum strapped my bindings up and got on with my original plan,
but from half way up the slope. I was rusty at first then getting straight back
into the swing of things. From then on every ascent was successful, and by the
end of the session I’d progressed onto the ‘fast lift’. I then worked on making
my dismount as graceful as possible, rather than getting my legs tangled at the
top and faffing.
For the first few runs trying to link turns proved
impossible as I had found before, but then the boarding lads from Tignes
noticed where I was going wrong and taking it upon themselves to help me for
the rest of the session. In the end I successfully managed to link turns,
finding it easier turning out from going backwards to forwards (strange I know,
you’d think this would be harder as you can’t see where you are turning to).
And on the last run I managed to do 3 consecutive 360’s. So overall I’d like to
think the trip to Chill Factore was a success.
5 top tips for skiers wanting to learn how to board:
- · Hook button lifts under your front leg, squeeze this between both legs and hold on for dear life
- · Wear waterproof trousers and also bum and knee protection if you own it
- · Be confident in your legs ability
- · Put your weight over the first foot into the turn and point your body to where you want to go, the board will follow
- · Enjoy yourself but push yourself, you will learn more and go further, you understand how snow works so already have a step up on beginners
I’d like to say a
massive thanks to Jake who helped me for the whole 2 hours, I get to teach him
how to ski in return later, so I’ll let you know how that goes. Luke and Kai
who helped me with tips on leaning and balance. Also Justine WE DID IT!!!
#ProudFriend
If any of you are skiers who have tried to board, or who
would like to try boarding I’d love to know your thoughts/experiences too, so
please get in touch :)
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