Learning to Snowboard

Over the winter I decided that I would take some time off. My main priority was Windsurfing and I spent time in Spain and Antigua. This took me upto Christmas. Now what to do over the new year.... I knew that I wanted to be somewhere different (the same pub that we always go to did not appeal for the millennium). Tristan loves snowboarding and managed to arrange 10 days in France for both of us. Excellent, decision made (and everything sorted out for me).

I arrived in Morzine apprehensive. I'd spent the last few weeks talking about snowboarding and now wondered whether I would be able to. We woke to high winds and the lifts closed. Nevermind I though time to acclimatise to the mountains (and the cold, I'd only just got back from the Caribbean!). By mid-morning the lifts had opened and there I was on the slopes with all my hired gear listening to Richard (one of the Chalet Snowboard guides) as he explained and demonstrated the basics of snowboard control. I mastered them quite quickly, so by the time I was half way down the slope Richard decided that it was time that I learnt to turn. Here's the tricky bit, the more you lean forward the better you turn, but as you start to turn you speed up and everyone's natural reaction is to lean back which causes the board to speed up and go straight. It takes a while to get the confidence (and bottle) to fully lean forward and commit to the turn.

I was amazed by the learning curve with snowboarding. Having skied for a number of years it took weeks to start skiing well and look professional. Within 2 hours of snowboarding I was linking turns on the blue run that we'd been going up and down. I was a bit wobbly but  realised that turning reduced the risk of catching a wrong edge and a painful fall, so was putting in lots of turns. We went down for lunch via a red run, which I must admit I side-slipped all the way down.

The afternoon was spent on the other side of the valley at Super Morzine where I went up and down a blue run that turned red half way through. Although I was slow and on my own I felt that I was really starting to understand, react naturally and gain confidence. We ended the day by boarding over to Avoriaz and then down on the run home, a long blue. I should have stopped earlier, as I was completely knackered, my legs were worn out. I carried on but found it really hard going, then managed to catch an edge on a section and slammed real hard. I found it hard to get going again and ended up using my board as a sledge a lot of the time.

The next couple of days were without guiding, I spent them cruising up and down Super Morzine improving my technique. I really helped that there were a couple of big overnight dumps of snow. This made the learning a lot easier (and the falling a lot softer).

New years eve was excellent. Somewhere different and something that I'll always remember. New years day was my first boarding session with Tris. He'd been ill with flu for a few days so came out with me as a gentle re-introduction. We spent the rest of the week boarding together. Cool.

I changed boards from the Motion56 that I'd been using (small, easy to turn and good to learn on) to a Supermodel59 (slightly larger, slower to turn, but better in powder). I enjoyed this board for the last couple of days as we covered even more of the Avoriaz resort and I wondered how much more resort there could be.

In summary I would say learn to snowboard, especially if you are already into surfing or windsurfing. I was amazed at how quickly you can pick it up. It's a real buzz and a high adrenalin sport. You go as fast as you dare.

Learn on the basics on snow rather than a dry slope, it hurts less and you're enjoying yourself in the mountains.

Get out there and have fun,

IainP