Skiing vs snowboarding: which should you choose?

Social media is full of incredible videos of both skiing and snowboarding. Watching people do incredible flips, runs and jumps can be inspiring enough to make you want to take to the slopes.

Newcomers to winter sports will need to decide whether to try skiing or snowboarding first. There is no right answer, although devotees of each sport will argue differently! Here are the pros and cons of each sport to help you make the right choice for you.

Learning curve

Learning any new sport comes with a learning curve, so skiing and snowboarding are no different. People often claim that skiing is easier to learn but harder to master, whereas snowboarding has a steeper learning curve initially, but you can master it more easily. This is, generally speaking, true for most winter enthusiasts.

With skiing, the approach to the different components can be broken down piece by piece and you build upon each one. Snowboarding is slightly different as the main technique is getting on your heel and toe edges. Once you have got this under control, you’ve pretty much learned the fundamental technique.

Physical demands and fitness

There is no escaping that both sports are incredibly good workouts for your whole body.

Skiing typically involves your leg muscles and core strength. This is because of the way you can move both legs independently to stay upright. Snowboarding still uses a lot of core strength, but as you are doing sideways movements it is engaged differently.

If you have any physical limitations, you should consider which sport will be best for your body. You don’t want to come home from a holiday battered and bruised!

Equipment and costs

Skiing typically includes more equipment than snowboarding, so the cost is something to consider. If you intend to make this a lifelong hobby, investing in high-quality skis, poles, boots and bindings will set you off on the right foot. Snowboarders will need a snowboard, boots and bindings as well.

Buying all of this equipment upfront can be incredibly expensive. Ski resorts do offer options for renting all the equipment. Skiing rentals are often more expensive than snowboarding, purely because of the extra equipment.

Participants in either sport will also need to consider their clothing. Helmets, gloves and warm layers are essential for keeping safe in the cold weather and can add up if you opt for premium brands.

Terrain and accessibility

Simply moving around in the snow can be challenging for some holidaymakers. Skiers may find navigating flat areas and lifts a bit easier than snowboarders as you can move each leg independently. Lifts may require different techniques for snowboarders so make sure you listen to any advice from trainers or more experienced sportspeople.

When booking your holiday, consider the different terrains of your destination. The varied slopes available on ski holidays in France, for example, would suit newbies to both sports nicely if you wanted to try out both to see what you prefer.