Went to Lutsen

[AJ]

What's the best place and way to learn how to snowboard? Obvoisuly starting sooner in the season but as far as a local place to go?

[1slowdsm]

I'd have to say Afton. They have a small bunny hill and a larger bunny hill that is a really good hill for beginners.

[MATCHBX]

I've only boarded at Buckhill (once last year) around the cities. They have the bunny hills among other things. It would be a little closer for him as well. You should come out with us one time. The rates are really low now.

As far as simple hills, Powder Ridge in Kimball is pretty good. I've boarded there before when they had all night skiing (sponsored by Rockin' 101.7 WHMH) years ago. It's a little far out from the cities but my sister literally lives right across the street so i always have a place to crash for the night.

[ABV]

Afton is nice, I haven't been there in a long time though. I'd like to go there next year. I would stay away from Highland hills, unless you get a good deal on a lift ticket. After going to Buck tonight, I think that would laso be a good beginner hill. They have a bunny hill, and once you feel comfortable with that, they have a few other hills to choose form that aren't too steep. That's where I was for most of tonight.

The best way to learn is to fall down really hard, and then promise yourself to never do that again. :D Seriously though, I don't know if this is the best way, but this is kind of how I learned. Just go down the hill just leaning on one edge, and getting a feel for the balance. Then turn around and go the other way (frontwards/backwards). Then learn to transition by doing a really slow helicoptor going down the hill. Just turn from one side to the other and just keep going around in circles. Then start turning in the opposite direction (clockwise/counterclockwise). A couple important things to remember: You always want to be leaning on one edge, if you just glide flat on the snow, you will eventually fall, and it will hurt. The way I learned is to keep most of your weight on the foot that is going forward, and then kick the other foot front or back to change direction. It's much easier to make sharp transitions, rahter than slow gradual ones. You find out pretty quick how easy it is to catch the wrong edge, and fall. And yes, it will hurt. I've gotten to the point where I feel comfortable just taking it easy and cutting back and forth down the hill. But the best way to learn is to get out and do it. You will fall down alot, but as long as you keep getting up, you will get better.

On second thought, maybe you shouldn't take advice from me. I just about knocked myself out tonight on my first pass, because I thought I knew how to snow board, and got cocky. :D Damn that hurt. :confused:

[FORSFED]

Hey Craig, you're thinking of the alpine slides. Those are the shit! We always buy the full day package with the slides. We spend at least a couple hours out of the day racing each other and goofing off on them. Hurts to fall off though, so don't do that.

[ACRucrazy]

LOL, yea dont do that!

[Matt D.]

I skied for 5+ years before I got on a snowboard so I had learned how to use edges and everything. My philosophy is if you can ski, you can snowboard. I believe it is easier to learn to snowboard if you can ski, and not the other way around... Learning to snowboard before skiing is probably quite difficult.

When I first snowboarded I just learned to slide, toe side and heel side... Slide slide slide, all the way down the hill. In there you'll learn how to control the board from turning, but that also teaches you how to turn. When you turn all you do is keep your weight on your forward leg and lean the way you want to turn and the board will do the work for you. Obviously sounds easier than it is, but it takes practice just like anything else.

[ACRucrazy]

I skated daily for about five years and rode the occasional board since i was about 6, so that helped alot.
First tip I can give anyone is DONT CATCH AN EDGE!
Well, you will, and then after you realize WTF just happend, you will tell yourself never to do that again! LOL>

[Matt D.]

8"+ of snow on Friday... Anyone want to hit the slopes on Saturday?

[ABV]

we'll see how my wrist feels, but I may be up for it. I went to the doctor because I thought I may have brake my wrist,but it turns out to be a strain. If it feels better,then I may be up for it.