devasta

only bing riding 2 times and I feel like it's impossible for me to overcome the fearfact when I start to go fast downhill on the green slope. So far I cant' continue to ride and carve for more than 30 seconds without falling on my ass, head, face, etc... I only got bit of a basics like plowing the snow with the heel edge and a bit on the toe edge as well. I'm thinking might expedite my learning curve by taking one or two lessons but according to what buds, they told me it isn't necessary since they picked it up without taking any lessons.

xevi89

No offense, but screw your friends. Lessons help a ton. As difficult as learning the basics seems, it is all quite easy. You just need someone to show you what you are doing wrong, or show you how to do it (better). Trust me, you will get it in due time. And you might not even be that good this year. It takes a long time for the wheels to click, but from there it's full speed ahead. I could barely (if you can say I could at all) link turns at the end of last year. This year I am already owning boxes, jumps, and working on flatground tricks.

aka22

yea just letting you know it took me 4 days straight of riding before things started to click. as stated above, i took 1 lesson and the instructor helped point out my mistakes which were causing me to catch an edge and stuff like that. lessons are definately worth it, not to mention those instructors aren't out there to screw you. most if not all have a passion for what they are doing and only want to spread the joy that they have with you. that's more than wut most people can say about there jobs.

__________________
"웃어라, 온 세상이 너와 함께 웃을 것이다. 울어라, 너 혼자 울 것이다."

"Laugh, and the world will laugh with you. Weep, and you weep alone.

Current setup:
sled - k2 fuse wide
dogs - k2 raiders
dog muzzle - salomon hd900's

Mr. Right

Get lessons, I know I wish I did.

PaoloSmythe

everyone is different

instruction can give structure to your learning process, can define your expectations and thus a 'learning curve for your carve'!

not to mention the positive enforcement the instructors will use to generate confidence!

however saying that.... you need to first find how to balance on BOTH your toe and heel edges, both when standing still and slip sliding down hill.

you then want to apply pressure to each foot on BOTH edges to create a falling leaf type of path down the slope

you then want to get used to twisting your shoulders to initiate turns

and then you will be flying! easy!

arse and knee pain are the MANDATORY GROWING PAINS. metal up buttercup! no one should be immune!

__________________
Just coz you don't understand it
Doesn't mean it makes no sense!

rustydomino

if you are serious about wanting to learn how to board, buy asspads, knee pads, wrist guards, and a helmet. These will save you some pain, but more importantly (to me at least when I was learning) will give you the confidence boost to commit to your turns and shifting your weight forward (both counter-intuitive things to do on a mountain slope). There's a big difference in the "OMFG I'm gonna fall this is gonna hurt" and "if I fall it won't hurt too bad, I'll just get up and try again" mindsets.

Snowblower

To the OP, I know how you feel. I'm still brand new to the sport, and although I am really enjoying myself, the sore ass and knees (is this how a hooker feels? ) are getting, well, tiresome!

Everyone I've talked to (friends, instructors) have all said the same thing: stick with it, because it's getting past that initial learning curve that is so intimidating, and once you start to get comfortable with the basic runs and not falling so much, it becomes less frustrating/more fun (but always challenging to improve). And yeah, I agree on the lessons idea. I've got 5 two hour lessons up on Cypress this season, and I couldn't be happier between going to those and practicing what I've learned on the runs afterwards.

Maybe next time I won't fall so bloody much.

duckie

seems like falling is mandatory to the learning process, but having padding helps ... A LOT! (tried my first day without it ... end up walking like a robot for two days)

i have spend almost 7 days learning at my own pace with no lessons. Some of friends did recommend one or two lessons will help but i am also hesitant in signing up for those lessons, thinking i can overcome my own fears of speed.

any other suggestions from others bout this issue with speed?

AAA

Hang in there. It gets easier, and then you start to have fun. I remember the first few times I was on a board, it was UGLY. But lessons helped and they gave me a foundation to build on. That was about 18 years ago. Now, my wife and oldest son are getting into snowboarding. They've only been out twice and have taken lessons both times. My son is starting to get a decent feel for his edges and my wife is starting to link turns. By the end of the first day, they were both sore and exhausted. By the end of the second, they were both still sore, but enjoying it. My son told me, "Dad, snowboarding is awesome!" By all means, take a couple of lessons! I don't agree with all the methods their instructors have taught, but they've both provided them with steps to move forward.

Here's a video I put together of their progress...

xevi89

AAA, tell that kiddo he needs to crouch down and lean foreward