First snowboarding trip was kinda rough - Page 3 - Snowboarding Forum

chomps1211 · 01-29-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Consonantal

When you're almost at the dismount for the lift, sit sideways and have your board pointed straight.

Wait for the chair to bring you to the ramp of the dismount, don't get off too early or you'll be in the flat spot. Once you're at the ramp of the dismount, get up and push off the chair with your hands making sure your unstrapped foot gets onto the inside of your binding so you don't get your leg caught under the chair.

You can also push off with the free foot but using your arms to push off the chair should be enough.

Final tip is to go straight! Don't try to go sideways and slow down too early, that's what will make you fall. The further away from the chair when you fall, the better. That way you don't get in the way of the next chair. Just remember to get that initial push! If you're just being shoved by the chair, it'll just throw your balance. It may seem scary and counter intuitive at first but going slow is worse than going fast. Speed is your friend.

This is how it should look,.. (..I knew these "gapper" GoPro vid's of mine early in my riding would come in handy!!!)

Watch how I positiion myself in the chair in prep for getting my board pointed straight and how I keep one hand on the lift chair to steady myself & push off. (be sure to hold on to the chair back when getting in position so you can't fall off early! That would REALLY suck!!)

[late edit]
...Ahh, I see somebody beat me to this with a MUCH better instructional vid!

Oh, I might also add, that although my riding has progressed rapidly and I don't do a lot of falling on the slopes. ALL my recent injuries have been getting off the freakin' lifts!!!

You are definitely NOT alone!!!

k8xp · 01-29-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Consonantal

That's the spirit! I have a couple friends that literally said fuck it after the first day of snowboarding and went back to skiing.

Shmucks.

Bad skateboarding falls, and BMX bails from back in the day seem way worse than what I'm feeling today. Although my ankle hurts and I'm extremely sore, it's better than massive road rash and blood everywhere.

I see what I am doing wrong with the lift. I turn sideways, point board tip up and straight, but I don't put my right foot near the stomp pad until my board hits the snow. I rush to place it, so maybe it makes me forget to keep my stance and balance

Treegreen · 01-29-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k8xp

I rush to place it, so maybe it makes me forget to keep my stance and balance

Probably. We always have more time than you'd think. Step 1) foot by binding, Step 2) get balance, Step 3) ride away like a boss.

k8xp · 01-29-2013, 11:21 PM

I'll practice at home. Can't hurt my left ankle too bad or else I can't drive. I'm not sure how using a clutch with a sprained ankle feels, but not thrilled about finding out!

Consonantal · 01-29-2013, 11:53 PM

Better be a light clutch then :P

k8xp · 01-30-2013, 01:42 AM

Lol would be the first and only time in my life being glad I don't drive the STi

BrendanMorgan · 01-30-2013, 02:09 AM

You are definitely not alone. As others have said, just about everyone goes through this. It's tough and takes some getting used to. After awhile it's all just muscle memory.

It's good to see you have the right attitude about it though. You are excited to go and try again and conquer that stupid chair!

You should see a marked improvement over the next couple of times you go. Just hang in there.

I had a buddy of mine go with me when I was a teenager and his board got caught as he was getting on the lift. He was stuck and it just dragged him until it lifted up a little and then he just fell off. He was incredibly embarrassed and sat in the lodge the rest of the day. He doesn't snowboard now.

k8xp · 01-30-2013, 03:14 AM

Ok... Yeah getting caught on the lift, falling off, or getting ran over with it would be bad. I watched some fail videos before I went up

If I would have gone by myself then I may have been embarrassed cause not many people were falling as much as I was. Glad I had my newbie Man-Child with me lmfao

sb60 · 01-30-2013, 08:04 AM

I had a lot of trouble getting off the lift when I learned. What helped me was to just think of 2 things-- straighten my board and reach for the front of it as I got off. That puts your weight forward.

**Donutz** · 01-30-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k8xp

I see what I am doing wrong with the lift. I turn sideways, point board tip up and straight, but I don't put my right foot near the stomp pad until my board hits the snow. I rush to place it, so maybe it makes me forget to keep my stance and balance

hellz yes. I always had trouble until I realized I was setting up too late and rushing it.

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01-29-2013, 11:21 PM	#24 (permalink)
k8xp Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Tacoma/Puyallup Posts: 40	I'll practice at home. Can't hurt my left ankle too bad or else I can't drive. I'm not sure how using a clutch with a sprained ankle feels, but not thrilled about finding out!

01-29-2013, 11:53 PM	#25 (permalink)
Consonantal Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 68	Better be a light clutch then :P

01-30-2013, 01:42 AM	#26 (permalink)
k8xp Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Tacoma/Puyallup Posts: 40	Lol would be the first and only time in my life being glad I don't drive the STi

01-30-2013, 02:09 AM	#27 (permalink)
BrendanMorgan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 16	You are definitely not alone. As others have said, just about everyone goes through this. It's tough and takes some getting used to. After awhile it's all just muscle memory. It's good to see you have the right attitude about it though. You are excited to go and try again and conquer that stupid chair! You should see a marked improvement over the next couple of times you go. Just hang in there. I had a buddy of mine go with me when I was a teenager and his board got caught as he was getting on the lift. He was stuck and it just dragged him until it lifted up a little and then he just fell off. He was incredibly embarrassed and sat in the lodge the rest of the day. He doesn't snowboard now.

01-30-2013, 03:14 AM	#28 (permalink)
k8xp Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Tacoma/Puyallup Posts: 40	Ok... Yeah getting caught on the lift, falling off, or getting ran over with it would be bad. I watched some fail videos before I went up If I would have gone by myself then I may have been embarrassed cause not many people were falling as much as I was. Glad I had my newbie Man-Child with me lmfao

01-30-2013, 08:04 AM	#29 (permalink)
sb60 Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 89	I had a lot of trouble getting off the lift when I learned. What helped me was to just think of 2 things-- straighten my board and reach for the front of it as I got off. That puts your weight forward.