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First snowboarding trip was kinda rough

7K views 54 replies 24 participants last post by  k8xp 
#1 · (Edited)
I feel like I got ran over by a truck.

The ski lift was the worst. I couldn't lift up my board with one foot, so it was being dragged, hurt my ankle BAD. Nick had to help me lift up my board each time... Then, getting off, fell almost immediately 2 out of 3 times. Again ripping my left ankle off me practically.

Actually rode pretty well, minus turning and stopping. When I wanted to stop I made myself fall, lol but only one fall was bad. Landed on the back of my head and goggles flew off, got wet, couldn't get them dry/couldn't get up cause they were too f-ing blurry. Took off gloves to help clear them, inside of gloves got wet... etc! Needless to say, I was not a happy girl after I FINALLY made it to the bottom. What do you guys do if the inside of your goggles get wet, keep something in your pocket?

I feel more prepared for next time. Know I need something waterproof to cover my neck and face, plus glove liners. Need a few tips from you guys, then will take a lesson and be set : )
And here is my beginner setup. Salomon Lotus 138/ K2 Yeah Yeah bindings/ ThirtyTwo boots/Morrow mirrored goggles.
 
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#35 ·
When I went on the big slope the lift had a bar.

It's just simply because my little leg is not strong enough to pull up the board without the free foot helping. I'm going to try and make sure I keep my free foot on the back of my binding to help balance it immediately when I get on.
 
#38 ·
one, kexp is awesome. two, whats your aquarium setup? third, its not so much the fact you need to build up muscle, its just the fact your body has to get used to things it never does on a day to day basis. yes, dangling your board is going to suck the first few times you head up, but when your body gets used to it, you wont notice it. well... until like the 10 to 15 lift ride up when your body, for the most part, is starting to give up on you after three lunch beers and a massive meal.
 
#40 ·
The first few days are never good. I remember that I was so sore that it hurt like absolute hell just to get in and out of my car.

What I did for chairlifts initially:

Tell yourself that you'll ride straight off the chair. Expect, and welcome acceleration. Keep your balance or lean a little forward... and just ride straight out.

Keep your knees bent, even crouch a little if you have to.

If you ride straight.... you'll *eventually* come to a stop, because it always flattens out after you clear the lift.

Never panic... unless you're going to hit someone or something. If someone beside you bumps your board.. ride straight. If someone besides you crashes... ride straight. If there's a little kid ahead of you, or a giant metal bench... THEN you bail. If you can apply brakes, do it.. if not, just bail, being careful not to break your fall with your arms, tailbone, or skull (xD). Then cuss out the liftie for not doing his/her job to clear the ramp :laugh:

Most crashes off the lift happen because people panic and lean back.
 
#42 ·
...Keep your balance or lean a little forward... and just ride straight out.

Keep your knees bent, even crouch a little if you have to.

If you ride straight.... you'll *eventually* come to a stop, because it always flattens out after you clear the lift.

Never panic... unless you're going to hit someone or something. If someone beside you bumps your board.. ride straight. If someone besides you crashes... ride straight. If there's a little kid ahead of you, or a giant metal bench... THEN you bail. If you can apply brakes, do it.. if not, just bail, being careful not to break your fall with your arms, tailbone, or skull (xD). Then cuss out the liftie for not doing his/her job to clear the ramp :laugh:

Most crashes off the lift happen because people panic and lean back.
All good advice,.. seems like 95% of my lift crashes nowadays are because, riding solo, they keep putting me on full chairs with ALL skiers!! Those F'ers keep stepping on my board, sticking their poles in my bindings when they push off etc. They ride off just fine. "I" end up sprawled out in the snow! :RantExplode: :blowup:


...the remaining 5% is just me being a clumsy shit!! ;)
 
#41 ·
Here's a first day experience for you. Got frustrated on what would be my last run. About 50ft from the bottom I just flat based it. I of coarse took of then caught my heel edge. I flew through the air face up and head first. Hit my head hard enough that I had to force myself to not pass out. As I come about my wits I go to release my bindings and realize my right arm won't move. Never went to the hospital but I'm pretty sure I broke my collar bone. My friend drove us back to his place because I drove in my 5-speed manual. I then drove home using my left hand to shift. Luckily this was a skill I already had from years of driving for a living. It took over a month to feel OK, almost year to be able to do a push up, and I still can't throw a football with out hurting it. 4 years later I'm still doing this idiotic sport and loving every second of it.

Oddly I never had trouble with getting off the lift. I always just stood evenly on the board, relaxed, and rode it out. Certainly check out all of Snowolf's videos and Free Learn to Snowboard Videos | SnowProfessor is what helped me the most in my technique.

By the way, if you ever mess up your ankle and need to drive home then here is what you do. Move the seat up then place the clutch pedal directly under your ankle. Not on the ball of your foot like normal. That will let you move the clutch with out really using your ankle. Once moving you can just float the gears like truckers do. Harder on a gas car but not unreasonable to do.
 
#49 ·
I will echo what everyone else is saying about getting off the lift with skiers. I always try to get on the outside edge of the lift for this very reason if there are skiers with me, just one less person to deal with.

My wife is actually the worst. I can't tell you how many times she's inadvertently tripped me up with one of her ski poles as she just pushes off and calmly skis away. Sometimes I wonder just how "accidental" it really is though, lol.
 
#54 ·
Yeah, it usually sticks out about leg level (just below the actual chair) just as the chair swings around for the return trip. so if there's someone still on the chair, they hit it. The stick is attached to a switch that just cuts power to the lift. As I said, I stayed on the chair and kicked it on Sunday because the liftie was just going to let people dogpile.
 
#55 ·
Man collar bone injuries do not seem good at all, that sucks! Take it easy if it's still hurting you.

Hahaha skiiers look funny. We are going to try and always go during the week though, so at least on Monday there was hardly anyone there. Most lifts were empty. I didn't run into anyone either, I was proud

and @Sherpaskate Thanks and lol my aquarium, it's a planted 20g with 4 green Tiger barbs. Fairly new tank, upgrading when they get bigger, and upping school.
 
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