jdang307

Actual slope time I learned to link turns in a few hours.

I think it was 6-7 runs, where I learned to turn, stop, etc. The revelation was when I did a skidded toe side turn. After that it was off to the races. Nobody teaching me to leaf aided in my development I think. I didn't have that, or knew about it as a crutch. So I went down the slope and I was going to learn or I was going to eat shit.

But if you only have two days, a lesson at 8:30 am for two hours will do you right.

Donutz

Yeah, the key here is the limited time available. Learning on your own is kind of probabilistic in that you may or may not master a key concept quickly. Even if you're naturally athletic, some things can sometimes be sticking points. I'd just go with what is most likely to give you the quickest results -- which as usual is of course the most expensive. TANSTAAFL.

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Illegitimi non carborundum

Mountain Days: 30

Whoracle

Lessons for sure! I just started riding last season, and lessons were definitely a key factor in how fast i have learned. I got a package at Mt Hood that was 3 day learn to ride (3 lift tickets and 3 group lessons) for 150$, your mountain might have something similar. Our instructors never taught us the falling leaf. The second day when we got into our lesson, my friend and I were obviously better than the rest, so they brought out another instructor that just went with my friend and I. Basically private lesson for the cost of a newbie group lesson .

jdang307

My buddies were taught falling leaf. First thing they learned. And they used it as a clutch for a long time. They still use it on super steeps I learned to whip my board back and forth if I get scared ... I ain't no T-Rice!

Dysantic

This. Lessons from someone who knows how to board go a long way. Private lessons will do you the most good if you have limited time since the instructor can cater to your specific needs rather than just go through the normal routine for everyone. Plus if you pick it up quickly the rest of the lesson will consist of you shredding around with the instructor.

I took lessons when I learned in a group, but I was like 12 at the time and it was more fun with the other kids. Although I do remember near the end of the second day of my lessons I was much better than the rest of the kids and started to get bored.

SBK

My two cents, I would line up lessons both days and take another the next time you are out.

I took lessons even after having boarded for a few years and it help me with control and faster turns.

If you are an experienced skier you will probably learn much faster than other beginners in group setting but like it was mentioned before, if you get lucky you might get a private lesson. My GF and I signed up for 3 lessons over a 3 week period a few years back. After one run it became apparent to one of the instructors that we were a little more advanced than the other intermediates so he broke off with us and we got private lesson for the rest of the time.

I've heard it repeated often that 3 days is the magic number to be linking turns and comfortable getting down moderate runs.

I'm not a big fan of the one day intro lessons, they teach you enough to get on and off the lifts and maybe make a skidded turn.

Also would recommend a helmet if you don't normally wear one. You'll catch an edge at some point and hitting your head is a possibility.

Cycle4Fun

Lessons Always. A private lesson will get you going the fastest at your pace and not that of the slowest person. If you don't want to pay for a private lesson, take a group lesson. Learning on your own, you'll pick up bad habits and be likely to bend over at the back and drive with your rear foot.

I recommend doing what I did to get a fantastic lesson last year. I talked to a local of the resort I was heading too (Killington, VT). He recommended I get a lesson from one of two people. I called the resort and scheduled the lesson with the expert teacher who also happened to be an attractive woman (another plus of the local). Lesson was fantastic and propelled my boarding out of the beginner stage.

If you can't find a local, call a local shop and ask them. They should be able to help you out.

I plan on taking a lesson early this year to freshen up my skills and make sure I don't have any bad habits.

ju87

response seems to be unanimous...

as another person who attempted to learn on their own and punished myself in the process, i also recommend lessons for sure

JeffreyCH

My .02

If you are going to buy your own gear, get it now. Familiarize yourself with your equipment, do some carpet boarding. Watch video's, Snowolf has a great set on his youtube. If you get snow where you live, go to the sledding hill, try to apply what you saw in the video's. Learn to skate! Then go to the resort and take a lesson. This will save precious time and allow the instructor to teach you how to ride rather then fucking around with your bindings.

Do not think wake, completely different. Wakeboards don't flex, using the edges requires different weighting and balance, more weight towards the front not the back (unless riding knee deep powder, that's for later lol). Also shoulder/hip position are different, on wake your shoulders are squared up forward, on snow you point your lead shoulder where you want to go, this also means you are not twisting at the hips. I find myself riding wake one handed a lot more because of this.

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OldDog

^This is exactly what I'm doing. Watched all kinds of vids including SA and the wolf's. Lots of carpet and lawn boarding, and I spent 3 hrs on the sled hill this weekend. I plan to take a private lesson for 1 - 2 hrs day 1 then get after it. I may take another in the future if I feel stuck or that I'm not progressing.