First boarding trip

SnowAngel said:

Hey. I've recently taken up snowboarding lessons, i've made it on to the main indoor slope and have just learnt to link my turns, although i still need a bit more practice! I have been offered a trip with some mates to go to Solden resort in Austria. Just wondering if you guys have any tips, advice or recommendations as this will be my first snowboarding holiday on natural snow, and am feeling a bit apprehensive as it's all new to me. I really enjoy doing my lessons, and this trip sounds amazing, but i'm not sure if i'm ready for a real mountain (sorry, that probably sounds really silly!)
Also how much does real snow differ to man made? will real snow be more difficult or faster to board on?

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Don't worry, its going to be awesome! Just remember simple shit like enough layers and clothing options, goggles and sunblock. Some people like to carry snacks and drinks in a pack, others don't, so that is all personal preference. Mp3 playlist.

Thanks, will definitely remember that!
I'm also a bit worried as i usually do a 2 hour lesson once a week and by the end of that i'm completely knackered and aching, and this trip is for a full 4 days of boarding, i don't know if my mussels will be up to it! haha does the aching get better the more you do it, or will i just not be able to walk for a month after? haha

SnowAngel said:

Thanks, will definitely remember that!
I'm also a bit worried as i usually do a 2 hour lesson once a week and by the end of that i'm completely knackered and aching, and this trip is for a full 4 days of boarding, i don't know if my mussels will be up to it! haha does the aching get better the more you do it, or will i just not be able to walk for a month after? haha

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You will be sore as fuck.

The best ways to combat that is hydration, diet and sleep. I'm a big fan of marijuana too. The 2nd and 3rd morning you are gonna want to stay in bed, just don't, you can sleep when you're dead.

This reminds me of a question I have. I've had about the same experience as Snow Angel, and I'm taking my first trip to a "real" resort in December. I'm definitely planning to schedule a massage early in the trip. I wonder if it would be best the first (full) day or the second. After the first day might prevent some soreness? But I'll be sore the second day, so maybe that would be the better day?

Lagomorphic said:

This reminds me of a question I have. I've had about the same experience as Snow Angel, and I'm taking my first trip to a "real" resort in December. I'm definitely planning to schedule a massage early in the trip. I wonder if it would be best the first (full) day or the second. After the first day might prevent some soreness? But I'll be sore the second day, so maybe that would be the better day?

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If it were me I would prefer the massage when I'm feeling beat to fuck. Doing it the first day isn't going to save you from that.

I wonder how early in the morning they schedule massages. :laugh: That would force me to get up that 2nd morning. Not being a morning person + being sore as fuck = not a good combination. Or I could just get in the hot tub first thing . . . with an Irish coffee . . . then get a good breakfast and I'd be ready to go. God I can't wait.

day 3 is the worst for me, aching goes away as soon as strapped in, but muscles are just done, shaking rubber legs, so usually the 3rd day will be a short one. Hot tub and sauna and you'll sleep like a stone at 7pm

Regarding snow differences, I believe you'll like real snow better. The popular mountain/park to ride on are the ones thats have the right condition for snow throughout the season. In New Mexico, located closer to the equator, is not the best place to ride because they have a lot of man-made snow (very icy).

Having snow falling has to be the right temp, elevation, humidity, and pressure.

these are the reasons I shred the wrod and days that arent great all season.

Nothing like being able to go all day pain free when its puking for 2 weeks straight in April.

little bit of fear and apprehension is good, normal...one run down and you will forget all this stuff, enjoy it! count yourself extremely lucky

Hit the gym a few times before you go.

Do squats, deadlifts, calf raises etc and make sure you properly stretch before you go riding. Will ease the pain alot.

Yep. Preseason kettlebell swings and squats.

Thank you for all the advice If i do this trip i will make sure i do plenty of stretches before and after I ride! Also with the real snow, will it make me ride faster? As i'm one of those riders who panics a bit when i go to fast haha.

Oh one more thing that's scaring me a bit is the whole chair lift thing! I've read so many horror stories about getting on and off these with a board... is it really that hard to do?

snowklinger said:

these are the reasons I shred the wrod and days that arent great all season.

Nothing like being able to go all day pain free when its puking for 2 weeks straight in April.

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Your a beast 'klinger. Rest when your dead. Good motto.

SnowAngel said:

Oh one more thing that's scaring me a bit is the whole chair lift thing! I've read so many horror stories about getting on and off these with a board... is it really that hard to do?

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Depends on the chairlift. Getting on is easy, getting off can be combersome with some, e.g. if they have a little downward slope and bend right after getting off.
Newer ones have transmission at the stations thus they are slower at the stations and you have plenty time to get on/off. Older ones without transmission can be a bit of a hassle to get off, you need to skate away from the chair faster. Try to get the outer most seat the first time when you don't know yet how the upper station lookks like, so you can get out of the way and are not sqeezed inbetween ppl left and right. And do exercise skating. You're calmer if you know that you can tackle some meters downward without being strapped in with the hind leg.
T-bars are easier to get off but more challenging to stay on

Most of these problems or concerns are things you'll master with experience. T-bars suck at first for sure you'll look like a hot mess the first few times on those, and probably the same on dismounting chairlifts but oh cares everyone's been there before and we all got past it, just enjoy yourself and don't overthink or worry. The snow in Austria is amazing, I'll be out riding Solden on Veterans Day weekend, and I rode Stubai Glacier last Monday.

hahahaha lol we forgot about CHAIRLIFTS muwhahahahaah.

Own it. Conceive what the fuck is going on, and own it. Hesitation will spill you.

It isn't hard, but you can't let it get in your head.

SnowAngel said:

Thank you for all the advice If i do this trip i will make sure i do plenty of stretches before and after I ride! Also with the real snow, will it make me ride faster? As i'm one of those riders who panics a bit when i go to fast haha.

Oh one more thing that's scaring me a bit is the whole chair lift thing! I've read so many horror stories about getting on and off these with a board... is it really that hard to do?

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The friends that you are going with, are they experienced riders or new like you? If they have experience with lifts then they will help you out no problem. If not, befriend someone that looks experienced and have them help you. Lifts can be dangerous if you don't have guidance or a little help the first few times. After you learn it, its a breeze.

As for real snow being fast or slow. Don't stress those little details. You'll adjust easily and you will have an amazing time!!!

snowklinger said:

hahahaha lol we forgot about CHAIRLIFTS muwhahahahaah.

Own it. Conceive what the fuck is going on, and own it. Hesitation will spill you.

It isn't hard, but you can't let it get in your head.

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Hell yeah....... OWN IT! Elbows out.......