[Closed] Snow-Boarders - is it just me....?

Last time I went boarding I got wiped out by a skier. Some people are just dicks regardless of their mode of transport. I expect its a higher proportion of boarders as it is "cool" and lots of people just go and learn it while doing it, where as skiing takes a bit more commitment and as a rule, you either ski, or you don't. there is no middle ground.

I am a skier but I reckon there are just as many reckless skiers around. Its not a border thing.

Different lines and accidents happen. Attitudes are down to the individual, not the chosen sport. Skiers also have two edges as oppose to one for great stopping ability.

Personally I generally slow down near kids.

Its not as easy to control a snowboard. Tight turns and narrow slopes are a nightmare. Much easier to keep a decent speed up and rock left to right in a regular pattern. Skiers tend to make less predictable movements, and thats when i find myself going in to the back of them.

Not sure if that covers what you are talking about. Not claiming all boarders ski responsibily, but I do, and sometimes it just happens.

whoa, ads-b!

I'm not one for calling "troll", but your post makes a lot more sense if you're taking the mick.

I did 3 seasons in the alps boarding and skiing.

For me it comes down to different speed / turning charicteristics, skiing = tight turns with faster traversing speed.
Boarding = carving turns that produce a faster down hill line.

The result is lots of collisions.

skiing = tight turns with faster traversing speed. skiing = tight turns with faster traversing speed.

Unless you can actually ski then you can choose to do either 🙂

Agreed Bazzer. But a skier and boader on the same line - the skier would go faster - and so they tend to turn more / traverse more = get in the way more?

how competent skiers are you mates and what colour pistes were they on??

I think beginner skiers and lower intermediate skiers traverse more and are a bit more erratic than a more experienced skier

But they are easy to spot and you know they could cut you up, so you make allowances for that. Yes it can spoil your fun but so can an open tib/fib fracture.

Thing is semi decent boarders and skiers do take chances here and there, some people more than others. End of the day we can generally spot 99% of the time someone who is likely to traverse across in front of us. Some people choose to slow down others don't.

You pays your money and takes your chance 🙂

meehaja & Bazzer +1

There are dicks in every sport.

I had my wrist broken by another mountain user - he was a skier but I don't think that makes him a bad person and I make no issue of it - he was just out of control which can happen to anyone

If you want clear piste then Canadian rockies is the place for you other than Louise

peachos

makes no difference how competent a skier someone is and what colour slopes they are on. It's the same rule on the piste as it is on the cycle trails - the uphill person has to make way for the person downhill of them.
Personally I ski and board. As has been said already - it's an attitude thing.

There are dicks in every sport.

+1 for that, they are as easy to spot in the bar as they are on the piste.

 

My dad had his cruciate or lateral ligaments ripped in half when a skier went over his skis and his bindings didn't release on the Gunbarrel / Corie Cas. As an 8 year old I found it funny that his leg was bending 90 degrees in the wrong direction (sideways) then got a few more runs in whilst he was waiting for the blood sled!

So not just boarders as they weren't invented then! They used to be called the Glasgow Suicide Squads, groups up for the weekend trying to self teach on blue and red runs...

For me it's the trail of French kids (always singing Frere Jacque, naturally) going nose-to-tail in a snake across a red run. Or the group of adult learners causing carnage on a narrow blue.

Yes, they're entitled to be there, and I absolutely slow down to ensure that there's no contact, but I can't help feeling that their instructors are putting them in danger by taking them down a slope where most users will be reasonably experienced and will be travelling at greater speeds.

Snowboarders (at least in my experience of the Alps) tend to be quite well-behaved, and probably do far more damage to themselves than to others just by crashing heavily on a regular basis.

If you want clear piste then Canadian rockies is the place for you other than Louise

Or just get up early in the morning !!!

peachos

they were both cautious skiiers (women - not that that matters) of a certain age, so bimbling around on lower slopes - as was my then 7 year old when she was clobbered - although in her case , the guy just lost control which as has been said can happen to anyone

but yes - I think the main thing is the different lines / more traversing in skiing vs snow boarding, and attitude

I find that you get 100% respect and exemplary manners from others when riding the half pipe. 😀 - never once seen a collision.

Although you do get D**ks on snow blades occasionally

Like uwe-r plus others - dicks in every sport.

What I don't get is why folk stop in the middle of the piste. Is there something wrong with the piste edges, apart from not getting mown into? Same with trails and folk nattering in the middle of a downhill bit. Surely self preservation should cut in at some point?

Now at least there is a group of people boarders and skiers can both hate. BLADER's 🙂

+1 Canadian rockies. Try Fernie.

As a skier turned boarder, I find a lot more stoned or drunk boarders sitting down on the piste in stupid places. Just me maybe. Don't see too many skiers with pipes on the lifts though...

As above it's mainly to do with the different ways boarders and skiers use the slopes. I ski and board and I've seen at least as much bad attitude/behaviour from skiers. In European resorts there is a bit of a culture of haughtiness from skiers about snowboarding not being a proper alpine discipline with traditions etc.

My gf (a beginner snowboarder) overheard some English lads discussing how they were going to ski as close as possible to her as fast as possible to shit her up, which they then did. I'm not a violent person but if I had witnessed this I think I would have seen red.

And why do they all decide to sit down in the middle of the piste chatting..

Maybe they like to chill and check out the views a little?
Also I gather boarding is generally harder work than skiing.

Nothing wrong with being in the middle of the piste provided you are clearly visible and not in a fall line or landing for a jump.

.. normally over a blind crest?

Ah yes, well [i]those people[/i] are idiots. 🙂

...They used to be called the Glasgow Suicide Squads

Hmm... I'd have been one of them then (self-taught boarder from Glasgow).

If you want clear piste then Canadian rockies is the place for you other than Louise

+1 we've done Whistler, Banff and Fernie over the past few years. Sooo quiet compared to Europe. It's pretty common to do a run and not see anyone else!

Going back to Austria (Schladming) this year was a shock to the system (but still lots of fun).

I am a boarder and have been hit twice by skiers, both while I was stood still in a queue for a lift.

It can be quiet in the Alps too, it depends on when you go.

Though Kicking Horse has to be up there for me in terms of getting the place to yourself.

I went to Chamonix a couple of years ago and it was very quiet - Zermatt wasn't mega busy either this January, I guess many people can't afford it at the mo (my mum was paying for me 😀 )

i worked a season in NZ and there was hardly any agro between boarders and skiers over there.

you get it alot more on the european slopes...

skiers were there first and thats how it will always be percieved..

I find skiers stop just as much as snowboarders (I am both btw), more probably amonst my group. The difference is that snowboarders have to sit or kneel down as standing still on one edge for more than a few seconds is unstable and often results in either slippage or a comedy fall.
Once sitting, might as well enjoy some banter and the view.

Sitting, or standing, in the middle of the slope or after a crest is a bit silly. Both skiers and snowboarders do it, though it is probably more difficult to see the snowboarders as they may be seated.

Solution? ride with a little care and don't go hurtling over blind crests.

It can be quiet in the Alps too, it depends on when you go.

True. If you stay away from the glaciers then there are far fewer boarders during the summer. 😉

We're limited to half-term. Europe is usually packed.
Canada is "busy" (i.e. sometimes there are a couple of people waiting for a lift).

Mono skis easily the worst of both worlds can we hate them or will the French object?

Solution? ride with a little care and don't go hurtling over blind crests.

But the crests are there so you can get some air 🙂

Its generally only dodery non confident skiers that don't like boarders. They are under stress and its one more stress item to deal with. Skiers and boarders who are reasonable don't give a fig about the others.

Also the majority of people who live and work in the mountains dont give a fig either. The hatred is mainly from the 1 week a year skiers.

I've boarded a few times before, and bit hit a few times by boarders when skiing. I got completely wiped out by a scottish girl going way too fast on a board. She screamed just before she hit me so I braced a bit and just got a bit winded when I fell - she went flying about 15 feet before she stopped and had a cry (which made me feel guilty 🙄 )

Anyway, my theory is that when the snow isn't great, less expert boarders have more fun on blue runs, as they tend to be less icy. Problem is that blues can have quite long flat bits, which boarders need to carry some speed on to get through (no poles see?) - I'm not a good boarder, and any time I needed to carry speed on a flat bit I had an off (it's harder than it sounds, honest!)

Basically though, both camps can be pretty antagonistic considering we're essentially doing the same thing.

Let's give it a bike analogy shall we? All in my opinion, and am willing and ready for the inevitable flaming....

Skiers = XC and trail riders - Like going fast, enjoy the whole aspect of the mountains
Boarders = Rad to teh power of sick DHers - Like going fast and assume that anyone else on the trail is a weedy little dweeb who shall bow down before their magnificence.

😉

Skiers = XC and trail riders - Like going fast, enjoy the whole aspect of the mountains
Boarders = Rad to teh power of sick DHers - Like going fast and assume that anyone else on the trail is a weedy little dweeb who shall bow down before their magnificence.

Splitboarders = beardy single speeders.

I'm not a good boarder, and any time I needed to carry speed on a flat bit I had an off (it's harder than it sounds, honest!)

Skiers = XC and trail riders - Like going fast, enjoy the whole aspect of the mountains
Boarders = Rad to teh power of sick DHers - Like going fast and assume that anyone else on the trail is a weedy little dweeb who shall bow down before their magnificence.

Well I suppose you could say that, but only if you are horrifically prejudiced and dare I say it a bit of dick. Otherwise it's just sliding down a hill on different shaped planks of wood*

*other materials are available.

I think you tend to find more skiers going fast beyond their ability than you do borders. They tend to be the ones with poles stuck in the air in a 'tuck' position and a wide snow plough. They scare the crap out of me.

Skiers and Boarders are just as bad for stopping in the middle of a piste or a dodgy bit of the piste however borders are more difficult to see as they tend to sit are on their arses. Either way I make a point of brushing passed them which normally scares them a little... perhaps they shouldnt stop in the middle of the slope!

Better borders v skiers. Skiers tend to stick to one line and are easier to predict. Boarders tend to be more irratic seeking at the better bit of snow with more grip etc. One thing that better boarders do as well is when they stop they will do a bug carve back up the slope which takes them completely away from their line.

The worst accident I had in many years of skiing and racing was going down a red probably about 50mph ish closing on a boarder who was probably 50 yds to my left doing about 30mph. With no warning just as I was about to go past him he decided to stop by doing a big carved turn back up the slope towards me with out looking. I flew through the air probably for about 30 or 40yds before stopping about another 100 yds down the slope.

I think he started sprouting some thing in french. I kindly pointed out to him that we had both been on very different parts of the slope, both doing similar radius turns when he decided to completely veir of in my direction! He eventually saw my point!!

Basically both are as dangerous as each other but you should know what is dangerous and what you need to be checking before doing it...

Last time I went boarding I nearly got taken out by a skier who overtook me wayyyyy too close (it was a kid) he came passed right behind me just as I was switching edges. My mate got concussion when a skier went into the back of him and they knocked heads. Not just boarders then and neither of us were stopped in the middle the slope.

Mind you me and my mate managed to crash into each other a few years ago too, that hurt, a lot.

I think you tend to find more skiers going fast beyond their ability than you do borders.

Oh and I'd say I'm a boarding trail rider, not rad2sick DHer CFH.

Amazes me that this bollocks still gets talked about really. We usually ride in a mixed ski/board group ([i]Hetero Frigus Taleae[/i]) with mixed abilities and we all have fun.

Gays on trays... They really grind my gears. Most of them are completely out of their depths on anything more challenging the Manchester's Chill Factore, so they scrape their way down sideways opening vast swathes of ice completely devoid of top snow.

They take up twice as much room in lift queues trying to scoot round with one foot clipped in and 4 feet of snowboard flapping round uncontrollably, and they're a liability on the slopes because 50% of their turns are virtually blind side.

Utter twunts, the lot of them, in their baggy pants and dreadlocks. And due to the MUCH lower skill level of snowbaording, the vast majority are completely self taught and wouldn't know piste discipline if it slapped them across their spotty little fat faces.

My mate rides goofy and I ride regular, once time we were back to back and managed to turn right into each other. Fortunately we just bounced off and each went the other way.

Shibboleth - Member

Gays on trays...

Shibboleth, don't hold back. Tell us what you [i]really[/i] think!

🙂

Lets not get started on blades.

On a serious note...you'll get reckless individuals who ski and snowboard.

I'm a snowboarder...I've had skiers change direction suddenly too. With a snowboarder sat down, they have to stand up so you'll know when they're about to move...I've been going past a group of skiers stood in the middle of the piste chatting, only for them to suddenly all start sliding off into my path.

Of course as I was a snowboarder it was all my fault so I had lots of 'stoopiid snowborderrr" from them. Which received a 'my right of way...look up the slope before you set off' from me...not that they agreed with me.

I've also had a skier on a lesson turn suddenly and fall over in front of me on a beginner slope...I wasn't travelling fast and stopped without hitting him, and he ended up in a heap at my feet. His instructor turned round saw me stood over his student, and started shouting at me and threatened to take my ski pass. He didn't even see what happened but assumed I was wrong...he was of the older generation so probably has always hated snowboarders.

I've also had a skier cut in front of my while going over a jump...not while we were waiting...I mean while I was going over the damned thing. He thought it was hilarious...but the park monkey started shouting at him in French so I left them to it.

I'm sure a lot of people could think of lots of examples where snowboarders are equally as inconsiderate or dangerous.

Gays on trays... They really grind my gears. Most of them are completely out of their depths on anything more challenging the Manchester's Chill Factore, so they scrape their way down sideways opening vast swathes of ice completely devoid of top snow.

They take up twice as much room in lift queues trying to scoot round with one foot clipped in and 4 feet of snowboard flapping round uncontrollably, and they're a liability on the slopes because 50% of their turns are virtually blind side.

Utter twunts, the lot of them, in their baggy pants and dreadlocks. And due to the MUCH lower skill level of snowbaording, the vast majority are completely self taught and wouldn't know piste discipline if it slapped them across their spotty little fat faces.

Poor effort for a troll post...please try harder next time and don't be so obvious.

they were both cautious skiiers (women - not that that matters) of a certain age

Having skied for a very long time and boarded since 2000, I have (quite remarkably) managed to avoided taking anyone out on the slopes. It's called anticipation and there is no excuse for hitting someone slower, no matter if they veer across the slope without warning 🙄

Someone touched on it above but ski schools (particularly French) also boil my piss with huge classes blocking the whole piste snaking down. To make matters worse, by the time you eventually (carefully) get past them you are too late to stop them going straight to the front of the lift queue with their own 'special' little lane, by which time there is steam emanating from my nethers. I don't care if they've paid extra for a lesson, I've paid exactly the same as them for a lift pass 👿

Woody

was trying to be careful not to be insulting to the fairer sex! totally agree with you - on lower slopes especially where there are kids / retirees / beginners etc about its down to everyone to put the brakes on and be able to avoid the inevitable wobblers / make sure you don't wipe out etc

charliem

I was trying too but it's a fact 😉

My ex used to get wiped out regularly until she got her speed up and the injuries I've heard of recently are all work colleagues in that category. Low speed crashes/falls where there is not enough force to release bindings = twisty type injuries.

Blimmin skiers, can't even clip in on a hill without falling over:

One time i was on a mountain bike and I got taken out by another mountain bike

I nearly had my eye taken out in the lift queue this year. Skiers need to watch what they do with those bl**dy poles!

I nearly had my eye taken out in the lift queue this year. Skiers need to watch what they do with those bl**dy poles!

An older lady hit me with her ski pole once...she decided I was pushing in at a lift. I guess I was but she was so busy herding her family to line up she had let 3 empty chairs go at a busy lift.

Skiers need to watch what they do with those bl**dy poles!

This is why I keep my googles on when waiting for the lifts! It's normally my mate too.

As a reasonably good boarder I do find it very hard to predict skiers especially quick intermediates...and learnt the hard way that they can turn sharper and stop quicker than me...

I now try to make a reasonable amount of noise when overtaking boarder or skier when I get forced close to them (busy or narrow piste). I get some weird looks shouting "h'up h'up' on your left..."

When I know people are around I've also taken to pointing quite blatantly in the direction I am about to turn in, especailly when it is heel side turn

The worst accident I had in many years of skiing and racing was going down a red probably about 50mph ish closing on a boarder who was probably 50 yds to my left doing about 30mph. With no warning just as I was about to go past him he decided to stop by doing a big carved turn back up the slope towards me with out looking. I flew through the air probably for about 30 or 40yds before stopping about another 100 yds down the slope.

This is a carbon copy of what was nearly the biggest crash of my life. 1st week April, me - straightlining the 1st (massive, wide) piste you get to in Les 2 Alpes from La Grave, him tootling down one side, doing tight turns, I'm watching him, looking ahead, watching him, shit I'm going fast, his turn's a bit wider this time, WOW it's wide, HE'S NOT TURNING, HE'S TRAVERSING, CARVE! CARVE! CARVE! Happened a bit quicker than that, though!

I must have missed the front of his skis by 4 feet, going "a fair lick", must have scared the bejesus out of him. I was pretty shaken up myself. I walked up from where I stopped and let him shout at me for a bit, said sorry, left.

He should have checked up the slope before setting off on his traverse, maybe he did but didn't appreciate how fast I was going. I did well to miss him, but the balance of responsibility would have been more on me than him if we'd hit.

I used my face to break a snowboarders collarbone in 2 places a few years ago . I got off lightly with concussion , 2 black eys and torn thumb ligaments . He got a to go in a LuftKrankenWagon.

Yes , alot of snowboarders sit in daft places . Some skiers do too .

Snowboaders take different lines , and fall over randomly .

Give everyone a very wide berth , look uphill before setting off and be aware that faster / better riders will appear from nowhere and disappear just as quickly

He should have checked up the slope before setting off on his traverse, maybe he did but didn't appreciate how fast I was going. I did well to miss him, but the balance of responsibility would have been more on me than him if we'd hit.

Completely agree, I'm not sure the 'person uphill is responsible' rule works in all cases. People will change direction or move in an unexpected fashion all the time (both skiers and snowboarders)...I treat it like I do when I'm driving - assume everyone else is an idiot and about to do something stupid.

Although you get a bit of warning with cars - indicators, brake lights, and dedicated lanes.

It's difficult when you're in your little dream world enjoying the snow whilst pootling down the slope, sometimes you do your own thing without thinking "someone might be hurtling down the hill at me".

Gays on trays... They really grind my gears.

Utter twunts, the lot of them, in their baggy pants and dreadlocks.

He should have checked up the slope before setting off on his traverse, maybe he did but didn't appreciate how fast I was going. I did well to miss him, but the balance of responsibility would have been more on me than him if we'd hit.

Actually the onus is on the person up the slope to be skiing/boarding/sliding on a bin bag in a manner and speed in which they are defined as in control. Which given the speed you say you were travelling you weren't.

I've taught skiing and boarding. There are twunts everywhere and there is little or no respect between codes and age groups. I've been hit by both skiiers and boarders (helivac each time which was nice seeing as i was working both times and standing still). I hate snowboarders and i hate out of control skiers and people who clearly can;t ski but think they can so go reallllly fast. I don't ski or board any more because it depresses me too much to see generally how sh1t people are and how they conduct themselves.

Sorry to hear about your accidents, Col. There is some responsibility on people to check upslope before setting off, and before traversing. Hence the FIS code points saying so, alongside the one saying upslope skiers have responsibility to keep in control and not crash into people. (or something)

By the fact that I didn't hit him, I was in control. I avoided the one seemingly very unlikely thing that could possibly happen on that slope at that time. If I hadn't managed to, I wouldn't have been.

And sorry to hear you've sacked off the snow cos you can't stand other people! Isn't there a massive amount of awesome backcountry in NZ? I've seen you're bikepacking posts, you're obviously keen. What would you say if I said I was giving up mountain biking because I didn't like the kind of people I see at trail centres?!

Good point well made. I got bored of the attitudes and general lack of respect. I see the same on bikes so it's a society thing more than a ski/board thing.
I like backcountry skiing and touring, in fact there was some talk about doing some this winter, who knows.
And trail centres, i dunno, they serve a purpose but having ridden a few i always think it's all a bit easy and mcdonalds like. There is plenty of space and map information availble to go and explore.

And trail centres, i dunno, they serve a purpose but having ridden a few i always think it's all a bit easy and mcdonalds like. There is plenty of space and map information availble to go and explore.

That was the point I was was trying to make! There's plenty who would say the same about ski resorts.

Hope you get out this winter!

It's all to do with the blind different blindspots that boarders and skiers have and neither understanding what the other can and cant see. Those that do both will very rarely crash into either.

NZCol you might find the club fields are a bit more sociable and laid back? I enjoyed my boarding in NZ but the hills are smallish and quite busy and there are definitely a lot of people who take it all a bit too seriously or get too aggressive.

I have to say that from my own experience, it is [i]normally[/i] boarders who cause the most problems. Will report back from the Hemel Alp at the weekend...

I think the self-taught aspect is quite interesting here. Ski schools have, for years, taught people the FIS code and correct piste conduct. I think (and am willing to be proved wrong) that a lot of boarders are self taught. I've certainly seen people in resort on boards who've clearly chosen not to have lessons but rip their way down the nursery slopes through the beginners. Not clever.

Personally, I think there may be a need for some sort of certification/standard which permits you access to certain slopes with a certain level of skill. For both boarders and skiers. People on blades should just be banned anyway. 😉

On another note, was at Hemel the other day and I really wonder why so many people (mainly boarders as I saw it) had clearly lied about their ability and just gone straight on to the main slope. Half the people on the slope couldn't turn either way, let alone use the Poma!

I live in a ski resort, this is my 6th winter season, I ski 2-3 times a week.

Can't say I've ever been taken out by either skier or boarder - or taken out anyone my self.

But then I do tend to stay inside during half term.

Having never done any winter sports before I have self taught myself to snowboard this winter in the French Alps. I have seen numerous accidents, been hit by skiers, seen all sorts of people on ski's and boards have mishaps, not be in control, and be inconsiderate and considerate in equal measure.

There are all sorts of nobs as well as nice people having a nice time. More than any other sport there seem to be an element on the slope who have the attitiude that this is their annual week of skiing / snowboarding and no-one is going to get in their way / slow them down. I have also seen snowboarders stop to help skiers / kids who have fallen, and some skiers stopped to see if I was ok after a fall. My friend a good skier also got smacked into my a bloke on blades, so it all goes on.

So in summary, its nothing to do with boarders vs skiers, its just that some people are idiots and the perceived pressure of trying to pack as much as possible into your one week of sking that you have paid lots of money for creates a sense of entitlement in some people I think. The whole activity is generally a recipie for disaster if you look at rationaly, and some people just don't take it carefully enough.

It's all to do with the blind different blindspots that boarders and skiers have and neither understanding what the other can and cant see. Those that do both will very rarely crash into either

Yep this was not something I was aware of until I did a lot of sking/riding with borders.

I live in a ski resort, this is my 6th winter season, I ski 2-3 times a week.

Has it really been six years, must have been either your first or second year then we first stayed with you !!

+1 Guy - half term and the Christmas / New Year week! I think Saturday morning is the only time to go up! So quiet! 🙂

I spend 90% of my riding in the Backcountry. Always said its alot safer out there!! Only got yourself and nature to deal with!

Although in my younger foolhardy days of doing seasons I did clip a few people 😕

I think (and am willing to be proved wrong) that a lot of boarders are self taught.

I would assume it's about equal between self taught snowboarders and self taught skiers.

I learnt to snowboard through lessons (as did most people I know - although some are self taught and have crappy technique), and on some holidays I've booked advanced lessons to brush up my technique. I expect there are just as many skiers who are self taught and have crappy technique.

I think many skiers and snowboarders will not have another lesson after they've learnt the basics...that ends up meaning they learn poor technique to control their speed - beginner lessons only focus on slow speed linking turns...just like beginner skiing lessons focus on slow speed snowplough (or whatever it's called).

When you do advanced lessons you learn how to deal with steeps, moguls, uneven pistes, controlling speed, emergency stops, carving, off-piste, correct body control (i.e. using the board to turn rather than swinging your arms and body weight about)....etc, etc. The instructor will even show you how to show off a bit.

This is no different to skiing...you learn the basics during your beginner lessons and you need to brush up with more advanced lessons as you progress to learn proper technique.

People who believe that snowboarders are somehow less responsible mountain users than skiers are being shortsighted, and probably need to either open their eyes, or spend more time on the mountain. FACT.

I think (and am willing to be proved wrong) that a lot of boarders are self taught. I've certainly seen people in resort on boards who've clearly chosen not to have lessons but rip their way down the nursery slopes through the beginners. Not clever.

Well [i]some[/i] boarders are self taught although it has taken me many years of lessons to reach my level of medicority :wink:. They are also normally very easy to spot as their technique is invariably appalling. It is however down to the person, not the equipment though. Before snowboarding was invented, this sort of person would be trying to tech themselves to ski and causing just as much chaos.

A few resorts in the US used this sort of closed minded thinking to ban snowboarders until it was shown that the most likely people to cause accidents were not snowboarders but young males.

I think if you are getting into close shaves so often then maybe you're doing something wrong. I really can't think of a time in 30 years of skiing when I've even been close to hitting someone or vice versa.

It's nowt to do with whether you board or ski as there will be twunts on both, it's looking ahead, judging situations, anticipating other peeps actions and having enough skill to control yourself and avoid other folks.

Don't personally see why there is this perceived annimosity between boarders and skiers. Or xc and DH. Most people are there to enjoy themselves 😀

A few resorts in the US used this sort of closed minded thinking to ban snowboarders until it was shown that the most likely people to cause accidents were not snowboarders but young males.

+1 (or whatever the internet forum standard is for 'well said').

It's the same in all walks of life - hobbies, sports, driving. Some young males tend to be a little reckless, whether they have a board strapped to their feet or skis, whether they're riding a mountain bike, driving a car, or whatever.

It's got f all to do with their choice of sport/activity.

I learnt to snowboard through lessons (as did most people I know - although some are self taught and have crappy technique)

Never had a lesson. Neither have my boarding mates, despite two of them working as part-time "snowboard instructors" in Scotland back in the day (late 90s). 😯

Keep thinking I should do some intermediate lessons some time - but I'm usually enjoying myself too much to worry about the finer points of my technique.

I wonder how many mountain bikers have had lessons?

I wonder how many mountain bikers have had lessons?

I wonder how many mountain bikers have poor technique.

Actually I have had lessons and very helpful they were too.

Given that it is rare for a group of mountain bikers to be in anything other than single file, it's not such a problem though is it. I also suspect that most people had "lessons" on how to ride a bike, albeit probably from a parent.

singletrack piste - that would solve the whole situation 😛