Skiing vs. Snowboarding: Which One is Easier for Beginners to Learn?

The debate between which is the better sport, between skiing and snowboarding, seems to have chilled out a bit over the years. No matter which snowsport you choose to participate in, you are sure to have ample amounts of fun. It’s really about just getting out there and making the most of your time in the snow. 

But when it comes to skiing versus snowboarding in which is easier to learn, the debate continues. I have experience with both so I’ll share some of my experience to help you decide which might be the best for you to attempt. 

Quick Answer

There really isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question. If you have never attempted anything on the snow, I would say that skiing is more intuitive and easier to learn. If you have attempted other board sports, such as skateboarding or surfing, snowboarding might be easier to learn. It can also vary from person to person based on your skills, desires, and preferences as well. Let’s take a closer look at each below. 

Why Skiing is Easier to Learn

From a beginner’s perspective, skiing can be easier to learn than snowboarding. Why? Because it is more intuitive. This means that you face forward downhill in a similar fashion to how you would be if you were walking, running, or hiking. Obviously, skiing isn’t as easy as just walking or running, but because your body is oriented in a natural direction, it can be easier for beginners to learn than snowboarding. 

Snowboarding can still be natural, and I know plenty of people who have picked it up pretty quickly and easily. But if you try to ski for your first time one day and then snowboard for your first time the next day, I think most people would find skiing to be easier, overall. The basics of skiing are a little more within reach for a beginner as well. You can become a good beginner skier in a quicker amount of time than becoming a good beginner snowboarder. 

You can learn how to make a basic pizza wedge turn in a matter of minutes and can easily go down a bunny slope without worry on your first day. That is if you have a good instructor, anyway. While there is a lot of technique and experience required to become an expert skier, learning the basics can come really quickly. If you have any experience with ice skating or cross-country skiing, skiing will obviously be easier as well.

Why Snowboarding is Easier to Learn

Even though skiing is easier to learn if you have never attempted a snowsport before, snowboarding can be easier to learn if you have experience on another type of board. The basics of turning a skateboard or snowboard are fairly similar to snowboarding. So if you have spent any time with either of those sports, there is a good chance that you will be able to pick up snowboarding easier than you would be able to pick up skiing. 

Snowboarding is also easier to learn because there is less gear involved. All you really need is your board and your boots. You’ll need warm weather and protective gear as well, but technically speaking, this is less gear than what you need to get started with skiing. That also makes it cheaper to get all of your equipment, which can be a significant barrier to entry that keeps some people from attempting the sport in the first place. 

Skiing involves using your legs separately on two planks, and snowboarding involves using both legs at the same time on one plank. This can make snowboarding a bit easier to learn because you don’t have to think or worry about your legs going in opposite directions. They are very literally attached to a board on your feet. This means your snowboard won’t fall off in a wreck like skis can. 

Snowboarding is also easier to learn in the terrain park. If this is the type of skiing or riding you want to get good at, you should think about learning on the snowboard first. This comes down to the one plank versus two planks debate as well. It’s often easier to hit a feature, such as a rail, in the terrain park on a snowboard than it is on skis. 

Should I Try Both? 

If you are just beginning, I would really try a day or two on both skis and a snowboard. You might find that you enjoy one over the other or are naturally better at one. If you already have your mind made up on which one you want to pursue, I won’t try to talk you out of it. But it’s a good experiment to take a few days on both. I learned how to ski and snowboard at a young age and am thankful that I did. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which sport you end up pursuing, you have to start somewhere. You can learn either snowboarding or skiing if you put the time in to improve your skills and get better on the snow. There is no substitute for hard work and practice, but I would always suggest taking a few lessons, no matter which one you choose. Learning any new task can be extra difficult if you don’t have a good instructor showing the basics!