Boarding at 40+

it's never too late to do something new!

my workmate shared a story with me. once he was skiing in new zealand i think it was, and he got onto a lift with 2 60+ aged men who had snowboards strapped to their feet.

he asked them almost the same question you're asking, when they started, how they find it, etc.

they were loving it and they said that the people who know them call them "the greys on trays". haha.

One day at the slopes i saw a man who had to been over 50 or probably even close to 60 and he was snowboarding. He was definitely of the elderly age. It was pretty rad to see something like that. I just had to give him a high five when i saw him at the base of the mountain.    

I rode a chairlift with a guy who must have been 60-70 today.  He was just as excited about shredding the powder as I was.  Hope I can still do this when I'm that old.

Not sure if it's easier on the body! I know it's more comfy to ride and cruise and switch as you need. Just take teh boots (vs hard boots) and no poles to carry and push around (not that it's a weight to consider). But IMO, yes, it is easier on teh body if you ust wanna cruise and take it easy.

I'm over 40 and still board... didn't start all that young either. But some of my buds I ride with are over 50. Big ups because I'm already starting to feel old. 

Originally posted by JumpsCrashPain I rode a chairlift with a guy who must have been 60-70 today.  He was just as excited about shredding the powder as I was.  Hope I can still do this when I'm that old.

That's awesome Qu - it'll keep you young for many years by the sounds of it.

I'm a 48 year old female, and just started boarding in February.  I took 1 lesson, but would suggest 3 in a row to decrease the learning curve and pain.  After 5 times, I can link turns on greens and think I'll be ready to take on blues next season.  My goals are to have fun riding with my family and enjoying the awesome sensation of going down the mountain.  I'd also like to get off the ski lift successfully every time!

Any determined and moderately athletic person should be able to pick up boarding in their 40's.  It did scare me a little when the guy handing out boots told me women my age (as noted on the rental form) don't usually try to snowboard.  The guy who handed out the boards seemed completely perplexed about what board to give to me and told me to expect to fall a lot.  Despite their comments, it's the best thing that I've done in a long time and I feel great!  Can't wait for next season.   

i agree.

then again, what really matters is how young at heart we all are!

My first time for snowboarding was about 37, now I already 40+, I love this game, and I will continue to boarding until I can't ride anymore....

cool to see that there is so many people that is still bording at there age. hope this shows poeple that snowboarding is not just a young kids sport.

I am in my early 30, and started last season. Since I started riding, I used helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and hip/butt pad. I highly recommend these things.

Recently, I started using a armor suite. I don't feel a thing whenever I fall.

My husband and I just started snowboarding this year and we're in our mid thirties. We definitely hope to be snowboarding though the 40s to 70s if our bodies would allow it!

Started when I was 40. Haven't fallen much if at all this past season, but I still wear impact shorts with real tailbone protection, wrist guards and helmet, probably don't need knee or elbow guards, but I wear them anyway. Makes being on my knees when I stop more comfortable. Keeps the joints warmer which protects from injury. I am certain I heal slower than I used to, so I take precautions.

Lessons were key for me. I'm doing tougher blues and easy blacks and still plan on taking lessons at the beginning of each season. It's not about not falling, but getting the most fun out of the experience with good technique.

I joked with my wife that my red snowboard was my midlife crisis equivalent of a buying a red convertible sports car! The only time my mind is not cluttered with a million things to do, is when I snowboard. Sounds silly, but I am hoping that my snowboarding and yoga will keep my mind and body healthy into a ripe old age.
   

Originally posted by SnowBanker   Lessons were key for me. I'm doing tougher blues and easy blacks and still plan on taking lessons at the beginning of each season. It's not about not falling, but getting the most fun out of the experience with good technique.

go for it. boarding is fun and safe as long as you know & respect your physical limitations.

i can only hope i am sitll able to ride when i am 40+

Originally posted by VASHTS718 45+ is probably too late to learn to board..   But once you know how to, i'm pretty sure u can board well into late 60's, early 70's

young blood running in ya!

i am 40+, my wife,(happy birthday honey) is nearly 40, we both ride, and ride hard, we lived in CO, and once you experience some deep pow on a board, you will know, that there is nothing better. I ski, and board, and think everyone should be skilled in both. About getting beat up learning, its nonsense, you're 40, not 70, if you are in good enough condition to ski, you should be fine boarding.

I started this year @ 38.. and i'm hooked.
I decided to switch from skiing and have no regrets.. i got tired of uncomfortable ski boots and the toll it takes on my knees..
boarding boots are much more comfortable and easier on the knees.. the learning curve is so worth it at the end.
i would certainly invest in impact shorts to protect your tail bones and level gloves that have integrated wrist protection..
ppl get injured only because they get impatient and don't take their time. if your willing to grasp the skill gradually, u have nothing to worry about!

Haha, I have to say I don't think there is anything wrong with being an old snowboarder, it does creep me out when I see a 60 year old dude dressed like a 13 year old punk rocker snowboarder, but I guess to each his own haha.  I'd say give it a try and see if you like it.  I prefer having my feet locked in together and also not having to hike up a black to retrieve a lost ski in a nasty spill is always nice.

Originally posted by tm12881  One suggestion I'd like to make is to get the proper protection gear, like wrist guards, knee pads, and butt pad are must (was for me at least). Helmet and elbow pads would help too. Good luck!