Kirkwood on Saturday, March 3!

Don't psych yourself out.  I always used to fall on the lift, until the end of last season when I just stopped tripping about it.  Now I only fall when someone grabs me or it's a particularly warm day and my topsheet's slick.

In my experience that's really all that differentiates beginners (not first times, but beginners) and intermediates.  Because basic snowboarding is really not that hard.  Getting over the fear of catching edges, linking turns, going fast, THAT is hard.

Dudette! I've been boarding 4 times now, with many more to come (just got my own board woo-hoo!). Anyway, I finally got used to getting off the lift last time up... the trick for me was to kind of sit sideways on the lift chair and try to line up my loose foot so that it'd hit the board right next to the binding... then just act like you are riding with your bindings hooked up, the board won't go anywhere (meaning it won't fly out from under you)! And, remember it's no biggie if you do fall, as you have before and it didn't hurt too much or you wouldn't be going again. And, if what is freaking you out is more about the next person getting off the lift (potentially being in their way or them hitting you, etc...) - then ask the guy/girl that is operating the bottom of the lift to ask the people to leave an empty chair between you and them to give you some space! They are usually really cool about that if you're on a bunny slope/beginner area. I hope this helps a little.    

Edited by ginagoff - Mar/02/2007 at 1:07pm

Originally posted by Riley Originally posted by Cali_Girlie   It's the second time for me, EVER...and I'm scared to death, because I effing hate getting off the lift.  It freaks me out.   Any advice?   Yes I do stay over your front foot, dont lean back you will wash out for sure, wait until the last possible min to stand up as well. Then whoever is riding with you is already getting off and you are by yourself a tad. A stomp pad does help as well.   Good luck and have fun with it....

Most of your weight on your front foot is key and also look ahead not down at your board. Your feet know what to do.

I just say I've been riding ten years because it's easier than going into detail.  I rode for the first time in 7th grade (about 9 years ago, actually).  The next two years, I probably went about three or four times, every time on rentals.  For about six years in the middle of that, I never even saw snow.  Last January I started riding again and really got into it, and have probably hit the slopes about 20 times since then (about five or six times last season).

So for about the first eight years I was a "riding" I went about four times.  When I started again, I had to start all over.  I think that allows me a bit of slack.


Edited by kimchijajonshim - Mar/04/2007 at 4:05pm

I still can't stand up and strap-in