Winter is calling, and the snowy slopes are waiting! Many of us dream about gliding through fresh snow, feeling the chill air brush our cheeks. But here’s the big question for beginners: should we choose skiing (two skis) or snowboarding (one board) for our first ride?

If you’ve been stuck on this choice, don’t worry—we’re about to break it down together. After this, you’ll feel confident and ready to take on the mountain!

Getting Started: Which Is Easier to Learn?

Let’s talk about which one is easier to get started with.

For most beginners, skis (two boards) are more beginner-friendly. Why? Because they feel a bit like walking—each foot gets its own ski, and we use poles to help with balance. With just a little training, we can learn how to stand, brake, and glide slowly on gentle beginner slopes. It’s less likely we’ll fall hard, and even if we do, it’s usually nothing major. For those of us who just want to have a fun, easy experience without too much effort, skis are a solid pick.

Snowboarding, on the other hand, is trickier at first. We have to stand sideways on one board and control everything using our body weight. It can feel like trying to balance on a bar of soap—slippery and wobbly. Falls are frequent at the beginning (yes, we might land on our butts a few times!). But once we get the hang of it, snowboarding becomes super cool and stylish, letting us try all kinds of fun tricks.

Speed and Flexibility on the Slopes

Now let’s compare how each option handles speed and movement.

Skiing allows us to pick up speed quite quickly, especially on long or steep slopes. That rush of flying downhill is amazing—but it can be intense if we’re not ready! However, skis are a bit less flexible when it comes to turning quickly. To make smooth curves or dodge obstacles, we’ll need practice and proper technique.

Snowboarding, though, wins when it comes to flexibility. With just some twists of our body and shifts in balance, we can easily weave around people or obstacles. It feels graceful and smooth. While it takes longer to build up speed on a snowboard, once we improve, we can enjoy that wind-in-our-face thrill just like skiing offers.

How Much Time and Effort Does It Take to Learn?

Learning costs us time and energy, so let’s weigh them out.

Skis offer a smoother learning curve. With just a half or full day of lessons, most of us can start sliding down beginner trails confidently. The basic moves are simple, and using ski gear is pretty straightforward—put on the boots, clip into the skis, grab the poles, and go.

Snowboarding has a steeper learning curve. It might take several days just to learn how to balance, start moving, and stop safely. The gear also takes some time to get used to at first. But once we get familiar with it, it becomes much easier. And if we aim to master more advanced tricks and styles, snowboarding does require patience and consistent practice.

Which One Is More Fun?

Both have their own kind of fun—it really depends on what excites us more.

Skiing offers that smooth, flowing feeling, like we’re flying across a snowy field. Watching the landscape blur behind us as we race our friends can be really thrilling. There’s also a social joy in skiing side by side, challenging each other for speed or style.

Snowboarding brings a different kind of excitement. It’s more about style, tricks, and self-expression. Watching experienced boarders jump, spin, and carve through the snow is truly inspiring. And when we pull off our first turn or jump, the sense of achievement is huge. It’s also a great way to catch eyes on the slopes!

So, What Should We Pick for Our First Time?

If we’re looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy the snow—something that doesn’t need a lot of prep—then skis are the way to go. They’re friendly for beginners and let us enjoy the snowy fun almost right away.

But if we love a good challenge, don’t mind a few falls, and want to eventually do cool tricks, snowboarding might be our better match. It takes more time and energy at first, but the payoff is big once we improve.

Let’s Own the Slopes, Lykkers!

Skis and snowboards each bring their own kind of thrill, and the best part is discovering that joy for ourselves. What really matters is stepping onto the snow, feeling the chill in the air, and letting go of hesitation. Lykkers, it’s time to pick your ride, suit up, and dive into the adventure. Let’s turn this winter into a memory we’ll never forget!

What's Easier: Skiing Or Snowboarding?

Video by The Bag o' Tricks