If you’re eager to take to the slopes but have never skied before, snow blades could be the perfect alternative to traditional skis. Often referred to as ski blades, these shorter planks are great for both beginners and seasoned skiers who are hoping to master new tricks. With less length to maneuver, they make basic skills, such as turning and remaining upright, a cinch. Moreover, high-quality snow blades can often be purchased or rented at a significantly lower cost. Here’s a bit of advice from the experts at ASO Mammoth, the place to go for high-quality Mammoth Mountain ski rentals, to get you started.
Why Snow Blades Are Better Learning Tools for Some Beginners
Many new skiers find snow blading is a lot less intimidating than skiing, and this is especially true once they’ve tried the blades on and attempted a few simple movements. These planks represent a fusion of snowboards and skis to provide all the fun and excitement of rapid snow riding with far less difficulty. Given their shorter construction, these planks are also lighter and easier to carry. Perhaps the most important benefit snow blades provide is increased confidence. If you’ve never gone skiing or snowboarding before, snow blading will give you an exhilarating introduction without causing a number of embarrassing and potentially painful falls. Once you’ve had sufficient experience on your snow blades, you’ll be ready to face the challenge of navigating the slopes on significantly longer planks.
How Using Snow Blades Builds Strength and Refines Posture
Beyond making skiing far less intimidating for beginners, snow blades also serve as an awesome tool for physical conditioning. Skiing requires a fair amount of core muscle and leg strength, which help skiers maintain their balance and control when negotiating turns and other challenging maneuvers. Snow blading works many of the same muscle groups. With snow blades, you can prime your body for skiing the slopes so your first few downhill trips on skis are easier and far more controlled.
Why Snow Blades Don’t Negate the Need for Ski Lessons
Although snow blades provide an excellent introduction to the world of skiing, they aren’t a substitute for basic ski training. It’s important to take at least one or two lessons to learn about using ski lifts, proper etiquette on the slopes, and emergency maneuvers for minimizing damage caused by falls. Moreover, despite the similarities between skiing and snow blading, there are a few distinct differences you’ll need to be mindful of when transitioning from one type of equipment to the other. For instance, the correct posture for snow blading is very similar to the primarily upright position you use when wearing roller skates or roller blades. Conversely, when navigating steep terrain on skis, you’ll have to lean down a bit over your ski tips. Ski and snow blade instructors can leverage the similarities between these two types of snow-riding equipment to advance your learning while simultaneously pointing out the changes you’ll need to make to ensure a safe and successful transition.
How Snow Blades Allow You to Ride the Snow with Abandon
If you’ve had an unfortunate start with skis, trying out snow blades is an excellent idea. These planks are known for offering total freedom and control from the very outset. Wearing snow blades can be a lot like having two snowboards attached to your feet. With shorter equipment, you’ll find it infinitely easier to maintain your balance and enjoy the slopes.
No matter which type of equipment you choose, drop by and chat with the experts at ASO Mammoth on your way to the slopes. We have great advice for beginning skiers and snow bladers alike, and we can hook you up with all the gear you need for an amazing mountain adventure. Whether they need to register a tour, check out the latest equipment, or rent snowboards in Mammoth, visitors to the mountain know they can rely on us for great service and expert advice. Come by and see us or give us a call at 760-965-3444.