Sports & Fitness
Skiing & Snowboarding
Sliding down snow, and the first choice is two skis or one board
Most people start at a resort: rent everything, take a group lesson, and by the afternoon you are easing down a beginner run. The real first decision is skis or a snowboard. Skis are kinder for the first two days; a board means more falls early but quicker progress once you can turn. An indoor slope is the cheapest trial. Cross-country is a different sport, closer to running.
First stepChoose skis or a snowboard, rent everything at the resort, and take a group lesson; you've started once you can stop by yourself on the beginner slope.
Which way inbold marks where the branches differ
| Cost to start | Going deep | Alone or with people | Without a teacher? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-Country SkiingNot about going down: this is distance running on snow | $50–300 | $300–2k | On your own | Self-taught |
| Alpine SkiingTwo skis, two independent feet, and a green run on day one | $50–300 | $2k–10k | On your own | Best with a class |
| SnowboardingBoth feet on one board, and the first two days are mostly falling | $50–300 | $2k–10k | On your own | Best with a class |
| Backcountry SkiingYou climb it yourself, and nobody is patrolling what you ski down | $300–2k | $10k–50k | Anyone will do | Needs a teacher |
Same on every branch: Effort Demanding · One session takes A full day · Where A special place
Why people take it up
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