Question with snowboarding or Skiing for a southerner???

Question

I am from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and me and my friends love to wakeboard. We talking about taking a trip to Aspen, Co. to go snowboarding, but we don't know where to snowboard or how it works. So here are my questions...

Every where online says buy ski lift tickets... Do you buy just these and we can snowboard or do you have to find like a resort or something?

Where do we get our gear, snowboards, etc.?

Where do we board at?

Thank you for helping me it's really confusing.... I have never even seen snow... that should tell you something...

Answer 1

everyone is right concerning what to buy and how to do it.  But let me recommend a mountain.  I think Aspen Snowmass is the best it has 4 mountains for the price of one.  Especially if you are going to be staying right in aspen..  all are in driving distance of each other.   I went there last year for my spring break and now I am moving out there in December.  Here is the website so you can get an idea. http://www.aspensnowmass.com/default.cfm...

just make sure u dress really warm with 3+ layers b/c it is alot colder then the east coast.  And buy goggles b/c it snowed everyday when I was there.

Answer 2

Any resort throughout Colorado will have rentals for snowboards, boots, etc. - and buy the best pass deal available, usually you save with a 2+day pass from the resort itself. Some offer "batched" ski pass deals to additional resorts in the area for the stated time period (2 day, 5 day, year pass, etc) - that allows you to hit up a few other places. You will need to rerent from the actual resort, but can use a pass at multiple locations.

It's all pretty straight forward once you select the resprt you are going to - 99% have these rentals, supplies, passes etc.

Enjoy.

Answer 3

Just choose an area (ex: Aspen, Tahoe, etc) and choose a Ski Area (Resort) - drive there early in the morning and buy a lift ticket. You can buy them ahead of time to save money, but you will have to turn in the vouchers you buy for actual lift tickets when you get there. I sometimes decide at lunch to take the rest of the day off and drive up for a half day - it is that easy.

Many resorts have first timer packages that give you access to the easy chair lifts, a free rental, and a free group lesson for beginners. At the area that I usually go to, a full day lift ticket is $58 and the beginner package is the same amount.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Any resort that you visit has lift facilities that you are able to use, when you purchase the lift ticket. This is conditional on you following some rules, and having the skill to ride the lift safely. This does not guarantee or require that you have the skill to negotiate the slope to get down. The resorts like Aspen, are a fair size town and the lifts are separate from the lodging and food.  The  buy lift tickets icon on the web sites allow an online purchase in advance and may be much cheaper than a day pass purchased at the ticket window.

Many areas offer combined package of lessons, lift ticket and equipment. This does include boots, but not gloves, hat or winter clothing.

Since you have never seen snow, you will need some very basic advice.  Clothing should be multiple layers except socks, one pair of those is correct.  A set of long johns that will insulate and also wick moisture from your skin, a set of pants that are water repellant,  on your torso, a set of 2 or more thin layers under a sweater and then a good quality jacket designed for ski or snowboard use.  A hat or preferrably a ski helmet that covers your head and ears, also goggles and finally a pair of ski gloves.  

  Since you do wake board,  I guess you'll try snowboarding first, it is similar to wakeboarding in some ways and very different in others.  Take a set of lessons with your buds and listen to your instructor.  When fitting your boots, they must be tight around the foot and ankle. If the boot is too large, you do not transfer your body movements to the board, and then you have no control.  

  Plan on a one week trip at least, also take a set of dancing shoes, and gear for the hot tub.  One other thing you will need is money, food and beverages are expensive at a resort.

Stay hydrated, you will loose 1 liter of water a day at these altitudes.   When you overheat start by unzipping jackets, then removing one layer at a time. You can adjust your temperature by exposing/covering your ears.  Also take burn cream, spf 45+ since the altitude does not give any protection against sunburn.

  Once again, take a series of lessons from a qualified instructor, in a beginning group, everyone is a beginner, make some new friends, enjoy their company.