Rope Tows and Poma Lifts on Snowboards - how difficult are they?

Question

There is a small Ski & Snowboard area that I'm thinking of taking my wife & kids so that all four of us can learn to snowboard.

They have two rope tows, a poma (advanced runs, probably won't use it first time out) and NO CHAIR LIFTS.

How hard is it to use those with a snowboard?

(The bunny hill is only $10 per day! Call me cheap... though I did get four snowboards and a bunch of boots, bindings & goggles on eBay in the last two weeks... for about the cost of a Wii

Answer 1

I am an advanced boarder (6 years), you will NOT want to learn on a rope two or Poma lift. You have to catch a high speed rope in your hands and use you're hands like a clutch. It WILL ruin you're gloves and you will NOT get up the mountain if you aren't good. The poma lift is slightly easier but still much harder than a regular ski lift, you won't get up the the mnt. on a poma either on you're first day.

I suggest that you go to a real ski place that has chair lifts. The only difficulty with them is getting off. Basically you try to ride with one foot in and you will fall over almost every time on you're first day. But they will slow the lift down when that happens and let you get up and out of the way of other riders, so it is safe.

Answer 2

Anything other than a chairlift is awful when skiing, I can only imagine it would be worse with snowboards.  Be prepared to spend three-quarters of your day trying to get up the hill.

Answer 3

tow ropes are decently hard when snowboarding. also if it is your first time, you should probly buy some glove gaurds so your gloves donot get shredded. i have ridden to tows once in the past year and my gloves are falling apart because of it. i think the chairlift is easier to ride than the tow ropes. although it is alot more intimidating, it is easier. the only problem is that you will have to ride the mroe advanced hills. although i have never ridden a poma, they look alot easier than the tow ropes. i would suggest going to a little larger place and getting lessons to start out snowboarding but that is just me. it costs a little more, but it will definately be worth the cost.