We’re here to settle one of the most frequently asked questions on the ski hill: Which is easier, skiing or snowboarding? And who better to answer this question than our expert instructors!

Whether you are new to snowsports and want to pick the easiest option out of skiing or snowboarding or you’ve already chosen a side, the question of which discipline is harder is much discussed and often highly debated. 

Both skiing and snowboarding are incredibly technical sports that require a lot of time and practice to perfect. But which is easier?

We asked our instructors, many of whom teach both skiing and snowboarding, which discipline they believe is easier and why. Here is the general consensus:

Skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding, however, it is harder to master. 

What Makes Skiing Easier to Learn Than Snowboarding?

In general, skiing is considered easier to learn than snowboarding – both mentally and physically – thanks to several key factors:

Body Position and Balance

With skiing, your feet can move independently and your body faces forward, a position that feels more intuitive as it resembles walking. In contrast, snowboarding can feel less natural and more intimidating, as your body faces across the hill rather than downhill and both feet are strapped to a single board, making balancing more challenging. As a result, snowboarding often involves significantly more falling during the early stages of learning.

Flat Terrain

Navigating flat terrain on skis is relatively effortless – you can glide, shuffle, or skate to maintain momentum. However, moving across flats on a snowboard can be much more challenging. It’s easy to unexpectedly catch an edge and once you lose momentum you’ll need to unstrap one foot to skate and push yourself forward, which can quickly become tiring.

Ski Lifts

Taking various ski lifts is more difficult on a snowboard due to your sideways position. When taking a chairlift on skis, you simply ski onto the lift and sit down as you would normally. However, when snowboarding, you need to unstrap one foot and twist your body forward to sit down. Exiting the lift on a snowboard is also tricker as it requires you to disembark in a straight line with one foot unstrapped, which can be daunting at first!

First Lines

Going in a straight line down the hill on skis is as simple as pointing your skis down the mountain and letting gravity take over. Controlling your speed is easily managed by adjusting your stance. It is slightly more challenging in snowboarding, however, as you need to use your heel or toe edge to decrease or increase friction so that you can slide down the hill and stop. To do this you have to shift your body weight slightly and lift your toes, a technique that can take a while to grasp. 

First Turns

Turning when skiing involves shifting your weight slightly from one leg to the other. Beginners can easily master snowplough turns before progressing to parallel turns, which are more challenging. However, there is no stepping stone for first turns in snowboarding. Beginners need to learn how to transition from the toe edge to the heel edge and vice versa, which is a complex skill that takes more time to get the hang of than snowplough turns on skis. 

What Makes Snowboarding Easier to Master Than Skiing?

Although snowboarding is often harder to learn than skiing initially, it is generally considered easier to master. The learning process can feel challenging at first, but once it clicks, the technique remains relatively consistent, with the primary focus shifting to using your body and edges more effectively to control speed. In contrast, mastering skiing involves several more steps and a greater variety of techniques.

Typically, snowboarding has three levels of instruction while skiing has seven. The technique used for snowboarding is more basic than skiing, as the feet are fixed to the board, which reduces the directional effect. Skis also have four edges, whereas a snowboard only has two, which makes learning how to carve on skis more challenging. In addition, the snowboard’s lift makes it easier to tackle deep powder as it offers better buoyancy than skis. Bad habits are also picked up very commonly in skiing, which can be hard to correct. 

Which Discipline Should You Choose: Skiing or Snowboarding?

Whether you choose skiing or snowboarding is really up to you. Skiing is often the preferred choice for complete beginners to snowsports, however, don’t let this put you off trying snowboarding. Both skiing and snowboarding require a good level of fitness in order to achieve quick progression. You can follow our specialist Ski Fit Guide to set yourself up for success on the slopes and reduce your risk of injury. 

Whether skiing or snowboarding feels easier may depend on your sporting background. If you have experience skateboarding, surfing or wakeboarding, snowboarding may be easier to pick up and will feel like the natural choice. Alternatively, skiing may be the best choice if you can ice skate or rollerblade. But whichever sport you choose, picking a side doesn’t mean you can’t then learn the other discipline later down the line too! Both skiing and snowboarding are incredibly thrilling and rewarding, no matter your age or sporting background. 

What is the Best Way to Learn Skiing or Snowboarding?

The best way to learn to ski or snowboard is by taking lessons with an expert instructor. Lessons will help you to build confidence and learn the correct technique in a safe and supportive environment so that you can advance your skiing or snowboarding as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

No matter which discipline you choose to pursue, learning to ski or snowboard is a process that requires time, dedication and ultimately passion. Everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t let the difficulty of learning to ski or snowboard stop you. Embrace the challenge and you’ll thank yourself later! Check out our top tips for beginner snowboarders and beginner skiers to get you started on the right foot!