If you're new to snow sports and eager to hit the slopes, there's one question you've got to ask yourself: "Am I a skier or a snowboarder?" Granted, lots of people do both nowadays.

Times have changed a lot since the early 2000's, when the "skiing vs snowboarding" rivalry was at its peak, and now it’s easier to pick a sport without worrying about making the wrong choice. 

But which sport you choose is going to make a huge difference in the learning curve. The techniques for skiing and snowboarding are totally different, and each one excels in a variety of ways. 

That's why we put together this quick guide. To help you, a stoked snow sports newbie, make the biggest decision of your career. Let's get into it and figure out which is right for you. 

Skiing or Snowboarding

What's the big deal? Skiing and snowboarding can't be that different, right? A pair of skis has two planks (which are easier to walk with), a snowboard has one. But in reality, pretty much everything about skiing and snowboarding is different and there are pros and cons to starting with either. 

In snow sports, we have a saying: Skiing is easier to learn than snowboarding, but harder to master. This is because skiing is more ergonomic. Your body is used to moving forward, rather than sideways, which creates an initial learning curve with snowboarding. 

The simple answer is that if you're new to snow sports, try skiing first. However, this isn't always true. If you know how to skateboard, longboard, wakeboard, surf, or paddleboard, snowboarding is going to feel more natural to you. 

Wait! Before you make a decision, keep reading—there's a lot more to consider on top of that. Here are some other factors to consider. 

The Basic Techniques

Let's figure out why skiing and snowboarding differ so much. The basic concept behind any snow sport is to use the metal edges of your skis or board to cut into the snow and create traction. This is what lets you turn. 

On skis, this is easier to learn to do because your body is facing forward. You can slow your momentum on skis by making a "pizza" with your tips together and tails apart. Anybody could learn to do this in a day, so with skiing, you could be up and running on the bunny hill in a couple hours. 

Stopping on a snowboard is much harder to learn. Unlike skiing, there isn't a way to turn with "training wheels on." You have to just go for it, fail, and do it again until you get it. 

The basic technique for turning on a snowboard involves your whole body. You start the turn by looking where you want to go with your shoulders, hips, and feet following. 

Your weight moves off your back foot, letting it swing around, and then back onto it, so your edge can dig in. Doing all this in one fluid motion is frustratingly hard for beginners  and usually takes a while to learn. 

Before you pick a snow sport, know what you're getting yourself into. If you want immediate results or have limited time to learn, skiing is the way to go, but if you've got prior experience with board sports, snowboarding will feel more natural to you. 

Different Sports, Different Gear

The most obvious difference between skiing and snowboarding is your gear. While there are some features you’ll want for either, like goggles that offer clear peripheral vision, some items lend themselves better for one sport over the other. Every piece of equipment will be different such as boots, bindings, and ski poles. For example, ski boots won't work in snowboard bindings and vice versa. 

Let's get a little more specific on the major differences. First, skis are longer and thinner than snowboards. They usually have roughly the same surface area, but skis and boards for experts (or tall riders) will be longer. Powder skis and boards are both wider than those for groomers or park riding. 

Ski and snowboard bindings differ too. Ski bindings are designed to "pop off", or release your boot if you crash. Snowboard bindings don't do this. 

Snowboard bindings work with straps and a large back plate that lets you put pressure on the board. Ski bindings clip onto the front and back of the boot sole. 

Lastly, ski boots are notoriously expensive, often uncomfortable, and much harder to walk in. This is because they’re encased with a  hard plastic shell, but when you find a perfect fit, they do an excellent job of keeping your feet warm and helping you transfer power to your skis while riding. 

In contrast, snowboard boots are all about comfort. They have soft shells and lots of padded insulation, which does a great job of keeping your feet warm. 

But How Much Does It Cost?

Do these two gear setups cost different amounts? Short answer, yes. The main reason for this is ski boots. When you start skiing, you want to invest in good boots. Because having anything but the perfect fit can make you miserable while riding. 

The good news is, once you've got your perfect boots, they'll last you a long time. Snowboard boots wear out much faster than ski boots. 

Beginner skis, boards, and bindings (for either sport) cost roughly the same. Skis are often more expensive, but you can find a decent pair to get started for cheap. 

In general, you should expect to pay $500-$1200 for your first full ski setup (skis, boots, bindings, and poles). The lower end of this range is all used gear and the higher end is all new gear. Starter boards, boots, and bindings will vary in the $400-$800 range. 

How Do You Want to Ride? 

The last question is probably the most important: What do you see yourself doing on skis or a snowboard? 

Do you want to pursue freeriding, ripping through trees all over the whole mountain? Maybe you're a powderhound in the making, chasing fresh snow? Would you rather be a freestyle park rider, focusing on going fast, sliding rails, and hitting big airs, or do you just want to glide gently down the ski resort hill?

This is just the start of the list as far as different approaches go. For high speeds on groomed runs, skiing wins. If you want to do flashy flatground butters, presses, and spin tricks, it’ll feel more natural to learn how on a snowboard. 

Powder riding feels awesome on either skis or a snowboard. Powder riding and park riding are both a little easier for beginners to learn on a snowboard, but for big mountain riding over variable conditions, hitting big features, and going really, really fast, skiing wins. 

Shredding The Backcountry

Skiing also has a benefit in that it's more conducive to touring (or moving uphill) for riding outside of the resort. If you want to go uphill, it's much easier to do on skis. True, splitboarding has made uphill travel a lot easier for snowboarders. 

But the truth is that skis are a better way to move over terrain, whether it's uphill, flat, or some combination of the two. Skis allow the rider to skate (create momentum on flat or inclined ground) and ski equipment makes touring much easier. 

So if your primary interest is either touring or ski mountaineering, skiing is an obvious choice. It's not impossible to do on a snowboard, just a lot harder. Skis provide a much safer and more accessible method of moving through technical terrain. 

The Gist of It

So which should you pick? Well, at the end of the day, it's up to you. Both disciplines can get to the same places, both have been shown to benefit mental health, and both are stylish, fluid, and unbelievably cool ways of tearing the mountain up. 

True, it will be easier to learn how to ride the park on a snowboard, and touring is much easier on skis, but while both sports have their merits, there really is no right or wrong answer.

The best part about learning snow sports right now is that new technology has opened up every style of riding to both disciplines. Using splitboards, snowboarders can now access the backcountry, and with flexible twin tip skis, skiers can slide, press, spin, butter, and flip their way through the park with steeze (that's style and ease, for you newbies). 

Both hobbies are expensive, both have diehard followings, but at the end of the day, if you prefer something about one over the other, you should go for it. Skiing and snowboarding are about enjoying the mountains. 

Skiing vs Snowboarding FAQs

Is skiing easier to learn than snowboarding? 

Skiers and snowboarders usually agree that skiing is easier to learn yet harder to master. Snowboarding is the opposite; harder to learn, but easier to master. 

Is snowboarding cheaper than skiing? 

Basic ski gear is usually more expensive than snowboard gear—this is because ski boots are much more expensive than snowboard boots. 

Can snowboarders ride in the backcountry? 

Thanks to the recent innovation of the splitboard, snowboarders can ride in the backcountry just like skiers. 

Are snowboards better for powder riding? 

Wide skis and snowboards are both great for powder riding, but new snowboarders will find it a little easier to learn to ride in powder.