LamarCrazed

Lately I have been having a lot of family and friends ask me to take them up to the parks and show them how to snowboard for the first time. I’ve done this a few times for friends but as you know, learning to ride for your first time sucks. This last time I just wanted to show my adult friend the basics and let them figure the rest out on their own for the rest of the day on the bunny hill. Then just check in with them. BUT they wanted me by there side all day.

This may be selfish but I tell them to pay the money and take a lesson like I did five years ago. It’s not worth my money to pay for an all day pass when I don’t get to ride myself. Anybody else run into this with family or friends? How do you handle it?

slushy

Just say "no" dude! Seriously, I hate going up with first timers. I was one once myself, and ya know, I took a lesson! I totally recommend it! It's just such a learning curve, your first time up is all about feeling out balance and learning how to stop. Not much fun if you wanna ride.

But if they pay for your lift tickets, then that's something different.

SkaredShtles

Hell, I usually leave my slower advanced/expert friends behind if the conditions are good enough and just coordinate a meeting time.

Tell 'em to pound sand.

gnurider1080

hah, that's what i would do when i went riding with my dad.

just think, in a couple years your kids will be doing the same thing.

SkaredShtles

Good. Then I can ski EXACTLY what I want.

Bunny

Well, I was the least experienced one on my last trip out and I sent them ahead without me. It was really the only nice thing to do and I couldn't imagine forcing one of them to stay by my side...it's so unfair to them! Fortunately for me, there happened to be younger relative that stayed back on the easier slopes anyway, so she and I hung out and had some fun.

Point of the story? Maybe the buddy system would work for you. If there's more than one person wanting you to help and they're not willing to get lessons just yet, then take two along and let 'em know up front you're just giving them the basics and then headed off on your own. Then they can still have a buddy to hang out with (they can share their falls and bruises with each out...how sweet! :P)....and you can still have a great time without feeling obligated to keep them company. Then if they don't pick it up from there, they can invest in lessons because you gave what you could already.

LamarCrazed

Seems everyone is feeling the same way I do. If you do show someone the basics, they need to learn the rest on their own and feel it out. Hell, that's the only way to learn. Now when it comes to the little tikes, that is a different story.

I liked the idea about getting them to pay for a ticket in exchange for lessons.

Mastercycleman

Your friends suck...

The best way to teach an annoyitron is to take them to the top of the mountain, and leave them behind. They will figure it out or kick your ass, or both.