Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Radius]

Ive never been. I'm going to look like a complete jack@@@ out there, but seeing as Koreans are for the most part anti-coordinated, I'll fit right in. But please give me pointers

[McGenghis]

If it's at all possible go on a weekday. The hills get as crowded as the Gyeongbu Expressway of a Saturday. Also, stretch. You will have a sore backside the following day in any case, but a bit of preparation might lessen the pain.

[Radius]

[optik404]

Resorts are open already?

Tips:

Keep the knees bent
Weight on the back leg
Try not to fall when getting off the ski lift

[UknowsI]

Try to go there on a day with few people and fresh snow, will make it much less painful.

As to actual tips... the first day just try to get used to the board, so I don't think tips will be very useful, but I'll try to give some anyway. Slide downwards on both sides, slide from side to side, try to spin around a little. Keep the speed low and don't try to ride straight down the hill. When you go from side to side be very careful not to block someone's way. Don't slide across the whole slope as it makes it tricky for people who are overtaking.

I guess the first days are also when you are most likely to injure yourself. Wrist injuries are very common in the beginning because many people put out their arms when they fall backwards. I guess you could use wrist protectors, but I don't find them very useful, but maybe you should practice falling backwards a few times before you start. I am not sure how to explain it, but the main point is not to stretch out your hands.

Since I practices judo, this is how I do it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9hB6vQX7d8 but I'm not sure if that how you're supposed to fall while snowboarding.

[asc422]

... ...

[Helenstar]

Make sure if you're renting your board and binders, that the tech adjusts the angle of your bindings to suit you.
Personally i prefer a wider stance angle because it helps with kicking the board when in deeper powder, but i have no idea what the snow is like in Korea.
Probably you'll be doing falling-leaf on your first few days, so just make sure the stance distance is comfortable for you since you'll be in a squat position all the time and your thighs will hate you.

Best tip: Get a lesson!

[Wiltern]

[Drew345]

The first day the first thing to practice is called "falling leaf". Learn to do falling leaf front-side and falling leaf back-side. From those two pieces the rest comes together.
Google the video for those and make that step 1 and 2.

Are you going soon? The slopes can't be open.

[v88]

[Radius]

[UknowsI]

[McGenghis]

I was wondering the same thing. Where are you going, Radius? I have heard they have one of those indoor hills in Seoul somewhere, and I'm pretty sure that that's your only option in Korea in mid-October. I live in Gangwon-do and it's still only foliage season.

[v88]

First time tips:

1 - Practice skating (with your back foot out, kicking like you're on a skateboard on flat ground) before you try using lifts with your board on.

2 - learn how to side slip first (ride on one edge only, do not point your board down hill, practice both riding on your heels going forward and on your toes going backwards)

3 - practice the falling leaf - side slip going from side to side (left to right). Practice on your back edge (heels) and front edge (toes). You can go side to side by pushing on that foot (if you want to go left, push on your left foot - heel for heel side and toes for toe side sliding, sometimes called the gas pedal)

4 - chicken turns - starting from a side slip rotate your upper body (not your board) so that your front arm and torso are pointing down hill. Your board will turn and start to pick up speed, then turn back to your original position (side slip), bend your knees more and dig your edge into the snow to slow down. A this point in the game your knees will be bent equally...never get into the habit of being a chicken and leaning on your back leg...makes it real hard to turn.

5 - Add more bend to your front knee and do more chicken turns (or skip chicken turns all together and carry on to first turns). Your front leg is your pivot leg, your body shifts around the front leg while turning and your back leg follows like a guide.

6 - first turns - (starting with a heel side to toe side turn for this explanation) start from a side slip on your heels (looking down the hill standing on your heels with your board perpendicular to the slope) then rotate your body down hill (point your front arm and torso, but don't use your butt or your back leg), put your weight on your front leg. This is called opening the door for toe side to heel side turns or closing the door for heel side to toe side turns. Your board will turn down hill (nose first) and you will pick up speed (as you are riding on the flat of your board and not the edge) so do this on a mellow slope (you can practice side slip on a steeper slope at first...it's easier, but once you start full turns you pick up too much speed and a mellow slope is best). Now keep rotating your upper body around so that you are no longer pointing down hill and you have made a 180 degree turn (this is hard and your board will resist being turned once it is pointed down hill....so it's ok to chicken out and try again once you have slowed down). To help get your board around you may now drag your back leg around (do not put weight on it...keep weight on your front leg or your board will feel like its stuck in the snow). You will be going faster than you are used to so bend your knees and push your toe edge into the snow by pushing on your toes while you bend your knees. (your butt should now be in a sitting position, not sticking out so keep your back straight).

7 - once you can do both toe side and heel side turns, feel free to try and link your turns one after the other. Remember to open and close the door (use your body mass to rotate, not your legs at first, but keep your legs bent), keep pressure on you front leg rocking your foot from toes to heel during turns, your back leg follows...to more united your front and back legs are the smoother your turns will be. If you are draggin your back leg through turns you will be rougher...but slower which is a good thing for beginners, if you are leaning on your back leg too much you'll be able to start turns fine but will have a real hard time gettin out of them and back to a controlled position on one edge.

8- you can then learn weighting and unweighting and angulation (leaning) to get better.

[Radius]

thanks for all the tips! Oh sorry i didnt mention, its called TIGERWORLD. Its in Bucheon. Its a big complex that has indoor swimming, screen golf and snow skiing.