To Ski or Board??? :?

Went skiing twice whilst in the forces over 20yrs ago and loved it. But, for a number of very boring reasons, didn't go again until 6yrs ago with my family. We all love it. The kids are great and are blasting down the mountains on all sorts of slopes (off pist is next for them I think). However, there is a black cloud looming in the not too distant future. I've already had two knee ligament reconstructions to my left knee and have developed osteoarthritis in that knee and the other is pretty poor also. I've recently had an arthroscopy and clean out of the joint and have been told that I will need a Total Knee Replacement within the next 5yrs (bug!!). I and my family still want to enjoy the thrills of the mountains and particularly throwing oursrlves down them at speed (controled of course). SO which is easier on the knees, skiing or boarding?
I've also been looking at the ski-mojo and understand that a knock-on effect of it is to reduce the stress through the knees, though (quite rightly) the company would not endorse this claim. Any thoughts?
I'm new to this site and have found it incredibly useful already.
Cheers.

I know some people who have made the switch after serious injury and are happy on a board. The A frame formed with the legs and the board does give a solid feel. I was able to board six days after having a meniscus tear cut out. I don't think I would have been able to ski.

While leg injuries are less common in snowboarding there is still some potential to twist/stress your knee, esp if there is some weakness to start with. I know I upset my knee a few times in the early stages of recovery. It is also possible to land on your knees in a fall.

A lot comes down to what your expectations are. Good snowboarding like skiing requires you to bend your knees. However it is possible to cruise the corderoy with the legs relatively straight. My first season of boarding (through ignorance) I rode like this. I do remember I never got tired becaus my legs were not working very hard.

The normal advise, Which I'm sure you you have heard many times, is to strngthen your quads. But I have read that this can cause more problems if the joint is misaligned.

Pav is the knee expert here. As you may have read he has had both knees replaced. I also rode the lift with a chap this season, who was out skiing again for the first time on two replacement knees. He was surprised at how good it felt.

Good luck with it

Trencher

Thinking further...

It is possible to play around with stance on a snowboard. Distance between feet, angle of bindings, lift and canting.

If you were going to try snowboarding, I would not just head to a resort and rent a set up. I think it would be especially important for you to set a board up to be as comfortable as possible. You would need to work with some one who knows what they are doing. Most snowboarders know nothing about canting etc. and the current trend for a duck foot stance would not be good for you. A good ski boot fitter should understand the alignment issues.

Trencher

I would advise boarding if you are concerned about injury.... purely on the relative chances odds.

Knee aggravations are a lot more common in skiing than in boarding.

I suppose boarding your biggest problem would be piles :mrgreen:


AJ Adele

AJ wrote:I suppose boarding your biggest problem would be piles :mrgreen:


AJ Adele

:lol:

If you get flow bindings (or a step in type) you don't need to sit down to strap in.

Trencher

Cheers Trencher,
Can't find Pav on the site and if he has had replacement surgery I'd love to speak to him. Do you have any details, or can you direct me to a forum that he's been in?

Cheers.

Bill

Bill I sent you a pm

Pav is http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/user/profile/975.page pavelski


Trencher