Board vs Ski's with a bad knee?

Dr Nic

Hi Guys,
I had an op on my knee for cartilage a few yrs back and it took a hammering skiing this winter...
Would boarding be easier on the knee's?
I wouldnt be the best skiier in the world but still comfy on blacks etc, and have never boarded.
Just thinking ahead for this winter...
Thanks

Lenmeister

As far as I can say as a boarder, your knees take an aweful pounding on a board. I haven't tried skiing so I can't compare, but it's not easy on the knees that's for sure, especially for a beginner.

lexa

I reckon snowboarding is easier on the knees overall. There is less scope for twisting your knees snowboarding as generally both feet are clipped in and pointing in the same direction and turns are generated mostly from the upper body compared to skiing. If you’ve only got one foot clipped in (getting on/off chairlifts, on the flat etc) this is the most likely time you’ll end up straining your knee. It also depends if your stance is regular or goofy (regular is left leg forward) and which knee is affected. I find that there is more strain on your lead leg as you should have more of your weight on this generally unless riding in powder. Unfortunately for me, my weak knee is on my lead leg and while I’d make it through a week’s snowboarding it would generally get a bit uncomfortable towards the end. Don’t think I’d last more than a day or two skiing though.Impact injuries are more likely with snowboarding than skiing and falling is very much part of the learning experience. You’ll either land on your arse or face first if you clip your toe edge where your knees may take a knock. But you can just wear knee pads and they will save your knees to an extent by absorbing most of the impact when you do fall.</p>

Tristram

Boarding will definitely be easier on your knee.

Dr Nic

Thanks Guys,
Im thinking about buying a boarding setup and just going with it. Some decent deals to be had on adverts these days.
Eg we rented ski's, poles & boots for 4 days in San Anton for 170euro in Jan. I could buy the lot for boarding for 200eur 2nd hand. Then just 40 odd euro for oversize bag on Ryanair...

robinph

I busted some knee ligaments skiing a few years ago and at the time was concerned about not getting back onto skis, or if I'd need some kind of support. Was advised to avoid any kind of support though, and just had to stick with all the exercises that I got from the physio afterwards to build it back to what it was before.

If you already know how to ski then I'd expect you to be better off sticking with that. Learning something new will not be a relaxing follow up winter trip for a still damaged knee.

Put your time into exercises and physio stuff on the knee between now and next winter and then stick with what you know.

cocker5

Dr Nic wrote: »

Hi Guys,
I had an op on my knee for cartilage a few yrs back and it took a hammering skiing this winter...
Would boarding be easier on the knee's?
I wouldnt be the best skiier in the world but still comfy on blacks etc, and have never boarded.
Just thinking ahead for this winter...
Thanks

I have terrible problems with both my knees but go skiing twice per year...
Its fine... i wear a knee support on my worst knee.. it has steel rods in it... you can get them online ..... but to be honest its grand... i take two nuerfon red tablets each monring... and sure by apres ski i cant feel a thing!!

I think there may be issue if you crossed skis etc.. but thanksfully i never have (so far)

poconnor16

Boarding is somewhat easier on the knees alright, apart from when you fall on them, but defo less chance of twisting like on skiis.

One thing to watch out for though - chairlifts and t-bars. You need to unclip one leg from your binding when navigating these, and if you are not used to it it is easy to fall and twist as one leg is bound and the other is not.