Kilternan Ski Club

SpaceCowb0y

Hi

Just wondering what the craic is heading over to Kilteran? Heading away boarding for xmas and wouldn't mind getting a few sessions in just to brush up for the trip but i've never bothered with Kilternan before, i don't know why to be honest, but just wondering what exactly do i need to do? Do i have to book in advance for session and do i have to wear ski gear for the session even though its hardly the weather for it? Also do you need to have your own board to go over or can you hire one there?

Stark

You generally book a lesson in advance. There are turn up and go practice sessions but they won't let you do one of those if you've never been to the place before. Snowboard rental's included in your lesson cost. Strong gloves are mandatory due to the surface being Dendix (quite easy to break a finger if you fall). Aside from that, I don't think there are particular requirements on clothing though I would strongly recommend full body cover, again due to what you're landing on if you fall.

http://www.skiclub.ie/5/faq.htm

SpaceCowb0y

Cheers for that!

I don't need lessons so do i actually have to do a lesson just to go for a practice session?

kermitdfrog

Stark wrote: »

You generally book a lesson in advance. There are turn up and go practice sessions but they won't let you do one of those if you've never been to the place before. Snowboard rental's included in your lesson cost. Strong gloves are mandatory due to the surface being Dendix (quite easy to break a finger if you fall). Aside from that, I don't think there are particular requirements on clothing though I would strongly recommend full body cover, again due to what you're landing on if you fall.

http://www.skiclub.ie/5/faq.htm

Not true - I've been there without any lessons. And from your own link: "Practice sessions are available to competent skiers/snowboarders. In order to be permitted to practise on the slopes a skier/boarder must have taken a minimum of four classes at the Ski Club or done a minimum of a week's skiing/boarding on snow."

SpaceCowb0y wrote: »

Cheers for that!

I don't need lessons so do i actually have to do a lesson just to go for a practice session?

See above! Nope, not if you've done enough boarding yourself before.

Your board rental is included in the price by the way, and you do NOT want to use your own equipment. It would be destroyed.

Fattes

SpaceCowb0y;
if you are a competent boarder you can practice whenever you want, (Basically board in control). Do not use your own board both the Dendex and snowflex surfaces are quite abrasive and will damage the petex base of your board.

Clothing: Anything will do all the slopes have sprinkler systems so if its warms Sweat pants & change when you are done, if it is cold enough ski gear, YOU MUST HAVE GLOVES!!!!

Best Advice is to go up on a Sunday night, Tuesday Night or Thursday night or Friday for your first visit, these are Board specific nights and you will have no hassle getting someone to assess your ability and clear you to ride, I only say this as some of the old timers up there can be a little cagey towards boarders on days outside of this, but once you have been given the all clear once you are free to use the slope anytime.

There is a full Freestyle session on a Friday if you are into that kind of thing, again no hassle turning up to that and riding as a 1st night!

Let me know if there is anythign you need.

There are turn up and go practice sessions but they won't let you do one of those if you've never been to the place before.

No you just have to be able to demonstrate you can ski/Board in control

Strong gloves are mandatory due to the surface being Dendix (quite easy to break a finger if you fall).

Any gloves will do, there are now two surfaces Snowflex better for boards apparently!

I would strongly recommend full body cover, again due to what you're landing on if you fall.

You are hardly goign to be riding in shorts and t-shirts now are you!

SpaceCowb0y

@Fattes and @kermitdfrog

Thanks a lot for that, that was exactly the kind of info I was looking for! Sundays/Tuesdays would suit and not needing to bring my own board is a plus as i was worried about wrecking it! I've been away boarding a good few times now so i'd imagine i should be fine to be cleared so? Is it much different to riding on snow? Obviously i know it's not going to be exactly the same but with regards to basic stopping and turning ill assume it handles fairly similar?

kermitdfrog

SpaceCowb0y wrote: »

Is it much different to riding on snow? Obviously i know it's not going to be exactly the same but with regards to basic stopping and turning ill assume it handles fairly similar?

You ride it the same way, but it's not as forgiving as snow. Basically, it forces you to use good technique. Which is probably a good thing, nah a very good thing, but wasn't for me personally as I just wanted to enjoy myself, not work on my boarding!

Fattes

Obviously i know it's not going to be exactly the same but with regards to basic stopping and turning ill assume it handles fairly similar?

I am not a boarder but from talking to the guys the impression I get is the Dendix, main and middle slope is that on a board there is a slightly different feel to the surface, they guys seem to prefer the snowflex, but it is much shorter.

Ride as you would normally, the speed and grip will be reduced so the angles you can generate are smaller, once you get used to it you won’t really notice the differences.

Have fun

SpaceCowb0y

Thanks a lot everyone for your input!

cormee

Fattes: how many attempts do you get to prove your competence in order to be allowed use the slope? My brother who has been boarding almost as long as me, a decade or more, said he found it very difficult and was all over the place - and he's pretty handy on the snow.

Fattes

cormee; 90% of people who would be assessing you up there will take into account the fact that the surface is different to people who have never been on it. Basic rule of thumb if you can demonstrate you can stop when you want and you are not a danger to others you will be ok.

For Boarders that is why I recommend the Sunday night session first as it’s a boarder specific session and there is a better understanding and the guys will be in a better position to advise you how to adapt etc. Just sessions outside of the Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday you can’t guarantee there will be a board instructor there and you may get stuck with one of the 10% :D