Chicks on Sticks

Meet the 69-year-old instructor in Killington who is inspiring people of all ages to get on a snowboard. Chickie Rosenberg talks about her no-falls lessons and why she wrote one book on snowboarding for men and another for women.

When and how did you start snowboarding? 

That's a very easy question. In  March of 1989 while I was on staff teaching skiing at Killington, VT (the largest ski area in the Eastern US), I went skiing in Utah and injured my knee.  Skiers are vulnerable to a very specific knee ligament injury, due to the fact that when on skis the legs can separate and the twisting action can result in a tearing of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

Breaking a leg used to be the common ski injury, but when ski boots were redesigned and improvements made in bindings, the dreaded injury now is the ACL tear. 

I didn't need surgery, but decided that this was a warning and next time I might not be so lucky.  Perhaps I should try that new sport of snowboarding which I had been reading so much about.  

Snowboarding's common injury is the broken wrist, but I decided that I'd rather break a wrist (bones heal) than suffer a torn ACL which requires serious surgery and a long period of recovery. 

So....upon my return to Killington that spring I took several snowboarding lessons.  I was no star, but enjoyed the challenge.  Some months later I stopped by at my local ski shop just to see what was on sale and there it was on sale: a Burton Air snowboard, boots and bindings, just like what  I had learned on at Killington!

That's why  I always remember exactly when I took up snowboarding because I purchased my first snowboard as a birthday gift from me to me for my 50th birthday, July 17, 1989! 

Why did you decide to become an instructor? 

I went back to Killington for the Fall season, 1989, continuing to teach skiing, but each time I finished instructing, I would rush into the locker room, change into snowboard boots and go out riding.  So, I went to our ski school director and requested a "transfer."  to the snowboarding dept.  I have never skied again!

Why did you decide to write the books Snowboarding for Women and Snowboarding for Men?  

I decided to write my first snowboarding book for women because I felt that there really was a need for such a book.  I was the only female snowboard instructor at Killington so I wound up being requested for lessons by women and when they came, there was so much that they could have known in advance to have made it a better experience, such as dressing properly and having the correct equipment.  Also, many of them were there simply because their
boyfriend's wanted them to snowboard and they were very frightened. 

What are the main differences between the books for women and men?

Women have different issues of concern than do men.  Women hate the cold, tend to be afraid of heights, dislike going fast downhill, and worry about injury.  I address all of these in their book. 

When I am out on the hill teaching, I see men insisting on teaching themselves how to snowboard and their method is simply crash and crash until they finally "get it."  Men are reluctant to be seen taking lessons so I thought that perhaps if they had a book they could read it (when nobody was looking) and save their bodies from what we call the "snowboarder's slam."    The men's book
discusses more technical aspects, vocabulary, freestyle, and even has snowboarder jokes at various chapter ends. 

What do you feel are the major factors that stop more women from trying the sport?

Women tend to be very fearful of injury.  As caregivers, if they have an injury, who will drive carpool?  Who will cook the dinner?    I like to question persons who have been injured snowboarding and it's always  the same answer that they didn't take a lesson or a friend (not an instructor) was teaching them.  Injury is not a necessary aspect of learning to snowboard.

Are there any differences in the way women and men pick up the sport? Do you practice any different methods/techniques?

Snowboarding is a lot like dancing in that there are subtle shifts of balance.  Remember in high school dances, how the girls danced and the boys didn't?  In the same way, that's why women are really good at learning to snowboard as they quickly adapt to the moves.  It's interesting how many of them have had a history of dance lessons in ballet or modern dance. 

Men try to muscle their way with strong body moves which usually just throws them totally off balance.  My methods are simply to have them aware of their body moves, inspire confidence, and have them trust the board.

What would you say to a woman unsure about trying snowboarding? How would you describe the enjoyment and benefits it brings?   Why would you want to snowboard?

Well, why not?  There are so many things in life that are out there to be involved with but it takes a bit of courage to venture forth.  Like anything, there is a challenge in learning but the benefits are social, it's lots of fun, and you will learn a lot about yourself. 

Women keep telling me that they are so excited; they never thought they could do something like snowboarding.  It seems to give a sense of  empowerment.   It's not that learning to snowboard itself is so important; what is important is feeling good about yourself and feeling a sense of accomplishment...and having fun too !

Do you try to encourage older ladies to take up the sport? 

Certainly!  It's interesting to see that people have a self-image which determines age as a criteria for activities.  The only persons I do not suggest for snowboarding are people who have a history of back pain.  You're only as old as you feel.  

Who is the oldest person you've taught to snowboard? 

That's an odd question mostly because I really see people as persons, not with signs around their necks stating their age or their problems.  I certainly teach lots of people in their 60's.  On the other hand, I once taught someone with severe disabilities:  two artificial knees and two artificial hips.  She's been riding now for close to 10 years. 

Do you think snowboarding is actually more suitable for older people than skiing?

Yes.  Actually, that's a major trend in the sport:  crossover skiers whose knees are wrecked are crossing over to take up snowboarding. 

There's a large section in your book on dressing right for a day on the hill – what is your top tip for getting your clothing right?

Layering and wear a hat.  There are lots of good products out there which "wick away" body perspiration.  It used to be that a person would get overheated, perspire, and then become cold because the dampness would be on their inner layers of clothing.  These new fabrics keep you warm by putting the dampness away from the body. 

A problem for women, particularly girls, is that we worry too much about our hairstyles.  Wearing a little headband may look attractive, but your head is a chimney and the body heat rises up and out if you are not wearing a hat.  Then your circulation system goes into alert stage and pulls blood from extremities to warm the central organs which means that your fingers and toes start to get very cold.  Put on a hat and the problem is solved. 

What are your thoughts on body armour - helmets, wristguards, impact shorts etc – do you recommend them to your pupils?

The most common injury in snowboarding occurs when people reach out with an arm extended to break a fall and subsequently break the wrist of the extended arm. 

First of all, I suggest taking a lesson to help with the basic skills.  Secondly, if you wear a wrist guard, then the impact will just be shifted to the next joint and reaching out with an extended arm with wrist protection will  result in a dislocated elbow or shoulder.  Instead, I recommend wearing knee pads.  Then, when and if you lose balance, simply drop to your knees.

I actually show my students how they should sew patchpockets inside their snowboard pants and slip in foam padding.  I never fell backwards, but for those who have that tendency, impact shorts would work or simply a folded washcloth over the tailbone. 

And I absolutely recommend wearing a helmet.  It not only protects your brain, but it also keeps you warm and anyway, makes you really look like you know what you are doing out there!

A lot of women complain they plateau with their riding after they are linking their turns and getting down blues reasonably. What do you recommend people to do to help them improve and enjoy their riding more? 

Take a snowboard lesson!  The better you are, the more you can get out of the lesson.  Also, few advanced riders sign up for group lessons so you might wind up with a semi-private at the group rate.  Also, there are lots of things you can learn to liven up your experience.  How about a half-pipe lesson?  Learn some free style moves?  Instruction is the way to go.

 We understand you give 'no falls' lessons - how are they different from normal lessons? 

I feel that if a person falls, they are doing something wrong; that's why they fall.  It shouldn't happen, particularly in a private lesson which is one-to-one, that the student  should be doing any wrong moves.  I make sure that my students only make correct moves, hence, no falls.  I am close to them and guiding them at every moment.  This involves a level of trust.

You say in your book that falls are a negative thing - but we hear snowboards all the time saying "If you're not falling you're not trying hard enough." What's your opinion on that concept? 

That's the macho "no falls, no balls" thing.  Certainly, you will experience a fall at times when snowboarding, but it doesn't have to be the horrendous "snowboarder's slam" and if you are paying an instructor to show you the correct moves, then you shouldn't be falling during that lesson. 

Who do you think are the most inspiring role models to female snowboarders today?

Those great riders on the US Olympics Team. 

Who do you go snowboarding with for fun? Do you have a group of regular friends/family? 

The wonderful thing about teaching at a major resort such as Killington is that you have hundreds of fellow instructors and we all like to go out together. Note that "all" is not just restricted to snowboarders.  I am always out free riding with skiers also and they are patient with snowboarders who must stop to buckle-up after getting off the lift.  I go riding with  my husband (a ski instructor at Killington), fellow staff, and my students.  This summer my husband and I along with four Killington ski instructor friends are travelling with a ski club group to Bariloche, Argentina.  I'll probably be the only snowboarder. 

What's your idea of a perfect day on the mountain? 

The easy answer would be excellent snow conditions and good weather, but really, a perfect day is simply being out there and having a great time riding.  There is an exhilaration which is hard to explain!

Do you have any snowboarding ambitions you'd still like to achieve?

Just happy to be out there riding and also teaching.  I love to teach because it really is a gift that I share bringing others into the sport.

You can find out how to book lessons and courses with Chickie and get information on where to buy her books at www.snowboardingforwomen.com