It’s still winter, I know many of you are probably sad about this, but if there’s one thing I love about it being winter: skiing season is still in full swing. In Tahoe, February is primetime for great skiing conditions.

Snowboarding has been typically the trendier winter sport for the past 20 years or so, but skiing is a winter sport that is generally easier to pick up with much more freedom of movement than snowboarding.

Both sports are loads of fun, but if you’re new to snow sports and are looking for a fun-filled winter getaway, many people believe that skiing is more beginner-friendly than snowboarding.

It’s not the same for everyone, but being able to move both of your feet independently on two different surfaces is easier, in my opinion. Skiing is still difficult, as is snowboarding, but it may be easier to keep your feet and get acclimated to the feeling of sliding through the snow. You’re also facing forward at all times, which is different from snowboarding as well.

One instructor even said that typically, his skiing students end up on the slopes twice as fast as his snowboarding students. That has to mean something, right? That’s why I’d recommend skiing, you want to make the most of your time on the slopes, maybe try snowboarding once you’ve got some experience going down hills on skis. It’d be nice if we had all the time in the world to do both, that’s unrealistic, and our holidays are never long enough.

That’s definitely something important to remember, though. Don’t get discouraged. It’s rare in my life that I’ve ever started something like skiing that didn’t take a long time to become decent at. But the rush, the amazing, powerful feeling of plowing down a slope on nothing more than the thickness of the ski underneath you is incredible. By learning to ski, you’re opening up your life to an experience that many don’t ever get a chance to experience.

If you’re already experienced with ice skating or rollerblading, skiing will most likely be easier, and if you’re experienced with skateboarding, snowboarding may be more attractive. We all know Shaun White and how good he is at both snowboarding and skateboarding, but what has he done on skis? He should pick up skiing and win medals at all three, I bet if anyone could do it, it’s him, although I hear he isn’t doing skateboarding this year because of the X Games in Aspen.

I will give Shaun White his due praise, but some people cite him as the best multi-sport athlete in history. I’m not sure I’m willing to go that far, but he is definitely a remarkably talented athlete.

Where are your favorite spots to ski in the winter months? Was it harder for you to ski or snowboard? Comment below or tweet me @DrBillDorfman #skiing.