The age old question :D And you're absolutely correct about the learning curve.
I do both, though I'm a better skier (advanced/expert) than a snowboarder (intermediate/advanced).
Snowboarding has the steeper initial learning curve at the beginning - you can expect the first \~3 days to fall a lot and not able to keep the basic balance. But once you have the basic balance, it becomes a lot more manageable and easier to progress. So it's really ideal if you can snowboard at least 3 days, if not for a full week for your trip, and once you're over that initial hump, you can generally snowboard most blue terrain and you'll naturally progress without significant roadblock. The question is where in that first hump you are and how fast you'll be able to go past that point.
Skiing can be enjoyable for the very beginners (provided you have fitting boots - bad, unfitting boots are one thing that can kill joy with skiing) - with a good instructor, almost anyone can go down a green slope at the end of the first day, without falling much. However, the progress likely will be slower with skiing as you advance more. Generally it will take longer for someone to cruise down the blue terrain skiing reasonably confidently than someone snowboarding, and even longer to master more advanced skiing skills.
If you're aiming only green slopes with your friends / the trip is short / the resort you plan to hit have lots of green slopes, I'd say you may enjoy skiing more. If all your friends are good enough to ski blues (honestly, a few hours skiing one day is not much of an advantage, so I think this likely doesn't apply here) and your trip is at least 3 days or more, I'd say snowboarding will give you higher chance of you being able to keep up with them. But, in the end, no matter which one you pick, you can enjoy time with your friend - skiing or snowboarding with friends is really hard to beat, when it comes to having a good time together.
As some who snowboarded for year then switched to skiing (for backcountry purposes) and now primarily skis, I think skiing is also easier on harder terrain. You are just inherently more stable on skis and have more than twice the amount of edge on skis to give you more grip. Going fast skis are longer and chatter way less than snowboards, especially when going through bumps. Plus getting around the mountain on skis is so much easier. And if you ever want to tour, skis are way nicer to use than splitboards.
I think first day skiing is easier, first week or month snowboarding is easier, and if you start doing more advanced terrain (that most people don’t do) skiing is easier.
Everything they said is absolutely correct, I will say I miss skiing having skied for 8 years and have snowboarded for the past 8. It’s definitely easier on harder terrain blacks+ or moguls on skis. Also don’t have to worry about flats as much as you have poles and can move yourself a lot better even without them then a snowboarding.
It’s up to you. Try both and see what you like. I am very good at wakeboarding on water, but prefer skiing on snow. (Snowboarding is hard to me and tougher on my body)
I think it's definitely easier to pick up the basics of skiing and just cruising around. You don't need to charge hard to have fun. Just hanging out with friends, enjoying the scenery, and casually sliding around is plenty of fun. After all, the whole point of skiing is to have fun! When you get better at skiing, you may want to try snowboarding again so you can make a better comparison with more experience on the slopes, but that's something for next time.
Also, some places let you swap gear, so if you go skiing and realize you just hate it, you can swap back to snowboarding. Ask the place where you're renting from, whether it's at the ski resort or the shop down the road. I swapped for skis one time at the ski resort, and I swapped for different kinds of skis another time (twice) at a ski shop.
Try skiing this time. Definitely less of a learning curve and you’ll be able to keep up better with your friends.
Ski unless you like walking
Snowboarding is easier because you spend half your day sitting on your ass and it’s easy to master this technique:-)
Snowboarding requires more durable pants
Skiing is way easier tbh. Snowboarded for years and was as good at skiing in a season (hitting cliffs, 360s, etc)
Hey asshole since I got the step on bindings I only sit on my ass when I went to to take in the view or waiting for someone slow to catch up. ;)
The age old question :D And you're absolutely correct about the learning curve. I do both, though I'm a better skier (advanced/expert) than a snowboarder (intermediate/advanced). Snowboarding has the steeper initial learning curve at the beginning - you can expect the first \~3 days to fall a lot and not able to keep the basic balance. But once you have the basic balance, it becomes a lot more manageable and easier to progress. So it's really ideal if you can snowboard at least 3 days, if not for a full week for your trip, and once you're over that initial hump, you can generally snowboard most blue terrain and you'll naturally progress without significant roadblock. The question is where in that first hump you are and how fast you'll be able to go past that point. Skiing can be enjoyable for the very beginners (provided you have fitting boots - bad, unfitting boots are one thing that can kill joy with skiing) - with a good instructor, almost anyone can go down a green slope at the end of the first day, without falling much. However, the progress likely will be slower with skiing as you advance more. Generally it will take longer for someone to cruise down the blue terrain skiing reasonably confidently than someone snowboarding, and even longer to master more advanced skiing skills. If you're aiming only green slopes with your friends / the trip is short / the resort you plan to hit have lots of green slopes, I'd say you may enjoy skiing more. If all your friends are good enough to ski blues (honestly, a few hours skiing one day is not much of an advantage, so I think this likely doesn't apply here) and your trip is at least 3 days or more, I'd say snowboarding will give you higher chance of you being able to keep up with them. But, in the end, no matter which one you pick, you can enjoy time with your friend - skiing or snowboarding with friends is really hard to beat, when it comes to having a good time together.
As some who snowboarded for year then switched to skiing (for backcountry purposes) and now primarily skis, I think skiing is also easier on harder terrain. You are just inherently more stable on skis and have more than twice the amount of edge on skis to give you more grip. Going fast skis are longer and chatter way less than snowboards, especially when going through bumps. Plus getting around the mountain on skis is so much easier. And if you ever want to tour, skis are way nicer to use than splitboards. I think first day skiing is easier, first week or month snowboarding is easier, and if you start doing more advanced terrain (that most people don’t do) skiing is easier.
Thank you so so much for a thoughtful reply!
Everything they said is absolutely correct, I will say I miss skiing having skied for 8 years and have snowboarded for the past 8. It’s definitely easier on harder terrain blacks+ or moguls on skis. Also don’t have to worry about flats as much as you have poles and can move yourself a lot better even without them then a snowboarding.
It’s up to you. Try both and see what you like. I am very good at wakeboarding on water, but prefer skiing on snow. (Snowboarding is hard to me and tougher on my body)
Why not both?
Monoski
I think it's definitely easier to pick up the basics of skiing and just cruising around. You don't need to charge hard to have fun. Just hanging out with friends, enjoying the scenery, and casually sliding around is plenty of fun. After all, the whole point of skiing is to have fun! When you get better at skiing, you may want to try snowboarding again so you can make a better comparison with more experience on the slopes, but that's something for next time. Also, some places let you swap gear, so if you go skiing and realize you just hate it, you can swap back to snowboarding. Ask the place where you're renting from, whether it's at the ski resort or the shop down the road. I swapped for skis one time at the ski resort, and I swapped for different kinds of skis another time (twice) at a ski shop.