Afton is nice, I haven't been there in a long time though. I'd like to go there next year. I would stay away from Highland hills, unless you get a good deal on a lift ticket. After going to Buck tonight, I think that would laso be a good beginner hill. They have a bunny hill, and once you feel comfortable with that, they have a few other hills to choose form that aren't too steep. That's where I was for most of tonight.
The best way to learn is to fall down really hard, and then promise yourself to never do that again.
Seriously though, I don't know if this is the best way, but this is kind of how I learned. Just go down the hill just leaning on one edge, and getting a feel for the balance. Then turn around and go the other way (frontwards/backwards). Then learn to transition by doing a really slow helicoptor going down the hill. Just turn from one side to the other and just keep going around in circles. Then start turning in the opposite direction (clockwise/counterclockwise). A couple important things to remember: You always want to be leaning on one edge, if you just glide flat on the snow, you will eventually fall, and it will hurt. The way I learned is to keep most of your weight on the foot that is going forward, and then kick the other foot front or back to change direction. It's much easier to make sharp transitions, rahter than slow gradual ones. You find out pretty quick how easy it is to catch the wrong edge, and fall. And yes, it will hurt. I've gotten to the point where I feel comfortable just taking it easy and cutting back and forth down the hill. But the best way to learn is to get out and do it. You will fall down alot, but as long as you keep getting up, you will get better.
On second thought, maybe you shouldn't take advice from me. I just about knocked myself out tonight on my first pass, because I thought I knew how to snow board, and got cocky.
Damn that hurt.
