Easier -beginner Backcountry boarding or skiing?

So back in the days of skinny 215cm all mountain skis, and dating women (instead of the near-marriage current state), I used to teach girlfriends to board, rather than ski because it was way easier to board in the backcountry as opposed to skiing it. I would pack the snowboard for my GF's to not only get chivalry points, but also to get up faster, and to get a better workout. Having been a boarder for lots of years, I felt that it was way way easier becoming a decent boarder, compared to getting to ski at a high level. Especially in powder. I remember having this chat on a lift one time (about 15 years ago) and suggesting to the chair mate that after 25 days I felt like I could nail a double black pow run on a snowboard, and the same run I think perhaps 100 or 150 days would have been more accurate for me on skis.

Now, of course the rules have all changed because there are 120mm @ the waist skis out there, rocker-ed tips and tails, powder specific beasts... it's just way easier out there. So my question to the Tay masses is this:

Is it easier to teach someone to make it down powder, and generally manage in backcountry conditions on a snowboard or on skis?

Only the downhill part is what I'm talking about here. Let's pretend I would still pack the snowboard on my back (if I had to). Please reply, I'm seriously curious here.

I think the reason no one is responding is that in order to respond to your question you need to be both a skier and a rider, and have some limited teaching experience. For me, I'm just an alpine skier and have taught my wife and 4 daughters all to ski. I was introduced to the wide skis four years ago and was amazed how easy it made skiing powder and crud. For teaching a new person to ski, shape skis are better but I don't know if I would jump them immediately into powder with wide skis. You kinda got to know the fundamentals first. I'm going to be introducing my youngest daughter to the pow this year. She's on shape skis and she's going to borrow her sisters fats and give it a go up at Crystal on a good day.

Don't know how a BC only skier learns to ski though but since there is no groom, you gotta go with what you got. Pick a nice powder day, jump on some fatties and give it a go, eh? One thing I did learn from my previous thread here about BC skiing with fat skis is that skinning them could be a workout. I assume that you would pack a set of ultra-wide skis in just like a board? Now one thing I've observed skiing with my daughter's riding friends is that steep terrain was easier on a board because they could literally slide down the hill and never need to ride. On skis this is more difficult with side slipping.

So given that I don't know much about answering your question with any intelligence, I would vote for the board. But after they've gotten their confidence and gained some skill, switch over to some rockered ultra-wide skis and the real fun begins.

BTW, my new wide skis are 165/133/149.

Cheers Mate.

It's obvious.
Tell her the most efficient and enjoyable way to travel in the backcountry is to take on the endless and unrelenting quest of learning the beautiful Telemark turn.
Tell her it requires incredible grace and power.  Dedication, meditation, and lots of vacation.
Tell her to expect pain and suffering.  At times, it will crush her will and rob her of pride.
Tell her it will take years of lift served skiing, and the financial burden of Tiger's hush money before she will be able to consistently link more than three turns, even if she incorporates the hideous double pole plant.
Tell her there are some people who actually sacrifice their time, money, and social status just to instill the false confidence necessary to ski a line under a detachable quad with detached heels in full view of the peanut gallery...

But, alas, for her it would be a waste of time.  There's no way she could do it.  It would not be a worthwhile endeavor, and she would regret it.

Then leave a copy of Powder Whore '08 sitting on the coffee table, and wait...

If she's crazy and stubborn enough, this could pay off in spades.  She'll be on the best vehicle for backcountry travel, and you'll be dating (or possibly even marrying!?) a rippin tele babe.

Oh, C'mon, admit it.  Even splitboarders check out the chicks on tele...

Is it easier to teach someone to make it down powder, and generally manage in backcountry conditions on a snowboard or on skis?

With all due respect and IMHO teaching someone to ski or board by taking them backcountry is only slightly more sensible than teaching someone how to swim by taking them white water kayaking.

I'm assuming NWBCer is asking if it's easier to get to BC proficiency on a board or skis, assuming you're teaching them at a resort. Perhaps I'm wrong. If so, I 100% agree with Telly.Savalas -- you can learn how to do it by going into the BC, but it'll take a loooong time before you're any good without some resort time to pound in the fundamentals.

I've seen people who are naturally more comfortable on skis (my wife) and folks naturally more comfortable on a board. Generally, I think snowboarding is easier to learn, since everything's attached to the same piece of wood. A board will certainly be easier in crust or Cascade Chowder, but it just may not feel as natural to some folks.

Skiing powder on fat skis requires the willingness to point your skis down the hill. This is not usually something beginners are terribly comfortable with. I've done enough boarding (not that much) to think that it would be less threatening to ride a board with moderate success in deeper snow than it would be to be on skis.