I skid out and hit the snow about 4-5 times a day. I wouldn't even call them falls - more like miscues. On hard snow though, it can hurt. About twice a season, I really eat it. Last season, I augered into soft snow and broke my board and goggles. At 45, almost 46, I'm not sure how many more of those sort of falls I can take.
Anyone else absolutely hate skidding a snowboard? I don't mind making carve/skid turns on skis but on a snowboard, I can't stand it. Which is why, when I'm not able to really crank a turn, I'm just going to hang 'em up.