9 Gnarly Snowboarding Tips for Beginners

Learning a new sport can be frustrating. But if you put in the time and energy you can become a proficient snowboarder in a short time. Even as a beginner there are snowboarding tips that can help you enjoy yourself the first few trips to the snow.

So before anything else, read these snowboarding tips for beginners.

1. Take a Lesson

Even if all of your friends are experienced snowboarders and you want to hang out with them, you should take a lesson. Almost every mountain has instructors that hold one-on-one or group lessons for beginners.

The instructors will start by teaching you critical safety and etiquette on the mountain. They will show you the basics of learning how to start, stop, and turn down the run. They will also show you everything you need to know about getting on and off the lift which is sometimes tricky for beginners.

If you have been snowboarding a few times and are looking to try some more challenging runs, this is another good opportunity to take a lesson. You will need more technical tips to improve your skills for steeper runs.

2. Get the Right Gear

Whether you are renting or buying gear, make sure what you have works and fits well. For a day on the slopes, you will need (at the very least) a board with bindings, boots, a helmet, and pants with padding.

Rental gear is nice if you’re just trying it out, but it’s not always the best equipment to learn on.

When picking out your first snowboard you want to make sure you have the right width and flex. You also want to find a board with a center stance because that is easier to learn on.

You want to pick boots that fit tightly and bindings that fit your boots perfectly. This will help you stay comfortable and ride the board correctly.

While some people prefer buying a board that they think they can grow into, it’s best to find the right equipment for where you’re starting. You don’t need to spend a lot of money either. You can find items on sale or gently used for less money.

If you have questions or concerns about your equipment you can usually ask a representative at the rental center or shop.

3. Maintain Your Gear

Once you have the right equipment, you should take good care of it. Snowboard maintenance ensures that you can use your board and bindings safely and for longer.

Try to keep your gear dry and store it in a safe place. And before every time you ride you should quickly scan your gear to make sure everything looks as it should. Regular waxing and tuning is also essential

4. Start With Good Conditions

When you start snowboarding, it’s inevitable that you’ll spend some time sitting in the snow. You’re going to fall down at least a few times.

Ideally, on your first day on the slopes you’ll have about 5 to 10cm of snow. If it’s fresh snow it’ll be light and soft when you fall but not too deep to move through it.

If you can, avoid a very cold day because the snow might be icy. Not only is it going to be tough to snowboard, but it’s also going to hurt when you stop or fall.

5. Look Where You Want to Go

One of the first tips you’ll learn when snowboarding is to look where you want to go. It’s a common habit to look down at your board, but it won’t help. To keep your balance, always look at least a few feet in front of you.

If you gaze at the ground your body is more likely to lean over which prevents you from staying balanced. You should also look where you want to go to avoid running into other skiers or snowboarders.

6. Don’t Brace Your Fall With Your Hands

It’s a natural reaction to try to brace your fall with your hands. But for snowboarding, you want to avoid this strategy because you can break your wrist.

Learning how to fall is a big part of snowboarding. You actually want to fall on your bottom. If you have the proper clothing and good snow conditions it won’t hurt as you would expect.

7. Start Slow and Progress

You’ll probably want to start on the bunny slope. This is a gentle, short slope to introduce you to the feeling of snowboarding.

After you have spent some time on the bunny slope you’ll start to feel more comfortable. Even if you are a little hesitant, this is the time to try a more difficult run. You’ll only get better when you challenge yourself.

8. Cross Train

If you’re serious about getting better at snowboarding, you can start a cross-training program to build strength.

Successful snowboarders have strong core and leg muscles. By adding strength workouts and cardio to your regular exercise routine, snowboarding will get easier and you’ll be less sore.

9. Be Patient and Have Fun

What’s the biggest mistake you can make as a beginner snowboarder? Getting frustrated. You’re still learning, be patient!

Snowboarding is meant to be fun, and it takes time to get comfortable with it. If you go with friends who are also beginners it can be fun to learn together.

Take breaks when you need to and don’t feel like you have to spend all day on the mountain. Consistency is the most important thing when learning a new skill, and it won’t happen overnight.

Try Out These Snowboarding Tips

You now have a few essential snowboarding tips. But the best way to get better is practice, practice, practice!

Remember to invest in good equipment and take care of it. Prioritize safety and start with a lesson from an experienced instructor. And most of all, stay patient and have fun!

If you liked this article and want to read about more about health and fitness topics, check out our other blog posts!