There’s nothing quite like that first time you strap on a snowboard and throw yourself down a slope, hoping for the best. It’s terrifying, exhilarating, exhausting and above all else, awesome. But what makes snowboarding so tricky is the fact that it requires an entirely different set of skills to be able to do it well. It’s not like skiing – where pretty much anyone can pick up those skis and after a couple of hours of instruction feel confident enough to take their new skills out on the slopes – snowboarding takes dedication and practice from day one. Even as someone who has been skiing for years, I found myself completely lost when it came to snowboarding. Luckily with some pointers from more experienced friends and a lot of patience, I managed to master the art of snowboarding in no time at all.
Set small goals and be patient
Unlike skiing where you pretty much have to master the basics before you go onto the next level, snowboarding has tons of different disciplines that you can take your time practicing. When I first got into snowboarding, I made sure that I knew the basics before I attempted to move onto the next level. Make sure you understand how your board works, the different parts and how they all fit together. You should be able to see what you need to do to twist and turn the board, be able to do it with ease and without thinking about it. This will help you build up the strength and balance needed to get you to the next stage. Also make sure that you learn the edges of your board. The front is the toes or nose, the back is the tail or the rear edge. You want to make sure your weight is evenly distributed on both the front and back of the board so that it stays balanced within your feet.
Don’t forget your basic skiing skills
As I mentioned above, you have to know the basics of your snowboarding before you move onto more complicated tricks, and one of those basic skills you have to have under your belt is a strong grip on your skiing skills. You don’t have to be the next Lindsey Vonn, but you still have to be able to turn and stop on a regular basis. Don’t be the person who is going to hold everyone up because you have no idea how to stop yourself when you get going. Take five minutes to brush up on the basics of your skiing and make sure you can stop before you go out on the slopes.
Lay off the booze and don’t eat junk food
Snowboarding is a really physical sport. From the moment you step into the lift chair, until the time you step off the slopes at the end of the day, your body is under a lot of stress. And that’s why it’s important to stay hydrated and eat a little bit of the good stuff too! When you’re snowboarding, it’s easy to forget to drink water and to eat a little bit of something good and nutritious. But when you’re out there on the slopes, your body is constantly using energy. Even if you’re just cruising down the hill, you’re using energy on your muscles and your brain to stay upright. And while a few drinks might seem like a good idea at the end of a long day, remember that alcohol dehydrates you and slows down your metabolism.
Learn to jump
If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker, you might want to consider learning to jump. Jump turns are where you throw yourself into the air and twist your board so that it spins you back down the hill. This is a great trick for building up your confidence when it comes to snowboarding, and you should master it before you move onto any more complicated tricks. Jump turns are more of an advanced turn that you can do on black and double black trails. The best way to do it is to get yourself a little speed by carving a few turns. Then, place your board’s edge against your toe side. Then, you want to shift your weight onto your back foot so that your front foot is lifted up. Once you are in this position, you want to bend your knees and slam your front foot down. This will cause your board to pop up and do a 180-degree turn.
Don’t be afraid to fall – most snowboarders do!
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably terrified of falling when you first start snowboarding. There’s nothing worse than falling on your first day and having to walk down the hill because you’re too embarrassed to ask someone else to help you get back up. Don’t be afraid to fall – it’s inevitable. Pretty much everyone falls when they first start snowboarding, so don’t be embarrassed. Don’t just rely on falling though, make sure that you have a snowboard helmet on at all times (they’re cheap and will save you a ton of pain if you fall). You should also make sure that you have a pair of snowboard gloves on too.
Don’t be afraid to try something new
While you might be understandably trying to perfect the basics of snowboarding, you might also want to consider trying something new. While a lot of people will want to focus on one trick at a time and perfecting it, others will want to take on a challenge and do as much as they can. Go out there and try a few different tricks or disciplines – see what you like and doesn’t like. If you’re having fun and enjoying the experience, you know that you’re on the right path.
Find a quality board and don’t be cheap when it comes to gear
When you’re buying your first snowboard, you want to make sure that you’re not being cheap with your gear. Yes, there are awesome beginner snowboards out there, but they’re not going to be of the highest quality. Don’t be worried about spending a bit more on a good quality board that will last you for many years to come. Snowboards are like skis in the sense that you can get a flex in them. The higher the flex, the more experienced you have to be to be able to control it. The lower the flex, the more beginner friendly it is. So make sure that you get something that’s low-flex for those just starting out.
Conclusion
This is an exciting time of the year for anyone who loves snowboarding. The winter chill is in the air and the snow is beginning to fall. This is the perfect time to start preparing for a great winter of snowboarding by setting yourself realistic goals and taking the time to learn the necessary skills to stay safe on the slopes.