Learning how to snowboard takes time and practice. There are few people in the world who will intuitively learn how to do it straight away. Most beginner snowboarders often ask, “Is snowboarding hard?”
Beginners also worry if they will spend a lot of time learning before they get it. These are all valid concerns, and you’re not the first person to be bothered by these. We’ll do our best to help alleviate these concerns in this article.
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The Mindset
The answer is that it isn’t, or rather it doesn’t have to be. Snowboarding might take time and practice to master. People asking this question are oftentimes trying to decide between skiing and snowboarding.
Some mindsets and practices could make your beginner snowboarding experience difficult but the key is to identify and avoid mishaps. We’ll make sure to share best practices here, so watch out!
Your First Time on a Snowboard
The first week of snowboarding might seem a little daunting. Don’t worry, most people feel the same way.
Knowing what to expect can help one prepare for incidents, so keep in mind that you will fall a lot. In fact, most people spend the first day falling. Relax and be patient with yourself to understand that falling is part of the journey.
You should also know that the techniques that make balancing and controlling easier will take time to master. Your beginner lessons will show you the fundamentals and what you need to get started, and then you can advance once you’re more confident.
The Learning Curve
People often get the basics of snowboarding within 3 to 4 lessons. In about three days, you should be well on your way. How long you’ll need to learn depends on many factors.
People who are naturally coordinated and have good core strength typically pick it up quickly. It also helps if you are in great physical shape and have some experience with sports like surfing or indoor skiing as it strikes a resemblance in balancing on boards.
Don’t worry if you don’t have experience in these activities, you’ll advance to an expert level too but it might just take a little bit longer.
Taking private lessons is one of the ways you can give yourself an advantage. You’ll certainly learn about certain things faster than someone who is teaching themselves. If you can pay for professional lessons, then you should go ahead.
Self-Taught Snowboarding
Teaching yourself how to snowboard is possible, but it depends on your skill level and personal preference. The art of snowboarding is unique, but it is safer, faster, and funner to do a beginners lesson first.
Snowboard courses offered to groups or individuals are pretty affordable. These classes provide an opportunity for you to meet competent snowboarders who are open and willing to share useful snowboard tips.
How to Make Learning to Snowboard Easier
You can do a few things to speed up your education and make the experience funner. Our first tip is for you to schedule your lessons on a weekday if possible.
Weekdays are less busy, and this will make it easier for you to focus and learn. You should make sure that your snowboard gear is part of your educational package, as you’ll enjoy beginner snowboard bindings and beginner snowboard boots even more.
Tick off a checklist listing all the essentials you’ll need before you arrive at your lesson. This action will make your snowboarding experience so much easier, make sure to add the following tips.
Be Patient with Yourself
Learn at your own pace and give yourself time. It doesn’t matter if you’re an advanced skier or have other boarding experience. Despite the similarities, snowboarding has its own quirks which you’ll learn throughout time.
If you spend enough time and attention, you’ll get it. Those initial hurdles are the foundation to set you up on your way to an expert, and then the fun really starts!
Stay in Shape
Snowboarding is a physically demanding sport, so it’s best to stay in shape. Invigorating workouts and fun you get from it will be worth it. While snowboarding, you’ll use a lot of your muscles with the primary focus being your legs and core to balance, navigate, and stop the board.
This means that you’ll need to be on some level of fitness to cope, otherwise you’ll be tired in a short time. Please make no mistake about it – while snowboarding can look effortless, it requires grit.
Don’t Worry About Looking Like a Newbie
If you start to feel self-conscious at the beginning of your snowboarding, don’t sweat it. This is a very common feeling, people tend to feel worried about looking stupid at the start.
The mental block is a waste of energy that you could use for other things. Why focus on that when you could be having fun and learning something new so don’t be afraid to get back up.
Fall Correctly
As we said earlier, you’re going to fall and will likely eat the snow a lot but it’s part of the fun while learning. There’s a correct and incorrect way to fall in snowboarding.
Your natural instincts when falling will, of course, be to stick out your wrist or arm but this is a bad technique as it could lead to injuries. Your instructor will teach you some safe ways to fall and soon enough, your muscle memory will kick in.
Dress Properly
Make sure to dress warm and comfortably every time you hit the slopes. This is much better than going for something fashionable but it does not have to be mutually exclusive.
You’ll need a couple of layers, depending on the conditions, so check the weather forecast before you head out and keep in mind that you can always shed a layer if you’re too warm.
Generally, you’ll need a base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer.
The base layer will keep you dry, but the mid-layer is for warmth. The outer layer will help break the wind and keep the moisture out. Don’t forget to wear a warm pair of socks and mittens and always be prepared for rain or severe weather.
Take Your Lessons Seriously
Take lessons with a professional instructor, which can be done in a group setting or privately. Private lessons save you a lot of guesswork, frustration, and time-wasting. With private lessons, you’ll most likely learn faster, but it could cost more. If you’re on a budget, you can opt for group classes instead.
You could also ask a friend who is a great snowboarder to show you the basics, but this isn’t ideal because not everyone knows how to teach. Teaching often requires instructors to have a solid knowledge of technique and proper form. You don’t want to end up picking up your friend’s bad habits too.
Don’t Go Out by Yourself
When you’re starting on your snowboarding journey, riding solo is the worst thing you can do because you need to have someone you know (friend, partner, or instructor) nearby so they can help if you run into any kind of trouble. You might not need a buddy in the end, but it’s best to be on the safe side.
Don’t Let Yourself Get Frustrated
Perseverance is an important trait when it comes to snowboarding. For starters, you’ll be eating a lot of snow and you might take a few hits but don’t let that get to you.Be ready for it, and don’t let yourself get frustrated when it happens.
Have the Right Gear
Not having the right gear can make snowboarding harder. There are beginner snowboards, bindings, and boots that will make your life easier. Take time out to choose and purchase which ones work for you. Beginner gear is designed to make your snowboarding easier, it specifically gives you better control at the appropriate level.
Sit Down When Strapping In
Thanks to this article, you don’t need to make this beginner’s mistake. Attempting to fasten your board while standing up does not end well, it’s much easier to do it while sitting down.
Sit, strap in your board, and then get back on your feet. Did we hear you ask how? It’s easy. Grab the middle of your board and pull yourself up with one hand. While doing this, push yourself up simultaneously with your other hand.
Conclusion
Learning how to snowboard can be a fun experience. Practice makes perfect when it comes to getting better at snowboarding. Even great snowboarders take a fall when starting out, that’s why your first lessons usually happen on a flat area or bunny hill. Soon enough, you’ll be that expert you admire in no time.
