Beginner Snowboarding Tips

It's an overwhelming feeling to step on the slopes for the first time. There are so many people, so many things to learn, and so much gear! Hopefully, this blog post will give you some snowboarding tips to ease your way into this amazing sport.

First, pace yourself. It's important to take time to understand the mountain before you ski. It would be wise to start out on a black diamond trail to get a feel for the difficulty of the trail. This will help ensure you have enough energy for the whole day.

You'll experience new heights, deep powder, and an adrenaline rush like no other. What's more, you'll be able to capture the whole experience with your GoPro camera! But before you hop on your board, you'll need to prepare for the day ahead. Below are some of my tips for beginners.

Important Snowboarding Tips

Tip number one: Stand on your left foot and put your weight on the toes of your right foot. This will help you to easily stand up on the snowboard. The left foot is used for balance, steering, and carving.

• Tip number two: Put your right front foot out in front of you.
• Tip number three: Put your left arm out in front of you.
• Tip number four: Make sure you have bent knees and squat down slightly.
• Tip number five: Bend at your waist, not your back.

Get The Front Foot in the Right Position

The front foot in snowboarding is used to push, steer, and control the snowboard, making it crucial for the rider to get this position right. Typically, beginners should stand straight up on their board with the front foot in the middle of the board, pointing in the direction they want to go.

As they are guiding their snowboard down the slope, the rider should shift their weight to the back foot, twisting their torso to align with the direction they are going.

Learn the Lingo

Snowboarding is so much more than a sport. It’s a culture that extends far beyond the slopes. But to be a part of the community, you need to know the lingo. If you are not sure what it is to enjoy a “bluebird” day “cruising” all the way to the bottom of the piste or watching “kickers” in the freestyle park, check out the snowboarding terms for beginners compiled by The Action Sports Translator.

Lead Foot

Leadfoot is a term used to describe which foot the skier places in front of the other when they are starting to ride a snowboard. Learning which foot to lead with is a fundamental snowboard maneuver.

To optimize a well-balanced snowboarder, THE lead foot should be established before a snowboarder starts to ride. Lead foot for snowboarding is usually the right foot to start, but can either foot be established as a lead foot.

If snowboarders turn right, they will likely cross their left leg over their right as the left foot becomes the lead foot. If snowboarders turn left, they will likely cross their right leg over their left.

Remember to Wear Your Helmet! It's an Absolute Must

When you're preparing for your day of snowboarding, make sure you wear a helmet. It's an absolute must! Wearing a helmet is important not just for your safety, but it will also protect you from snow blindness, which occurs when the sun shines on the snow, causing you to lose your vision temporarily.

Dress in Layers, Wear Lots of Reflective Gear

Before hitting the slopes, it's important to dress in layers. Start with a thin, synthetic base layer made of fabric like polyester so it doesn't absorb moisture. Then layer up. For the middle layer, choose a garment with a hood, to protect your head and face from the cold. On top of it, wear a bulky, waterproof outer layer that's made of insulation

Wear a waterproof snowboarding jacket with a hood that has reflective strips on it so that you can be seen by others on the mountain.

Find a Buddy to Go With You

Why should you go with a friend? It’s always more enjoyable to go snowboarding with a friend. Having someone there to help you and show you the ropes can help you get into the sport and enjoy it more.

A friend will keep you safe: There’s nothing worse than getting stuck on a slope and not being able to get back up. A friend can help you out if this happens and prevent you from getting hurt. A friend will help you stay on the slopes

Take a Lesson

Go to a beginner class. Taking a beginner class of snowboarding lessons will help you get more comfortable on the board and make you more confident on the slopes before you get more adventurous. For more info on how many lessons to take click here.

Check the Weather Forecast

A good way to stay safe and on top of the snow is to always check the weather forecast before you head out on the slopes. It's best to dress in layers and to carry water and food with you on your adventures. Remember to not go too fast and do not skimp on safety gear.

Find the Right Ski Resort

There is one thing that we want to do before booking our ski vacation, and that is to find the right ski resort. To find the right resort, there are a few things to take into consideration. There are several factors that should be considered when it comes to finding the perfect ski resort.

Some ski resorts offer a gentle bunny slope and hills, while others offer more strenuous slopes and hills. It is important to consider the difficulty of the bunny slope and hills before choosing a resort. 

Consider the type of slopes: A wide range of slopes and hills can be found at different resorts. Some resorts offer mainly beginner slopes and hills, while others offer mainly intermediate slopes and hills.

The bunny hill is a gentle slope, and it's the first obstacle to the more advanced slopes and many people struggle to stay on their feet. However, bunny hills for beginner skiers don't have to be scary.

If you approach it with the right mindset, bunny hills can be an exciting and fun experience.

If you're struggling to stay on your feet, try approaching the hill as if you're learning to walk. Place one foot in front of the other and spread your weight evenly. You'll find that you'll become more stable.

Make Sure You Have the Right Snowboard Boots

Let’s focus on understanding different snowboard boots, what's the difference between a soft boot and a regular boot, and the importance of deciding the right snowboard boot for one's needs.

Snowboarding is a thrilling sport that takes participants to high mountainous slopes to experience the excitement of the sport. One of the key factors is having an appropriate snowboard boot.

The difference between a regular boot and a soft boot is the soft boot is made from a softer material which gives more cushioning for those who are new to the sport.

Deciding on the right snowboard boot depends on many factors such as your age, weight, and level of experience.

A good pair of snowboard boots can last for years, but finding a decent pair of boots can be tough. There are a lot of things to look for in a good pair of snowboard boots, but two of the most important things are comfort and flex.

Find a boot that's comfortable and has enough flex to help with shock absorption.

Find a boot that will work both on and off the mountain. Don't forget to check the sole of the boot to make sure it's durable.

Choosing the Right Snowboard

While choosing the right snowboard does depend on which kind of ride you are into, there are certain differentiators that can help you pick the right board. We'll be reviewing these differentiators to help you make the right decision.

Snowboarding is an incredible sport that can appeal to people of all ages. It's also a very expensive sport, but you can save money by selecting the right snowboard.

Choosing the right snowboard is all about personal preference, so you'll want to think about factors like style, function and budget.

If you're on a budget, you'll want to look for a board that is compatible with your boots.

Directional boards are great for people who are just starting out in the snow boarding world. The reason for this is that they are made of a softer material which helps you learn quicker without too much of a toll on your body.

These boards are also not designed to do everything, which is good for beginners.

All-mountain or park boards are the more advanced boards. They are made of a harder material which makes them perfect for someone who is experienced with snowboarding.

They are also all-inclusive which means that you can do anything on them.

The length of your snowboard will determine the type of the style of the board that you ride.

A longboard is great for beginners because it is stable and gives you more traction. The downside to this board is that you will not be able to make quick turns, but it will be easier to ride.

Snowboard widths range from 9 inches to over 2 feet. Snowboarders that are short and light-weight should choose a snowboard width of 9 inches to 12 inches.

Be aware of the subtle differences between men's and women's snowboards. Usually it is just the length, but can often be the amount of flex and also the width.

Snowboarders who are taller and heavier should choose a snowboard width of 26 inches or wider. More advanced snowboarders may want to go as wide as 33 inches. Snowboarding is a sport that the participants need the right tools for.

I don't know how many times I've seen a beginner wanting a heel edge board and gets on the slopes and has a traumatic experience. I'm going to go on to say that heel edge boards are really only for advanced riders.

If you're an advanced rider, then a heel edge board is a great tool to add to your arsenal. However, if you're new to the sport, then you should buy a board that has a good variety of tip and tail shapes like a cambered or carving board.

The Right Snowboarding Gear Makes the Difference

A good beginner snowboard jacket must have an ergonomic, thermally efficient design to provide excellent insulation from the cold. A full-length zip on the front provides easy access for layering as well as an adjustable storm flap on the front to keep you warm.

The best jackets have a hood with a drawstring and a design that blocks the wind from going down the jacket. It also needs a strap on the bottom hem to help it stay on if a gust of wind blows.

Snowboarders spend a lot of time on the mountain and many people spend a lot of money on equipment. It's no wonder that there is a boatload of choices when it comes to gear.

One piece that often gets overlooked is the snowboard pants.

Good snowboard pants should be made of a durable material and should have an adjustable waist to accommodate for different levels of size. Good snowboard pants should also not be too tight or too loose and should be able to stretch well.

To ensure that the snowboard pant is properly fitted, the pants should have a cuff that is at least 1 inch wide.

Conclusion

You've been looking forward to hitting the slopes for weeks now, and the snow's finally started to fall. The perfect time of year to don your snow gear and head out to the mountains (or the local slope). To help you get the most out of your snowboarding experience, we hope these tips for beginning snowboarders were helpful!

Question & Answer

1. Is snowboarding hard for beginners?

Well, it can be a little difficult to get the hang of, but it is a lot of fun once you have the hang of it. There are some tips you will want to follow as a beginner if you want to have a great experience.

One of those tips is to find a good instructor to help you. A good instructor will teach you how to go up the mountain and ride down. A good instructor will teach you how to have fun on the slope and have a great experience on the slopes.

They will also teach you some safety tips on going up and going down. You want to look for a certified instructor who knows a lot about skiing and snowboarding. Some people say skiing is easier but snowboarding is harder to master.

2. Can I teach myself to snowboard?

Snowboarding is most often taught in a group setting, so an individual might find it difficult to teach himself how to snowboard.

He might want to consider taking a lesson from a professional rather than trying to teach himself.

Many people who teach themselves often find themselves confused by the moves and tricks.

3. Is snowboarding hard if you can skateboard?

Snowboarding and skateboarding are very similar, and many of the skills may transfer.

Snowboarding requires a bit more upper-body strength than skateboarding, since you will constantly be on your stomach.

Skateboarding doesn't require the same type of strength. If you're a fan of skateboarding, you will probably love snowboarding. It's a cool, low-impact hobby that's a lot of fun

4. Is it too late to start snowboarding?

It's never too late to start snowboarding. There are many benefits to starting snowboarding, which include that it is more affordable than skiing, it is very social compared to skiing,

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.