Snowboarding
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Learn To Snowboard
You can learn to snowboard in a day or two, but there are enough challenges, techniques, and styles to keep you interested and for years.
The main snowboarding styles are freeride, freestyle and alpine. In freeride, you ride down a mountain, taking advantage of the landscape's natural bumps and curves. Freestyle focuses on tricks, such as spins, jumps and grabbing the board in mid-air. Alpine is a style similar to skiing, that emphasizes fast speed and hard turns. If you are not sure which style to choose, it is advisable to start with freeride, as it is the easiest style from which to pick up the basics of the sport with.
There are two different stances snowboarding stances that can be adopted. In the regular stance, which is most popular, the left foot goes in front of the right. In the goofy stance, the right foot goes in front of the left. Your snowboarding instructor will show you both early on whilst showing you how to snowboard, so you can decide which is preferable to you.
Unlike skiers, who shift their weight from side to side, snowboarders shift their weight from heel to toe. The snowboarding technique is more like surfing or skateboarding than skiing. When you shift your weight forward, the board goes downhill or speeds up. When you shift your weight backward, the board slows down. When you dig your heels down, the edge of the snowboard drags in the snow and causes you to stop.
Safety should always be taken into consideration when learning how to snowboard as bumps and falls are not uncommon. Serious injuries are rare but beginners will often sustain sprains and bruises, particularly on their wrists and ankles. Taking snowboarding lessons from a professional, having the right equipment, and wearing the appropriate clothing will minimize the risks involved.
There are three different types of snowboards available: freeride, freestyle, and alpine boards. Each is manufactured uniquely in relation to materials, shape, flex pattern, and size. The type of board you ride should correspond to your preferred style of snowboarding, your height (when standing on end, the board should reach between your nose and chin), your shoe size (your heels and toes should not end up in the snow when you turn) and your weight (heavier riders need a board with a stiffer flex).
Snowboard boots and snowboard bindings are essential to attach yourself safely, securely and comfortably to your snowboard. The better quality they are, and the more they fit your personal specifications, the more control you will have whilst snowboarding.
You should dress in appropriate snowboarding clothing, with a three-layer system generally thought to be best: the base or inner layer, the middle or second layer, and the outer layer. Pay attention to warmth, weight and moisture management on each layer. Protect your head and ears from extremely low temperatures with a comfortable hat or beanie and, over that, wear a snowboard helmet. Wear goggles to prevent your eyes being damaged by UV rays, snow, wind, ice, and tree branches. Choose gloves that are durable, waterproof, and have fleece or other synthetic-based insulated lining.
It is advisable to borrow or rent equipment and clothing whilst you learn to snowboard so that you can be sure that you both like the sport and get items that are suited to the particular style of snowboarding that you will mostly be participating in. Equipment and clothing can be expensive so it is important to make the right choices first time around.