Snowboarding for beginners equals bruised knees and bottoms from falling, fights with the drag lift and a lot of contact with the cold snow. The first days on a snowboard can be a real struggle! You will fall a lot, and it will be painful. But with the right gear and a good instructor, you'll be making your way down the slopes in a few days. Even without being completely black and blue! It is even said that most people master snowboarding faster than skiing. Here are some tips for winter sports enthusiasts who are about to start snowboarding.
The first days of snowboarding can be pretty challenging, so you'll need the necessary perseverance. You'll be standing at an angle with a board under your feet and no poles to help you balance. At first, you might think you'll never learn, but you'll quickly progress and start enjoying it! With proper preparation, even beginner snowboarders can create optimal conditions for a smoother start.
For beginners, it is important to wear clothes that keep you dry and warm. Choose warm and waterproof snowboard pants and jackets, because whether you like it or not, you will be in the snow often. Nowadays, ski trousers also have good waterproof characteristics, so if you have them already, they will do as well. If you want to avoid a bruised bottom, wear crash pants - special padded trousers under your snowboard clothing that protect you when you fall. Moreover, it is also advisable to wear knee pads. You can get special snowboarding knee protectors, but the one from skating or volleyball will do as well! Wrist guards and a helmet are also highly recommended.
When you snowboard, you always put one foot forward. In snowboarding terms, you can be either goofy (right front) or regular (left front). There are some tricks to determine your preferred stance. For example, pretend you want to glide across the ice for a bit. Or have someone push you from behind; which foot did you put forward first? Choose this foot to put forward when snowboarding. Don't worry if you made a mistake here; a good snowboard instructor will see that you are better off with your other foot in front. Some people have an equal preference for both feet, but most have a clear favourite.
Rent your equipment the first time you go snowboarding. This way, you can first see if you like it, and you won't risk quickly outgrowing your beginner's board. As a beginner, choose a reasonably flexible board, as it will be easier to steer. Don't be tempted by a nice (and stiff!) advanced board; it will take much longer to turn corners. Of course, a good snowboard shop can help you choose the right equipment. Would you rather buy it anyway?
Your snowboard boots should fit well and shouldn't be too big. Your heel should be fixed and shouldn't move when you stand on your toeside. Furthermore, you should tie your boots well with laces or a lacing system so that your movements will be properly transferred to your snowboard. When in doubt about the size: it is always better to choose boots that are a little too small than a little too big. The length of your snowboard depends on your height and weight, among others. Put your snowboard upright. A beginner snowboard should come between the chest and the nose. Those with a bigger shoe size (from 44 on) should ask for an extra wide snowboard, or they will go through the snow with their toes!
Many people think snowboarding is difficult. Nothing could be further from the truth! The first day(s) can be a bit challenging, and you will fall more than a beginner skier, but snowboarding is basically easy to learn. After the first week, most people can already go down the medium (red) slope. In fact, the most important tip is: take lessons! You often see people who rent a snowboard for an afternoon and try it out for themselves on a practice slope. Besides the risk of injury, they have a high chance of teaching themself the wrong (falling) technique. In general, it is easier to learn something than to unlearn it. So invest in lessons, and you will see that you will master snowboarding much faster, especially if you opt for a few hours of private lessons. If you like company, group lessons might be more something for you. It is also an excellent tip to already take snowboarding lessons in the UK on an indoor slope. This way, you will spend less time on the practice slope in the Alps.
Taking snowboard lessons from a certified snowboard instructor is the best way to learn the right technique. You will find that with better technique, you will also have more and more fun snowboarding. So we don't recommend the 'do-it-yourself courses' on the internet. But it never hurts to prepare yourself a bit. On this website, you will find many interesting snowboard technique tips. But don't let these tips replace snowboarding lessons on the slopes. It is also a good idea to try a lesson or two on an indoor ski slope!
Beginner snowboarders don't need a huge ski area. A few blue runs, maybe a red one, and you'll have fun all week! We think 20 to 30 km of slopes should be enough for a beginner. Resorts with chair lifts or cable cars are also recommended, as drag lifts are often tiring and challenging for beginners. However, they are good practice for your balance. The destinations below are perfect for beginners:
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
