Outbound Collective logo

Basic Tips for the Beginning Snowboarder

If you’re new to snowboarding, these tips can help ensure that you have a lot of fun and don’t injure yourself too seriously.

By: Jennifer Collins + Save to a List

Are you new to the sport of snowboarding? It can be a lot of fun, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can also be a little dangerous. You can pretty easily hurt yourself if you aren’t careful. Before you start snowboarding, you definitely need to take a lesson or two. You also need to follow these tips for the beginning snowboarder. They will help you learn how to snowboard without hurting yourself.

Have the Right Gear

Before you get out on the snow and start boarding, you need to make sure you’ve got the right protective gear. You will find that a great selection of snowboarding body armor is available to help protect you from falls. Hitting the snow would seem like it wouldn’t hurt that much, but when you’re snowboarding, you’re not on that soft snow that you might find during the winter months at home. This snow will quickly become packed down the more it’s used, which means it can become quite hard. Having protective snowboarding armour on under your clothing will greatly help protect you.

                                          Image source: Listsurge.com

Wearing this protective gear will make your early lessons much more effective. If you’re continually falling and getting hurt, you’re going to become very frustrated. That frustration is made even worse by the pain. On the other hand, if you’re falling down, but being cushioned by your protective gear, you’re going to be more willing to get up and try again.

Know the Right Snow

Not all snow is created equal, and there are some types of snow that are not good for snowboarding. Snow that is frozen, for example, is dangerous because you can very easily slip and slide all over. The same is true with snow that has ice underneath it. If you’re trying to snowboard on this type of snow, you’re going to want to have looked at very durable snowboard helmets recently and purchased one that can survive multiple collisions. This type of snow is definitely not the type you want to learn how to snowboard on.

Instead of snowboarding on icy snow, look for snow that is more powdery and loose. This snow more easily moves with your snowboard, so you’re less likely to slip and fall. Learning how to recognize each type of snow is important for a beginner.

Don’t Forget Your Gloves

Most people focus on finding a great snowboarding jacket, helmet, and boots. They often forget that they need pants and gloves, too. Buying the wrong snowboard gloves will leave your hands damp and cold if you keep hitting the snow. Make sure you get insulated gloves that are water resistant and durable enough that they won’t rip if you hit something hard.

                                              Image source: ehowcdn.com

Rent Your Snowboard

If you’re just starting out snowboarding, you may not be certain if this sport is really for you. It’s different from skiing, skateboarding, and wakeboarding, three activities that share some things with snowboarding. That’s why you may want to rent a snowboard at first until you’re sure you want to invest in your own board. If you buy a snowboard and then later decide the activity is just not for you, you’ll have spent money on something you’re never going to use again.

Practice Off the Snow

Many beginners think the only time they can practice their snowboarding is when they’re on the slopes, but that’s not true. You can practice how to do a number of different moves without even moving. Learning how to shift your weight correctly is very important, and that’s something you can do anywhere. Practice shifting your weight from your toes to your heels and how to correctly balance to make a turn. Eventually, the snowboard helmets of the future may provide a virtual snowboarding program to help you with this practice. Doing this type of practice will work these skills into muscle memory, so the next time you’re on the slopes, you’ll instinctively remember what to do.

                                              Image source: Bluemountain.ca

Know How to Fall

As a beginning, you’re going to fall a lot. Even as an experienced snowboarder, you’re still going to fall every now and then. It’s very important that you know how to fall correctly so that you don’t injure yourself. While your clothing, gloves, helmet, and snowboard goggles will provide some protection, even they won’t help if you fall at the wrong angle.

Most snowboarders hurt their hands, arms, and wrists when they fall. That’s because the point of impact with the ground is often the hand. All of the force of your fall is on that one point. If possible, try to fall so that more of your body hits the snow. This may sound like it would hurt more, but in most cases, it actually doesn’t. Another thing to do when falling is to make your hand into a fist. This way, your fingers and wrists don’t snap backwards.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Do you love the outdoors?

Yep, us too. That's why we send you the best local adventures, stories, and expert advice, right to your inbox.

Related

Journey to Wyoming’s premier snowmobiling destination: Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Samuel Brockway

Hiking in comfort: a review of Danner Mountain 600 Evo boots

Meghan White

A peek through God's window

Heather Arnold

Big Bend Bound: Crafting Your 3-Day Adventure

Erin Newman-Mitchell