LEARN HOW TO SNOWBOARD

Did you know that a few years ago snowboarding was the second fastest growing sport in United states behind synchronized swimming? Huh...not really. It was the fastest growing sport in US period and it is still getting bigger. That means lots of beginners. Lots of beginners coming to this site looking for advice on snowboarding equipment, advice on how to snowboard, how to do snowboard tricks etc. So we decided to write a short how to snowboard guide to get you guys started.

At the beginning we wanted to do a comprehensive snowboard guide but it quickly became clear to us that this is not a really good idea, since this is the time we would rather spend riding, raising a family, travel the world, finish college and well...you got the picture :)

A few how to snowboard tips for beginners:

Still there is some sound advice we can give to anyone who is just starting or thinking about starting... this will save you a few problems and put you in the right direction:

1. Choose the right snowboard

A softer and shorter snowboard will be much easier to handle when you are starting out. What is a shorter snowboard? Generally a snowboard should reach up to your chin if you stand it against you. Take away an inch or two if you are a beginner (and add an inch or two if you are a powder monkey :) ). What is a softer snowboard? Freestyle snowboards are generally softer that freeride. You just have to try a soft one and a hard one to see the difference. Or you can try to bend it with your hands.

Should you buy or rent? We would say rent just to make sure you really try how to snowboard and see if you like it (duh, sure you will). Otherwise a better, newer snowboard is easier to ride. Its lighter, handles better etc... a crappy old snowboard from your friend that is "still good for begginer" can be a pain in the ass :)!

2. Choose the right time

When you are learning how to snowboard the conditions should be someting like this: enough snow, no crowds, no ice, sun...reads like a perfect day. Hell, conditions should be like that every day you ride! :) At least stay away from the icy crowded slopes. Ice hurts when you fall and the edges of your snowboard will give you problems on ice.

3. Choose the right slope

When you are learning how to snowboard all you need is a gentle slope without crowds. You don't even have to buy the ticket the first time, just find a really easy slope and walk up. Some resorts even have beginner slopes that are free.

4. How To Snowboard - beginner technique

1. Take some lessons. First few hours or days are the worst and a certified snowboard instructor will make things much easier.

2. How to snowboard? LEAN FORWARD! No matter how many times we say it, people always lean back. They get scared when the board starts picking up speed and instead of leaning forward and taking control they lean back and...fall. So it helps to choose a really easy slope where you pick up speed really slow.

3. Also - you'll get hurt. This is not an advice, it's a fact :)  The first time we went snowboarding we could not climb out of the bath in the evening. Every muscle you know and don't know you have will remind you that you abused it.

4. And remember It's FUN!!!! It's tons of FUN!! Its gazillions of fun :) Try it, you will not be sorry. Snowboarding is actually  pretty easy to pick up if you have someone to tell you how to do it right. It not so much of a technical sport as it is a feeling. Like riding a bike. Sure to learn it correctly you do have to use the right technique, but it's much less anal about it like for instance skiing. Freedom. In a few days you will be able to ride with no problems. If you are a talent even your first day. And what is really cool about snowboarding - You progress all the time. Every time you go snowboarding you are a better snowboarder at the end of the day.

Need More?

These were some tips to push you in the right direction when you are learning how to snowboard. We are not certified to give you real snowboard lessons so we wouldn't want to teach you something that can leave you negative consequences along the way. This can happen - you know how to snowboard, ride without problems, but still your technique can suck and it can stop you from going to the next level. It's all because you learned how to snowboard from a friend.

So we searched the Internet for a good online How To Snowboard guide and we really like this one here. Its written by two snowboard instructors from Whistler Mountain. Their lessons were good enough for Travis Rice, Simon Chamberlain, Mason Aguirre...  So if you want to learn how to snowboard or if you want to improve your snowboard ability and push yourself to the next level - check them out. They even offer a few free lessons that you can download.

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sarah said:

... ur a bumm

November 12, 2007

admin said:

... Thanks

November 14, 2007

Raj said:

This is awesome. Im going to Canada snowboading in about 2 weeks. I was really nervous but this guide helped me a lot. Its my first time out of the UK, and Im going to Sun Peaks. Thanks!

November 23, 2007

3G said:

... Don't be nervous, it should be and it is fun. And it should be hella of lot fun if you do it in Canada . Good luck!

November 23, 2007

Jessica said:

Snowboarding yeh my brother is taking me to japan (niseko) this christmas to snowboard and never done it before but at least i know some things now!

September 26, 2008

Jen said:

How to NOT bail of the lift? I'm a beginner and it never fails that i always bail of the lift. I never get hurt, well except for my pride 8! Any tips for a smooth transition?

September 28, 2008

me said:

thanks dang dude. thanks for wasting this time of writing this 4 us. i wouldnt do that but thanks alot dude =) helped.

October 17, 2008

me said:

=) ... good tips 4 begginers.

October 17, 2008

KeenBean said:

Not Fair!!! Dude i sure wish that I had read this before I started snowboarding! It seems like it would of helped me a lot more then falling on my ass all the time.

October 29, 2008

alfred said:

Nice! Bro thx for righting this rad information... I am so stoked to get out on my new board.

November 25, 2008

alfred said:

WHAT IS THE BEST SNOWBOARD What is the best snowboard out on the market right now. if someone could post a comment of ones they have thought were nice that would be great.

November 25, 2008

Dave said:

Best Snowboard Everywhere i went people kept trying to recommend the Burton Clash for a beginners board - i instead went for the Forum Recon which reads well for beginners. Hope this helps.

November 26, 2008

connor said:

it hurts for a while the first season i started snowboading every muscle in my body hurt and didn't stop until my second season and i only ever fall now if i get cut off or something but still were a helmet it saved my life on time, i got cut off and tumbled the hole way down the slope from top too botom and ran into 3 poles anlong the way

November 28, 2008

peugi said:

this article brings back some memories :-) Ah those were times, when I 1st stood on a snowboard with an "I saw it on TV and it looked easy" attitude and fell hard 2 seconds after . I can only repeat what's written in the article: get an instructor and lean forward! I didn't and it hurt much more than it could have btw, I started on Nidecker Dragon board -> soft centered freestyle board (random choice, back then I thought there was only one type of snowboards in the world lol). It is very responsive and generally easy-ridden board but now I had to replace it with something more slope-friendly so I got myself a Nitro Suprateam. Advice: rent your 1st board, you won't need it for long anyway. After 2-3 seasons you will want to buy something ace .

December 24, 2008

Gita said:

Let's see... Hi! thank you for your site!! It's something totally new, I'm looking forward to begin!...Collect all necessary and then... I'll let you know how much it hurted! ;o).......

January 10, 2009

derek said:

haha I'm going to aspen! staying in a 20 million dollar house!

March 04, 2009

derek said:

... straight outta california, soo ima surfer!

March 04, 2009

henry said:

thanks thanks i have never been before and i am going with me friend for her birthday. so thanks.

March 05, 2009

mandy said:

em... em...already know the basics about snowboarding, I can now roam down a double black diamond. do you know any site that teaches back flips? tell me if you do my e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 13, 2009

blm said:

woo snowboarding is so good hel mad living 30 mins from 2 resorts haha DDD

March 15, 2009

isaac ibbott said:

why cant you save it u cant even save it

June 03, 2009

isaac ibbott said:

y why cant u SAVE IT (^^^)

June 03, 2009

austin said:

i hate this bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 03, 2009

isaac ibbott said:

... YOUR A FAT MONKEY

June 03, 2009

dk said:

... i'm a fucking dick head

June 03, 2009

SOBO said:

... i hate every thing and esighnments on snowboards

June 03, 2009

jojo said:

FANKX dat was alsom ur da BEST me goin snowbdskiing soon i was so nervous but now CAN NOT wait 2 go FANKZ FANKX

June 29, 2009

Caitie said:

Wicked Gotta love snowboarding

September 15, 2009

Sue :) said:

Ok I think I got it... Ok me and my pal were gonna start snow boarding! Ok no problem, just lean forward. Got it. Heh thanks for the help

October 20, 2009

chels said:

cool this is good advice for beginners. I used this website in a article im writing thanks!

November 06, 2009

mark said:

... thanks alot for the tips, i went today and i biffed atleast 20 times and rolled on my head lol so sore. but i did progress alot

November 18, 2009

jesse said:

... thanks man i just got a new board and had to change the bindings and ive never done it before so i came here to make sure i didnt screw it up it really helped they feel great thx

November 25, 2009

Zip said:

gravity sucks!!! Take nothing but pleasure,leave nothing but blood.

December 11, 2009

Zip said:

PS. I'm 53 years old and still having fun on the slopes and off the slopes,snowboarding is the most fun you can have with your cloths on....realy!

December 11, 2009

kasey! said:

hellllllllllllllllllllllp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! iv been sking 4 about 3 years and im going 2 try snowbording in the winter and i all ways see heaps of beginners falling off the lift and if im going to start how do i try not to fall?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! and THANXXXXXXXX HEAPS!!!!!

December 25, 2009

Kelsey said:

Thank You! thanks for telling me things about snowboarding! i am starting lessons next week and i wanted to know some things about it. what really helped me was the 'dont lean back, lean forward' part because i didnt know that! also, the part about picking out snowboards helped me. but isnt the snowboard supposed to go in between your nose and chin?

December 31, 2009

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