Our Tips for Beginner Snowboarders
If you've always dreamed of learning to snowboard but never dared to give it a go, then this article is for you! On this page, Glisshop gives you all the advice you need to start snowboarding and have as much fun as possible with this exhilarating sport. Don’t worry, learning to snowboard is really fun.
Contents
- Equipment
- Stance on the Board
- Basic Techniques
- Ski Lifts
- Having Fun
- More Tips and Video Tutorials
What Equipment Do You Need for Snowboarding?
The first step is crucial: you need to get the right gear. Of course, you’ll need a snowboard, bindings, and boots, but also a jacket, snowboard trousers, and gloves to protect you from the cold and the elements. A helmet and goggles are also essential accessories.
Board and Bindings
The board is the core of your equipment, and choosing the right model is essential for beginners. Brands offer boards specifically designed for beginners. These boards make learning and progressing easier and are the best way to start snowboarding and quickly master your first turns. It’s clear that choosing a board meant for experienced riders won’t help you enjoy the discipline. Beginner snowboards have flex, shapes, and profiles designed to make things easier and prevent you from catching an edge too often.
The bindings we offer in our packages are matched to the board. Our experts have selected them to ensure they work perfectly together. Beginner bindings are flexible enough to be forgiving and won’t overly tire your leg muscles.
Boots
Snowboard boots are a crucial element that should not be overlooked when starting out in snowboarding. The comfort of your feet is very important for enjoying your time on the snow and not being put off by this great sport. The equipment is constantly evolving, and even the most affordable boots are comfortable to wear.
Goofy or Regular? Choosing Your Stance
Unlike skiing, where everyone faces the same direction, in snowboarding, you can be either goofy or regular. Your stance on the board depends on which foot is in front when you ride. If your right foot is in front, you’re goofy; conversely, if your left foot is in front, you’re regular. If you already skateboard or surf, you’re likely to have the same stance in snowboarding. If you’re unsure of your preferred stance, you can ask someone to give you a gentle push from behind while you stand with your feet together. The foot you use to catch yourself could indicate which foot will feel natural to have in front.
If you’re starting with a twin-tip board (symmetrical between the nose and tail), you can set identical angles on the front and back bindings (for example, +15° and -15°) to experiment with riding both goofy and regular. This neutral position is suitable for learning.
Learning the Basic Techniques
Now that you have the gear, it’s time to move on to technique. If you follow our tips, you should be carving your first turns in no time, all while avoiding falls! (No guarantees, but we’ll do our best.)
Onefoot Straight Line
At the beginning of your first session, keep your back foot detached from the binding. This gentle approach allows you to get used to the feeling of riding while still having the option to catch yourself with your back foot to avoid a fall. Start on a very gentle slope, ideally one that flattens out so you can stop naturally. Begin with a straight glide, with the board flat and moving in a straight line. Your body weight should be on your front leg.
How to Stand Up?
Once you start feeling comfortable, it’s time to strap your back foot into the binding. To strap in, you’ll likely feel more confident sitting facing downhill. Once both feet are in the bindings, dig your heel edge into the snow, hold the front edge with one hand, and pull up while pushing with your other hand on the snow to stand up.
You can also stand up the other way: strap in the same way, but then roll onto your stomach so you’re facing uphill, and use both hands to push yourself up.
Falling Leaf Technique
Now you’re standing with both feet strapped into the bindings. It’s time to learn the falling leaf technique. Start by facing downhill, using your heel edge or backside edge. Choose a gentle slope, like a green run, preferably one that isn’t too busy. You’ll be traversing back and forth while staying on the same edge, moving alternately in one direction and then the other.
The first crucial point is to keep your shoulders parallel to the board and the slope. Gently glide in one direction, then the other, while staying on the heel edge. Control your speed by adjusting the pressure on the edge. The second important point is always to look in the direction you’re going; this is the first step in mastering your trajectory. Your body goes where you’re looking.
The next step is to perform the same exercise on the toe edge or frontside, facing uphill. You’re now balancing on your toes. Keep your knees bent slightly forward to maintain good balance.
How to Make Your First Turns?
After practicing gliding and controlling your speed on both edges, you’re ready to make your first turns.
Backside Turn
The backside turn is the simplest. Start by gaining a bit of speed with a straight glide, keeping the board flat. When you’re ready to initiate your turn, lean back slightly, pressing on the heel edge. The majority of your body weight should remain on your front foot. Your board will start turning naturally.
Frontside Turn
For the frontside turn, start with the board flat and lean forward, lifting your heels to press on the toe edge. Keep your knees bent and your body weight on your front leg.
How to Slow Down or Stop?
To slow down on a snowboard, simply position yourself perpendicular to the slope on either your frontside or backside edge. The more pressure you apply to the edge, the more speed you lose. You can control your speed by adjusting the pressure you exert on the board.
How to Avoid Catching an Edge and Other Causes of Falls?
Catching an edge is one of the biggest fears for beginners and a leading cause of falls. To avoid this and have fun, you’ll need to improve your technique. If you’re worried about falling, consider wearing protective gear like wrist guards and padded shorts. Knowing that any impact will be at least partially cushioned if you fall can boost your confidence. To avoid catching an edge, try to have a solid stance.
Another common cause of falls and frustration is due to a lack of commitment. Fear of the slope may lead you to not distribute enough of your body weight onto your leading leg, causing you to sit back. This poor posture will prevent you from turning, causing you to collapse and fall backward.
It’s also important to learn how to navigate the environment you’re in. If you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings, you may make mistakes and put yourself and others at risk. Avoid stopping in the middle of a run, and don’t sit behind a bump, as you’ll be invisible to those coming from above. Learn to read the terrain to identify different snow conditions and avoid potential icy patches. All these reasons highlight the importance of being guided during your learning process. You’ll find ski schools in every resort.
How to Approach Ski Lifts
Taking ski lifts can be intimidating for a novice snowboarder. Since you’ve paid for your lift pass, it would be a shame not to make the most of it! The easiest type of lift to use is the magic carpet (besides gondolas). Luckily, these often serve beginner slopes. All you need to do is let the conveyor belt carry you to the top of the slope—nothing could be simpler.
For drag lifts such as T-bars or button lifts, detach your back foot and place it on the board just in front of the rear binding. Hold onto the bar but stay relaxed—everything will go smoothly! Try to keep the board flat and stay directly under the cable. When you reach the top, don’t let go of the bar too early and follow the instructions on the signs.
For chairlifts, it’s also easier with your back foot unstrapped. Move to the designated area and sit comfortably on the seat. Enjoy the view. When it’s time to get off, stand up and use the seat to push yourself forward. Quickly clear the area so you don’t obstruct those on the next chair.
Have Fun!
There you have it—we’ve told you everything, or almost everything. Now it’s time for you to dive in! Remember, snowboarding is a fun sport that will introduce you to the thrill of speed and gliding on snow. After a few sessions, you might find yourself falling in love with the mountains, eagerly awaiting the arrival of winter. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore the freestyle side of snowboarding, learning tricks and riding with style. Or maybe you’ll want to discover freeriding and the joy of carving through powder. Perhaps your passion will be carving beautiful turns on groomed slopes. There’s no need to choose—you can be a versatile snowboarder who rides on all terrains.
More Guides, Tips, and Tutorial Videos
To learn more about snowboarding, equipment, terminology, and much more, check out our snowboard guides and watch the videos prepared by our experts. Glisshop helps you with all the information you need on snowboarding, choosing your gear, keeping up with the latest trends, and adjusting your equipment.