Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Safe practice
• Part 2 of 3: Getting your movements under control
• Part 3 of 3: Improve your skills
• Tips

Winter is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy winter sports. A popular winter sport is snowboarding. Although snowboarding is now an official Olympic sport, anyone can learn it. Learning some basic techniques can help you get a head start when you start snowboarding and make your first time on the slopes an enjoyable experience.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Safe practice

1. Learn the correct posture. Before you can start snowboarding, you first need to know which position is best for you. There are two main styles of snowboarding, both based on your natural front leg preference. Find your dominant leg and use the appropriate stance.
   • Leading with the left leg is called the "regular" stance, or "regular".
   • Leading with the right leg is called the "goofy" stance.
   • If you have a skateboard, the leg you are pushing the skateboard with is the leg that will be in front.
   • Think about which leg to use first when putting on your pants. Chances are, this is your lead leg.
2. Wear the right stuff. To stay safe while snowboarding, you need to wear the best protective gear you can afford. Protective clothing will help protect you from any injuries from falls, collisions and the cold.
   • A helmet should always be worn no matter how skilled you are in snowboarding.
   • You need a snowboard that matches your posture.
   • A good pair of snowboard boots will help protect your feet and ankles.
   • You need connections to properly attach the board to your feet.
   • Safety glasses or sunglasses can help keep the sun and snow out of your eyes.
   • Wrist guards can help protect your wrists from injury during a fall while learning to snowboard.
3. Wear the right clothes. Since snowboarding necessarily takes place in cold temperatures, you need to equip yourself with the right clothes. Some essentials are:
   • A warm hat that completely covers your head and ears.
   • Thermal socks and underwear.
   • A warm jacket. Many snowboarders like to wear down jackets.
   • A scarf or gaiters to keep your neck warm.
   • Snowboard pants, warm and generally water resistant.
   • Layering clothes can also help keep you warm.
4. Wait for the right snow. Not all snow is equally suitable for snowboarding. In fact, some types of snow can be more difficult and dangerous to snowboard. When learning to snowboard, always check the weather and snow forecast to make sure you are practicing in the optimal type of snow.
   • Frozen or icy snow can be difficult and dangerous to learn. This type of snow has a layer of ice that is hard and dense compared to the ideal powder snow.
   • Fresh powder snow is the ideal type for beginners to practice. This snow is loose and uncompressed, and moves easily under your board.
   • Check the weather forecast for the slopes you will be visiting.
5. Go mid-week. Ski and snowboard slopes and resorts can be popular places during the winter season. The more people are on the slopes, the more difficult the environment becomes when learning to snowboard. Try to go mid-week to avoid big crowds so you have plenty of open space to learn this.
6. Get to know the terrain and the course. Before you hit the slopes for the first time, it can be a good idea to learn the tracks. Knowing what to expect and which tracks or areas to avoid can help you stay safe while practicing your skills. Always take some time to get your bearings before snowboarding in a new area.
   • Keep an eye out for any signs along the trail.
   • Knowing the beginner routes can help avoid dangerous situations.
7. Go with someone if necessary. Snowboarding together is often more fun and makes it a safer experience for a beginner. Choose someone with some snowboarding experience to join you, who can guide you and maybe teach you a few techniques.
   • Even if your friends are all beginners, having a partner on your first snowboard steps can make the experience a lot safer.
8. Learn how to strap the snowboard. A snowboard has two points where it is attached to your feet. These points are called "bindings" or bindings and there are a number of different models available. However, many bindings have some common elements that you should familiarize yourself with.
   • Bindings have a back plate that supports your ankle and the back of your boot.
   • Most bindings have a band on the top that covers the top part of your boot.
   • It is common for bindings to have an extra strap at the bottom that secures your toes to the board.
   • Always make sure to pull the straps completely tight against your boots to make sure you are properly secured to the board.

Part 2 of 3: Getting your movements under control

1. Start moving. Before you can start snowboarding on big slopes you have to practice simple movements with your board. The first technique you may want to learn is how to "skate" your snowboard. Practice the following movements on a relatively flat area to "skate" your board and get a feel for moving your board:
   • Attach your forefoot to the board.
   • Release your back foot from the bindings.
   • Push with your back foot as you would with a skateboard.
   • You start to come forward and can put your back foot back into the binding.
2. Find a safe area to start. Many ski and snowboard resorts have areas specially designed for the novice skier. When you are ready to descend a slope, always look for slopes marked for beginners as this will help keep you and other snowboarders safe as you learn.
   • Beginner slopes will be very small.
   • Most beginner courses have very gentle slopes that will allow you to move slowly and maintain control.
3. Start exercising on small slopes. Once you have a feel for "skating" on your board, you can move on to tackling small slopes. Find the beginner courses or areas in your ski area and start practicing to slide down successfully.
   • Start on a very small slope or hill on the first try at snowboarding.
   • Keep your center of gravity low by squatting slightly.
   • Lean on your front leg instead of your back.
   • Don't lean too far to one side or the other.
   • Use your arms to balance yourself.
   • Be prepared to fall. Try to distribute your weight all over your body if you need to fall.
4. Watch where you want to go. While you should be very aware of your overall environment, being able to control your plate by keeping your eyes on where you want to go will help. Keep in mind that whichever direction you look, your body and board will tend to steer there too.
5. Shift your weight. An important part of maneuvering your board while snowboarding is controlling your body weight. You have to shift your weight properly in order to be able to turn and stabilize your board. Practice shifting your weight as you go down to get a better sense of where your weight should be when maneuvering your snowboard.
   • Often times, your weight will rest on your heels, especially if you go straight.
   • When you turn, you have to shift your weight in the direction you want to turn.
   • It can help to swing your arms to add extra weight and momentum to your spin.
   • Join the movement. Do you lean too little, then you get out of balance and you fall.
6. Pay attention to who has right of way. It is very important that you pay attention to the people around you while snowboarding. Part of controlling your board is safely maneuvering around other people enjoying their time on the slopes. Knowing the rules of who has right of way on the job can help keep everyone safe.
   • Everyone before you takes precedence over you.
   • When you bump into someone in front of you, it is generally considered your fault.
   • If you have to pass someone nearby, announce which way you are going.
   • Never stop on a hill or any other place where you are hard to see.
7. Learn to fall. Part of learning to control your movements while snowboarding is learning to fall. At the start of your workout, you can expect to fall down. Learning to fall can help you avoid injuries and keep you exercising safely.
   • The most common injuries are those to your wrists and hands from a fall.
   • Making a fist when you fall can help keep your hands from bending too far back.
   • Try to spread the force of the fall all over your body rather than just one area.

Part 3 of 3: Improve your skills

1. Take lessons. One of the best ways to learn how to snowboard quickly and effectively is to take a few lessons. Professional instructors are available and can offer you their teaching and training techniques. Browse your local ski or snowboard trails for group or personal training lessons to get you started on the right track in snowboarding skills.
2. Exercise often. Part of learning any skill is plenty of practice. Regular practice can help you maintain and improve your skills. At the very least, try to get some exercise every day to get the most out of your efforts.
   • Even at home you can practice tying the board under and shifting your weight.
   • You can also practice the basic techniques on your board in your backyard (or indoors).
   • Going to the slopes as often as possible gives you the best opportunity to practice your skills.
3. Hold on and stay positive. Learning a new skill can be difficult and snowboarding is no exception. When you first start out, you may often fall, have a hard time standing upright for a long distance, and you may be surrounded by people who seem to be doing very well. Don't get discouraged when you first learn how to snowboard and just try to enjoy it.
4. Start building your skills. When you feel comfortable on the beginner slopes you can start trying out more advanced courses. You can also try increasing your speed. Constantly develop your skills and comfort by snowboarding on more challenging slopes.
   • Work slowly when trying more difficult courses.
   • Try to increase your speed gradually over time. Don't rush to speed up your snowboarding.
   • Always keep your safety in mind when trying out a new aspect of snowboarding.
5. Learn some basic tricks. Once you start learning the basic moves and skills of snowboarding, you can start learning some tricks. Start by learning some of the simpler tricks, and take time to work on more difficult or potentially dangerous moves. To get started, try some of the following tricks:
   • Do a wheelie by leaning back on your back leg first. Lift your forefoot and the nose off the plank. Hold this position and keep your balance before lowering the nose of the plank.
   • Do an ollie by squatting and leaning back on your back leg. Lift your front leg, which also raises the plank, then lift your back leg to meet it. Land with the nose of your board first and use your knees to absorb the impact.

Tips

• Prioritize everyone ahead of you.
• The way you balance your body weight affects your curves.
• Rent your gear before buying to see if you will be snowboarding enough to warrant such an investment.
• Wear proper clothing and protective clothing to avoid injury.
• Exercise often.
• Take your own safety and that of your surroundings into account when snowboarding.