Learning Snowboard

[RustyMon]

Well, after my wife's continued nagging, I've finally given in... I will try to snowboard. Even though I tell her it will be "a waste of a good ski day" I've signed up for a rental and a lesson... anyone have tips a beginner snowboarder should know?

[Superteddy]

Start with small slopes that are not to hard
Take your time. Remember that Rome wasn't built in one day.
Remind your wife that you will need loads of massage when you get home since you will hurt all over from falling.

[dazisonfire]

The trick is to not fall off. Start slow to begin with..then build up speed as you progress. I searched google and found some information which may help you.

The First Day Up
On your first day up snowboarding it is important to go with someone who may know how to snowboard, but wont get tired of lagging around with you while you learn the few basics. It's important to pick someone patient and who will help you learn.

To Get Started
Since you are beginning you will obviously want to start with this basics. Make sure you have all your gear. To start off with I think it is important to first learn how to stop before you venture too far.

Stopping
There are many ways to go about practicing starting and stopping. What I found was the most helpful way it to practice a method called "Falling Leaf." To start this you want to have your body facing downhill will your board horzontal to the mountain so you are not going anywhere. You then slowly rock yourself back and forth allowing your board to slowly go from left to right and so on, imitating the way a leaf falls off of a tree (hence the name). Each time you go from left to right practice coming to a complete stop without falling backwards. Once you have mastered this it is time to start practicing simple turns.

Simple Turns
Simple turns are what you build on. Once these are mastered the world of snowboarding is in the palm of your hand. How to practice these are while practicing your stopping in the "Falling Leaf" method, instead of going left right all while facing the same way, try slowly pointing the front tip of your board downhill for a second as your keep turing until your are facing the opposite way that you were when you started. If you are doing this right it the turn your are creating should look like a large "C" shape on the side of the mountain. Practice doing these turns both frontside and backside so you learn to turn both ways. Keep practicing these until you feel comfortable and then you can start linking turns.

Linking Turns
Once you feel comfortable with simple turing one at a time, and you can both do frontside and backside turns practice linking these turns together as you snowboard down the hill. This should make a zig zag shape in the snow and you will increase speed. At first practice linking one, and then two, and then more turns together until you feel completely comfortable. From here you can start small tricks.

Tricks
After learning how to quickly link together turns so you are to the point where you feel comfortable with them, you can begin to start experimenting with small jumps and cliffs. Jumps should always be approached leaning back and there is nothing worse than rolling forward onto your face and neck. You will see that once you start going faster down the mountain with your turning you will hit small jumps without noticing it. Keep practicing and maybe you can be a world class snowboarder someday.

[andrejm63]

i tried snowboarding a few times but always had tremendous problems turning, so i quit.

[snowfreaks]

Aside from the very good tips here, remember to stay focused, relaxed, and look ahead. Avoid looking at your feet while riding because you'll end up landing on your behind.

[ferrethead]

Originally Posted by dazisonfire

The trick is to not fall off. Start slow to begin with..then build up speed as you progress. I searched google and found some information which may help you.

The First Day Up
On your first day up snowboarding it is important to go with someone who may know how to snowboard, but wont get tired of lagging around with you while you learn the few basics. It's important to pick someone patient and who will help you learn.

To Get Started
Since you are beginning you will obviously want to start with this basics. Make sure you have all your gear. To start off with I think it is important to first learn how to stop before you venture too far.

Stopping
There are many ways to go about practicing starting and stopping. What I found was the most helpful way it to practice a method called "Falling Leaf." To start this you want to have your body facing downhill will your board horzontal to the mountain so you are not going anywhere. You then slowly rock yourself back and forth allowing your board to slowly go from left to right and so on, imitating the way a leaf falls off of a tree (hence the name). Each time you go from left to right practice coming to a complete stop without falling backwards. Once you have mastered this it is time to start practicing simple turns.

Simple Turns
Simple turns are what you build on. Once these are mastered the world of snowboarding is in the palm of your hand. How to practice these are while practicing your stopping in the "Falling Leaf" method, instead of going left right all while facing the same way, try slowly pointing the front tip of your board downhill for a second as your keep turing until your are facing the opposite way that you were when you started. If you are doing this right it the turn your are creating should look like a large "C" shape on the side of the mountain. Practice doing these turns both frontside and backside so you learn to turn both ways. Keep practicing these until you feel comfortable and then you can start linking turns.

Linking Turns
Once you feel comfortable with simple turing one at a time, and you can both do frontside and backside turns practice linking these turns together as you snowboard down the hill. This should make a zig zag shape in the snow and you will increase speed. At first practice linking one, and then two, and then more turns together until you feel completely comfortable. From here you can start small tricks.

Tricks
After learning how to quickly link together turns so you are to the point where you feel comfortable with them, you can begin to start experimenting with small jumps and cliffs. Jumps should always be approached leaning back and there is nothing worse than rolling forward onto your face and neck. You will see that once you start going faster down the mountain with your turning you will hit small jumps without noticing it. Keep practicing and maybe you can be a world class snowboarder someday.

This is very useful - thanks

[Kelslyn]

Originally Posted by dazisonfire

The trick is to not fall off. Start slow to begin with..then build up speed as you progress. I searched google and found some information which may help you.

The First Day Up
On your first day up snowboarding it is important to go with someone who may know how to snowboard, but wont get tired of lagging around with you while you learn the few basics. It's important to pick someone patient and who will help you learn.

To Get Started
Since you are beginning you will obviously want to start with this basics. Make sure you have all your gear. To start off with I think it is important to first learn how to stop before you venture too far.

Stopping
There are many ways to go about practicing starting and stopping. What I found was the most helpful way it to practice a method called "Falling Leaf." To start this you want to have your body facing downhill will your board horzontal to the mountain so you are not going anywhere. You then slowly rock yourself back and forth allowing your board to slowly go from left to right and so on, imitating the way a leaf falls off of a tree (hence the name). Each time you go from left to right practice coming to a complete stop without falling backwards. Once you have mastered this it is time to start practicing simple turns.

Simple Turns
Simple turns are what you build on. Once these are mastered the world of snowboarding is in the palm of your hand. How to practice these are while practicing your stopping in the "Falling Leaf" method, instead of going left right all while facing the same way, try slowly pointing the front tip of your board downhill for a second as your keep turing until your are facing the opposite way that you were when you started. If you are doing this right it the turn your are creating should look like a large "C" shape on the side of the mountain. Practice doing these turns both frontside and backside so you learn to turn both ways. Keep practicing these until you feel comfortable and then you can start linking turns.

Linking Turns
Once you feel comfortable with simple turing one at a time, and you can both do frontside and backside turns practice linking these turns together as you snowboard down the hill. This should make a zig zag shape in the snow and you will increase speed. At first practice linking one, and then two, and then more turns together until you feel completely comfortable. From here you can start small tricks.

Tricks
After learning how to quickly link together turns so you are to the point where you feel comfortable with them, you can begin to start experimenting with small jumps and cliffs. Jumps should always be approached leaning back and there is nothing worse than rolling forward onto your face and neck. You will see that once you start going faster down the mountain with your turning you will hit small jumps without noticing it. Keep practicing and maybe you can be a world class snowboarder someday.

Well thought out message, thanks i love skiing but not so good at snowboarding I also need these great tips!

[rumpoy3]

Snowboarding in my opinion is hardest to learn but easier to master. But try alpine snowboarding, its a lot easier and i can get a really good carve on it.

[melting]

i don't envy you

[Charlotte]

wouah! it sounds like a very big deal!

[coachBombay]

how close is snowboarding to wakeboarding?

[mronhifi123]

Well thought out message, thanks i love skiing but not so good at snowboarding I also need these great tips!

[otisdelarosa]

Originally Posted by coachBombay

how close is snowboarding to wakeboarding?

Not close at all. But both uses boards.



Fun with Skiorganizers

[otisdelarosa]

Impress me with your snowboarding tricks and jumps. Come and join us at Snowshoe!

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[jenlong]

How long would you say until you get the hang of it? And yes I understand it is different for everyone but I am trying to get a general idea..