So you’re getting set for your first ever snowboarding trip. Maybe you’re in a group with others who have snowboarded before? Perhaps it’s new to everyone? A key question is, when do you plan to have your lessons: get started before you go, or leave the lessons until you arrive in resort?
The main drawbacks of getting some tuition before you go are time and money. Snowboarding holidays aren’t cheap and your first trip is no exception; lessons in advance are only going to add to the cost.
There are a couple of other concerns too. You might get hurt as you take your first steps – nobody wants to be injured before they even get there! You might be put off – not everyone takes to snowboarding straight away and if you’re not picking it up as quickly as you’d like to, you may end up feeling down…
But there are some excellent reasons to start learning sooner rather than later:
- Let’s say you are picking it up quickly, your instructor is impressed. Day 1 of your holiday and you’re off! No need for lessons in resort, you’re out there, trying new runs, getting quicker, straight away.
- Let’s say you’re struggling a little. At least now you’ve got a head start in resort. Alternatively, you might decide to take some more lessons before you go. Either way you’ve increased the likelihood of “getting it” on the real snow.
- Iron out mistakes. You started riding regular but it turns out you’re goofy. The board you were using is too long, this shorter one makes all the difference. It can be hard to know what’s wrong as a beginner, and some mix-ups can cost you a lot of time. Who wants to spend the first three days riding the wrong way? Getting clued up before you go can make your real-holiday run more smoothly.
Linking those turns
Most likely your first holiday will be “a week away”; 6 days on the snow. The thrill of linking your turns from the top to bottom is undeniable; it’s a major achievement for every beginner snowboarder. Getting over this first hurdle opens up the mountain to you, you can explore. It’s an amazing feeling.
But it’s not easy, not to everyone. Having some lessons before you go can increase the chances of you nailing your first linked turns, of getting a real taste of snowboarding. And let’s face it, it might be another year before you’re back in the mountains!