Welcome to the world of snowboarding!
Whether you’re new to the sport or have some experience and are ready to tackle park and powder, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to see each snowy peak as a towering, unforgiving, gravity-defying rollercoaster. Â
And I’m here to tell you – you’re absolutely right!
But fear not, fellow adventurers, because I’ve got all the insider tips. Let’s convert you from wobbly penguin to majestic snow eagle, shredding the mountain like a boss.
Taking on snowboarding is a lot like saying yes to a blind date: kinda scary, mostly exciting, and the outfit really does matter in the end.Â
Consider this blog your survival guide to strapping on a snowboard and not “yard sale-ing” your way down the mountain (that’s snowboard-speak for scattering your gear far and wide via spectacular wipeout).
Stay frosty, my friends. Your shredding destiny awaits…
Step 1: Dress for Success
The first step to shredding like a boss is looking the part.
Here’s a quick quiz:Â
What’s more important than your snowboard?Â
- A) Gnarly goggles
- B) The comfiest boots you can find
- C) Your wicked awesome snowboarding outfit
Trick question, friends. The answer is D – all of the above.Â
Sure, the perfect conditions and crew are bonuses, but without the right gear… you might as well be snowboarding in your skivvies. So, let’s learn how to gear up like a pro, shall we?
Snowboards: Size Matters
First up, your trusty snowboard!
Snowboards aren’t one-size-fits-all.Â
No, picking your board is kinda like picking out a wand in Harry Potter. The board chooses you, or more accurately, it fits you.
Think carefully about your size, weight, shoe dimensions, and what kind of riding you want to do. Or… skip straight to the answers with our snowboard finder or calculator.Â
Boots and Bindings: A Love Story
Now, let’s talk boots and bindings, the Bonnie and Clyde of snow gear. Your board may be your loyal steed, but your boots and bindings, they’re your saddle.
Spend more time (and money) choosing these than your snowboard. Seriously. You want that perfect fit to ensure your feet and ankles are supported.Â
Too loose, you’ll be rolling around like an over-stuffed burrito; too tight, and you might confuse your feet for frost-bitten popsicles.
So, pick a boot that loves your foot as much as mac n’ cheese loves, well, cheese!
Clothes Maketh (wo)Man: Layers, Baby, Layers!
Finally, your threads.
What’s cooler than being cool? Being WARM.
That’s right; you’re about to head into the snowy version of a frozen margarita, so dress appropriately. We’re talking layers, folks.
Not your momma’s bulky sweater, but thermal, moisture-wicking fabric topped with water-resistant outer gear. And don’t forget the gloves, hats, and goggles.Â
Remember, the right gear not only makes you look like a certified slayer but can also mean the difference between a great day and a grim one.
Recommended Reading: How To Layer for Snowboarding [Gear Guide 101]
Step 2: Learn The Basics
Alright my frost-bitten comrades, you’ve got your gear, let’s get to the nitty-gritty.
The basics—your bread and butter, your peanut butter and jelly, your… okay, you get the point.Â
Before you go unleashing your inner Shaun White, let’s chat about the boring (but essential) stuff. Strap in, buddies; it’s time for Snowboarding 101.
Stance: Regular or Goofy?
When it comes to snowboarding, there are two types of people: regular and goofy.
No, we’re not being cheeky here. It’s just the lingo, dudes, and dudettes. Your stance is basically about which foot you lead with.Â
If your left foot is in front, you’ve got a ‘regular’ stance. If you put your right foot forward, you’re ‘goofy.’Â
Not sure which one you are? Imagine you’re sliding in socks on a tiled floor — which foot goes first?Â
Congratulations! You’ve found your stance.
Strapping In
Strapping in on a snowboard shouldn’t be like wrestlin’ a slippery octopus. It’s quite simple.Â
First, make sure the buckles on your bindings are open. By the way – the straps go on the outside of the boot.
Got it? Fantastic!Â
Now, let’s lock and load. Pull the straps up over your boot and tighten that bad boy.Â
Remember the Goldilocks principle: Not too tight, not too loose; you want it just right. Take a moment to admire your feet. They’re now securely attached to a slick piece of equipment designed for downhill madness. Sweeet!
Standing Up
Standing up on your board isn’t rocket science, but the first few times, it may feel like it. Try it on flat ground first!
The easiest method is to lean forward onto your knees, place your hands on the snow then push up with both your arms and legs. Hey presto, you’re up!Â
Remember to practice your riding stance – stand sideways with knees slightly bent, shoulders aligned with the board, and eyes on the horizon. At this stage, there’s nothing wrong with standing like a cowboy in a spaghetti western.Â
Your goal is to balance, balance, and did I mention? Balance.Â
(These training boards are a great way to try this before hitting the snow).
Alright, armed with the basics, you’re one step closer to becoming the snowboarding legend you were born to be.
 Don’t worry; none of us made it down the mountain without taking a few (dozen) tumbles. So, if you find yourself face-planting in the snow a couple of times, just remember: even the best snowball starts off small.Â
So, keep at it. It’s a chill sport, after all.
Step 3: Slow Down
You’ve got the stance of a pro and can strap on your board without tripping over your own feet. Good job!
But unless you fancy becoming pals with a snow-covered tree, it’s super important to learn the art of turning and stopping.
Stop!
Whether there’s an unexpected obstacle or you just fancy a breather to admire the view (hey there, cute ski instructor) knowing how to stop is essential.Â
Adopt a ‘starfish’ position. That’s right, spread your arms to help balance, bend your knees, lean back, do a hard heel-side turn and voila! You’re stopping, not flopping.
Remember, nothing beats practice. So keep at it, and don’t let a few stumbles deflate your snowboard swagger.
Disclaimer: At this stage you should really be getting some lessons. The internet is great (especially this website), but it can’t offer individual tips and tricks.Â
The Art of Turning
Turning on a snowboard is like a graceful dance between you and the laws of physics – with a bit of help from gravity.
Generally, there are two types: heel-edge turns, where your weight is on your back foot, and toe-edge turns, where your weight is on your front foot.Â
Here’s the secret sauce: use your head!
Seriously, look in the direction you want to turn, and your body will follow – it’s a bit like magic but with fewer rabbits and hats.
Step 4: Survive the Slopes
Now, hear me out cool cats; I know “safety” isn’t the sexiest subject. But no one looks cool running into trees or losing a snowball fight with an avalanche.
Trust me.
Your safety in the mountains is as crucial as wearing pants.Â
Apart from embarrassing, skiing without either is just plain red-flag dangerous.Â
So, let’s talk safety.
Helmets (AKA Brain Buckets)
First up, that noggin of yours – that’s prime real estate, my friend. A brain bucket, skull saver, head bonnet – call it whatever you like, we’re talking helmets. Make sure you’re strapping on a helmet at the start of the day.Â
A helmet is to your head what bubble wrap is to… well, anything you don’t want broken.
Goggles: Don't Get Blinded by the Light
Ski goggles: not just a fashion statement, they’re a non-negotiable part of your gear. High altitudes and reflective snow mean you’ll be dealing with more UV rays than a beach party in Ibiza.
So, throw on some goggles to save yourself from the ol’ snow blindness.
Protective Gear
Helmet and goggles are the bare minimum. Realistically, most beginners should be looking into wrist guards and crash pants too. Now, I’m not saying to go out dressed like Robocop, but a little bit of padding goes a long way!
The Mountain Code: The Ten Snowmandments
Lastly, but by no means leastly, get familiar with the Mountain Code, or as we like to call it, the Ten Snowmandments. This includes wisdom nuggets like controlling your speed, giving right of way to people ahead of you, and not stopping in areas where you’re not visible.Â
These aren’t just polite suggestions; they’re snowboarding Gospel.
Remember your ABCs: Always Be Conscious (of your surroundings, of other riders, of yourself).Â
The mountains are a blast, but they can also be as unforgiving as a date gone wrong. So strap your helmet on, slide those goggles down, and live by the Code.
Ride Smart: More Safety Tips
That’s right! We’re talking safety (ergh) again, but don’t just glaze over and dream about après ski antics – these little nuggets could save your bacon out on the slopes.Â
So, grab a hot cocoa, and let’s dive into being safe so we can keep the good times rolling (and not you down the mountain).
#1 No Lone Ranger-ing: Buddies Are Better
Whoever said ‘no friends on a powder day’ has never been stuck in a tree well.
Always have buddies around.
Not only do they upgrade your Instagram game, but importantly, they can help get you out of trouble.
#2 Tree Hugging is Bad
Now, onto trees. They’re great for the environment and shambolic attempts at carving your name (not cool, dude), but not so much for crashing into.
Gladed trails can resemble an obstacle course from a reality TV show, but remember: if you are looking at the tree, you are likely going toward the tree.Â
Eyeline = travel line.
Look down the path you want to take, and your body (and board) will instinctively follow suit.
#3 Stay Gear-ed Up
When you’re ready to head out into backcountry powder (in several seasons time – patience is a virtue) make sure to bring avalanche gear.Â
A shovel, beacon and probe are the bare minimum.Â
I’ve written plenty of articles on these already, so I’ll spare you the detail, but remember my favorite saying… if in doubt, don’t go out!
#4 Know Your Limits
Finally, I know you’ve been eyeing up the gnarly black diamond run that gets bragging rights at the lodge, but remember, we crawl before we walk (or, in our case, slide before we bomb).
Choose trails that match your ability. Biting off more than you can chew can get you into a real pickle, and not the sandwich kind.
There you have it, our drummed-down safety advice. Remember, no one laughs at the guy who shows up to the mountain prepared and ready to shred without an ER visit.Â
Until then, keep it real, keep it safe, and steer clear of those trees for Pete’s sake.
Conclusion
Thanks for sticking around and soaking up these snowboarding tips!
Remember, everyone starts as a newbie, so don’t sweat the falls and wobbles. Embrace the journey, enjoy every ride, and soon enough, you’ll be shredding like a pro.
Stay safe, have fun, and see you on the slopes!
If you're hungry for more advice or looking for the best gear to get you started, keep exploring our site. We've got tons of resources to help you find the perfect board, the right clothing, and all the accessories you'll need to make your snowboarding experience epic.
