Ski Tips - Snowboarding for Beginners
Learning to snowboard is an extremely rewarding process but it does take time and dedication, and not everyone succeeds at it. Even if you have mastered the art of skiing, learning to snowboard is very different.
Choosing a resort
If you are boarding for the first time you should choose a resort with good, easily-accessible beginners' slopes that are wide and gentle. It is beneficial if there are some slightly steeper and longer slopes to progress on to during the week; slopes that will help you build your confidence rather than shatter it. You don’t want to go somewhere where there will be crowds of skiers and boarders racing through at breakneck speeds.
Having the right clothing
You should invest in proper snowboarding gear that is reinforced at key points such as the bottom and knees which helps to soften the pain and bruising of early falls. Using proper padding and protection is important and wrist-protectors are essential – broken wrists are the most common injury to snowboarders and are caused as a result of people instinctively putting their hands out in front of them to break their fall.
Taking snowboard lessons
When you are first starting out on the board it is advisable to have a few lessons to learn the basics and develop a good technique. Snowboarding is just as difficult to pick up as skiing at the very start. And, just as with skiing, good tuition can help enormously. In general, most boarders advise going to a specialist snowboard school if possible.
What are bindings?
Bindings are what attach your feet to your snowboard. However, unlike ski bindings, snowboard bindings are not designed to release your feet in the event of a crash.
- Step-in bindings – make sure the bottom of your boot is cleared of snow, then step in toe-first and click your heel in.
- Strap bindings – place your foot on the base plate and bend over to insert the straps into their respective buckles.
Getting to grips with an Ollie
One snowboarding's biggest elements is the freestyling. Once you’ve mastered the basics of riding and have begun to get comfortable practicing, an ollie is a great way for a beginner to get the feel for catching air.
To begin with, practice your ollie on flat land and once you have mastered that you can incorporate it into the takeoff of your jumps to get bigger air.
- On a flatter part of the ground, shift all your weight to your back foot. The tip of your board should lift off the snow.
- Jump off from your back foot, pulling your knees up slightly to get a little air.
- Land with your board flat and your weight placed equally on both feet. If your board doesn’t land flat, you could catch an edge and fall over.
How to stand up on your board
There are three basic ways to stand up. It is important to always make sure you put the same amount of weight on both feet.
- The thrust or push-off – With your knees bent and your feet close to your bottom, lean back then thrust your weight forward and over your feet, pushing off from behind with your hands
- The pull-up – With your knees bent and your feet close to your bottom, pull yourself up by the toe edge of your board
- The roll-over –roll yourself over onto your knees and then stand up by pushing your weight backward and over your feet
How to Stop on a Snowboard
Stopping is one of the most important things to learn. The easiest was to stop while you are learning is with your heels, bring both feet perpendicular to the hill and scrape to a stop.
How to Fall safely from your snowboard
The most common injuries, especially for beginners, occur in the fingers and wrists because they take the full force of the fall. No matter which way you fall, always make a fist, this will minimise the risk of injury.
- Fall forward onto your knees and forearms – By landing on your bent knees, you'll avoid falling straight over face first and therefore lessen the force with which you fall. Make fists and also use your forearms to cushion the fall.
- Fall backward onto your fists and backside – Using your fists will help keep you from injuring your wrists and fingers. Your backside is made for hard landings; just be careful of your tailbone. Landing on your fists first should help reduce the impact.
Using the ski lifts
Negotiating the chairlift can be nerve-wracking for any beginner, whether it’s while skiing or snowboarding. Look for user-friendly lifts. Drag lifts and T-bars are both tricky for an experienced boarder and a complete nightmare for a beginner. The best lifts for novices are gondolas and high-speed chairs that virtually stop to allow you to get off. Normal chairs don't slow down at the top, so you may have trouble getting off in time elegantly.
