Learning to snowboard might be an intimidating endeavor, staring down the mountain with snow, trees, rocks and other moving obstacles like other snowboarders and skiers. Assuming you already have your bindings on and are on top of the hill, you are ready. Practice some basic techniques to strengthen balance and coordination on the board before working on speed and tricks.
Step 1
Check your bindings and make sure they are properly secured. Sitting down helps overcome the lack of balance when bending over to do this.
Step 2
Position your board perpendicular to the slope. This means you should be pointing sideways, not straight down the mountain, helping to create an angle to reduce speed while learning.
Step 3
Bend your knees, bringing your board near your bottom. Lean back, propping yourself up on your hands. Push yourself forward, raising your knees as you come across the board.
Step 4
Stand on the board, which should be gliding in the direction it is pointing, toward the side of the slope. Bend your knees to maintain balance.
Step 5
Ride diagonally along the slope. Develop control over the board. Shift your weight over your knees. Start the turn well in advance to give yourself enough space to do it slowly and not too sharply.
Step 6
Stop when you feel out of control. Stopping brings both feet in front of you with the board perpendicular to the slope. Grate your heels into the snow to slow down and stop.
Tips and Warnings
- Fall backward whenever possible. It is easier to get up from sitting than from a face-plant in the snow. If you must fall forward, try to get down on your knees and stretch your arms in front of you. Remove your back foot from the bindings when getting on the chairlift. Watch the lift come around and grab the side and sit, dangling the board under you. Slide to the edge to unload, pointing your board forward, and lean forward as you get off. Place your back foot on the board to glide into a safe spot before securing your foot into the bindings.
- Fall with your hands clenched in a fist to prevent hyperextending your fingers.
Member Comments