It’s highly advisable to pick a beginner’s snowboarding course to get started, as this way your learning will be safer and less frustrating.
The first thing you’ll need to do is update your gear. Not entirely, but you should keep in mind some key differences, like snowboarding trousers. These are wider, as you need more freedom of movement than with skiing. Pay special attention to the padding around the backside, as falls are far more common.
You’ll need to invest in protective gear, especially at the beginning, as you’ll take quite a few tumbles. Specialist gloves are essential, as your wrists and fingers will take a beating. You’ll also need knee pads—when buying them, make sure they allow full flexibility. And, of course, don’t forget the helmet, even if you’ve stopped wearing one for skiing.
Check out our article on snowboarding for beginners, where you’ll find all the tips to get started in this sport—from figuring out your lead foot on the board to the best way to carve turns.
Keep in mind that no matter how many years you’ve spent skiing, snowboarding is a whole different ball game. The board is nothing like skis, and the movements and stances you’ll need are worlds apart from skiing.
Above all, start by practising on green runs. Forget harder slopes for now—you’ll fall a lot at first, and the easier the run, the less you’ll hurt yourself.
The best part? While skiing lets you pick up technique quickly but makes progressing tougher, with snowboarding, once you’ve nailed the basics, you’ll improve much faster. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling off tricks and jumps.
Don’t skip lessons with a snowboarding instructor, especially early on. Many people get overconfident once they’ve got the hang of it and drop the course, but a bit more persistence could prevent unnecessary accidents.
