How to learn to snowboard?

Tip #1: Before you start, warm up!

I never start a class without a little warm-up. It may not seem necessary, especially to younger people, but it is very important. You are going to perform movements that your muscles are not used to doing. It is therefore important to warm up properly to avoid injuries.

The areas that should be warmed up first:

• The legs
• The basin
• The back
• The wrists

Tip #2: Getting started in snowboarding can be physical: be in shape!

For the first few days, beginners tend to be a little tight on their legs. This is quite natural, but your legs will get tired relatively quickly. In my snowboard lessons in Val Thorens, I always start by assessing the physical level of each student.

A few dynamic stretches at the beginning of the session can help you reactivate your leg muscles. But it is especially important to rest the night before. Big nights the night before the first day of snowboarding are, unfortunately, to be avoided.

During and after exercise, don't forget to drink water to avoid aches and cramps. In case of cramps, it is advisable to take a hot shower or bath to relax the muscles and drink plenty of water.

As this is a relatively intense sport, being in good general physical condition is highly recommended, especially for beginners. That said, talent can always compensate...

Tip #3: To make good progress, don't stress

Snowboarding is above all a sport of pleasure. So wanting to have a good time and be as stress free as possible is essential for a better success. The more you stress, the more complicated the learning process is.

It's quite simple, in a state of stress, the learning rate is 10%. But when a student is relaxed and enthusiastic, the rate of what the student retains increases to 80%. If you don't feel like going alone, I can't advise you to do anything else than to contact a good snow instructor to make you feel confident 😉

If you want to learn alone, take your time! It's by going step by step that you will avoid frustrations and keep your energy to learn snowboarding in the best conditions.

Tip #4: Learn on the right ground

Before launching yourself on the big slopes, even green ones, start quietly in the beginner zone. All the resorts have a zone, often close to the main snow front, dedicated to the first glides.

Even if you are an adult, there is no shame in it, we have all been there! You need to be able to control and manage your speed at all times. This will help you avoid falls and start with easy exercises.

It will also help you overcome your fears. Big falls can be impressive and prevent you from gaining confidence. Progressing on suitable terrain will allow you to learn smoothly and gain confidence.

Tip #5: The first exercises

The first exercise I usually propose is the One foot. To move on the flat in snowboard, you have to take off your back foot, and use it to push, a bit like in skateboard. This is the first base to master in order to move on the flat.

Next, we practice the front-to-back skid. This exercise is a little more technical. The important thing here is tolearn to stop when you skid forward. All you have to do is bend your knee to go forward and straighten it to stop, and conversely, when you go backwards, you have to bend your knees to stop and bend them to go forward.

For this exercise it is important to keep your shoulders straight because if you turn your shoulders you are going to do what is called a "transverser" skid. This is the next step, which means that when you skid, you have to turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go. For example, to go right, you just have to turn your shoulders to the right and vice versa to go left.

It's all a matter of dosage, to avoid skidding too much and therefore stopping, and thus avoiding releasing all the pressure, which can lead to an edge fault followed by a fall.

Once you start to feel comfortable in the skid, the next step is what we call snowboard twisting. This consists of making your first turns. We start on a small slope, to begin to slide straight with the foot. It is important, at this moment, that your body leans back and to think of lowering the back foot to counterbalance. And conversely, it is also important to lean your body forward when you are in the other direction.

Tip #6: Maintain a forward position with legs bent

The position is important, because it will allow you to transfer your weight on the good places of the board. Get on the front of the board. Most students who are stressed tend to get on the back of the board and fall.

At the same time, bend your legs well. If you feel that you are stiff on your legs, try to bend them. The lower you go, the more you will lower your center of gravity close to the slope, and therefore the more stable you will be. Be careful, snowboarding is still a sport that is ideally practiced standing up, so don't go too low either. 😊

Tip #7: To turn, look where you want to go

Avoid looking at your legs when you are moving, otherwise you will fall! To turn, look in the direction you want to go. Just like riding a bike!

It's the same thing for moving in a straight line. Set a point straight ahead, your shoulder position will adjust without you having to control it, and you will be moving in a straight line.

Tip #8: Don't forget safety!

It may seem obvious, yet some beginners, who are not yet familiar with the codes on the slopes, tend to put themselves in unnecessary danger.

Keep in mind to make sure there is no one around before you start on the track. And of course, don't stay in the middle to avoid collisions.

Concerning the equipment, it is essential to have a helmet (it is even compulsory under 13 years old). And if the snow is hard (freezing) a buttock protector and possibly elbow and knee pads.

Wrist injuries are not uncommon. If you know you have weak wrists, don't hesitate to wear reinforced gloves or wrist guards under your gloves.

Tip #9: Rent and test your equipment before buying

Sometimes I see beginners who can't wait to buy their equipment and rush to get their first board. I understand them completely because snowboards are very beautiful objects and it makes you want to!

That being said, after a few sessions you will have a better understanding of what style of snowboarding suits you and whether you want to continue in this discipline. That being said, if you learn with me, it's pretty obvious that the question won't arise and you'll go back 😇.

From a purely economic point of view, the equipment often pays for itself between 4 and 6 weeks. It is up to you to see how long you want to use it.

Note: playing another sport can help, but is not essential

I am often asked if snowboarding is necessary to learn snowboarding quickly. It creates connections and reflexes that will make learning easier. Mastering skateboarding or surfing for example, can allow the "muscle memory" to integrate snowboarding movements more quickly.

But starting with snowboarding without mastering other board sports does not hinder the learning process. If the motivation is good, anything goes!

Conclusion

Learning to snowboard alone is of course possible, from 2-3 years old for children and at any age for adults. The important thing is to be in good physical condition and above all to want to go for it! But it is also essential to respect a certain number of good practices and to pay attention to the conditions in which you practice. Safety, warm-ups and the choice of terrain are essential to progress and avoid accidents. Now, all to your boards!