Beginner / Intermediate Snowboarding 101: Learning To Snowboard. Everything You Wish You Knew

Want to get into snowboarding but not sure where to start? Ready to learn to snowboard? Everything you wish you knew and could ask is right below.

Makheila riding her board. Who doesn't want fresh turns like that?

Choosing all the gear might feel a little overwhelming but don’t worry! We’ve all been there… it doesn’t have to be difficult! Think of your board like a waxed cucumber, well they’re a bit tougher than that but you get the idea. When you’re first getting onto the slopes, it will be a bit more difficult to control the path in which you lead your snowboard. Inevitable scrapes from rocks or things in the snow are a natural part of the sport. It’s totally a great idea to start off by riding a used snowboard, rather than a brand new one. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

One thing that can be helpful with the selection of your first board is to try to find one with a rocker shape. Rocker on a board means, that it will only have one contact point on the snow, therefore making it much easier to maneuver than a camber or hybrid board. A mid-flex board will also make learning the sport easier. It will be easier to control than the stiffest board in the shop. Camber boards are made with two contact points on the snow, so they can provide more pop and power but can be more difficult to master due to another contact point making it possible for you to “catch an edge” and fall. 

Quiver of boards at a shop

One of the most important pieces in your snowboard setup are a good-fitting pair of boots. When your feet are the only part of you in contact with your board, having a comfortable boot will make all of the difference. Not only in comfort but for progressing as well. A good fit will mean that your feet are even and not crammed into the side or wall of your boot. It is common to have a bit of tightness within your boot if they are new and not broken in. Important note: you don’t want to ride with a pair of boots that give you any pain. Boots will inevitably stretch out with time, and if you start with a pair that has a ton of extra room in them. Over time, they won’t feel comfortable, and you will have less response on your snowboard. When you're at this point, new boots are in order.

It is absolutely worth it to spend a little bit of extra money on a nicer boot that fits you properly and will most likely last you longer. The most commonly purchased boots that I’m familiar with are Vans and ThirtyTwo. Pro tip: generally Vans tend to fit those with a wider foot and ThrityTwo tend to work better for those with a more narrow foot or heel. 

Binding selection isn’t as important when you’re first getting into the sport. Most importantly you want a pair of bindings that fit your boots snugly without any room for wiggle. If you’re going to be riding in more variable conditions and powder you can choose a softer or midflex binding. If you’re going to be riding in mostly icy conditions, choosing a midflex or stiffer binding will be more beneficial. I love riding Flux bindings because they provide great customization options to get the binding tight on your boot. 

When it comes to clothing, finding a looser-fitting jacket and pants will allow you to have more ease with movement while you’re riding. I love brands like Jones or Patagonia as they tend to create their products using more environmentally friendly materials and sourcing. 

Learning to snowboard doesn't have to be overwhelming. Taking the time to learn a few basics will change how you approach the sport.

Choosing a mountain can be challenging when they’re so many options and beautiful mountains. But when you’re first starting you can save a bit of extra money by choosing a more “mom and pop” mountain that will be less crowded. This will allow you to have more room on the slopes, less time waiting and lines, and more time on the mountain. In Tahoe, I always recommend riding first at Donner Ski Ranch, Tahoe Donner, Homewood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe. 

Setting up your board is an ever-changing experiment that takes most riders years to dial in a comfortable setup. When setting up your first board most riders tend to set their bindings in a more duck stance with their front foot facing towards the nose of the board usually around +12 or +15 degrees and their back foot angled towards the tail between 0 and -6. 

Can’t decide which foot to put forward? Have a friend help you by closing your eyes and having them give you a gentle push. Whichever foot you put forward first is generally the best one to put in the front of your board setup. This will determine if you are goofy or normal stance (goofy right foot forward).

If you have any other questions feel free to reach out!!! Stay tuned for more snowboarding tips and everything else you need to get those turns going.

@maknsteez