Last weekend I went up to Snow Summit with a group of friends.  A few of  the guys were beginners attempting the sport for the very first time.  Apparently they were all fast learners because after only two hours on the slopes they were already taking lifts up to the longer more advanced runs.  One guy in particular, Charlie, may have pushed himself too far.  These more advanced runs are faster runs due to the steeper slopes.  Well without fear, Charlie hammered down the slope.  Not being quite ready and proficient in turning he caught an edge causing him to fall backwards tumbling down the slope.  In the end, his injuries weren’t severe, but it could’ve been a lot worse if he didn’t have safety gear on.

Learning How To Snowboard will test your patience and endurance because its literally a contact sport.  Meaning you will come face to face, so to speak, with snow, picking up a few cuts and bruises along the way. You will fall many times and that’s expected.  But, knowing the correct way to fall will help you from sustaining serious injury.

Here are a few tips…

Definitely wear a helmet!

If you want a concussion, don’t wear one.  Wearing a helmet is a sure-fire way of  preventing one. Its no time to be stubborn or macho.  As you’ll notice on the slopes, more and more riders are subjecting to wearing one because its just plain smart plus it seems as though its become a fashion statement as well…now sold in a variety of styles and colors.

What to do when falling forward?

Natural reaction when falling forward is to catch your fall with your hands – palms out.  This most definitely is the wrong thing to do but is the most common mistake for beginners.  Putting your hands out will cause injury to your wrists by either spraining or breaking them.

Alternative?

When falling forward, instead of palms out, make your hands into fists and use your forearms to cushion your fall.  Make sure the impact is on your forearms and not your elbows though.

What to do when falling backwards?

Catching an edge is usually the cause of falling backwards.  You’re blind-sided and have no idea of whats behind you.  Natural reaction once again would be to try and cushion your fall by laying your hands down to cushion your fall. This is a mistake once again for the same reason mentioned above…injury to your wrists.  Instead, commit to the fall by landing squarely on your back with your arms and hands out.  This will focus the impact on your back and not your shoulders.  Also, tuck your chin in to avoid whiplash and impact to your head which could cause a concussion.

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On a less serious note…here’s a funny clip of a kid wiping out.  Notice he’s wearing a helmet.

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For all you beginners…before you get out there on the slopes and spark up a conversation with other snowboarders, you may want to learn the lingo first, so when you walk the walk you’ll be able to talk the talk.  Here are a few terms to get you started…

Snowboard Terms

Edges: Pertains to the metal strips on both sides of a snowboard which allow snowboarders to cut into the snow to  most importantly come to a complete stop and to make turns.
Carve: When snowboarders use the edge of their snowboards to make a turn.
Air: Refers to when a snowboarder is vertically off the ground when performing tricks off of a jump, half-pipe, quarter-pipe, or rail.
Half-pipe: U-shaped trench made of snow that snowboarders use to perform tricks – Looks just like a skateboard half-pipe but made of snow instead of wood. Vertical walls vary in height anywhere between 6 feet to 20 feet.
Fakie: When a snowboarder rides or lands off a jump the opposite stance – Also referred to as riding backwards.
Lip: Top-edge of a jump, half-pipe, quarter-pipe where snowboarders first take flight to perform aerial tricks, grinds, or slides.
Wipeout: When a snowboarder crashes or falls.
Bail: When a snowboarder can’t complete a trick and has to stop during the attempt.
Grab: When snowboarders grab their board while performing an aerial trick.
Bonk: While snowboarding, riders ollie to tap an object such as a box or rail and land back down to continue riding.
Dialed-in: When a snowboarder masters a trick to perfection.
Stoked: An expression of excitement.
Phat: A complimentary adjective meaning “cool” or “awesome”
Dope: Also a complimentary adjective meaning “cool” or “awesome”
Sick: Another complimentary adjective meaning “cool” or “awesome” – usually pertaining to a difficult trick performed to perfection
Goofy Foot: Contrary to the norm…snowboarders that ride with their right foot forward instead of their left.
Nose: Front of a snowboard.
Tail: Back-end of a snowboard.

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There are many ways to learn snowboarding. Take some training classes, read a book, watch some videos, or….just go out there on the bunny slopes and just go for it.  Strap yourself in, push off and try to balance your way down the slope.  Sure you’re gonna fall but its all part of the learning process.  Be prepared for a sore backside the day after. Just like anything in life…it’ll take practice.  Skateboarders and surfers have a clear advantage of picking up the skill relatively quickly since the concept is the same…just on snow.  First step is…

Balance

This video will teach you how…

How do you stop?

This is by far the most important and biggest question all beginners need and want to know before they even begin to strap themselves in. It was definitely my biggest concern. I mean for anyone…the idea of being on a slippery surface, basically ice, and having your feet strapped onto a board moving at a considerable speed and not having the ability to bail when you need to is scary.  Imagine yourself heading straight for a tree or another snowboarder not knowing how to turn or stop?  Panic!…right? This is probably the most frightening concept to grasp for beginners.  Having said all that…Don’t worry…stopping really isn’t that difficult at all.

It doesn’t matter if you’re riding regular or goofy.  All you need to do is apply massive pressure to either your toes or your heels.  Its kinda like hitting the brakes on a car…the harder you push down on either your toes or heels the faster you’ll stop.  Easy…right? I know…much easier said than done, but you’ll realize what I mean once you put it into action.

Next step is to determine which stance to ride – Regular or Goofy?

And NO…I’m not asking you how you like your coffee…HA HA  HA!  Regular pertains to riders who stand with their left foot forward on the snowboard and vice versa for goofy footers. It’s all preference and how one personally feels comfortable riding. One or the other isn’t necessarily better than the other, though most riders tend to be regular.  I myself ride goofy because its been that way ever since I first stepped foot on a skateboard.  So naturally when I began snowboarding I placed my feet the same way since it was most comfortable for me and I was already use to it.  For those that never rode a skateboard it’ll take practice and experience to develop a stance you like most.  I suggest experimenting with both stances for beginners. When going down the bunny slope or wherever you practice for the first time you can try going down regular the first couple of times or so and then switch your bindings to goofy and try that a couple times.  This way you’ll get to experience both riding styles and decide from there which one suits you best. Experienced snowboarders ride both ways and are comfortable riding down the mountain either way.  This is cliche, but it takes practice and practice as you know makes perfect.

Turning…

Once you get your stance in order, you can begin practicing how to turn or as some would say, steer your snowboard in the direction you want to travel down the slope.  Both stances use the same general rule of thumb which is shifting your weight from heel to toe when turning left or right.  I’ll explain both stances below….

Regular:
-Turning Right: While keeping your legs straight and tense, shift your weight to your toes almost as if you’re leaning forward.  The harder you press down on your toes especially your back foot, which if riding regular would be your right foot, the sharper the turn.
-Turning Left: While bending your knees slightly, shift your weight to your heels slightly leaning back.  The harder you press down on your heels especially your back foot, which again if you’re riding regular would be your right foot, the sharper the turn.

Goofy:
-Turning Right: While bending your knees slightly, shift your weight to your heels slightly leaning back.  The harder you press down on your heels especially your back foot, which if riding goofy would be your left foot, the sharper the turn.
-Turning Left: While keeping your legs straight and tense, shift your weight to your toes almost as if you’re leaning forward.  The harder you press down on your toes especially your back foot, which agiain if riding goofy would be your left foot, the sharper the turn.

These are the basics.  Once you’re dialed-in on turning and stopping, you’ll be on your way carving down the mountain at faster and faster speeds.  Good Luck!  Now go out there and practice? See you on the slopes!

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