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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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