Skiing to Snowboarding: Essentials You Need to Know - Tried and Tested Tips for Snowboarding Beginners

Every winter, I take numerous ski trips to upstate New York, a breathtaking mecca of ski resorts, to catch some fresh powder. Recently, I tried my hand at snowboarding. Although daunting at first, I soon got the hang of it with the help of my instructor and not to mention many stumbles along the way.

Gear Up

Snowboarding looks like it's a lot of fun, and it can be, as long as you are protected from the elements and potential dangers along the way. First of all, get yourself a really sturdy helmet, because the last thing you want is slamming your head onto a tree. Next, get some goggles to prevent the sunlight from blocking your views (this definitely resonates with skiiers). Finally, wear fitted, thermo-layered clothes that will really bundle you up and prevent snow frost from setting in.

Ride the Waves

Perhaps the most important thing in snowboarding is maintaining your balance. Just like surfing, it takes some time to coordinate your body to stay on board.

My ski instructor has always instructed me to keep my knees bent and parallel to my shoulders. The same goes for snowboarding, because a lot of the balance and movement depends on how well you can keep your weight maintained on your knees. Make sure to also use your arms to help you balance.

Look Forward

It's tempting to look down at the board now and then to make sure your feet are securely fastened. Don't, especially when you're already in motion. Once you start gliding, spread your arms out to help you balance your body weight. Then simply lean forward to start downhill and always look at a spot ahead of you. Looking down will simply make you dizzy and over-analyze your body position (and most likely, trip and fall).

Learn Your Powder

Learning how to maneuver your snowboard over different types of snow is crucial for survival. Fresh powder is the safest to snowboard on, because it has more friction than others, so falling won't hurt as much. Packed snow that has set in for a day is the best to snowboard on, because it has just the right amount of friction and ice to help you accelerate and slow down. Icy snow is potentially dangerous to snowboard on, because you can't really brake as well.