[Quick6EF]

double post

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by DenverJayhawk

This is a common mis-statement that inhibits lots of potential new snowboarders. Even if it's a weekend trip, there's still time for a lesson. Sure, you sacrifice half a day out of a 2-3 day trip, but by the end of the weekend, you'll at least be riding green or blue runs without spending the entire day on your ass. Then the next trip out, it's gravy.

You mis-read my post.

In other words, if OP is only going for a DAY then he will have trouble fitting in lessons.

If he is going for a weekend trip, he should be spending each day with lessons.

Original text: Is this a weekend trip? If not, lessons are going to be difficult considering what time they arrive to the mtn.

[SchlauCow]

wrist guards
helmet
sunblock
good eye protection
something/someone to massage your sore body

[guardianangel3290]

You ARE NOT gonna have a lot of fun your first time. While i was learning remember thinking who invented this "miserable" sport lol.
But once you are able to point nose a bit everything becomes more fun.
Tips that helped me:
Tip 1: Keep your edge off the mountain. I.E. if youre riding along a path, make sure that your board is level and only one edge is in the snow. When both are in the snow is how you catch an edge and land on either your face or ass.
Tip 2: Dont be afraid to zig-zag down the mountain on your heel when your starting. Just work in trying to straighten out a little more each time and it'll become easier.
Tip 3: If youre gonna fall on your ass, straighten out your body and spread out the impact. Youll thank me later.

[Tronner]

If you have some bigger pants, wear hockey hip pads under them. Nobody will really know, and my buddy who started the exact same day I did was in a lot better shape after day 1 because his hips and ass weren't destroyed from landing on them all day. I had about a softball-sized bruise on my hip.

Other tips:
1. I agree that you do NOT steer with your back foot. You look where you want to go and follow your eyes and lead arm as has been said. I use my back foot to control my edges sometimes, and to stop really hard on my toe edge, but not to "steer" the board.
2. Don't lean away from the downhill or away from your front foot too much. The board will go out from under you and take off down the hill. In order to learn and turn, you have to be on your front foot, leaning down the mountain - this is another reason trying to steer with the back foot will get you into trouble.
3. Don't be afraid of some speed. This will help for two reasons. Going really slowly on a snowboard sucks, but it seems like a good idea at first. It is very difficult to keep an edge and balance going really slowly, and you'll fall down a lot. Falling down going slowly hurts worse, because you slam straight down on the snow/ice. If you're moving a bit faster you will skid out more than just slamming into the ground (unless you take a toe digger at high speed - which will suck). If you can learn on a simple blue, it will actually be easier than green, because you will get a bit more speed and learn to use your edges easier IMO.
4. Those saying wrist guards and helmet are dead on. Try not to put your hands out if you fall awkwardly - that's an easy way to break a wrist, which I have done, and it goes against your instincts when falling.
5. Learn to "skateboard" around on the board for a bit first, then learn falling leaf (always on one edge going back and forth), then try to learn to transition from heel to toe or toe to heel, etc.

[Joonsup]

from what people have told me shorter boards are easier to steer but the longer boards you can go faster. So if that's the case, learning on a shorter board may help get the hang of steering? im a decent boarder but ill land on my ass off jumps 3 out of 4 times but it's still fun to go

[Tronner]

Originally Posted by joonsup

from what people have told me shorter boards are easier to steer but the longer boards you can go faster. So if that's the case, learning on a shorter board may help get the hang of steering? im a decent boarder but ill land on my ass off jumps 3 out of 4 times but it's still fun to go

Longer boards are more stable at higher speed, but more difficult to rotate. I'm 5'11" / 170 lbs and ride a 162. I ride mostly steep blue groomers/kickers. Not in the park much. I will probably get a 157 or so to spend a bit more time learning the terrain park and trying to get some 180's, 360's perfected. I suppose learning on a slightly shorter board wouldn't be a bad idea.

I almost think learning on a board with crappy edges would be the easiest so it doesn't just grab and toss you on your face or ass until you learn how to use the edge haha.

[dillon733]

Definitely take lessons, try not to look down, and don't get discouraged. I've been snowboarding for almost 11 years and love it. Its challenging at the beginning and that is when a lot of people get discouraged but once you get the basic foundation down it get MUCH easier.
Have fun!

[KiokenM3]

buy ass pads, buy knee pads. you will thank me later

[XYR03]

Originally Posted by KiokenM3

buy ass pads, buy knee pads. you will thank me later

mmm....knee pads u say

[KiokenM3]

Originally Posted by XYR03

mmm....knee pads u say

YES. after the first fall you think youll be ok for the rest of the day. after around the 10th time your knees/ass will be begging for mercy. your gonna remember me telling about the butt and knee pads. get a water resistant back pack, put a think sweater in there, when you fall back land on the back pack. trust me, itll be the difference between you having a good time and a bad time

[koreez88]

You'll be in pain for quite some time. Snowboarding hurts like a bish while you learn, but it's a lot more fun than skiing. I've been snowboarding for about 7-8 seasons after riding skiis for about 3-4, so I know what I'm talking about. Helmet is a good idea, shorter board is a great idea, learning how to hop with 2 feet strapped on is essential (that occasionally helps you to jump out of bail and regain balance).

[ragingclue]

Shit.

[derekL]

if you aren't riding on ice and you need to brace for impact, try to brace with your fists like you are punching the ground, don't want to twist your wrists

+ everything else everyone said

[khaye1]

Best tip is get boots that fit...make sure there's no heel lift so you have more control. then you can follow the rest of the guy's tips

[schoy]

Basic mountain courtesy: When not moving (i.e. sitting), move to the side. Obviously, this applies to skiiers as well, but I see more snowboarders who just sit in the MIDDLE of the slope; probably because snowboarders tend to be younger and thus more oblivious to those around them.

[just4kickz]

my first time when i was younger. cousin and i go up the lift to bunny hill...then he says "see you at the bottom"... and that was my training right there.

[JayKay335i]

You wont be sitting for a week

[BMW F22]

It's a lot easier if you take lessons. Like others have said, if you have any kind of foundation (skateboarding, skiing, etc.) you should be able to pick it up more quickly. If you don't have any of those, just go out there and learn on your own. Who cares if you fall a lot? Shoot if it's your first time you shouldn't worry that they will laugh at you (I doubt they will either way). It's more embarrassing if you try too hard to be good or that you're good but still fall a lot.

[AW335TT]

I dont think lessons are that important, I learned how to snowboard without lessons or knowing the basics. Yes i fell A LOTT but thats how i learned what to do and what not to do. Been doing it for about 7 years now. Only advice i have is DONT wear jeans lol and wear gloves. My first time i had no gloves and was wearing jeans, biggest mistake lol. Jeans were all wet and frozen, and i couldnt move my fingures. OH and also dont wear cotton socks, they will make your feet sweat, and than freeze lol.

[bmwmike335]

ur gona look like an idiot, everyone does just try to enjoy it. have fun eating shit =)
youll be sore the next morning

[leJUNd]

don't be scared to go fast. Speed helps.
Not sure if there's any evidence behind these but speed helps you keep balanced, helps you steer, helps not catch the edge, helps break the fall. Thats what helped me the most... man up and just go.
Don't be flat footed. Be on your toes or hills.
Don't get scared and lean on your back foot and collapse down. Board will slip out under and twist you around

When you ride down only think about these
Weight distributed evenly or in front preferably never behind
Be on your toes or hills never flat footed
Look where you wanna go.
Don't be scared don't think too much.

If you have a friend who can ski, they can help you with their polls. They can ride down with you backwards and help you balance with their polls.

You will be sore in places you didn't think could be sore. From neck down to toes.
get kneepads.

Once you get the basics down and able to make turns, you will be hooked. So be prepared to buy equipment, season tix, 4x4, snowtires etc...