How long does it take to really get the hang of snowboarding?

Question

Last year I went snowboading for the first time after having gone skiing twice (for the first time also). It was taking forever to learn but I can tell if I could really get the hang of it I would have so much fun with it. How long does it take to really learn, would you say? I had an instructor teach me in a group last year too so I understand what you are SUPPOSED to do I guess. Thanks.

Answer 1

Skiing seems to take a little less time to learn, and is less frustrating along the way. For many to get going on beginner trails it may only take 3-6 times out on the snow.

Snowboarding seems to take a bunch longer and is frustrating along the way. Expect that it might take more like 12-25 times out to really get riding on the edge figured out. You'll be happy you invested the time to learn.

Answer 2

Yes, it's different for every person...  this is what I tell anyone who asks...

"Once you get your balance, the rest is easy!"

The ones who pick it up the fastest seem to be the ones who participate in some other balance related kind of sport.  ex. skateboarding, surfing, skiing, ice skating, rollerblading, anything where you have to balance on a moving base.

When I started snowboarding in 1988, it took me most of the season going at least 3 afternoons a week. I was so scared to move, that I spent most of the time sitting on my butt in the snow!  However, once I figured out that a little bit of speed and momentum made turning much easier, I quickly progressed.

Take as many lessons as you can to minimize the risk of injury.  If you can afford it, private lessons would help, but if you go when it's not busy and since you are no longer a complete beginner, you may get a private lesson anyway!  Sometimes group lessons are more fun when you realize you aren't the only one having the problems you are having!  Be patient, and if you truly want to snowboard, then don't give up!

Answer 3

A long time maybe, nothing is easy especially when it comes down to sports. I mean if you just want to learn it for fun, then it shouldn't take such a long time. If you want to join professional teams, then no doubt it is going to take a long time. Anyway, no pain no gain.

Answer 4

Well usually after about two or three times you will get the hang of it. From then on you just get better and better. Just don't get frustrated and give up. Tell yourself you're gonna do it.

Answer 5

I'm a snowsports instructor at a local mountain, I teach both skiing and snowboarding, but I started on a snowboard and am stronger snowboarding.  In my experience skiing will get you off the bunny hill and on greens faster, but snowboarding will get you on blacks faster.

Learning how to snowboard can and should be fun!  A first-time lesson strives to reach skidded linked (s-type) turns.  This is where the rider goes across the hill on one edge then turns down the hill, changes edges, and goes across the hill on the other edge.  However, this goal can be unrealistic for large or less athletic groups.  About 50% of my groups have at least one rider reach this level.  Once you get to this level with your riding it is a matter of becoming more comfortable with speed (steeper terrain, tighter turns, carved turns, etc.)

If a lesson doesn't get that far usually I'll leave off on the falling leaf.  You still go across the hill and control where you are going, but you stay on one edge and go back and forth on that edge as you come down the hill.  This is a perfect fall-back for riders that can make skidded turns when the terrain gets too steep for their comfort level.

People learn at different rates.  Some people pick up snowboarding right away, others not quite as fast.

If it is something that you want to pick up as fast as possible, I highly recommend private lessons.  Someone who can figure out what your doing wrong and tell you how to fix it, where can you go wrong?

When I learned I was in middle school, I took three group lessons.  Went two more times on my own.  The next season I had my own board, by the end of my second season I was slowly (very ugly and with many falls) turning my way through black diamond moguls on bromley.  Another season (with season pass) after that I was making turns on very mu7ch experts only terrain at tuckerman's ravine.  (hillman's highway if anyone has been there).  Looking back I wasn't nearly good enough but aided by an athletic build I muscled through it.

If the average rider took a private lesson with me every time they went snowboarding during a season this is how I would expect them to progress.

first time - Get used to the board, learn falling leaf, possibly get to skidded turns.  Work on the bunny hill with those techniques.

second time - Before the lesson warm up and then continue where ever we left off.  Lesson - Get skidded turns on the bunny hill looking good.  Possibly during and then after the lesson easy green trails.

third time - working on greens and progressing to blue trails.

fourth time - working towards black terrain and carving turns instead of skidding them.

after that - too hard to tell, it depends where they want to go, switch riding, park riding, fast carving, 180's, moguls, so many options.

But if someone wanted to fall much less (it does seem to hurt more as you get older) then I would be more conservative, or was afraid of speed or falling I guess.

You need to decide what really get the hang of it means.  Does it mean getting down from the top of the mountain.  I can almost promise you can do that in a few times as there is almost always a green from the top.  Or does it mean riding down next to the lift and having everyone wish they were as good as you.  If its that or riding every trail on the mountain in any condition or doing 720 spins in the park, or heck even airing out of the half-pipe.  Its going to be a long haul.  There is always more to learn, there is always someone better than you, but if you have fun while progressing then who cares.

Answer 6

Believe me I know It is frustrating at first. Just keep going out there and you'll eventually get the hang of it. It took me about three days, two years ago to actually get it. Remember everyone falls off. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

it took me a day and a half to from my first time on a board to linking turns... but that was fast. Just go slow and take one thing at a time. Learn how to control your heelside and then your toe side.  Classes are awesome keep that up. Ohh and wear wrist guards!!!! It will save you soooo much pain. :)