How quickly can I learn to snowboard?

Question

I am athletic, coordinated, and I snow skied for several years when I was a kid. I never rode a skateboard. I want to take a lesson before I go with friends. I want to be cool and not dorky. Can you give me some advice, what to wear, what gear I need to buy and what gear I should rent until I get better.

Answer 1

I am a snowboard instructor at a local hill near me and it really depends on the person some people only take one lesson and for others a few months for progress but for your athletasism and being that u are comfortable on the snow i would probably say 2 lessons and u should be alright but it is hard to say

Answer 2

It took Joel a whole day to learn to snowboard for the first time but at the end of the day he was all beat up, the gear is the same except for the snowboard and any snowboard connections, you should visit thrift shops to buy a snowboard because they cost over 30 dollars a day to rent them up there, boots included, but it also depends on the costs of the lodge, Joel found two very (new) snowboards for 70 dollars, 1 for $40.00 at one thrift shop and the other for $30.00 at another thrift shop but he did, or I did have to visit about 4 thrift shops before I found them for him.

Answer 3

three years and dedication should do the trick as far as the basics are concerned.

Answer 4

well you should learn pretty fast then.

rent boots, binding, and board for the first couple times.

but you need to buy snowpants, a warm jacket, gloves/mittens, goggles, and a beanie.

Answer 5

How quickly you learn almost all depends on how gutsy you are.  If you are brave you will learn fast, if you are scared you will learn slow.

Answer 6

Sorry Drew, but she did mention that she wanted to avoid the "dorky" stuff.  

Don't spend money on a helmet and wrist guards just yet.  You sound like a moderately experienced skier/athlete, so taking a couple spills shouldn't do much more than frustrate you.  But yes, your butt will be a little sore by the end of the day.  Always is.  I instructed for 2 years, never had a student break a wrist/bone/head the entire time.  Just be careful.

Lessons is not just a good idea, it's basically a must.  

Don't really worry about what you wear, other than functionality.  

-   Layer (t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, swearshirt/sweater, good jacket)  That way you can add/remove as needed.  

-   Good snowpants, as you WILL be on your butt often (you'll sit at almost every stop) with a pair of sweats or even loose fitting jeans underneath.  

-   Good gloves that are long enough to go over or under the cuff of your jacket.  Again, layering is a good idea.  Knit gloves under winter gloves work fine

-   Good warm socks (not too thick) under PROPERLY FITTING BOOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Your boots are VERY important.  Do not let anyone talk you into boots that don't fit you comfortably.  If your boots don't fit right, you'll be miserable.

-   Any correctly sized board will work at your skill level.  If you know someone your size that has a board they'd let you borrow, that's the best way to go:-)

-   Goggles may or may not be necessary, depending on your local weather and such.  It's a good idea to bring goggles AND a pair of sunglasses, then deciding at the hill which ones you want.

If you're as athletic as you make it sound, you could be carving by the end of day one.  I've had students pick it up easily in the morning and be totally ready to head out on their own after lunch.  I've also had students that just can't seem to grasp the concept, and go 3-4 lessons never going more than 10-20 yards before wiping out.  

LISTEN to your instructor.  They will tell you to do some things that don't feel natural, because they aren't!  But if you listen to them and apply the stuff they teach you, you'll be off and running before you know it:-)

And when you feel like you're going to fall down, don't just bail out or sit down or give up!  Push yourself and apply everything you've learned until you're actually on the ground.  Eventually, you won't be on the ground near as often, and you'll really start to enjoy yourself:-)

Sorry, kinda lengthy

Answer 7

h**l why not its cool to be dorky if u fall down

isnt that part of the fun

of snowboarding  when u fall down when your trying out u laugh at your self

and when u fall down make a snow angel

i rather be dorky then cool anyways..

i dont want to have to prove to anything to anyone i just rather be my self so people will relax around you and lighten up

Answer 8

I was browsing the questions on what are the best conditions to learn snowboarding on and ran across yours, so I guess I'll answer.

Just yesterday (Dec 8) I went snowboarding the first time. I had advice, form a buddy, on what gear to bring so I'll name a few that is CRUCIAL.

First off a helmet definitely saved me from a lot of bumps and bruise. Probably minimized the blows to my head from falling backwards. You can get them at around $50-$60. HAVE ONE. You can go snowboarding your first time in your PJs if you want (not really), but make sure you have a helmet.

Then I would definitely think about wrist guards. They're cheap and worth its weight in gold. I weigh 200lbs and you'll either land on your wrist, rear, or knees first. I bought a pair of wrist guards to wear, but sadly, they didn't fit inside my glove. So I went without them. My wrists are VERY sore right now. I'm glad/surprise I didn't fracture or break them. Wrist guards are about $20.

As for clothing, wear a long sleeve thermal shirt. Or If you don't have one, a technical shirt would do also (UnderArmour makes great technical shirts). One that wicks away sweat. Also technical-fabric underwear would be nice. (running shops have them) Also get yourself a nice pair of ski socks. DO NOT wear cotton in any part of your body. They'll soak up in water and freeze.

If you get a jacket/pants set, make sure you're getting snowboard/ski specific. And if you can afford it, go with at least a 10,000 water-proof rating. I prefer Columbia brand.

Tuck in your thermal shirt into your pants/underwear. Do not leave them loose. I made the mistake in not tucking in. Halfway through the day, not only was my shirt wet, it was also frozen (literally). Not cool.

And do not let your friends talk you into going with them on the first time. Especially on a lift, even if it's an easy run. DEFINITELY get professional lessons. While your friends are definitely being nice in offering you a lesson, they're actually making it harder for you to learn. Save yourself some pain and maybe even you friendship.

You'll need goggles. Get ones that have a fog-resistant coating.

Before getting on your snowboard. STRETCH! Leg stretches definitely. Warm up first. Walking to the lodge from the parking lot in your boots should be enough. And stretch afterwards also.

When you get home take some ibuprofen (you'll know why). Ice your bruises (the same day) and heat (like a hot bath or heat packs) the next day.

Hopefully this wasn't discouraging. But I'd rather let you know that you'll be falling. A lot. But once you can start to get the hang of cruising, the reward is worth every single fall.

My last advice would be. DO NOT give up! Give it at least 5-6 trips to the snow before even considering abandoning the sport. I'm sure you'll catch on after that many trips and will be enjoying it.

My longest ride down the hill from yesterday was about 30 feet. During that 30 ft I'd forgotten about all the falls I've taken and realized that it's all going to be worth it when I'm solid on the board.

My next trip, definitely lessons.

Answer 9

Snowboarding is easier and funner than sking. I learned just fine my first day. depends on your instructor's or friend's instrucitons also. Practice. When you go and rent the people will help you get all that is necessary.