Would it be advisable for a snowboard beginner to go and practice on a hill without a trainer/group?

Question

I'm really worried because we're gonna have a skiing trip soon with my class and I've had two three-hour lessons 4 weeks ago but I kinda suck at snowboarding. Do you think it'll help me if I go on a hill tomorrow to practice on my own? And I have a big problem with the lift, too. I die going down or going on it, I think I just might be too clumsy for it. Do you have any tips for that, too?

Answer 1

Snowboarding is really fun, But if your not that great then i would try going on a small hill. Make sure you know how to stop before anything else. After that you should try learing how to turn using your back leg to steer. You might want to practice with a more experienced friend, i find they can teach me more.

As for the lift  problem.. Get a Stomp pad. it should help. I find it easier to get off of it when im alone rather then with somebody. When im with somebody i just run into them and then we both fall.

Hope you have fun!!

Answer 2

No! take at least one lesson. Maybe an experienced friend could help, or just take lessons. But do not start without instruction or know-how. You will begin to develop habits that will make snowboarding way less fun and most likely more hazardous.

Answer 3

You should really practice on your own after a lesson, remembering what you were taught and practicing the advices your instructors give you. After a little practice and you think you got what you last learned down, take another lesson  to learn different techniques and then practice on your own again.

The most important thing is to practice practice practice. Its probably better to practice on your own since there is no pressure and you can try different techniques that work for you. and you get to go at your own pace.

Answer 4

Sure - go practice on your own.  You have had some lessons, so practice what they showed you.  Make sure you try to do all the things that they showed in the lessons.  

As for getting off the lift, here are some tips.  Pick something straight ahead of the lift exit and look at it - don't take your eyes off of it and you will be more successful.  Many people look down at the snow or their feet and fall down as a result.  second.  Remember that you are going sideways, so look over your front shoulder.  To practice this, climb a short way up a hill and practice running straight down it with one foot strapped in just like when you are riding the lift.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Just practice, i taught myself how to snowboard and now i'm d**n good.

Answer 6

You sound a bit nervous so if I would recommend taking at least an hour long lesson to get a bit more confidence.

Boarding does take a few days to get the hang of so it's normal that you're still a bit unsure.  It'll click soon, just be positive and you'll get it.  It's as much a mental sport as it is physical.  It's rad that you're keeping on keeping on with it!

Answer 7

I'd say to take one lesson and remember what they say, then you can go snowboarding on your own and practice what they told you.

Answer 8

Tips to become an expert snowboarder:

1.  Buy a helmet.

2.  Put it on.

3.  Break the speed of sanity.

4.  Repeat.

P.S.  Lessons are for people to have fat purses and a very low threshold of pain.

P.S.S.  The faster you go, the more you will enjoy surfing the frozen ocean.

P.S.S.S.  It is only fun to go fast if you don't bust your melon open on a tree or some ice, so a skull-cap is not optional equipment.

Answer 9

Well i did a week of snowboarding lessons in the holidays, the lessons were four hours each morning and by the second day i was able to go out on my own in the afternoon, so obviously i was really really slow, in one afternoon a did what i would of done on skis in twenty minutes, but it went well i didn't fall down too much. You have to stay on greens, (maybe blues but i wouldn't recommend it) and for someone of your level i would say stay on the beginer's slopes. And Yeah i had and still have the lift problem, what with falling off everytime and being terrified, but i assure you it does get easier, when i practised on my own the third day i didn't fall off once. and normally the lift people are nice about it, everybody is a beginner at some point. And i would recommend trying to get on on your own or with not many people, or else with someone you know who knows how to get off so that they can help you. Good Luck