How to Begin Snowboarding

How to Begin Snowboarding
By: Analog



Index:
1. Background
2. Apparel and Gear
3. Snowboarding Basics
4. Adjoining Your Turns​

Background: I have been snowboarding for close to eight years to this date. I would say that snowboarding is easiest to learn and hardest to master. Snowboarding is something which is a great winter activity to compete in and to enjoy. This guide will cover every aspect of snowboarding and will allow you to learn how to preform this activity. Usually, it takes about four to five years to master the art of snowboarding, which is relatively long. Most boarder are from states where there is plenty of snow but i'm from New York. I usually travel up to Vermont or over to Colorado every other weekend, it's one of the hobbies which I greatly enjoy. I personally ride a Burton T6 Second Snowboard which is black and blue. My bindings are Flow NXT FS Snowboard Bindings colored blue and white. Those two make a great combo and the bindings are very simple to use which is also a plus. The board and bindings are two of the most important purchases you will make towards snowboarding. The guide will be broken down in to sections on the different aspects of snowboarding, so without further a due, I shall begin.

Apparel and Gear: This section will have multiple photos of the apparel and gear which I recommend for snowboarding.
Helmet- This is essential for multiple, obvious reasons. This will keep you safe and should fit comfortably on your head. For the most part, all of your purchases should be from the company RED, for they have the best style and the highest standard of safety. I will post the name and the website where the product can be found. Some of my recommendations are:

• RED Hi-Fi Sub Snowboard Helmet: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-RED-Hi-Fi-Sub-46851.asp

• RED Hi-Fi Snowboard Helmet (I own this in white): http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-Burton-Hi-Fi-46801.asp

Jacket- I assume all of you want to look good and be warm so below I will list some of the jackets which would take care of both of those factors. The brands I prefer are Grenade, Burton and AK which is made by Burton. Under these jackets all you really need is a turtleneck or a long sleeved shirt, both will keep you warm.

• Burton AK 2L Stagger Jacket: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-Burton-AK-2L-Stagger-Jacket-40702.asp

• Burton System Jacket: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/Burton-System-Jacket-41781.asp

• 686 Smarty Woodland Jacket: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-686-Smarty-Woodland-45050.asp

Pants- Pretty much the same reasons for getting a jacket, but make sure your matching nicely.

• Burton AK 2L Stagger Pants: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-Burton-AK-2L-Stagger-49464.asp

• Burton Cargo Pants: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/2009-Burton-Cargo-Pant-40846.asp

Boots- Boots are very important for multiple reasons. You want your toes to be just barely touching the tip of your boot. Also you want to make sure you buy boots with good insulation so you feet stay warm. Not to mention, you want something with pretty nice style.

• Burton Hail: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...il/sku/207486/Burton_Hail_Snowboard_Boots.htm

• Burton Ions: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...ail/sku/207503/Burton_Ion_Snowboard_Boots.htm

• Burton SLX: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...ail/sku/207514/Burton_SLX_Snowboard_Boots.htm

Gloves- You want to buy a glove that is very warm. Also you usually want a glove which has some storage space so you can put some of your essentials in it such as chapstick. Better warm then cold!

• Grenade W.M.D. Mitts: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...owDetail/sku/GGL0915/Grenade_W_M_D__Mitts.htm

• Burton Liftline GlovesL http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...wDetail/sku/207410/Burton_Liftline_Gloves.htm

Bindings- The second most important purchase you will make. You want to make sure you get something that is flexible and comfortable because this is just as important as the comfort level of your boots.

• Burton CO2 EST Snowboard Binding: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...u/204399/Burton_CO2_EST_Snowboard_Binding.htm

• Burton Triad EST Snowboard Bindings: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...04402/Burton_Triad_EST_Snowboard_Bindings.htm

• Rome Targa Snowboard Bindings: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...sku/9BN3002/Rome_Targa_Snowboard_Bindings.htm

Snowboards- The board will be your most important purchase. You want to get a boarding which is highly flexible and has a great ride and handling.

• Burton T6 Snowboard: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboard/index.cfm/fa/products.showDetail/sku/T6/Burton_T6_Snowboard.htm

• Burton Jeremy Snowboard: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...l/sku/JEREMYJONES/Burton_Jeremy_Snowboard.htm

• Burton Twin Snowboard: http://www.extremegear.com/snowboar...showDetail/sku/TWIN/Burton_Twin_Snowboard.htm

Snowboarding Basics: This section will show you the basics of snowboarding.
Step 1- You want to establish your lead foot. To make it easier, usually, if you are right handed you will lead with you left foot and if you are left handed you will lead with your right foot. You want to make sure you ride however you feel most comfortable.

Step 2- Then you should screw your bindings in accordingly to however you feel most comfortable, and however you feel you will be able to manage the best.

Step 3- The first tactic you should use to begin is something called the falling leaf. It is a technique which teaches your how to use the edges of your board and you can preform this on your heel and toeside. To master the falling leaf you will begin on your heelside. Start off with you weight leaned back in a nice athletic position. Now you want to begin to lean your weight to the side you want to turn. So begin to lean your weight on your right foot for example. Once you begin to turn right, slightly tilt your board and begin to place the weight on your left foot and change directions. Keep repeating this till you feel you have mastered it, then attempt to do the same toeside.

Step 4- Once you have mastered this simple yet essential topic you are ready to practice more. You want to bend your knees and make sure you keep your back straight. For any of you that play sports, you will want to be in a good athletic position. Your board will follow your body so want to make sure you move how you expect the board to move.

Step 5- Balance is essential so you must make sure you keep your balance at all times. You should use your arms and shoulders as a tool to help yourself balance.

Adjoining Your Turns: This is the section will you will learn how to adjoin heelside to toeside.
Step 1- You will want to turn your body and your head to the area which you want to travel to. Remember to stay in that good athletic position. When you feel comfortable begin to lean you weight to the area which you want to go, and turn the edge of your board accordingly.

Step 2- To fall into your first turn your are going to want to point the board in the direction you would like to travel as mentioned above. As your board begins to point downhill you will need to shift your back foot so you can go back onto your toeside. So you will slide you back foot and proceed to move your board back so it is sideways.

Step 3- Now you will have to do the same but toeside. Now you are going to want to shift you weigth from your toeside back to your heelside so you can begin your turn. Once you have done this your board should be pointed downhill. Now you will need to shift the weight of your back foot to get you back on your heelside. Once you have done this you will have completed a full cycle of turning from heelside to toeside.

Tricks: Before you attempt any tricks make sure you have mastered the above steps. Tricks are a whole other topic which require much skill.

 

nice guide, getting people through the first week of snowboarding is the hardest, i personally ride a burton clash, just got new buton motos from burton customs and i have custom bindings, i just got all new decked out 686 smarty shit, cant wait im going to big bear over winter break

 

In general, this seems to be a very nice guide. I myself don't snowboard (Or do anything really board related, because last time I did, my face broke the fall on some pavement). As far as a guide can go, this provides some very in-depth techniques on how to snowboard properly. In any sport like this, however, nothing is better than a personal trainer who can teach you in person. As I said though, this guide does all it can for being a guide.

I really like the fact that you included a large section about gear. Safety is important, especially when people are introduced to a new sport/activity.

The only thing I can think for you to do would be to read over this (preferably aloud), because there are a few minor grammar errors and add a table of contents at the beginning of the guide.

Overall, good job.

 

Nice guide, cool pics 9.5/10

I once trained snowboarding for a week, and managed to do all things above.
I must admit snowboarding is much more fun than skiing (which i had done for all my life) So for those who haven't tried it out... Give it a go!!

 

Thank you for the comment, and yeah I would agree is the more fun out of the two.

 

I think this guide's layout is very nice. Props for that. It also covers very basic things which are essential. I personally ride a K2 board and the thing works fine.

You should add a section on how to wax a board properly, I usually mess up on scraping and it starts out sort of rough on the first few slopes.



I'm going snowboarding in a few hours at Crystal Mountain in Michigan. ;D

 

9.5/10 very nice! makes me want to snowboard!

 

Awesome Guide 10/10

 

3/10 for effort i didnt even read the guide i know it sounds stupid for me to be rating it i scimmed throught it but me being an avid snowboarder my self ill let you know that Gear and looks count for nothing. just sets you up to look like a poser unless you can actually do something ive been snowboarding for about 9 years now and trust me i didnt learn how to snowboard from reading a guide online... as much as this may help people the only way your going to learn is if you go do it personaly

 

Snowboarding is 95 percent skill, 5 percent equipment. I've seen some kid riding wal-mart style and rip perfect 720's off some kicker. You still want to have something that will suit you though. Flexable shorter boards are good for park and pipe, if your riding for speed your going to want a stiffer and longer board. I am seventeen, been riding since I was ten and currently the youngest instructor at lake louise (the best ski resort around my area), it's pretty sweet. I'm not trying to show off just telling ya a bit about myself. People who get hyped up about equipment are usually the show-off type, they aren't that great at boarding. Flow bindings you were talking about though, they sure are great...really give you a feel for the board. On another note. Snowboarding starts off easy and get's very hard. Skiiing starts off hard and get's easier the better you get. I rate your guide 6/10.

 

Perhaps give good locations to start before going completely down the mountain, like taking lessons on some bunny slopes with an instructor so you can practice these basic maneuvers, this is a very good start though. 9/10.

 

Thanks knew most of it but it was really detailed. I recomend this sport to anyone looking to have a great time.

 

This is a very nice guide.
From what I have seen you are very good at writing guides. Keep up the awesome work and you will be awarded.

 

Nice guide.

When i started, i really didnt use any of this.

I just went up there, got on the lift, and rode.

Went fast, and fell.

It only took me 2 years to master it, this is my 4th year. (still mastering tricks, getting pretty good though)

I've mastered downhill though

 

I have a sweet snowboarding outfit for sale. I used it a few times but it no longer fits me anymore (I need to go back to the gym)

The jacket and pants are a neon green color with a very subtle floral print on them. Both are size MEDIUM and they actually zip together in the back so snow won't get in.

 

^join new sites and grave dig threads much?

But about your snowboard stuff dude,
There's a Non-Virtual section and you need pictures proving ownership.

Non-Virtual Section http://sythe.org/forumdisplay.php?f=486

 

nice guide, one thing though helmets are gay and i only use em while riding dirtbikes

 

Very informative guide 4/5 i want to start snowboarding but its a bit hard in Australia seeing as we dont have much snow