Snowboarding, with its high learning curve and huge fun factor, has grown to include winter athletes of all ages. Many youngsters pick up snowboarding from the start while many downhill skiers have crossed over and now divide their time between the two. If you’re willing to sustain a few bruises your first few days out, you’ll have fun learning how to board.
Clothing
Snowboard newcomers should use the same layering principles as they would downhill skiing. As a base layer, wear long thermal underwear made of a wicking material to keep the body dry. An insulating layer could be made of fleece or wool. And a waterproof, breathable shell will keep you dry.
Insulated, loose-fitting shell pants allow for easy movement, which is important considering you'll be falling and getting up a lot during your first few days on the slopes.
Although ski gloves will do the job, gauntlet gloves or mittens, which extend to the elbow, prevent snow from getting into the sleeves. Because a snowboarder's hands are constantly scraping the snow, gloves with durable exteriors are recommended. Good double-lens orange or amber goggles and a wool hat with an anti-itch headband round out the required accessories.
And a helmet is essential for snowboarders. Whereas skiing injuries typically occur to the lower body, most snowboard injuries typically involve the upper body – shoulders, wrists, neck and head.
Equipment
Snowboarding equipment consists of the board, bindings and boots. Select supple boots with good liners to soften the pressure of the board’s front strap. Stiff boots and rigid bindings are better as your skill level increases.
Snowboards come in three styles: freestyle, all-mountain and racing. Beginners should opt for a freestyle board because it’s the most versatile and the easiest to control. The length of the board should come up between your chin and nose.
Although beginning downhill skiers are advised to rent equipment during their first season, this does not apply to snowboarding. Skiers need higher quality equipment as they progress, but the same snowboard can take a novice from beginner to intermediate level.
Terrain Rights
Until a few years ago, snowboarders were still banging heads with skiers over terrain rights. Snowboarders don't like skiers messing up their half-pipes and terrain gardens, and skiers object when boarders cut up well-groomed piste. Today riders and skiers find common ground in freestyling, and only a handful of ski areas in the country have banned snowboarders.
Beginning snowboarders need only a smooth gradual slope for learning. After a few sessions, they can head to the terrain park to take on the challenges of half-pipes, kickers, tabletops, rails and jumps.
Peter Schroeder of Seattle is the editor of the
“Western Snowsports Guide,” published by Price Media.
He has skied all over the world and writes for
various snowsports publications.
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