Snowboarding is a great way to enjoy the outdoors when temperatures plummet. Not only is it fantastic exercise, but it’s also a lot of fun. Overall, snowboarding is fairly easy to learn if you go about doing it the right way. Here are six tips on how to become an awesome snowboarder, brought to you by ASO Mammoth, your one-stop shop for gear, repairs, and snowboard rentals in Mammoth.
1. Get the Right Equipment
Beginning snowboarders need different equipment than the gear used by more seasoned riders. When you’re first learning to snowboard, you’ll have to learn how to shift your weight properly to steer and turn, which can take some time. Bindings, boots, and boards made for more experienced riders are more flexible and responsive. If you’re a newer rider, you want a stiffer board and boots that are more forgiving.
2. Take Lessons
While snowboarding is fairly easy once you get the hang of it, it still comes with a pretty significant learning curve. “Steering” a snowboard is a matter of distributing your weight in a certain way, which can be tricky at first. A good instructor can help you master the basics in a few hours and send you on your way.
3. Practice the Basics on Easy Slopes
Once you’ve been introduced to some of the basics, it can be tempting to rush right through and move on to more challenging things. However, just being introduced to the basics doesn’t mean you’ve mastered them. That takes time and practice. Take some time to practice the basics on some easy slopes until you’ve fully mastered them.
4. Go Slow and Steady for a While
Once you have a good handle on the basics, you might want to tackle some longer runs. When you do, take things slow and easy for a while. Once again, you should concentrate on getting your fundamentals nailed down solid before you try and build on them. It’s not a race, so take things slow when you first start.
5. Talk to Other Riders
Experienced riders will have an arsenal of tricks at their disposal, which they’re often happy to share. Sharing lifts offers a great chance to chat up some other riders and pick their brains about any issues you might be having. With advice on everything from how to exit a chair lift to techniques for switching from heel side to toe side, other riders can be an invaluable source of help and information.
6. Take More Lessons
No matter how experienced a rider you become, there’s always more to learn. At some point, you may want to start doing tricks in a terrain park or tackle more challenging runs. Once you’ve mastered what you already learned, you can take additional lessons to learn more.
If you’re ready to try snowboarding, follow these tips to get a great start on what’s sure to be one of your favorite ways to enjoy the slopes. When you get to Mammoth, snowboard rental might be the best way to introduce yourself to the sport. Drop by and see us at ASO Mammoth for the highest-quality rentals, gear, and service on the mountain. Find out more about us by giving us a call at 760-965-3444.