You’ll be hard-pressed to get more fast-paced and adventurous on snow-covered hills in the Mammoth area than what’s possible with snowboarding. While there’s something to be said for the freedom that goes along with this popular wintertime activity, it’s also statistically one of the riskier options. It’s important to be mindful of your safety while on the slopes. Here are six snowboarding safety tips to keep in mind, brought to you by the mountain sports experts from ASO Mammoth, your one-stop shop for Mammoth snowboard rentals, high-quality snowboarding gear, safety equipment, and tips for hitting the slopes safely.
1. Watch Your Wrists & Knees
It’s human nature to reach out and break a fall by putting out your hands. However, doing so can result in wrist-related injuries that could include serious sprains or breaks. Protect your wrists as you snowboard by:
• Wearing wrist guards
• Learning to fall correctly
• Starting off on a beginner or immediate board to improve your balance
Knees can also be injured while snowboarding. Collisions and sharp turns can put stress on your knees. Protect this part of your body by wearing knee pads and bending your knees slightly while leaning forward as you go down hills.
2. Wear the Right Snowboarding Boots
You could do some unintended—and painful—damage to your ankles while snowboarding if you’re not careful with your boots. Choose boots that properly and comfortably support your ankles, especially on turns and twists. Also, look for boots that lock your feet in place with non-releasable bindings.
3. Warm Up & Cool Down
Snowboarding is an activity that stimulates many muscle groups, which is why it’s important to properly prepare your body. Achieve this goal by doing a proper warm-up first to stretch the muscles in your legs, lower back, hips, legs, and torso. Do similar stretches when you’re done to prevent muscle soreness.
4. Always Wear Your Helmet
It’s surprisingly common for snowboarders to slip and fall while waiting for the lift. In fact, you don’t need to be going too fast to get a serious head injury. Give yourself some added protection by wearing a helmet whenever you’re snowboarding or getting ready to be active. Just keep your speed moderate, since helmets are less effective at higher speeds.
5. Know Your Limits
Increase your safety while snowboarding by realizing and accepting your limits. This doesn’t mean you can’t have goals and step up your game, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor by knowing your current limits and skill level. Doing so also makes it easier to choose the correct board and focus on hills that are within your comfort zone. Plus, you can always take lessons or classes to boost your skills in a steady and safe way.
6. Stay Hydrated
Snowboarding is an intense activity, and it’s easy to become dehydrated if you’re not paying attention. A lack of sufficient hydration increases your risk of injury and reduces the circulation that keeps your limbs functioning well. Take a break every hour or so to relax and rehydrate for about 10–15 minutes.
Snowboarding is a fantastic way to enjoy your time on the slopes, so don’t ruin it by getting injured because you didn’t follow proper safety guidelines. The first step is to make sure you start with high-quality equipment that’s fitted properly. ASO Mammoth is your go-to shop for snowboard rental in Mammoth as well as ski gear and safety tips from the snow sports experts. We have everything you need to have a blast, including advice on how to enjoy the slopes safely. Drop in or give us a call at 760-965-3444.