Guide to Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a winter sport which bares manytechniques, so for your own safety lessons are
comparisons to skateboarding, or surfing, althoughrecommended. As a skier, you will most likely pick
is performed on snow. The main idea ofup snowboarding much quicker than someone
Snowboarding is to maintain your balance as youwith no slope experience.
travel down a ski slope with both feet securelyAm I regular or goofy?
attached to the Snowboard via are set ofRegular and Goofy refer to two different stances
bindings. There are many different types ofpossible in snowboarding, with Regular being left
snowboarding including Freestyle, Freeride, andfoot forward, and goofy being right foot forward.
alpine.If you already Skateboard or Surf, you probably
What are the different types of snowboarding?already know your stance, but if not, there are a
Freeriding (also known as "all-mountainfew ways to try and determine you appropriate
Snowboarding"), is simply the exploration of aone:
mountain on your board. It's very suitable for- Kick a ball, which ever foot you use will most
beginners, as all they have to do is ride down thelikely need to be your back foot on the board.
piste, taking in the scenery. Freesyle is when you- Go to a staircase and walk up it, which foot did
attempt ticks, including jumps, spins and grabs.you use first, this should most likely be your back
You can use the natural terrain, or man madefoot when standing on the snowboard.
obstacles. Alpine is all about speed, and fast cleanIs snowboarding dangerous?
precision carving. Alpine boarders user boots withLike most sports, there is an inherent danger with
a hard plastic shell, and longer, stiffer boards thanSnowboarding. Although it's impossible to remove
other styles.all risks, taking some simple precautions can make
What equipment do I need to snowboard?the experience safer.
If you go to a Ski/Snowboard rental or retail- Take some lessons - If your new to
shop, they should be able to advise you aboutsnowboarding, don't think you can just pick it up,
what equipment you will need, and obviously rentlessons will make you learn quicker and in a safer
or sell it to you. Basic equipment will include:manor
- Snowboard- Wear Protection - Better be safe than sorry,
- Boot Bindingswear as much protective clothing as possible.
- BootsHelmets, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads,
- Warm Clothingand impact shorts are all good examples.
- Protective Wear- Stay on slopes you feel comfortable on - Don't
- Helmetjump on the black runs, when first learning stick
Should I take Snowboarding lessons?to the nursery slopes, and move on to more
If you are inexperienced, then it is highlydifficult runs as you gain confidence.
recommended you take lessons. It's allot harder- Snowboard in groups - Don't go out alone when
than it looks, and hitting the slopes with no tuitionfirst starting out, try to learn with a partner, or
can cause you and others injuries.go out with a more seasoned boarder
Where can I learn to Snowboard?- Don't push yourself to hard - If you get tired,
Many countries have artificial ski slopes you cantake a rest, otherwise you risk causing an injury.
go learn at before you venture on your holidays,What age can you learn to snowboard?
although if one is not available you will most likelyEquipment is made for children as young as five,
be able to pay for some tuition at your holidayalthough most ski resorts will not teach children
destination. To prevent disappointment it'syounger than seven years old. There is no
suggested you book lessons before you travel.definitive age, so it is up to the parent to evaluate
I can Ski, can I snowboard with no lessons?if their child is ready to snowboard or not.
Skiing and snowboarding use fairly different