Snowboarding Basics
Snowboarding is an activity that involves using a singular board to maneuver down a snow-covered mountain. The rider's feet are locked into the snowboard with straps called "bindings." Inspired by surfing, skateboarding, and skiing, the movements replicate a combination of these sports. A rider leans to either side of the snowboard in order to turn, adjust speed, or come to a stop. Snowboarding can either be a recreational or competition-based activity. There are many different types of snowboarding including freeriding, slopestyle, halfpipe, and alpine. As one improves their snowboarding ability they can transition into steeper mountains, different types of snow, jumps, or trying different tricks.
Most Important
Snowboarding is a sport that takes time to pick up. When strapping in for the first time, chances are you will not easily be able to get down the mountain without falling. Practice really does make perfect in this sport. It is important to spend as much time on the mountain as possible to better improve your snowboarding ability. Having the right equipment can make or break your experience, so make sure you have the correct size snowboard, boots, pants, jacket, and helmet.
- Snowboarding is a lot easier if you have a teacher or someone to guide you along the way.
- Snowboarding is hard to learn but easy to master. When a rider first begins, chances are they will fall often, but after a few days they will be cruising down the mountain.
- Make sure you pick up the correct sized equipment. You will need a snowboard, boots, snow pants, a helmet, goggles, and most likely a jacket,.
- Falling is not a negative thing. Even experienced snowboarders fall all of the time!
- Skateboarding is an excellent way to practice snowboarding, but the only way to truly improve is by actually snowboarding.
- Stay on runs you are comfortable on. If you get ahead of yourself, it is easy to get hurt.
List of Snowboarding Basic Rules
Snowboarding for recreation does not have many rules. Aside from rules regarding getting on and off chairlifts, avoiding other riders, and respecting signs, there are no real concrete rules. A majority of rules or limits may come from oneself. In competitions there are other specific rules or regulations that may be enforced but it depends on what type of competition is occurring.
- For each chairlift, there is a certain number of people that are allowed on at a time.
- Prior to getting on the chairlift one's pass will likely be scanned. Without a paid pass a rider is not allowed on the lift.
- It is the uphill rider's responsibility to avoid people downhill. For example, if you are coming down the mountain, it is your responsibility to avoid people in front of you. If you run into or injure them, it is your liability.
- Signs are posted all around the mountain. These signs may include, "Slow Zone," "Run Closed," "No Speeding," "Beginner Zone," or "No Skiing Beyond This Point."
- It is a rider's job to respect these signs, they are there for the safety of everyone. Disregard for these signs can put yourself or others in danger. Also, disobeying can result in tickets from the Ski Patrol.
Summary
Snowboarding is a sport that involves maneuvering down a snowy mountain with a board your feet are locked into. For the most part fun and recreation are the reasons people snowboard. This sport is difficult to begin, but with enough practice, guidance, and experience one can quickly pick up the sport. The movements replicate those of a surfboard or skateboard, so if you have tried these in the past, you will be ahead of the game. It is also key to have the correct equipment, this will make your experience much more pleasurable. Once you are on the mountain there are not many rules to learn. Simply avoiding other riders, respecting signs, and being a considerate rider, you will look like you belong on the mountain. Now that you have the basics of snowboarding, you should watch a couple videos to familiarize yourself with the movements. Next, you should rent some equipment and go up to a mountain.