Learn How to Snowboard

How to Snowboard:
Tips from Pros Make Getting Started... Easier

Everything You Need to Know to Start Snowboarding

To simplify the learning process, focus on the five key movements of snowboarding. These five movements you learn when you start are the same movements you'll use at your highest performing level.

Once you learn and understand these five key movements, you can refine your timing and intensity through practice and continually improve.

1. Toeside Edging
You are almost always balanced on one of your board's two edges. Toeside is when you lean toward your toeside edge. Still standing tall, push your hips toward your toe edge and bend your knees in the same direction. As you improve, you can increase the intensity of your lean.

2. Healside Edging
Rock back on your heels and move your hips over the heel edge of the board. Straighten your knees slightly - but now all the way. Push down on your heels and pick up your toes.

3. Steering
When you want to guide your board through turns, you'll use steering movements with your feet, legs and hips. Even though your feet are attached to same board, you'll want to move them in different directions during a turn. Push your front foot in the direction of the turn and the back foot away from the turn. Try to avoid a sudden movement with your back foot.

4. Fore and Aft Movements
You can apply weight to either the front or back of your board using these movements. These moves can help you adjust your board's speed and which end of the board heads downhill first. Put your weight on the board's end that you want to lead you downhill.

5. Flexing and Extending Your Legs
Bending and straightening your legs can help you ride more smoothly and maintain balance because your legs will be acting as shock absorbers. Don't bend at your waist: bend at your ankles and knees, and keep looking straight ahead. Download Your Snowboard Lesson - FREE! Thanks to The Snowboard Academy, you can get some really great snowboarding advice online for free. Their Snowboard Coaching System rocks!

Get Free Sample Snowboarding Lessons Online
Snowboard Addiction is the worlds best online snowboard coaching! Video lessons, podcasts to ride with and manuals with photos and diagrams. It has both a freestyle program and a learn to snowboard program. Free Snowboarding Lessons Online

1st Step Snowboarding - Getting Started DVD If you want to get some instruction at home and save your money for your lift ticket, get snowboarding lessons on DVD. You'll find out what gear you need, choosing the proper equipment, how to get on and off the lift, how to fall so you don't hurt yourself, basic moves like how to turn & simple tricks like the ollie. Get Started: Snowboarding DVD

How to Snowboard Illustrated Book
This easy-to-understand step-by-step guide covers everything you want to know to get started. Who better than to learn from Expert Snowboarder Kevin Ryan, who has been teaching beginners how to snowboard for over 10 years.

What you'll learn >>

The correct snowboard riding position, how to control your board and snowboarding turns
How to buy the right snowboard equipment, what to wear
Snowboard maintenance and do-it-yourself repairs
Even intermediate snowboard tricks and advanced techniques that will impress your friends
Get Started >> Beginner Snowboarding

Snowboarding Gear - What Should You Get?

The right snowboarding gear is essential to having a great day on the slopes. Below are a few pointers for picking what’s right for you:

Head Gear
Choose a helmet that fits your head snugly. Some helmets have more insulation than others, so make sure if there is little insulation you can fit a thin cap underneath for warmth. Make sure the helmet is comfortable and you can easily move your head when wearing the helmet.

Warm Clothing
The best way to stay warm and dry is to dress in layers. Cotton or natural fabrics against the skin allow for moisture to be kept away from the skin providing warmth. A nylon or other water resistant outer layer will prevent outside moisture for getting in against the skin. Clothing should be loose to allow movement.

Protective Wear
Snowboarding gear would not be complete without some extra padding for those sure to happen falls. Elbow pad and kneepads can help reduce the shock of impact to the joints. Padded lightweight pants are available to help protect the tailbone and hips from backward falls.

Bindings
Bindings may step-in or strapped. Beginner snowboarders generally favour the step-in bindings, as they are easier to manage. They may not be practical for more advanced users as they tend to allow the foot to be released to easily. Strapped bindings may have two or three straps to hold the foot to the board. They tighten using a ratchet method to hold the foot snug.

Boots
Boots, like all snowboard gear, need to fit correctly. Make sure you try on several styles to find the one that is most comfortable. Your heels should fit tightly in the boot but there should be no rubbing or discomfort when the boots are laced up. Walk around and bend in the boots to test their fit before choosing a pair.

Board
The board should be the correct length and width based on your body size. It should come to the bottom of your chin and be wide enough to fit your feet.

Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.winter-sportz.com/ On his website, he provides additional articles about ski or snowboard clothing and other snowboarding gear.

Snowboards for Sale on eBay

Snowboarding Gear

Snowboards
Snowboard Bindings
Snowboard Boots
Men's Snowboard Jackets | Women's Snowboard Jackets
Features to look for: waterproof but also breathable, windproof and moisture-wicking material. Other quality features are sealed seems, to ensure you stay dry and venting systems (zippers in the underarm area for cooling off) and zippered pockets, so you don't lose you stuff. Make sure you have a roomy fit to allow for freedom of movement on the slopes. Also, a jacket with an innner lining that zips out can be convenient if the temperature changes during the day.
Men's Snowboard Pants | Women's Snowboard Pants
Especially as you're learning, make sure your pants are waterproof. They will greatly help with all the falling that you will do. Speaking of falling, you will want some sort of butt padding. There are padded shorts and body pads you can buy, but I read somewhere that you can stick a knit hat in your butt, and it works. I can attest to this theory, seeing that I used it my entire first two seasons and escaped without injury.
Base Layers - First Layer Clothing
Your base layer, or long underwear, is meant to keep you dry and maintain body temperature. You want a good fit without restriction of movement. Man-made fabrics, like polyester, are the best materials for base layers. Avoid cotton.
Protective Gear: Snowboard Helmets | Wrist Guards ;

How to Care for Your Snowboard

how to tune a snowboard Waxing and tuning your snowboard will help your performance on the slopes. You can easily take your board into a shop and have them wax and tune it for you, but if you're looking to save a few bucks, I've found that it's not too difficult to do it yourself.

If you want to know how to hot wax and tune your snowboard, here are two sites that offer step-by-step instructions from deburring and edge tuning to base cleaning, repair and waxing. There are even helpful photos.

Click here >> Snowboard Hot Waxing & Tuning | Tuning, Repair & Maintenance

Mini Tune up Kit for Snowboards
Small tune-up kits are a simple all-in-one solution that you conveniently use at home, store in your car, or carry with you on the slopes. Includes wax, snowboard tool, edge tuner and pocket stone. (Note: cleaner not included)
Pocket Snowboard Tuner
Start by sharpening your snowboard edges. For smoother, easier turns and maintain a good "biting" edge, you want to sharpen the side and base edges of your snowboard. The pocket tuner is really easy to use, and is a great tool for beginners because it automatically sharpens at the desired angle - no guessing. (Note: if you have any nicks or burrs on your edges, use a Pocket Stone to remove them before tuning. A pocket stone is also useful for smoothing your edges after tuning.
Super Z Snowboard Base Cleaner
The next step is to clean your board, removing old wax, dirt and grime. Super Z is safe for the environment, and for this large 12 oz bottle, you're getting a good deal. Allow 15-20 minutes drying time before waxing. Snowboard-specific cleaners are recommended, as they are safe for your board. They also work much better (I've done the comparison test).
DAKINE Hydro Spray Wax | DAKINE Rub-on Wax
Finally, after cleaning and tuning, you want to wax your board. I've found that spray wax and rub-on wax are easy, effective ways to wax your board, and you don't have to carry around an iron. I personally like DAKINE, their products work well, and they don't cost a lot.
Commando Snowboard Tool
It's smart to have basic tools on hand in case you need them. If you don't have a Swiss Army Knife, a snowboard tool will do the trick. It's small and compact, so it's easy to carry around, and you may find that it's useful for a lot of other things, too.

Where to Go: Snowboarding Destinations

Ski/Snowboard Resorts
Get profiles, locations and reviews of ski & snowboard resorts worldwide
Snowboarding Instructors, Schools and Lessons

Who to Snowboard With:

Find People to Snowboard With
Find people in your area who are interested in snowboarding, and make new friends who enjoy spending time on the slopes as much as you do.
Snowboarding Groups
Find a group of beginner and experienced snowboarders close to you (worldwide) through a free online service called Meetup.com. Snowboarding can be a very social group sport, and it can speed up your learning curve, making snowboarding more fun and exciting.