Learning anything new as an adult can seem daunting. Now couple that with that fact that it’s something that involves sliding down the side of a mountain that is typically pretty steep… I’m sure in your head just started thinking about all of the things that could go wrong. I know that’s what happened to me when I was thinking about learning how to snowboard at 29…
It really is intimidating to learn how to snowboard as an adult, but it also is 100% worth it. If you are really committed to learning how to snowboard as an adult, here are 5 things that you need to know before you head to the mountain!
Take An Adult Snowboarding Lesson.
Don’t let your friends teach you. It’s just a recipe for disaster. I’m sure in some situations it works fine to have your friends teach you, but generally speaking it’s better to have a lesson to learn. Learning snowboarding as an adult can be frustrating, it’s difficult! So emotions can be high and communication can be tough in those moments. I’m sure your friends have some really good tips and pointers to teach you, but when you’re first learning how to snowboard as an adult make the investment and have a professional instructor teach you.
Snowboard Lessons can be expensive but if you can jump into a group lesson or get some of your other beginner friends to join with you, you can make this something that is more cost effective.
Lean Up The Mountain.
This is pretty self explanatory, but lean towards the top of the mountain. If you lean the other direction, you will tumble down the mountain face. If you lean up the mountain, it’s easier to catch yourself if you stumble and you will not endo down the entire mountain.
Acknowledge that You Are Attached to a Moving Object.
You are controlling what you are on and you are attached to it… The board is essentially an extension of you. Instinctively, when you feel uncomfortable you’re going to want to step off and try to get your balance, but you’re actually locked into it… If you actually follow through with that thought of ‘catching yourself’ you will likely end up falling and tumbling down the mountain.
It’s easier said than done but you’re going to have to shift your mindset to using your edges to stop and not stepping off like you would on a skateboard. It will feel foreign at first and will likely take more than one try for the concept to truly sink in, but the more you try and more runs on the mountain you do the faster it will click. Don’t give up on the first try!
You Will Fall, Once or Twice.
It’s inevitable. Until you learn your edges on the snowboard and get comfortable controlling the board, you will fall. If you go in with the mindset that you likely will fall in the snow at some point, it makes falling a little better because you are anticipating it. Consider falling a right of passage…
With this being said, if you manage to go snowboarding for the first time as an adult when there’s fresh powder the fall will be a lot better compared to a firmer snow pack. There’s also some padded pants you can wear to make the fall a little less brutal. You can check them out here. I personally did not use any padded snowboard pants, but from what I hear they do make a big difference!
You Don’t Have to Go Fast.
If you are learning to snowboard as an adult, chances are you are going snowboarding with a group of friends who probably have gone snowboarding before. For your own safety, don’t feel like you need to fly down the mountain to keep up with your friends. Go at your own pace that you feel comfortable going. As you continue snowboarding you can work to increase your pace, but until you get to that moment, don’t feel like you aren’t doing well if you can’t keep up with a group that has years more experience that you do.
Along these lines, if you don’t want to go on a double black diamond for your first run, don’t do it! I made that mistake – don’t be like me. It’s a terrible experience.
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