Beginners – Where To Ride

Here are some snowboard tips for a beginner snowboarder, the places to ride are on very wide trails with gradual slopes and you’ll want to stay away from double fall lines and the flats. This will really help you to learn to snowboard right. The slope needs to have enough angle to keep you moving. Practice slopes for snowboarders varies from skiers since they can go over flat areas by walking their skis and using their poles, whereas boarders get stuck then have to unstrap. When there are flat bits you have to maintain a lot of speed to get you through or get stuck, flats are also where you may catch an edge, ouch! With a mild slope you keep momentum and if you fall it’s not onto flat ground. In terms of safety, a gradual slope also allows you to spread a fall out over several feet or yards instead of a sudden “thud” flat stop. You will be safer and have more success when you ride a nice consistent grade slope.

To find the area that best meets your needs, research the resort you are headed to. There is usually the basic info about the trails online or call and ask (difficulty, length, vertical drop, grade, etc.). You’ll want to have the best time while snowboarding so do a little research and use a beginner snowboard.

Since I teach I see the difference in skill ability when the slope is consistent with no double fall lines and no flat sections. However, if you are literally just starting out there is a use for flats… Specifically, almost every resort has a flat area at the base of the lifts where beginners can try out basic movements such as skating. Then once you graduate to beginning drills there is the “Bunny Hill” trail that is longer with more of a slope. This may be serviced by a lift or a conveyor belt. These are the areas to practice if you are a first timer or low level rider. Ask around to see what area might have the best bunny hill for snowboarding. You can watch our snowboard videos and learn to snowboard online & it really helps beginner snowboarders. Sometimes you may need an in between run that is not as long as the bunny hill. I sometimes hike a hill that has a consistent slope before going on the bunny hill lift. It may take more energy to hike but think safety first.

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