If you’ve always wanted to try snowboarding but you’ve never had the chance until now, you might be wondering how difficult it is to learn.
Snowboarding is a really fun activity that is worth the time and effort to get better at, and while it isn’t hard to learn overall, you won’t just be able to jump straight in.
There are lots of things you need to take into consideration when you snowboard. You need to know what to wear, where to get lessons, and most importantly, how much time it takes to actually learn.
If you’re considering getting into snowboarding, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll be going over everything we’ve listed above and we’ll be talking about just how hard it is to learn how to snowboard. So let’s get started!
How Hard Is Snowboarding?
While snowboarding isn’t hard overall, when you are a beginner it can be quite intimidating.
If you are expecting to get really good in a couple of lessons or sessions, then you need to put that expectation to bed right now.
Snowboarding requires a lot of time and patience to really get good at it. As a beginner, you will spend a lot of time falling down and tripping over as you learn the basics.
It’s easy to learn how to stand up on a board and that can be perfected in just a few days if you are consistent.
But when it comes to technique, tricks, and anything more advanced, you have to be ready to put in quite a few hours of practice.
So, snowboarding overall is quite hard to learn for beginners (see also “What To Bring Snowboarding“), but it’s more intimidating than it is hard. Once you get over that initial intimidation, you will find it much easier to pick up the techniques that you need.
How Long Does It Take To Learn How To Snowboard?
If you’re dedicated and serious about learning how to snowboard, then you will have a much easier time learning than someone who isn’t.
Learning to snowboard well can take a bit of time, but it’s definitely worth it for anyone who is willing to persevere.
If you just want to learn how to get up and go on a snowboard without tricks or techniques, it will only take you about 3 days of training.
This is just a rough estimate though, as each person requires a different length of time to learn.
It’s completely natural that some people will take longer than others to pick up techniques and skills, and in rare cases, some people pick it up due to their natural ability.
If it takes you a bit longer to learn how to snowboard than others then don’t let this put you off! As long as you are committed and you have a positive attitude, you will be able to make it over all the hurdles.
It helps to already have some skills that are similar to snowboarding.
If you already surf or skate, the skills you have picked up are transferable and will help you learn to snowboard a lot quicker. If you want to learn how to snowboard faster, lessons are the best way to help you.
Can You Learn Without Lessons?
The answer to this question really depends on you and what you want from snowboarding.
Some people are naturally good at it, or they have transferable skills that help them pick it up easier. Overall though, most people struggle to snowboard successfully without lessons.
Lessons provide you with all the knowledge you need and you will be trained by someone who is already incredibly good at snowboarding (see also “What Do You Need To Snowboard?“).
Having lessons is safer, more fun, and you will learn how to snowboard faster than if you tried to learn by yourself.
Snowboarding instructors have experience dealing with people who have no prior knowledge when it comes to snowboarding, so they will know how to help you get over any hurdles you face.
If you try to learn yourself without any guidance, you are more likely to be stuck on the same problem for longer, which is extremely frustrating.
You can learn to snowboard without lessons in theory, but just know that if you do take this route, it will take you much longer and it will also be a lot harder for you to learn.
What Should You Wear When Snowboarding?
Another thing that is important when it comes to snowboarding is what you wear. Wearing the wrong clothes and gear can actually harm your progress and stop you from being able to do things.
If you wear the right clothes every time, you’re more likely to progress in your training faster and easier.
You need to make sure that whatever you wear is safe and comfortable and will keep you dry. If you get too cold while you are snowboarding, you may need to cut your session short, which can be incredibly frustrating.
Usually, you need to wear a few layers. You will need to wear a base layer that will keep you dry and stop sweat from sticking to your skin.
A mid-layer that will keep you warm in cold conditions. And finally, you will need an outer layer that will protect you from the elements, act as a windbreaker, and it will also keep any extra moisture out.
You will of course also need gloves, a hat, long warm socks, and a helmet to protect your head. Some people like to wear goggles too, but these are not essential!
As long as you stick to this general way of dressing when you snowboard, it will drastically improve your conditions and allow you to stay snowboarding for longer periods of time.
Conclusion
Overall, snowboarding isn’t too hard, but if you’re a beginner and you have no transferable skills, it is harder to teach yourself (see also “How To Teach Kids To Ski“) rather than getting lessons.
As long as you have a good attitude, lots of patience, and a good teacher, you can learn the basics of snowboarding in about 3 days!
Since then, I’ve stepped back in my job so that I have more free time to explore the wild. My mental health, clarity, and well-being have all improved by incredible amounts.
I now have a healthy work-life balance, and I want that for you too.
Life is too short to think of work only. Please enjoy my website and use it for inspiration for your next adventure. Maybe I’ll see you out there!
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