The Best Places You Can Learn To Snowboard

In the video titled “The Best Places You Can Learn To Snowboard,” SnowboardProCamp, led by Kevin, shares the top locations for learning how to snowboard. Kevin emphasizes that the choice of practice areas plays a crucial role in beginners’ progress and safety. He advises starting with a wide, flat area suitable for practicing skating, which is a fundamental skill in snowboarding. It is important to avoid crowded places or slopes, as they can hinder the learning process.

Additionally, Kevin suggests finding a short, gentle slope that levels out for practicing one-foot riding, which is crucial for riding chairlifts. This allows beginners to adjust to riding straight with one foot and provides a flat area for stopping. To practice heel and toe sliding, Kevin recommends an area with a slight pitch to get familiar with controlling speed and stopping effectively. He suggests that the perfect slope should allow a ball to roll down without gathering excessive speed or remaining stationary, as these extremes indicate an unsuitable slope for learning. With more practice on longer green slopes, beginners can start linking turns together and gain the necessary mileage to progress their skills.

Wide open flat area for skating practice

The first area that beginners should find when learning to snowboard is a wide open flat area. This space is perfect for practicing an essential skill in snowboarding: skating. Skating involves having your front foot strapped into the snowboard and using your free foot to push the board along.

Having a big open space allows beginners to have all the room they need to practice skating. It is important to choose a location that is not too busy with other riders or people, as collisions can be dangerous. Additionally, finding a perfectly flat area is crucial, as a slope would cause the snowboard to constantly slide downhill.

Skating is a fundamental skill in snowboarding, and practicing it in a wide open flat area provides a safe and optimal environment for beginners to develop their skills.

Short mellow slope for one foot riding

After practicing skating, beginners should move on to a short mellow slope that flattens out. This type of slope is ideal for practicing one foot riding, which is essential for getting on and off the chairlift.

One foot riding involves snowboarding straight with only one foot strapped into the board. By finding a short and gently sloping area that levels out, beginners can practice riding straight with one foot and have a flat area to stop themselves.

It is important for the slope to be short so that beginners do not gather too much speed. Additionally, the slope should flatten out, mimicking the top of a chairlift where snowboarders need to stop. This way, beginners can easily walk up the slope, put their free foot in the middle of the board against the binding, ride down the slope, and then use their heel or toe to drag in the snow and come to a stop.

Slopes for heel and toe sliding practice

The next area that beginners should find is a slope where they can practice heel and toe sliding. This slope should have a decent amount of pitch and be slightly longer than the previous ones.

Heel and toe sliding are important skills in snowboarding, as they allow riders to control their speed and stop on the edge of the snowboard. The perfect pitch for this practice is one where if you were to roll a ball, it would roll down the slope without picking up too much speed.

Finding the right slope for heel and toe sliding allows beginners to get comfortable with controlling their speed and stopping on their snowboard’s edge. It is essential to find a balance between a slope that is not too flat and a slope that is not too steep, as this will ensure that beginners can slide safely and effectively.

Medium pitch slope for first turns

After mastering heel and toe sliding, beginners can progress to a medium pitch slope. This slope should be suitable for practicing their first turns.

A medium pitch slope allows beginners to experience picking up a bit of speed while going straight but still being able to complete each turn. It is important to avoid slopes that are too steep, as they can cause the snowboard to gather too much speed and lead to falls. On the other hand, slopes that are too flat make it difficult to make turns without catching an edge and can be challenging to get the board moving downhill.

By finding the perfect medium pitch slope, beginners can practice their first turns while maintaining control and stability.

Long green run for mileage and linking turns

Once beginners feel comfortable with their first turns, they can progress to a longer green run. This run provides more distance and allows beginners to accumulate mileage on their snowboarding skills.

A longer green run offers the opportunity to practice heel and toe sliding and start linking turns together. It allows beginners to gain more experience and progress at a faster rate. Even if beginners cannot link turns throughout the entire run, having a longer slope allows them to practice sliding on their heels and toes in more challenging sections and attempt linking turns in areas that are less steep.

The mileage and repetition obtained on a longer green run enable beginners to refine their skills and improve their overall snowboarding abilities.

Blue terrain for more challenging practice

As beginners continue to progress, they can attempt some blue terrain. Blue runs provide a more challenging environment for practicing and refining snowboarding skills.

When tackling blue runs as a beginner, it is advisable to focus on the steeper sections for practicing heel and toe sliding. By sliding back and forth across the slope in these areas, beginners can continue to improve their control and speed management. In the more mellow areas of the blue run, they can practice linking turns together by sliding on the steeper sections and transitioning into turns on the flatter portions.

Engaging with blue terrain provides beginners with opportunities to challenge themselves, enhance their skills, and gain confidence.

Recap of beginner areas

In summary, beginners should start their snowboarding journey in a wide open flat area for skating practice. They can then progress to a short mellow slope for one foot riding and a slightly longer slope for heel and toe sliding practice. Next, a medium pitch slope is suitable for first turns. To gain more mileage and practice linking turns, beginners can move on to a long green run. Finally, they can challenge themselves on blue terrain while continuing to refine their skills.

Beginner snowboard playlist for additional guidance

For beginners seeking additional guidance and instruction, there is a beginner snowboard playlist available. This playlist contains various videos specifically designed to assist beginners in their snowboarding journey.

The beginner snowboard playlist offers a curated selection of videos that cover different aspects of snowboarding, from learning basic skills to more advanced techniques. By following this playlist, beginners can access valuable resources and gain insights from experienced snowboarders.

Favorite beginner gear recommendations

In addition to finding the right locations for learning, having appropriate gear is essential for beginners. Here are some favorite beginner gear recommendations:

1. Snowboard: It is crucial to choose a snowboard that suits the individual’s height, weight, and skill level. Beginner-friendly snowboards are typically softer and more forgiving, allowing for easier control and maneuverability.

2. Boots: Comfortable and properly fitting snowboard boots are essential for beginners. Finding boots with the right level of stiffness and good ankle support is crucial for maintaining stability on the slopes.

3. Bindings: Beginners should look for bindings that are easy to use and adjustable, allowing for customization based on personal preferences and skill progression.

4. Helmet: Safety should always be a priority, especially for beginners. Wearing a properly fitting helmet helps protect against head injuries and instills confidence on the slopes.

5. Protective gear: Consider investing in wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads to prevent injuries while learning and practicing new skills.

Consulting with professionals at a snowboarding gear shop can provide personalized recommendations based on individual needs and goals.

Conclusion

Choosing the right locations to learn and practice snowboarding is crucial for beginners. Starting in a wide open flat area for skating practice allows beginners to develop fundamental skills. Moving on to short mellow slopes for one foot riding and slopes with decent pitch for heel and toe sliding practice helps build control and speed management. Progressing to a medium pitch slope for first turns and a longer green run for mileage and linking turns allows beginners to refine their skills. As they gain confidence, attempting more challenging blue terrain can further enhance their abilities.

By following a beginner snowboard playlist and investing in appropriate gear, beginners can ensure a smooth and enjoyable snowboarding experience. With dedication, practice, and the right guidance, beginners can progress and become confident snowboarders.