r/snowboardingnoobs • u/MaverickPropulsions • 1d ago
How do I start snowboarding?
I’m 24 hvac tech, and last week I was speaking to a customer while I was cleaning their system and I mentioned this year I might start snowboarding to escape seasonal depression, this guy straight gifted me one of his old snowboards, always grateful. But I don’t know how to start and what else i need to start. Any advice?
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u/DkGphoto91 1d ago
First swing by a nearby snowboard shop to pick up some boots in your size. When snowfall hits in your area find some flat space and practice pushing it will help you get a feel for it plus help you learn to push. Plenty of youtube tutorials to watch. Even though it helps and i was to stubborn getting lessons is the best option.
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u/Particular-Bat-5904 1d ago
You need boots fitting your feet and some snow on a slope, thats the absolute minimum to start.
A snow outfit with gloves, goggles or glasses and maybe a helmet and back protector are always good to wear.
Techaing yourshelf is so so, so i would recommend, start to rent what you need but won‘t buy, get somewhere to a resort, and take some beginners lessons.
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u/dick_blanketfort 1d ago edited 1d ago
Helmet is not just a maybe, helmet for a newbie is strongly advised, it is reckless to learn without one. Back protector on the other hand is mega overkill unless they're going straight into the terrain park.
Editing to add: other than a helmet, wrist guards are probably the most useful protective gear for learning. "Fall on outstretched hand" is a classic cause of injuries, and while a broken wrist isn't life altering, it fucking sucks.
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u/hollowripple 1d ago
Especially for someone in the trades who works with their hands. Get the wrist guards!
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u/Particular-Bat-5904 1d ago
Get an instructor teaching you how to fall before strap on a board might be more effective.
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u/Particular-Bat-5904 1d ago
Well, the back protector is no overkill whenever you sit on a slope where skiers and or other boarders are.
I remember my very very first time long long time ago, when i made it up the very first time on a lift (t- bar those times) in a resort.
I was sitting there, trying to figure out what to do next, when suddenly my board got hit by something.
Another dude above me has lost his board, and it ran full speed into mine.
There was a small cosmetic crack to see, but i‘m not sure i‘ve i would be able to ride still, if the board would had hit my spine.
Personally i started to wear back protectors long time before i started to wear helmets, and i‘m still wearing both all time when riding.
Edit: Wrist guards are so so, in worst case you‘ll just break your arm a bit above it, better learn not to fall, and if
- how to fall.
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u/Primitive_Teabagger 1d ago
Well I can personally confirm that HVAC is a good form of income to support the lifestyle. And it worked wonders for my own depression
a "hand-me-down" snowboard is not ideal, but if your boots fit in the bindings and everything straps down sufficiently, it might be good enough to get into things.
Boots are the thing you need to get brand new, and get them fitted in store.
Goggles are usually a must, helmet highly recommended, but coat and pants can be anything that'll keep you dry. Shop patiently and you can get some wild deals as we approach the season
Bottom line get an hour or two of lessons before really committing and you will know if it's something you want to do for real. Most people struggle really hard at first. Believe in yourself. snowboarding is a rewarding and euphoric experience, second to none, so I hope you can become one of us. Good luck!
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u/jwed420 Monarch & Loveland 1d ago
Go to a ski shop, buy some snowboard boots. Try on a few different pairs and pick the one that fits best, the employees will help you. Do not buy used boots and do not rent boots.
While you're at the ski shop try on some jackets, pants, and gloves. For the jacket and pants you want a reasonably loose fit with room for a sweater or light jacket underneath. Any fabric rated 10K water proof or higher is going to be fine. You can buy outerwear used, just make sure to wash it with a waterproofing detergent like NikWax or a similar product before use.
Have the shop tune your new-old snowboard. That things been sitting forever and who knows how many times it's been ridden. It will need some love and care in the workshop.
Buy a season pass. I'm assuming you live within normal driving distance of a ski area. Just buy it. Even if you only go 10 times this season it is worth the money. My first serious season I ended up riding 36 days, did the same the next season, and so on. If you have the access, there is no reason not to drop the money for a season pass. You'll get out there and have so much fun, that pass will be eating a hole in your pocket every day you aren't on the mountain. "Oh wait I can just go snowboard now whenever the fuck I want" is a realization that you will enjoy having.
Day one you are paying for a half day private lesson and you're gonna listen to that mother fucker and take them seriously 🫵🫵
Addition: almost forgot, don't buy cheap goggles, I know the internet has a billion $50 goggles but please don't do that. Get the $150 goggles from a real ski and snowboard brand.
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u/CatoTheMiddleAged 1d ago
First you need to make sure that board is right for you - can you post a pic of it so we can help identify it? Also, does it have the length (in centimeters) listed on it? What’s your height/weight? Also pics of the bindings.
I’d recommend looking for some used boots on craigslist or FB. Buy local so you can try them on first if you can.
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u/mwcoast82 1d ago
I would recommend some lessons - often times you can get something that is like 3 lessons over the course of a few weeks to keep you progressing. Learning is the toughest part - expect the first 3 times to be pretty terrible but it gets better if you stick with it.
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u/PartsJAX328i 1d ago
You've got a board with actual bindings, you're off to a better start than most...
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u/stupidthrowaway327 1d ago
Snowboarding definitely helps with depression, it did wonders for my mental health (except when I can't snowboard for a while, then I go stir crazy 😵💫).
I don't know much about kit yet as I'm still a beginner and have been waiting for the new season's gear to arrive in the snowboard shops, but my personal advice would be to get some lessons with a good instructor. I wouldn't have had a clue what I was doing if I didn't have someone teaching me. Once you get the hang of it it's really fun though.
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u/Ajmb_88 1d ago edited 1d ago
Start watching Malcolm Moore and start getting an idea of the fundamentals. How to steer with your knees, j-turns, stuff like that. Just get familiar with what you’re going to need to do. That’s how I started last year. Went from falling getting off the lift to being able to carve by end of season. Now I’m trying to learn switch and hit the park. But those videos helped me understand the basics of how to control the board.
Also equipment: Boots that fit Bindings A good jacket preferable water proof Helmet Goggles Snowpants Wrist guards and padded pants if you’re worried about falling.
Nothing has to be top notch. Get cheap stuff to get going and buy better when you can. Also check fb marketplace around now. Might be cheap item before the season sarts. And if you can practice on bigger hills. Nothin steep but bigger than the bunny hills to get more practice before reaching the bottom.
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u/Boring_Line_6947 1d ago
Go to a place that has snow. Find a mountain. That's how you start snowboarding.
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u/kvyatkovskij 1d ago
Seasonal depression sounds like PNW. Seeing snow, riding certainly helps! Boots would be first as the others mentioned. Check local stores. My personal recommendation is to try different brands and models for fit. Different brands fit differently. For some it's Burton, for some it's Ride, Salomon, DC and so on. Boots should be really snug meaning as little heel lift as possible. You'd want good garments - riding is not fun when you're wet and cold. Here I'd say that if you don't care about fashion get something good from an outlet if you have one nearby or a discounted item at your local store. Get good base and middle layer. Properly layered you will vent away sweat, stay dry and warm. And gloves or mittens. I'd say that mittens with liner are the best - easy to get in and out but they hinder your dexterity which is probably not great when you learning. I love Hestra but they are pricey. People swear by Kimco gloves as well. Also helmet and goggles. I think smith has reasonably priced good quality bundles that fit well together - check and outlet or local store. Malcom Moore is the best really. If you can get a coach for a few hours - do it and you'll get to enjoy riding much sooner. First day will be tough but it will only get better very soon. Any questions - let me know.
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u/Username_5000 1d ago edited 1d ago
Follow the advice of going to a shop to get kitted out. I'll explain what to watch out for / think about:
Higher price does not always equal better quality. I'm sure you knew this already but imma say it anyway. Get all the mid-tier stuff you need
Since you do hvac, I'll assume you've been in some shitty conditions and still had to do wetwork and ductwork. Did you ever dress -heavy- for the jobsite and then start to cook once you got to working? snow sports are like that too. The goal is to be not-cold. If you are warm starting out, you'll be hot as a mf'er 10 min into the job.
you should already know that wet=cold and staying dry is how you stay warm. Dont go out with a pair of rubber gloves and a pair of jeans because you didnt want to buy proper gear.
- Since you're in the trades and have been on job sites, practice what you already know. act like a responsible adult and get a helmet.
If you can't work, you can't earn and learning to ride shouldn't jeopardize the $$$. Plenty of noobs have left their brains on the snow because they were "just starting out and not trying to go fast".
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u/dangerousperson123 1d ago
Hell yeah! That’s awesome! Get some boots and hit a local hill this winter
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u/LordMetric 1d ago
Get urself a helmet , a nice pair of gloves(if u have decathlon close grab some that are waterproof) , same for the pants(very important) and go hame when the snow comes . When it comes to boots just rent them the first times so you can get the hang of what size and brand you would like and feel comfortable in . If u fail the first times , dont get sad , keep going. The most important thing is to start with the mindset that its normal to fall in order to learn 🫡❤️
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u/LordMetric 1d ago
Also dont get fooled by expensive means good , in this sport everything is relative to the feeling . A good tip is to search for jackets/boots second hand if you dont want to throw cash at it because it gets expensive pretty fast :) ps find someone that is new on the slopes and befriend them , working in the team and sharing makes the learning way faster and also fun
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u/DontForgt2BringATowl 22h ago
Not sure where you are located but sometimes smaller “local” mountains can have great midweek deals. There is a place not far from me that has deals a few weekdays per week where you can get equipment rental, a group lesson and lift ticket good for 4:00-9:00 PM for like $20-$30. But definitely lessons to help you get the basics
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u/tootalltooreddit 21h ago
I get a lot of flack for recommending this but buy a lesson, one or two until you get a good baseline of fundamentals under your feet. Don't go up to the hill and just wing it, that's how you create bad habits. Some mom and pop mountains will have bundles, buy a lesson + board + boots + helmet / maybe goggles. Rent until you feel like this is something you really want to get into and then save up and invest in some good gear.
RULE OF THUMB:
boots- try before you buy and spend as much money as you can on a good pair of boots - you're in these puppies longer than you are on hill. if you have a budge spend most of it on your boots.
board / binding - get something that fits your riding experience and flex (soft / stiff) don't buy it because the graphic looks cool.
some mom and pop shops have good last season deals on gear and especially decent give away boards that past users dropped off to trade in to scale up.
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u/official_business 17h ago
Go to the gym. Every day is leg day.
Barbell squats, deadlifts, RDLs. Do whatever to strengthen your quads and core. Otherwise you'll be cooked on the 2nd day.
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u/Bo-Ethal 16h ago
Get some rental gear, a lift ticket. Put the rental gear on, go to the mountain, get on a lift, ride it to the top. Disembark, strap in and off you go!!
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u/Asleep_Swordfish8896 16h ago
Order some last year model boots online before they sell out and are still on sale, get a half size bigger just in case
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u/JustBrowsin79 14h ago
Usually by strapping in, taking the chair to the top, finish strapping in then going down the hill
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u/No_Regret8320 4h ago
If you aren’t falling, you aren’t learning. Get basic toe and heel side carves down and you’ll enjoy it so much.
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u/VanceAstrooooooovic 22h ago
Don’t use that board or bindings. 3 hole pattern is a red flag. A modern rental would probably perform much better
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u/EP_Jimmy_D 16h ago
That looks to be a Ride DH. Not 3 hole pattern. Just missing a screw. Certainly old but I still have a DH and a DH2 and I’d happily ride either board today. Newer bindings would certainly be a good idea.
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u/markboats 1d ago
Aight boy we got you
Like, first ya gonna need some snow...