What To Expect On Your First Snowboarding Trip

First of all, first-timers at snowboarding should bear in mind that this vigorous winter sport is not for the faint-hearted.

The adrenaline-pumping activity requires a lot of courage and determination, especially when the only way you can pick up snowboarding is through a series of falls.

Besides the obvious difficulty factor, there are also other considerations one should bear in mind before heading up the snowy mountains. Most newbies are shocked by the costs of a snowboarding trip and how their outfits could affect their snowboarding performance.

Here are 10 Things To Expect on Your First Snowboarding Trip.

#1 IT IS A PRICEY WINTER SPORT

A snowboarding day trip easily rakes up hundreds of dollars and is an extremely pricey winter sport. You have to pay for transportation, rental of snowboard, equipment hire, chairlift pass and more. If you are planning to stay over at the mountains, do expect to pay another couple of hundreds more. It is best to gather a group of friends for overnight stays at the mountains as a two-night stay in a serviced apartment could cost at least half a grand.

A return trip from Mount Buller to Melbourne on a coach will cost about A$100/ S$103.

Rental of snowboard and boots for one day in Canada costs about C$45/ S$50. A one-day chairlift pass in Switzerland costs approximately CHF50/ S$72 and costs about A$114/ S$110 in Falls Creek.

Do note that prices vary across resorts and countries, and the exact cost fluctuates each year.

#2 CHAIR LIFT PASSES ARE ESSENTIAL

A chair lift pass is costly but necessary. You do not want to go through the impossible uphill task of dragging your heavy board up the snowy mountain. A few first-timers have made this silly mistake and ended up only going down the slope once throughout the day. Chairlifts will easily take you around the mountain and allow you to explore other runs that might have better scenery.

#3 WEAR APPROPRIATE OUTFITS OR SUFFER

Make sure that your ski jacket, pants and gloves are all waterproof. You are bound to fall endlessly given that it is your first time snowboarding. Falling on the snow guarantees a wet bottom and you definitely will not want to be wearing anything non-waterproof.

Do also wear a beanie, comfortable socks and neck warmer to prevent frost bites. Snow goggles will protect you from ice, snow blindness and UV rays.

#4 YOU ARE GOING TO PERSPIRE

It sounds bizarre to be perspiring in a snowy climate but you will be surprised by how much heat you are emitting during this vigorous sport. Avoid wearing too many garments as your movements be simultaneously restricting and suffocating you. Ideally, wearing a non-cotton thermal clothing underneath your lightweight waterproof ski jacket will suffice.

#5 EITHER PURCHASE OR RENT EQUIPMENT

If you are determined in picking up snowboarding as a regular hobby, purchasing high quality snowboarding equipment might actually be a wise investment in the long run. But simply rent your gear from any ski rental shops if it is only going to be an one-off activity.

#6 PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

Decide which foot you are most comfortable with and place it at the front of your snowboard. The terminologies used are ‘regular’ and ‘goofy’, where the former means your left foot is placed forward while the latter means the right foot is the favoured frontal position. There is no right or wrong positioning – it is simply a matter of preference.

#7 FALLING IS THE FIRST STEP TO SUCCESS

This sounds cliche, but it is true that you are never going to learn if you never fall. Learning it the hard way is indeed the only way to pick up snowboarding. Embrace the fear of falling because you are going to fall countless of times anyway. Snowboarding is an adrenaline-pumping sport and the euphoria you experience after will make every single fall worth it.

#8 YOU CAN TAKE DAY LESSONS

There are daily guided lessons taught by experienced instructors who understand the pain of picking up snowboarding.

As a first-timer, you will be allocated to level 1 where you will be taught the most basic techniques. These lessons are not cheap but will allow you to pick up snowboarding way faster.

#9 WEAR PADDINGS TO LESSEN THE DAMAGE

The impacts of a major fall could be disastrous but you can reduce the damage by wearing paddings around your buttocks and tailbones. Wearing hands, wrists and knee protections can also help to avoid damaging twists. Wear a helmet too for maximum protection as there are instances where you could be tumbling down like Humpty Dumpty.

#10 EVERY RUN IS DIFFERENT

Before you venture off a different slope thinking that they are all the same – you are wrong.

Each terrain is marked by a different level and they could be of beginners, intermediate or advanced. It is at times hard to gauge the steepness due to poor weather condition and you will be surprised at the speed you are snowboarding at. Only proceed beyond beginners’ slopes after you have mastered the basics.