Is Snowboarding Hard? 21 Things to Know [Tips to Learn Faster]

Is snowboarding hard?

Yes, snowboarding is hard, as it is very challenging to learn.  

You will have a lot of hard falls and sore muscles when you first start lessons, and if you try to go it alone, it will be even harder.

The real question is whether it is worth trying again once you go through the process of repeatedly falling while learning the basics.

Don’t worry, you are not alone, as we had more falls and crashes than we could count in our early days of snowboarding. 

We are here to help you understand what to prepare for and to provide you with all the beginner snowboarding tips you will need to mentally and physically prepare yourself to strap onto a snowboard.

Is Snowboarding Hard?

You are here because you are wondering, is learning to snowboard hard?

We are not going to lie and say that snowboarding is easy, as anyone that straps on a board for the first time will fall a lot and be very tired by the end of the day.

You may even wake up sore as snowboarding engages most of the body’s muscle groups, from heavily worked quads to the shoulder and back, which are used to get up after a fall.

The old adage that “snowboarding is hard to learn but easy to master” is usually true and means that once you get through the difficult start, you will be quickly on your way to shredding the slopes.

We combined our 30-plus years of snowboarding to provide you with everything you need to know to start snowboarding, from how to fall to what gear you need. 

11 Things to Know When Learning to Snowboard for Beginners

1. Be patient with yourself

If you start off your snowboarding adventures expecting to be carving down the mountain in your first couple of days on the mountain, you will be very disappointed.

It’s best to be patient when you start snowboarding, knowing that this sport requires lots of practice. 

In time, you will acquire the skills to be confident enough to take on more challenging terrain and throw down some fun tricks.

Each time you take a fall while getting off the lift or catch an edge carving down the mountain, you will learn valuable lessons to help you get better.

The process can require patience as most people cannot snowboard on a regular basis and have to partially restart the learning process each time they go ride.

2. Learn how to fall the right way

The hardest part of learning how to snowboard is recovering from unnecessary injuries that could have been prevented if riders knew how to fall correctly.

Nothing will slow the learning process more than a season-ending injury because you fell with a locked elbow.

First-time snowboarders can learn a few tricks to reduce off-snow recovery time, including using their hands to protect the back of the head from a slam.

Other falling techniques include making sure to bend your knees on a forward fall and to make sure to lift your snowboard off the snow so that it doesn’t catch.

Learning how to fall should be a top priority before arriving at a ski resort.

3. Take a lesson from a professional

It’s unnecessary to take a lesson, but we highly recommend it, and the more snowboard lessons you take, the better.

Learning to snowboard can be extra difficult if you try to learn independently or rely on information from friends who think they know more than they do.

Snowboarding can be very dangerous if precautions are not taken, like learning the ropes from a professional snowboard instructor committed to keeping you safe and having a good time.

These instructors help many new riders learn snowboarding fundamentals, and they know what you will do wrong before you even strap on the board.

If you plan to teach yourself, you may develop bad habits that make it harder to progress in the sport. 

We still take occasional classes after all these years of snowboarding to learn new skills like backcountry avalanche training.

Don’t let your ego get in the way of learning how to snowboard properly, so book a lesson and prepare to have a great time.

4. Other board sports skills may help

While the previous experience of surfing or skateboarding might not translate directly to learning to snowboard, it will help with getting used to the sideways sliding motion.

It will also help with your balance and proprioception, which is your ability to feel motion or things under your feet.

If you spent even a little time riding a skateboard down the sidewalk as a kid, you will have a leg up when you start learning.

For extra help developing your proprioception, try out a balance board, a great training tool for beginner to professional snowboarders. 

It also is a perfect gift idea for snowboarders and skiers to help with their balance.

5. Snowboarding can be physically demanding

Even highly athletic snowboarders will finish a day of hitting up the terrain park exhausted, which means it’s a good idea to be in good physical shape.

You will work muscle groups that normally do not get heavy use from getting up from falls and standing in a semi-squatted position for several hours.

While gravity does do most of the work getting down the hill, snowboarding is still an athletic endeavor that benefits from some cardio and strength training. 

If you dream of learning to snowboard in deep fluffy powder, you will want to be in good shape, as getting back up after a fall will leave you drained.

6. Always strap in while seated

There is no reason to show off and attempt to strap in standing up when you are new to snowboarding.

Getting securely strapped in a stable position is far more important than it is to rush to head down the slopes.

This time also provides a moment to focus and check your gear before shoving off. 

It is also important to vacate the landing area when you get off the lift and strap in out of the way.  

7. Learn how to skate on your snowboard

Unless you have snowboarded or skied, you probably are wondering why you would “skate on a snowboard.”

Well, there are times when snowboarders need to unstrap their back foot to push along flat sections of snow. 

This skill takes practice and is necessary for traversing between lift chairs and getting out of the way after getting off the ski lift.

While it will seem easy after mastering this skill, it is very awkward when you first start out. This is one area where experience in skateboarding will come in handy.

8. Wear the right snowboarding gear

There is nothing more important for enjoying a great day of snowboarding than having the right gear.

Snowboarding gear is expensive, and it is tempting to just use your old rain jacket or some lightweight gloves that you purchased for hiking.

You will end up soaked and freezing cold when you get to the top of the lift, and many people retreat to the lodge, wasting their expensive lift tickets.

It’s best to hit up your friends to borrow used gear that is out of their rotation before committing to purchasing new gear for your first day of snowboarding. 

This will also help you get a feel for what you look for in a great pair of snowboard pants and other gear.

There are also a few pieces of gear that are often ignored that can make the learning experience so much more enjoyable and safe.

• Neck Gaiter – Keep your neck and face from freezing on extra cold days.

• Wrist guards – Protect your wrists from sprains and breaks.

• Snowboard Helmet – Save yourself from a nasty concussion or head injury.

• Snowboard-specific socks – Keep your toes warm and your feet padded.

• Snowboard Goggles – The glare off of the snow can damage your eyes and make it hard to see.

9. Have a properly sized snowboard

People come in all shapes and sizes, and so do snowboards which can be properly sized for anyone who wants to ride.

The size of the board matters, and it can greatly affect your ability to master the skills necessary to be proficient at snowboarding.

Just because your 6 ft, 250-pound friend will lend you his snowboard to learn on doesn’t mean their board will work for you.

The best way to find out what size snowboard you should ride is to head to your locally owned snowboard retailer and have one of the team members show you a few boards and the different shapes and sizes.

If you are renting for the first time, they usually do a good job of pairing riders to the right size board.

Here is a simple chart to help you ensure you are getting a board that is just right for you.

☃️Here are the things to take into consideration when renting or buying a board:

• Length of the board – This is the most important of the three and is highly dependent on factors including the rider’s weight, height, and riding style.

• Style of board – There are several different types of boards ranging from park to powder boards, that are highly specialized. Start with an all-mountain board.

• Width – If you have big feet, you will need a wider board to prevent your toes or heal from catching when you carve.

10. Consider renting equipment for your first time

Only some people who try snowboarding fall in love with the sport, so it’s best to rent a board, boots, and bindings before going all in.

For many, it’s love at first sight, but for others, it is a big investment in equipment that sits in a closet that never gets used.

By renting equipment, you will get a chance to try out snowboarding without having to blindly commit before knowing if you want to spend your weekends driving in the snow.

Renting your gear will also allow you to find the right snowboard size and test out what works best for different conditions.

While renting can be expensive, it is a lot cheaper than buying gear you do not use.

• Rent or Borrow a Board – See if you know someone you can borrow gear from that is similar in height and weight.

• Buy Second-hand Gear – if you can’t borrow from anyone, consider buying used gear from ski swaps or REI Used Gear, which resells used snowboarding gear.

11. Don’t forget to factor in the snow conditions

For anyone interested in getting into snowboarding, it helps to start paying attention to the weather report, as the snow conditions will greatly affect your experience.

Learning how to ride a snowboard is hard enough, but try it in icy conditions that feel like you are on an ice rink.

There is a huge difference between a day that just received a fresh dump of snow and a cold morning following some warm sunny weather, which turns the snow to ice overnight.

The ideal conditions for learning are when the snow is semi-fresh, and the runs are nicely groomed but still soft enough to carve without sliding.

If you can be a little flexible with the days you plan to head to the mountain to snowboard, you can score yourself some great conditions for a better learning experience.

Not everyone is lucky enough to live just a short drive from the snow destinations in California or near snowsports meccas in Utah or Colorado, so you will need to adjust your plans to adapt to the snow conditions.

How Hard is Snowboarding? Your Top 10 Questions Answered

1. Is snowboarding hard to learn?

Snowboarding can be very difficult to learn as it is harder to balance when you are going slow, and going fast requires skills that come with practice.

There is also the uncomfortable feeling of being strapped into a board that naturally wants to turn downhill and speed up.

Unfortunately, there is no way to effectively prepare for your first day of snowboarding outside of balancing exercises. 

Learning to snowboard will be much easier for individuals who commit to lessons to help overcome the hurdle of mastering the fundamentals of this winter sport.

The hardest part about learning to snowboard is repeatedly crashing on the groomed hard snow, which can make people hesitate to speed up and test their skills.

2. Is snowboarding hard for beginners?

Anyone who tries their hand at snowboarding for the first time will quickly realize that snowboarding is hard for beginners.

Strapping into a board on a snow-covered slope feels very uncomfortable, and the techniques required for carving down the mountain feel unnatural.

Beginners will spend most of their first few visits to the ski resort falling as they gain the muscle memory and experience to handle the changing snow conditions and terrain. 

We highly recommend taking a lesson even if you have lots of experience in other board sports.

3. Do you have to be in good shape to snowboard?

Being in good shape is not a prerequisite for snowboarding, as gravity does most of the work getting down the hill.

However, the experience will be more fun and safer for beginners if you are in good shape and have done some full-body workouts.

Newbies to the sport of snowboarding spend a lot of time falling, and it can be hard on the body and exhausting to get up each time.

Eventually, every snowboarder will want to ride some fresh fluffy powder, and they will inevitably crash in a semi-flat section that will make them wish they were in better shape.

Elevation also plays a factor, as many ski resorts have base elevations well over 6000 feet, which means the air is thinner and may leave you out of breath.  

Any of the following workouts will make your learning experience better and more enjoyable.

• Mobility exercises like yoga
• Bodyweight leg exercises like squats and lunges
• Bicycle crunches and planks for core strength
• HIIT (high-intensity interval training)
• Cardio, including running and cycling

4. How long does it take to learn snowboarding?

With lessons, most beginner snowboarders can learn to snowboard well enough to handle any easy green runs at a resort within three to four days.

For those that choose to opt out of lessons, this process can be long and take a full season if they only snowboard occasionally.

Lessons are especially important if you plan on going snowboarding by yourself without the support of friends or family with some experience.

One of our good friends who wanted to learn to snowboard was proficient within a few runs, while another friend never got the hang of the sport after countless attempts.

🏂Factors that can affect learning to snowboard:

• FITNESS LEVEL – If you are in good shape, learning to snowboard will be easier, and you will be less sore the next day. 

Having good cardiovascular fitness will also help you stay focused at the end of a long day of snowboarding which can help prevent unnecessary injuries.

• COORDINATION AND BALANCE– Some people are just more coordinated and have a better sense of balance than others, which makes the sport easier to pick up. 

If you are a little clumsy, you can still snowboard efficiently, but it might take a few extra trips to get the hang of snowboarding.

• COMMITMENT – Snowboarding is not the sport to casually pursue, as the learning curve is tough at the start, and it requires committing to learning without too many gaps between days on the mountain. 

New riders will fall a lot and have plenty of bumps, bruises, and maybe a few injuries along the way. 

Testing the waters to see if you love snowboarding before going all in is a good idea.

• AGE

• LEARNING TO SNOWBOARD AT 30: While most individuals’ athletic performance peaks before thirty, their cognitive motor skills will have barely started to decline. 

This makes learning to snowboard at 30 years old a perfect time to embrace the sport. 

Thirty-year-olds also tend to heal fairly fast if they get injured, allowing this age group to take bigger risks during the learning process for faster growth in the sport.

• LEARNING TO SNOWBOARD AT 40: Individuals in their forties are still great candidates for learning to snowboard, but each person’s physical condition should be considered. 

If you are in good physical health and your joints are in good condition, then give snowboarding a shot and enjoy learning this amazing snowsport.

• LEARNING TO SNOWBOARD AT 55: Plenty of people 55 and older take up snowboarding with lots of success with years of riding ahead of them. 

Since snowboarding can be dangerous, it is a good idea to evaluate your tolerance to injury and consult with your doctor before hitting the slopes. 

• OTHER BOARD SPORTS SKILLS – If you have any experience with any other board sports, you may have a leg up on other newbies learning to snowboard.

Skateboarding and surfing do not directly translate to the skills required for snowboarding, but they will help you with a couple of other factors.

Balance is critical to snowboarding, and board sports help develop proprioception, which is your body’s ability to register what’s happening under your feet while communicating it to your brain.

The other factor is just being used to moving in a sideways motion, which is very different than walking, riding a bike, or skiing.

• ACCESS TO THE SLOPES – If you want to learn to snowboard, but the nearest slopes are a plane ride away at the ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, you might want to reconsider.

Learning to snowboard is much easier if you can string together as many days during a snow season to continue building on your previous lessons and practice.

If you are only going to be able to go for two days a season, snowboarding will take a very long time to get proficient enough to ride more than a few easy runs.

5. Is it hard to get good at snowboarding?

Yes, it is hard to get good at snowboarding, but the payoff is huge for those that are committed and hit the slopes enough to grow in the sport.

What is considered good at snowboarding is very subjective, but for most, it means being able to carve smoothly down the mountain and land a jump in the park.

To be proficient enough to accomplish these goals, it will take several seasons for most new snowboarders if they continually push themselves to progress.

If your goal is just to get down the mountain safely, that can be accomplished with just a few weekends of lessons from a professional instructor. 

6. What is the hardest part of snowboarding?

The hardest part of snowboarding is getting comfortable going fast enough to be able to carve, which makes it easier to balance.

For many, there is a mental block as turning downhill can be terrifying as they will pick up speed fast and either carve or crash. 

Learning to transition between the toeside of the board and the heelside is a critical but difficult part of the learning process.

The other hard part of snowboarding is falling onto the hardpack snow, which can be very jarring and can end in injuries and a bruised ego.

7. Is snowboarding dangerous?

Snowboarding can be moderately dangerous, and it can also be extremely dangerous, depending on your skill level and what tricks you are attempting.

For beginners who plan to stick to the easy runs or bunny slopes, the worst that usually happens is a concussion or a broken wrist. 

For more advanced riders, there is an elevated risk of severe injuries and even death for those that adventure into the snowpark or out into the trees.

Snowboarding has some inherent risks associated with the sport, but you can choose what level of risks you are willing to undertake.

Is snowboarding hard on your knees?

Snowboarding is significantly easier on the knees than skiing, but there are plenty of knee injuries from hard crashes every season.

The main knee injuries are ACL and MCL, which are caused by twisting while crashing and improper landing from jumps.

New snowboarders can beat up their knees from repetitive falling forward while learning to carve.

Is snowboarding hard on your body?

Yes, snowboarding is hard on the body when first learning the sport, but that tapers off as you develop some skills.

Expect to be very sore from falling after your first several attempts at learning to snowboard.

Snowboarding can be very hard on the body if you decide to hit the terrain park to try and land some tricks on the big jumps and rails.

Is snowboarding hard on your ankles?

Snowboarding is not particularly hard on ankles, but injuries are not uncommon.

Modern snowboard boots do a decent job of protecting ankles, but they are still flexible and leave the door open to sprains and fractures.

Skating on a snowboard is a technique where the back foot is unstrapped and used to push you forward on flat sections or when getting to the lift chair. 

While learning this skill, the front ankle can take a beating with lots of unnecessary twisting and falls.

Why is snowboarding hard on your wrists?

Snowboarding is hard on the wrists, as the natural reaction is to put your arms out when you fall. 

Learning to fall properly will help prevent these injuries, and beginners should seriously consider getting wrist guards, which may save a trip to the emergency room.

8. Is snowboarding harder than skiing?

It is common knowledge in snowsports that snowboarding is harder to learn than skiing. 

They also say skiing is harder to master, but that depends on what is considered mastery.

Snowboarding is unnatural for anyone with no board sport experience, and getting used to being strapped to a board is enough to get people to hesitate to try new techniques.

It is safe to say that it will take a little longer for most new snowboarders to get off the bunny slope than new skiers.

Is it hard to switch from snowboarding to skiing?

Yes, it is hard to switch from snowboarding to skiing, as it is a major shift from a single board that slides down the mountain sideways to two skis that move in a forward motion.

The switch is easier than starting from scratch, as experienced snowboarders will have a good understanding of how to move on snow.

As skiing is easier to learn, the switch from snowboarding will be faster than the other way around, as snowboarding is harder to learn.

9. Is snowboarding harder than skateboarding

Snowboarding is considerably harder to learn the basics compared to skateboarding, as most people can learn to skate around in a matter of minutes.

Snowboarding can take days to properly learn how to get down the mountain safely and efficiently. 

Both sports are extremely difficult when they move beyond basic skills and into doing tricks or picking up speed.

In our humble opinion, skateboarding is much harder to master.

10. Is snowboarding expensive?

Yes. Snowboarding is very expensive compared to a lot of other sports, as there are high price lift tickets and the equipment is very pricey.

There are ways to reduce costs, including buying a season pass to a ski resort, which will dramatically drop the price of a day on the mountain if you plan to ride a lot.

Another way to reduce costs is to go the sustainable route and only purchase quality used gear and equipment.

When starting your snowboarding journey, see if a friend will lend you some gear so you can get a feel for the sport before committing to buying.

FAQs: Is Snowboarding Easy?

How many days does it take to learn to snowboard?

Learning to snowboard can take as little as two to three days if you get instruction from a professional instructor, but it can take much longer if you try to learn on your own.

Several factors affect how long it will take to learn to snowboard, including:

1. The frequency between lessons or how often you go snowboarding.
2. Your coordination and ability to balance.
3. The snow conditions when you go to learn.
4. Your experience doing board sports like skateboarding.
5. Your physical health.

Bottom Line: Is snowboarding difficult?

After reading this, you should have a clear answer to the question, “is snowboarding hard?”.

Before heading up to the mountain to pay for an expensive lift ticket and rentals, weigh the pluses and minuses of whether snowboarding is right for you.

Believe us when we say you will take some lumps, but you will fall in love with the sport of snowboarding.