Let's not beat around the bush - learning how to snowboard is not easy. As an AASI certified snowboard instructor, I've taught hundreds of people how to snowboard, but even I'll admit it's not easy. Snowshoeing is easy. Snowboarding? Not so much. That's what makes it so much fun!
There are many different ways to learn how to snowboard - the ever popular "Follow me!" method, where a (once) trusted snowboarding friend drags his buddies to the top of the mountain and yells over his shoulder, "Follow me!"; then there's the traditional resort lesson route, be it a group lesson or a private, one-on-one lesson. Finally, there's the athletic guy full of determination who figures, "It can't be that hard, can it?" as he heads out to pound his body into a pulp in an effort to become a legit snowboarder. Each method works, albeit with different levels of success. I generally refrain from telling the story of how I learned to snowboard anymore, because no one believes me. Seriously. (If you're interested, drop me a line and I'll fill ya in!)
So how did you learn how to snowboard? Would you recommend your method to others? As a professional instructor, I have trouble seeing past what, in my opinion, is "the only way" - taking a lesson with someone like me at a resort. But I know there are other ways, and I know people have experienced success using these other ways. Don't by shy...let us know how you learned how to snowboard! You never know - someone might be influenced by your words, and end up a lifelong shredder!
Point your board here to fill everyone in on your "Learn how to snowboard experience!"
Comments
well i learned the follow the friends route – but the friends I followed (my boyfriend and one of his good friends) had lessons before going to eastern townships, where they had to apply quickly what they learned mere weeks ago.
By the time I was learning from them, they have been sbing for like 2 seasons.
Our friend’s idea was go immediately onto a gentle green (bigger than bunny hill, but still green) slope – (he had a guarantee that newbies will make it down the hill in one piece with ‘minimal’ damage in their first run) – heeling down. bunny hills are for the most part in ontario. It might be scary thought that omg we have to go on a chairlift and go down the hill at first but it really does work. I did a couple of runs doing heel – and the rest of the day sliding and j-turning down the hill. the next three or four times we went snowboarding – i was getting confident with my toe edge, and by the end of the season, I was s-turning confidently
also I had a friend who eventually became an instructor help too!
My bf attributes my learning to my previous years as a skier/in-line skater but I don’t think so.
now the deal is – that he teaches me how to snowboard, and i’ll teach him how to ski. I’m still waiting to complete my end of the deal
I learned from my boyfriend a few years ago, with a couple of his friends jumping in when I would get frustrated. I think lessons are usually beneficial, but he had been snowboarding for 13 years before he taught me and he knew what he was doing. He did such a good job that the season after he taught me he decided to become an instructor.