From Apply Now,
Your Guide to Snowboarding.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

So you've decided to try snowboarding. You've bought the gear, you've mounted the board... now it's time to learn to snowboard.

This article will take you through learning to snowboard in ten steps. Each step is listed in order so that you may progress logically from one step to the next. You may even want to print this article and take it with you to the slopes as you learn to snowboard.

Learn To Snowboard Step 1: Preparation Dress in comfortable, loose-fitting snow clothing. Don't forget gloves, goggles and a hat. Wrists are very vulnerable, especially for beginners. Consider wearing a pair of wrist guards and a helmet.

• Read more...What to wear for snowboarding

Learn To Snowboard Step 2: Get Into The Bindings In a flat area with the snowboard in front of you, place your front foot in the front binding. If you have strap bindings, strap both the toe and ankle strap until they are snug. If you have step-in bindings, step in and roll your foot around to make sure it is properly secured. Repeat with your back foot. Bounce around a little bit to see what it feels like to be strapped into a snowboard. Now, take out just your back foot (leave your front foot in its binding).

Learn To Snowboard Step 3: Baby Steps Take a few steps up a slight incline with your front foot in the snowboard binding and your back foot out. For this to work you need to start by facing your shoulders and toes directly up the incline with your snowboard going perpendicular to the incline. Take one step with your foot that is not attached to the snowboard, then lift your foot with the snowboard attached to it and take a step with the entire snowboard (keep it perpendicular to the slope). Keep taking steps until you are a little ways up an incline.

Learn To Snowboard Step 4: The Heelside Slide Sit down and strap both feet into the snowboard. With your snowboard perpendicular to a small slope, stand up so you are looking down the slope. Your weight will be mostly on your heels. Now point your toes on both feet just a little bit and you will start to slide down the hill. Pull back up on your toes to stop. Repeat this until you get the hang of pulling up on your toes to come to a stop.

Learn To Snowboard Step 5: Skating "Skating" is an essential skill to have for maneuvering through flat areas and getting on the chairlift. It refers to the way snowboarders push themselves along using their back foot while the front foot is in the binding. Practice skating around for 10 or 15 minutes before you go near the chairlift! Push off the snow with your back foot and slide your front foot forward with the snowboard. Your back foot can push from either side of the board, so try it first on one side and then on the other to see if one is more comfortable for you.