How to Snowboard

Everything a Beginner Snowboarder Needs to Know

Female snowboarder jumping through air

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Learning to snowboard can seem pretty daunting at first, but with a little preparation and a positive attitude, you'll be making turns down the mountain in no time! Before you gear up and hit the slopes, take some time to familiarize yourself with a few core concepts, learn what you'll need to get started, and pick up some useful tips to ensure a fun first day of snowboarding.

Getting Ready to Snowboard

Much like the first day of school, being prepared for your first day of snowboarding can alleviate a lot of the anxiety and worries that go along with trying something new. Discover what you should buy, what you should rent, and what you should bring along for a successful first day on snow.

What to Wear Snowboarding

Dress for success. The clothes make the man (or woman!). Look the part. All of these sayings can be applied to snowboarding. Having the proper clothing will make your first days on snow more enjoyable and allow you to focus solely on learning to ride. These quick tips advise you on what to wear and what not to wear when learning to snowboard.

Snowboard Disciplines

Just like skiing, snowboarding can be divided into different disciplines—freestyle, all-mountain, and racing. Each discipline requires slightly different equipment and technique. Maximize your first few days on snow by deciding what type of snowboarding suits you best.

Go With a Pro

Snowboard lessons are a must, and the best way to ensure you'll be getting quality instruction is to request an instructor that's been certified by the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). Find out more about AASI and why learning from a certified pro is important.

Burton Snowboards' Learn to Ride Program

Successfully learning to snowboard requires the right attitude, the right instruction, and the right equipment. Burton Snowboards' specialized "Learn to Ride" (LTR) line of snowboards, boots, and bindings makes it vastly easier to pick up the sport.

How to Choose a Snowboard

Once you've narrowed down your search for a new snowboard, pop in here to ensure you're on the right track—learn about the different types of boards, sizes, construction and more.

Where to Buy a New Snowboard

After you've determined which snowboard is best for you, your next decision is where to buy your new board. Between the local shop, big-box retailers, the mountain shop, and online stores, where to buy your new board can be a tough choice. Consider the pros and cons of each type of snowboard retailer to be sure you're buying your new board from the right place for you.

How to Fit Snowboard Boots

Regardless of whether you buy or rent snowboard boots imperative. Ill-fitting boots make learning to snowboard much more difficult than it should be, so see to it that you know how a snowboard boot should properly fit before you ever step foot on the snow.

Snowboard Resort Profiles

You've got the gear, the clothing, and the positive attitude toward learning to snowboard. Now the question is, where to go for that all-important first day of snowboarding?

How to Get On and Off a Chairlift While Snowboarding

Riding the chairlift is the next step in learning the basics of snowboarding. Shake off the fear of the unknown by brushing up on chairlift-riding technique.