Snowboarding
A lesson, a rented board and wrist guards. The first day is about finding your front foot, sliding on one edge and getting up again.
What it is like
Snowboarding is riding down a snowy slope sideways on one board, both feet strapped across it. The first day is mostly about the two edges: sliding down on the heel edge facing downhill, then on the toe edge facing uphill, and a lot of sitting down and standing up again in between. Linked turns come with practice, and a lesson gets you there sooner.
Turns start with where you look and how you turn your shoulders and hips. Everyone first decides which foot leads. Regular riders put the left foot forward and goofy riders the right, and neither is better.
Like skiing, it is a hobby of whole days on the hill, with lift tickets and travel as the main cost. Once turns come easily, riders go their own way: carving on groomed runs, the terrain park, powder after a storm or, with avalanche training, splitboarding into the backcountry.
The slope rules are the same for skiers and riders. Stay in control, give way to the people below you, stop at the side where others can see you, and wear wrist guards: the wrist is where snowboarders most often get hurt.
- A session
- A day on the hill, from the first lift to the last run.
- A week
- Weekends or a week's holiday in season.
- Season
- Winter, from the first snow to the spring closing.
Outdoors · Solo, For two, With kids, A club
Kinds and styles
Groomed runs anywhere on the mountain, where everyone starts.
Jumps, rails and boxes in a terrain park, with its own signs and etiquette.
Fast turns on a clean edge on groomed snow.
Floating in deep snow after a storm, always with a partner in sight.
A board that splits into two skis to climb unpatrolled slopes, only after avalanche training.
Snowboard cross and parallel slalom, in clubs and on race courses.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You like the idea of riding sideways, as on a skateboard or a surfboard
- Falling and getting up a lot on the first days does not put you off
- There is a ski area that allows snowboards within a day trip
Maybe not, if
- A tight budget; lift tickets and travel are the main cost every season
- Sore wrists and a sore backside for a weekend sound like too much
- You want a hobby you can do every week of the year near home
What to buy first
- 01First-timer package: lesson, rental and beginner lift ticketOne price for the first day; the rental shop sets up the board for your stance$130
- 02Wrist guardsThe wrist is the most common place snowboarders get hurt (Wikipedia)Find it on Amazon$30
- 03Snow helmetProtects your head in a fall; buy one that fits rather than borrowingFind it on Amazon$140
- 04GogglesSnow and wind in the eyes make it hard to see the slopeFind it on Amazon$125
- 05Waterproof glovesYou put your hands in the snow every time you sit down or get upFind it on Amazon$48
- Everything you need to beginAbout $200 a month after that$473
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01Impact shortsPadding for the many sit-down fallsFind it on Amazon First weekend
- 02Base layer top and bottomWool or synthetic, not cottonFind it on Amazon First trip
- 03Own boots, fitted in a shopBoots fitted to your own feetFind it on Amazon Second season
- 04Neck gaiterCovers the face in windFind it on Amazon Cold days
- 05Season pass or multi-day ticketCan cost less per day if you ride often Once you ride often
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
From strapping in to linked turns on a green run, step by step
Snowboarding grew from the Snurfer toy of 1965 and became an Olympic sport in 1998 (Wikipedia). This guide goes from booking and setting up your stance to sliding on each edge and linking the first turns, with the slope rules from the National Ski Areas Association.
Warning: Before you start Snowboarding has a real risk of serious injury, and the wrist is the most common place riders get hurt (Wikipedia): wear wrist guards and a helmet. Follow the National Ski Areas Association's Responsibility Code: stay in control, give way to people below you, stop where you can be seen, look uphill before starting, follow signs, stay out of closed areas and use lifts as shown. Deep snow and tree wells can bury a rider who falls in; ride with a partner in sight (NSAA). Terrain beyond the ski area boundary is not patrolled or controlled for avalanches; do not go there without avalanche training, a beacon, shovel and probe, and the day's forecast from avalanche.org.
Many ski areas sell a lesson, rental and beginner-area ticket for skiers and riders alike. Two examples for 2025-26: Whitefish Mountain Resort, $99 for adults; Catamount, $165 with a two-hour lesson.
Regular riders lead with the left foot, goofy riders with the right (Wikipedia). Tell the rental shop which, so they set up the bindings.
With only the front foot strapped in, push along with the back foot like a skateboard, then rest it on the board and glide to a stop.
Strapped in, facing downhill, raise your toes to slide down on the heel edge; facing uphill, do the same on the toe edge.
From the heel edge, look and turn your shoulders the way you want to go, let the board point downhill and roll onto the toe edge.
Stance and edges
From above: a board with two bindings, the front foot on the left for a regular rider, and the heel and toe edges along the two long sides.
- A Toe edge Facing uphill The second edge. Step 5 →
- B Front foot Regular = left Goofy riders lead with the right. Step 2 →
- C Back foot Free to skate Out of the binding on lifts. Step 3 →
- D Heel edge Facing downhill The first edge to learn. Step 4 →
Steps 1-2Before the snow
- Step 1 of 8 · Before the snow
Book a first day
Many ski areas sell a first-timer package of lesson, rental and beginner-area ticket for skiers and riders. For 2025-26, Whitefish Mountain Resort lists $99 for adults and Catamount $165 with a two-hour lesson.
Most people: first-timer package (day one).
Start here First-timer packageBest forDay one
Lesson, rental and ticket in one booking.
Private lessonBest forNervous starters
An instructor to yourself; more expensive.
A friend teaching youBest forNot for a first go
Friends teach what they do now, not how to start.
Not for a first try - Step 2 of 8 · Before the snow
Set up your stance
Regular riders lead with the left foot, goofy riders with the right (Wikipedia). The rental shop sets the bindings for your stance; wear wrist guards under your gloves.
Goes wrong: Skipping wrist guards. The wrist is the most common place riders get hurt.
Steps 3-6On the beginner slope
- Step 3 of 8 · On the beginner slope
Skate and glide
With only the front foot in its binding, push with the back foot like a skateboard, rest it on the board and glide.
- Step 4 of 8 · On the beginner slope
Slide on the heel edge
Both feet in, facing downhill, lift your toes and let the board slide down on the heel edge; press harder to slow down and stop.
Goes wrong: Catching the downhill edge. Keep the toe edge up while you slide on your heels.
- Step 5 of 8 · On the beginner slope
Slide on the toe edge
Facing uphill, kneel or stand on the toe edge and slide the same way. Then drift left and right on one edge, the falling leaf.
- Step 6 of 8 · On the beginner slope
Ride the lift
Warning: CAUTION Watch a few riders load before your turn, and ask the lift attendant for help if you are unsure (NSAA).
Riders load with the front foot strapped in and the back foot free. Know how to load, ride and unload, and ask the attendant if you are unsure (NSAA Responsibility Code).
Steps 7-8On the mountain
- Step 7 of 8 · On the mountain
Link your first turns
From the heel edge, look and turn your shoulders the way you want to go, let the board point downhill for a moment and roll onto the toe edge. Stay in control and give way to people below you (NSAA).
Most people: green runs (first weekend).
Start here Green runsBest forFirst weekend
Gentle, wide and groomed.
A first blueBest forWhen greens are easy
Steeper; take it with an instructor or a friend who waits for you.
- Step 8 of 8 · On the mountain
Stay in bounds
Warning: WARNING Never cross a boundary rope or enter a closed area. Backcountry riding needs avalanche training, a beacon, shovel and probe, and the day's forecast (avalanche.org).
Off the groomed runs, deep snow and tree wells can bury a fallen rider, so ride with a partner in sight (NSAA). Beyond the boundary there is no patrol and no avalanche control.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Skipping wrist guards.
- Step 2 · Set up your stance
- Catching the downhill edge.
- Step 4 · Slide on the heel edge
How you get better
- Day 1Edges and getting up
A lesson on the beginner slope: skating, the heel edge, the toe edge.
- First weekendLinked turns
From heel edge to toe edge and back on a green run.
- First seasonBlue runs
Steeper slopes and smoother turns.
- After thatYour own direction
Park, carving, powder or, with avalanche training, splitboarding.
- Strapping in and out
- Skating with one foot
- Sliding on the heel edge
- Sliding on the toe edge
- The falling leaf
- Riding the lift with one foot free
- Linking turns
- Stopping on either edge
- Falling safely
- Reading trail signs
- The slope responsibility code
- Riding switch
Small things that help
- Take a lesson on day one.
- Wear wrist guards from the first run.
- Look where you want to go; the board follows your shoulders.
- Stop at the side of the run, where people above can see you.
- Ride with a partner in sight off the groomed runs.
- Stay out of closed areas and never cross the boundary rope.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Falling on outstretched handsThe wrist takes the hit. Wear wrist guards.
- 02Catching the downhill edgeIt digs in and throws you. Keep the uphill edge up off the snow.
- 03Sitting in the middle of the runRiders sit to rest; people above cannot see you. Move to the side.
- 04Riding tiredThe last run of the day is when legs give up. Stop while it is still fun.
- 05Ducking a ropeClosed and out-of-bounds terrain is closed for a reason.
Words you will hear on day one
| What it means | |
|---|---|
| Regular | Left foot forward |
| Goofy | Right foot forward |
| Heel edge | The edge under your heels |
| Toe edge | The edge under your toes |
| Falling leaf | Sliding side to side on one edge, a first exercise |
| Green circle | The easiest runs in North America |
Why people quit
- 01No lesson on day oneMost of a first day is falls and getting up. An instructor makes them fewer and teaches you to fall safely.
- 02Catching an edgeThe downhill edge digs in and throws you. Keep weight on the uphill edge until you choose to turn.
- 03Moving up too soonA run one rating too hard turns a fun day into a frightened one. Stay on greens until turns feel easy.
Words you will meet
- Regular
- Riding with the left foot forward.
- Goofy
- Riding with the right foot forward.
- Heel edge
- The board edge under your heels.
- Toe edge
- The board edge under your toes.
- Switch
- Riding with your other foot forward.
- Falling leaf
- Sliding down on one edge, drifting left and right.
- Catching an edge
- The downhill edge digging into the snow and causing a fall.
- Splitboard
- A board that splits into skis for climbing.
Questions people ask
How do I know if I am regular or goofy?
Regular riders lead with the left foot and goofy riders with the right (Wikipedia). Either is normal; an instructor will help you find yours.
Is snowboarding harder than skiing?
They feel different from the first hour, and people differ in which suits them. The surest way to find out is a lesson of each.
Should I buy or rent?
Rent for a season. A first-timer package includes rental, a lesson and a beginner ticket.
Do I need wrist guards?
The wrist is the most common place snowboarders get hurt (Wikipedia), so they are the first protection worth buying.
Are snowboards allowed at every ski area?
About 97 percent of North American and European ski areas allow them (Wikipedia), but not all; check before you book.
Where to go next
- 01Downhill skiingThe same mountain on two planks; many riders learn both. $443 to start
- 02SlackliningBalance training for the off season. $66 to start
How it compares
| Snowboarding | Downhill skiing | Slacklining | Kayaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $473 | $443 | $66 | $707 |
| Each month | $200 | $200 | Free | $10 |
| Space | A ski area | A ski area | Two trees | A garage wall and a lake |
| Noise | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet |
| First result | A weekend or two | 1 day for the first turns | First steps the same afternoon | 1 afternoon |
| Mess | Wet gear to dry | Wet gear to dry | None | Wet gear |
Where to learn more
- 01NSAA: Your Responsibility CodeThe ten rules every US ski area posts.
- 02Deep snow safetyTree wells and deep snow, and why to ride with a partner.
- 03avalanche.orgUS avalanche forecasts and course providers, before any backcountry riding.
Sources: National Ski Areas Association, Your Responsibility Code (2022) · National Ski Areas Association, Tree well and deep snow safety · avalanche.org · Whitefish Mountain Resort, First time lesson package · Catamount, Learn to ski or ride package · Wikipedia, Snowboarding
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.