"I want to start snowboarding, but where should I start?"
"Where is a ski resort that even beginners can enjoy?"
The first time I tried snowboarding, I once found myself standing frozen in front of the rental shop. There were so many things I didn't know, like the direction of the board, how to fasten the boots, the lift... But with just a few tips, I was able to have fun right from the first day.
In this article, I will briefly summarize the following based on my own experience.
- Snowboarding basics that beginners should know
- A list of things to bring that won't be a problem even if you're a beginner
- Easy practice you can do at home before you go
- How to choose a ski resort for beginners (with examples at the end)
Snowboarding basics that beginners should know
Below we will explain the basics of snowboarding that beginners should know.
- Why is snowboarding so popular?
- Snowboarding rules and etiquette
Why is snowboarding so popular?
The appeal of snowboarding is the special sensations you can't get from other sports, such as the sense of speed you feel when sliding down the slopes of a snowy mountain, and the momentary feeling of weightlessness you experience in the air when jumping or turning.
Furthermore, the fashion sense and flashy action are also part of the appeal.
In addition, because the activities take place in the mountains, rich in nature, it is popular as a relaxing time that allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and as a tourist spot with beautiful ski resort scenery, hot springs, and gourmet food.
Snowboarding rules and etiquette
When enjoying snowboarding, it is important to follow the rules and etiquette below and be considerate of those around you.
| Rules and Manners | Why it matters |
| Attaching a leash cord (a string that keeps the board from getting separated from the person) | This is necessary to prevent accidents where the board comes off and injures others. |
| Skiing within the course | Skiing off course is extremely dangerous, and if you get into an accident or get into trouble, there is a risk that no one will notice you. |
| When using the lift, it is generally prohibited to carry a board with you. | If you ride a lift while holding a board, you may lose your balance when getting on or off, increasing the risk of falling. In addition, your board may come into contact with other passengers or the lift mechanism, resulting in injury or disrupting the operation of the lift. |
| Don't sit down during the course | If another skier or snowboarder approaches unexpectedly, it becomes more difficult to avoid a collision, increasing the risk of an accident. |
By following the rules and etiquette above, you and others can enjoy snowboarding safely.
Snowboarding packing list for beginners
We will explain the following three points regarding the snowboarding equipment list for beginners.
- Introducing the basic equipment needed for snowboarding
- Useful items that beginners often forget
- How to choose clothing for a safe and comfortable snowboarding experience
Introducing the basic equipment needed for snowboarding
Here is a list of basic equipment you need to get started snowboarding.
| Equipment | explanation |
| Snowboard jackets and pants | It is waterproof and breathable, protecting you from the cold while allowing sweat to escape. |
| helmet | It is essential to protect your head and ensure safety. |
| goggles | Maintains clear vision and protects eyes from snow, wind and UV rays. |
| Waterproof gloves | It is important that the gloves protect your hands from impacts in case of a fall and are waterproof. |
| Innerwear | Choose materials with excellent heat retention to help maintain body temperature. |
| Snowboard socks | Ideally, you should get something special to keep your feet warm and comfortable. |
| Hip pads and knee pads | It reduces damage in the event of a fall and is recommended as protective gear especially for beginners. |
By having the basic equipment listed above, you can safely enjoy the fun of snowboarding.
Useful items that beginners often forget
We have compiled a list of items that beginners to snowboarding often forget, but are very useful to have.
| Equipment | explanation |
| Hip protector | It reduces the impact of a fall, allowing you to ski with peace of mind. |
| Skin care products | To cope with the dryness and strong UV rays on the slopes, lip balm, sunscreen, hand cream, and other essential items are essential for women. |
| face mask | It protects your face from the cold and wind and also helps prevent sunburn. |
| Coin purse | It is useful when purchasing food and drinks or using coin lockers, and your health insurance card will be necessary in case of injury. |
By preparing the items listed above, you can enjoy snowboarding more comfortably.
How to choose clothing for a safe and comfortable snowboarding experience
Choosing the right clothing is important to enjoy snowboarding safely and comfortably.
The ideal clothing is made specifically for snowboarding and is waterproof and breathable.
This prevents snow and water from getting in while allowing moisture from your body that builds up during intense exercise to escape.
Therefore, when considering purchasing clothing, pay attention not only to the design but also to functionality.
By the way, rentals are available, but if you plan to enjoy snowboarding frequently, it will be more economical and comfortable in the long run to have your own clothing.
The prices for the clothing vary widely, with some even being affordable for beginners.
Practice before your first snowboarding
Here are three things you should do before your first snowboarding experience:
- The basics of proper snowboarding posture and how to ride
- Recommended practice methods and steps for beginners
- How to fall and get up
The basics of proper snowboarding posture and how to ride
Learning the correct posture and technique when snowboarding is essential for a safe and comfortable ride.
The key is to always keep your knees slightly bent.
This lowers your center of gravity and makes it easier to maintain balance.
Bending your knees also allows your body to respond flexibly to sudden impacts and unstable snow surfaces, reducing the risk of falling.
When gliding, you can move smoothly by tilting your body's center of gravity in the direction of travel, but you need to be careful not to let your center of gravity shift backwards.
If the center of gravity is too far back, it becomes easier to lose balance and difficult to control.
Start by practicing the basic stance on a flat surface to get a feel for your center of gravity.
Recommended practice methods and steps for beginners
A recommended practice method for beginner snowboarders is to start by removing leaves.
In this exercise, you'll zigzag down the slope using your heel and toe edges.
By mastering this basic technique, you will develop a sense of balance on your snowboard and understand how to use your edges.
When you start practicing, make sure to keep your knees slightly bent and your center of gravity in the center of the board.
It is also important to check your basic position on a flat surface before starting to slide.
By mastering these basics before moving on to practicing turns, you will be able to enjoy snowboarding safely.
How to fall and get up
The first step to avoiding injury as a beginner snowboarder is to learn how to fall properly.
This is because snowboarding is a sport in which falls are inevitable, and beginners in particular are prone to falls due to unstable balance and immature techniques.
Therefore, to minimize injuries, you need to learn how to properly disperse the impact of a fall.
Below are some specific tips on how to move.
| How to fall | overview |
| Instead, use your entire arm to disperse the impact when you fall | Avoid using one arm to support your entire weight when you fall; instead, use your whole arm to distribute the force of the fall. Bend your arm to protect yourself, rather than placing your hand on the ground. |
| Protect your head | If you fall, keep your chin tucked in and your head off the snow to minimize the impact on your head. If possible, curl up the moment you feel yourself falling to prevent your head from hitting the snow directly. |
For beginners to snowboarding, practicing the above falling techniques to reduce your fear of falling is the foundation for enjoying snowboarding safely.
Next , regarding how to stand up, after falling, start in a kneeling position, pull the snowboard towards you, and use the edge of your heel to brace yourself and stand up smoothly.
If you are lying face down, use the edge of your toes to stand up.
If you absolutely cannot stand up, you can move to the side of the course for safety and remove one foot from the binding to stand up.
By keeping the above points in mind, you can enjoy snowboarding more safely.
How to choose a ski resort for beginners and its features
The most important factor for beginners when choosing a ski resort is to pay attention to the number of beginner-friendly courses available.
In particular, ski resorts with abundant natural snow and soft snow are ideal for beginners as falls are less painful.
For your first snowboarding practice, a wide, gently sloping course at the base of the mountain is a good place to learn how to stand and fall.
Also, if you want to experience the fun of skiing forward rather than sideways, we recommend a long, straight course.
Be careful, as choosing a ski resort with very rough terrain can hinder beginners' progress.
If you want to choose a better ski resort, please also refer to the following points.
- Easy access
- The size of the slope
- Fame
- Accommodation and hot springs
- Level of activities
- Clear sky rate
- Quality of the meal
- Convenient public transportation
By taking the above factors into consideration when choosing a ski resort, you will be able to enjoy snowboarding to the fullest.
A list of popular ski resorts for beginners across Japan
There are many ski resorts across the country that are recommended for beginners.
| ski resort | overview |
| Tambara Ski Park | It is easily accessible from the city center and has a wide variety of courses for beginners and intermediate skiers. |
| Kawaba Ski Resort | A board school is available at the snow park, creating an environment where even beginners can easily improve their skills. |
| Maiko Snow Resort | There are plenty of courses for beginners and intermediate skiers, so you can enjoy a variety of courses. |
| Madarao Kogen Ski Resort | There are a variety of courses to suit everyone from beginners to advanced skiers, and there is also a beginner's board course. |
| Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort | There are many courses for beginners, so even those trying snowboarding for the first time can enjoy themselves with peace of mind. |
| HAKUBA VALLEY Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort | The spacious slopes are perfect for beginners. |
The ski resorts mentioned above are well-equipped to allow beginners to fully enjoy the fun of snowboarding, making them the perfect places for first-time snowboarders.
If you're having trouble choosing a ski resort, we recommend visiting the ones listed above.
Common mistakes beginners make when snowboarding and how to fix them
Here are two common mistakes beginner snowboarders make and how to deal with them.
- Common mistakes beginners make when skiing and how to fix them
- Common snowboarding problems and solutions
Common mistakes beginners make when skiing and how to fix them
We have compiled a list of common mistakes that beginner snowboarders tend to make and how to correct them.
| Common mistakes beginners make when skiing | How to fix |
| Standing up facing the valley | When you stand up, it's important to hold the board horizontally and parallel to the slope, as this will give you more control when you launch. |
| Wants to make tight turns | Also, by making larger turns, you will be able to control your speed more easily and ski more safely. |
| Leaning back due to fear | Although fear can lead to a tendency to put your weight on the back, the basic principle is to ski with your weight on the front. By putting your weight on the front, you can prevent reverse edges and make it easier to maintain your balance. |
| Look down | It is important to always look ahead, as looking down can make it easier to lose balance. |
| Weight on the back leg | Also, if your weight is biased towards your back foot, it becomes difficult to control, so placing your weight on your front foot or putting your hands forward can help correct your line of sight and weight distribution. |
Keep in mind that the above mistakes can increase the risk of falls and injury and hinder your progress.
Common snowboarding problems and solutions
We have compiled a list of common problems you may encounter while snowboarding and how to solve them.
| trouble | solution |
| Contact with the skater in front | Recognize that the rider in front has the right of way and maintain a safe distance. |
| The danger of skiing off course | Due to the risk of avalanches, we avoid them and ski within the course. |
| Accessing other people's boards | Ski carefully and avoid hitting other people's boards. |
| Sitting at the lift exit | Avoid areas near the lift exits, and if you want to sit, sit somewhere away. |
| Sitting down during the course | Move to the side of the course and avoid getting in the way of other skiers. |
| theft | Store your valuables in a locker and lock your snowboard. |
| Lost | Avoid getting lost by wearing visible clothing and deciding on a meeting place in advance. |
By recognizing the above problems and implementing solutions, you can enjoy snowboarding more safely.
Summary of your first snowboarding experience
We will review the points introduced here for those who are trying snowboarding for the first time.
For beginners to enjoy snowboarding safely, it is important to learn how to choose the right equipment, basic snowboarding techniques, and how to avoid falling.
When choosing a ski resort, it's a good idea to choose one that has a wide range of beginner-friendly runs and check rental fees and a list of items to bring in advance.
Also, while snowboarding, it is important to be mindful of proper etiquette and safety precautions to avoid coming into contact with the person in front of you or going off course.
Keep these points in mind and enjoy the slopes to the fullest this season.