First snowboarding trip - how to prepare?
Just a moment and the first snow will fall. Is it time to finally make those plans for a snowboarding trip with friends come true? We've got a hint... YES! Snow-covered slopes, blue skies, evening parties, and complete mountain-style chill. Doesn't that sound like a dream? As you can probably guess, we love winter (especially winter spent on the slopes), and in this article, we'll tell you what you should do and know before your first snowboarding trip so you can love it just as much.
The first step is something many people (we'd venture to say most) skip, but which can be very helpful and make your first descents easier: physical preparation. We're not talking about rigorous Olympic training here, but rather a pleasant set of strength and stretching exercises that will make you feel more confident and stable on the board. Build a strong core by doing crunches and planks, and improve your overall fitness and mobility by running and stretching. Stretch especially around your hips. Strengthen your legs by doing things like squats and lunges. Remember to warm up before hitting the slopes. After a long day of riding, it's helpful to do some relaxing stretching to avoid muscle tension and soreness.
The second thing is to invest in good clothes and accessories. A waterproof and breathable jacket and pants are a must. Buy ones that make you feel and look great. Feeling good and confident are essential on the slopes. Invest in high-quality boots – they're definitely the most important element of your snowboarding wardrobe. For your first winter outing, also buy a set of protectors. Especially protective shorts for your hips and tailbone – you need to be prepared for a lot of falls (often painful) before you start riding like a pro. You can also consider a so-called turtle boot to protect your back.
What else can you do before you start riding the lift uphill? Get in the right frame of mind! Watch videos of descents or competitions, do some reading, or watch a cool movie where snowboarding plays a key role. This will boost your enthusiasm and excitement, helping you overcome any insecurities and stress before your first descents. Be sure to rent well-matched equipment on-site. Tell the rental company it's your first time and spend enough time choosing a good board. Also, take advantage of the help of an instructor who will help you with your first steps, help you avoid beginner mistakes, and get started riding properly right away. Remember, it's very difficult to break bad habits. Start with a beginner, learn the basics, and before you know it, you'll be zipping down the slope with other experienced riders.
Good luck!
The first step is something many people (we'd venture to say most) skip, but which can be very helpful and make your first descents easier: physical preparation. We're not talking about rigorous Olympic training here, but rather a pleasant set of strength and stretching exercises that will make you feel more confident and stable on the board. Build a strong core by doing crunches and planks, and improve your overall fitness and mobility by running and stretching. Stretch especially around your hips. Strengthen your legs by doing things like squats and lunges. Remember to warm up before hitting the slopes. After a long day of riding, it's helpful to do some relaxing stretching to avoid muscle tension and soreness.
The second thing is to invest in good clothes and accessories. A waterproof and breathable jacket and pants are a must. Buy ones that make you feel and look great. Feeling good and confident are essential on the slopes. Invest in high-quality boots – they're definitely the most important element of your snowboarding wardrobe. For your first winter outing, also buy a set of protectors. Especially protective shorts for your hips and tailbone – you need to be prepared for a lot of falls (often painful) before you start riding like a pro. You can also consider a so-called turtle boot to protect your back.
What else can you do before you start riding the lift uphill? Get in the right frame of mind! Watch videos of descents or competitions, do some reading, or watch a cool movie where snowboarding plays a key role. This will boost your enthusiasm and excitement, helping you overcome any insecurities and stress before your first descents. Be sure to rent well-matched equipment on-site. Tell the rental company it's your first time and spend enough time choosing a good board. Also, take advantage of the help of an instructor who will help you with your first steps, help you avoid beginner mistakes, and get started riding properly right away. Remember, it's very difficult to break bad habits. Start with a beginner, learn the basics, and before you know it, you'll be zipping down the slope with other experienced riders.
Good luck!
