Taking up snowsports is an exhilarating decision.
Whether skiing or snowboarding, millions of enthusiasts flock to mountains each year in search of adventure, fitness and fun. In the 2022/23 winter season there were 11.6 million active skiers and snowboarders in the US alone.
Those numbers are only increasing year on year.
The issue is…
Most beginners make key mistakes that hinder their progress. Skipping basics, buying the wrong gear and generally trying to rush development. The result? Frustration and apathy before they even get started.
But there’s good news.
Perfecting the right techniques allows anyone to learn to ski or snowboard quickly and safely.
Here’s what you’ll learn…
- Why the right gear is essential for beginners
- Effective skiing techniques for first-timers
- Snowboarding basics that actually work
- Why snowsports are so good for your health
- Key mistakes to avoid on the mountain
Why the Right Gear Is Essential for Beginners
Before hitting the mountain, new riders must start with the right equipment.
That’s where most beginners go wrong. Renting budget gear or using old equipment from friends only results in a negative first experience. One that turns many people off snowsports for life.
Here’s the thing…
Getting properly fitted equipment makes the learning process so much easier. When first starting your snowsports journey these are the basics:
- Properly fitted boots – The most important piece of equipment
- Appropriate skis or board – Shorter more forgiving options for beginners
- Quality bindings – Connect boots to skis/board and impact control
- Helmet – Mandatory safety gear
- Layered clothing – Warmth and dryness are key
Once ready to invest in their own kit, beginners can buy ski bindings from specialist retailers. Ensuring safe and high-performing equipment from the very first day.
This is a market that’s only getting bigger year on year. The US skiing and snowboarding market reached $5.53 billion in 2023 according to Grand View Research. It’s also forecasted to grow 5% annually.
That growth is also fuelling the number of options available to beginners.
Essential Skiing Techniques for First-Timers
Learning to ski doesn’t need to be a complex process.
Mastering a few core techniques before progressing to more advanced movements is essential. Trying to rush this early development is the biggest mistake beginners make.
The Pizza Wedge
Before trying any other techniques, all skiers must learn the pizza wedge.
Point the tips of the skis together while leaving the backs of the skis apart. This forms a wedge shape that naturally slows movement. Wider wedges equate to slower speeds.
Practice this repeatedly on gentle slopes until it becomes second nature.
Weight Distribution
The way a beginner skier distributes their weight is key to progression.
Maintain weight centred over the skis with slightly bent knees. Leaning too far back is the most common beginner mistake that causes loss of control. Leaning too far forward will send skiers tumbling over the skis.
The sweet spot is a relaxed athletic position right in the middle.
Turning Basics
Once the pizza wedge has been perfected, it’s time to learn how to turn.
Shift weight to the outside ski while keeping the wedge position. The ski will naturally carve in that direction. Alternating weight shifts links turns together.
It really is that simple.
Begin with wide sweeping turns and gradually progress to tighter movements. Speed control comes from size and frequency of turns not forcing skis from side to side.
Snowboarding Basics That Actually Work
Snowboarding has a steeper initial learning curve than skiing.
But with the right approach, progression can come extremely rapidly. The sport added over 800,000 new participants in the 2023-24 season alone.
Finding Your Stance
The first step before anything else is determining which foot leads.
Regular stance = left foot forward. Goofy stance = right foot forward. Neither is inherently better, it’s all about natural preference.
An easy test is to have someone gently push from behind. Which foot steps forward first? That’s likely the natural lead foot.
The Falling Leaf
This classic snowboarding technique is a great way to practice edge control without speed.
Facing downhill, slide sideways across the slope on the heel edge. Shift weight from toe edge to heel edge to change direction. Build up confidence and muscle memory.
Linking Turns
The holy grail for beginner snowboarders is linking heel to toe turns.
Find a gentle slope with plenty of room. Initiate a turn by looking where you want to go and shifting weight to the new edge. The board will follow the movement naturally.
Practice this motion on green runs until it becomes automatic.
Why Snowsports Are So Good for Your Health
Snowsports provide incredible fitness benefits most beginners ignore.
Calories Burned
An hour of skiing can burn 350-400 calories for most adults. Snowboarding has similar calorie burn while working slightly different muscles.
This means a full day on the mountain can incinerate 2,000+ calories without the feeling of a traditional workout.
Muscle Strengthening
The constant squat position required by skiing and snowboarding creates massive leg strength.
Quad, hamstring, glute and calf muscles all get heavily worked. Core muscles engage throughout for balance. Even ankles and feet gain strength from the constant micro adjustments needed.
Mental Health Benefits
Fresh mountain air is great for mental wellbeing.
The combination of physical exercise, natural surroundings and thrill of the sport produces endorphins which reduce stress and anxiety. Participants regularly report increased sleep quality after days on the mountain.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on the Mountain
Beginners keep making the same mistakes over and over.
Recognising and avoiding these key errors significantly speeds the learning process:
- Skipping lessons – Professional instruction saves weeks of frustration
- Starting on runs that are too difficult – Stick to beginner terrain
- Dressing inappropriately – Cotton kills warmth when wet
- Ignoring fatigue – Most injuries happen when tired
- Looking down at feet – Eyes should focus ahead not below
Learning the hard way through others’ mistakes is always preferable to first hand experience.
Wrapping Things Up
Learning the basics of snowsports can open the door to a lifetime of mountain adventures.
The key is to focus on core fundamentals before rushing development. Proper gear, technique and patience are what separate the haters from the lovers.
Here’s a recap of the key points:
- Invest in properly fitted gear from day one
- Master the pizza wedge or falling leaf technique
- Take lessons from qualified instructors
- Start on beginner terrain and progress gradually
- Enjoy the added health benefits along the way
With millions of people signing up to snowsports each year, there’s never been a better time to start. The mountain is calling.
Andrea Bell is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter:@IM_AndreaBell
