The Top Mistakes Beginners Make When Learning to Snowboard

20 July 2025

So, you've decided to take the plunge into snowboarding? Awesome choice! It’s thrilling, fast-paced, and brutally honest—because the snow doesn't lie. But let’s be real for a second: learning to snowboard isn’t exactly a walk in the park (or down the hill). Most beginners run into the same few snags, but the good news? These missteps are totally avoidable. Let’s dig into the top mistakes people make when learning to snowboard—and how you can dodge them like a pro.

1. Wearing the Wrong Gear

Alright, let’s talk clothes before carves. Snowboarding is a cold, wet sport, and wearing the wrong gear is like bringing flip-flops to a snowball fight. Makes no sense, right?

What You Should Avoid

- Wearing jeans. They soak up water like a sponge.
- Skipping gloves. Cold fingers = miserable time.
- Using rental boots that don’t fit. Your feet will be screaming.

Pro Tip:

Invest in waterproof snow pants, a breathable jacket, and snowboard-specific boots. And for the love of comfort, layer up. You can always take stuff off, but you can’t add warmth once you’re shivering.

2. Skipping the Lesson

This one’s HUGE. So many newbies think they can learn from watching a few YouTube videos or mimicking their friends. Don’t do it. That’s like learning surgery from Grey’s Anatomy.

Here's Why Lessons Matter

A certified instructor will:
- Teach you proper form from the get-go
- Show you how to fall safely (yes, that’s a real thing!)
- Save you from developing bad habits

It’ll hurt your pride less to take a lesson than to be the person sliding face-first down the slope like a human snowball.

3. Using the Wrong Stance

News flash: Not everyone rides the same way. Knowing whether you’re regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward) makes a huge difference. Riding in the wrong stance? It’s like trying to write with your non-dominant hand—not impossible, but unnecessarily hard.

How to Figure It Out

A quick test: Have someone push you gently from behind. Which foot do you step forward with to catch yourself? That foot should likely be your front foot on the snowboard.

4. Leaning Back Too Much

Fear makes beginners do one thing over and over: lean back like they're trying to stop a moving car with their heels. Unfortunately, snowboards don’t work that way.

Why It’s a Problem

Leaning back:
- Makes turning harder
- Kills your control
- Ends in painful wipeouts

Fix It:

Keep your weight centered over your board. Soften your knees. Think of yourself like a spring coil—not a straight rod about to topple over.

5. Ignoring the Basics of Edge Control

Ever seen someone careen down a hill, flailing like a drunk giraffe, before crashing into a snowbank? Yup, that’s usually because they didn’t learn edge control.

What That Means

Snowboards have two edges—heel and toe. Controlling which one is digging into the snow gives you the power to:
- Slow down
- Turn smoothly
- Avoid collisions (and mortifying moments)

Practice your heel-side edge first, then move on to your toe-side. Mastering both is your ticket to riding with confidence.

6. Standing Up All Wrong

Let’s be honest—getting up after a fall is one of the most frustrating parts of snowboarding. Some people end up rolling around like upside-down turtles.

The Right Way:

- From your back: Roll over to your knees, plant your toeside edge, and push up.
- From your stomach: Use your knees and hands to push off the ground.

Don’t just muscle it—use technique.

7. Trying to Go Too Fast, Too Soon

Patience, my friend. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and no one becomes Shaun White in their first afternoon.

The Consequences of Rushing:

- Increased risk of injury
- Building fear instead of confidence
- Learning sloppy habits

Take It Slow:

Focus on small wins. Master stopping, turning, controlling your speed. Speed and style will follow.

8. Not Looking Where You're Going

This one trips up everyone. Beginners often look down at their board, probably wondering, "Why am I falling again?"

Here's the Deal:

Where you look is where you go. It’s that simple.

Lift your eyes. Look down the slope. Trust your body to follow your vision. Think of your neck like a steering wheel—where you turn it, the rest follows.

9. Failing to Warm Up

Head straight to the chairlift with cold muscles? Big mistake. You’re pretty much asking for a strained calf or tweaked knee.

Easy Warm-Up Moves:

- Leg swings
- Arm circles
- Light squats
- A few jumping jacks

Does it look silly in the parking lot? Maybe. But pulling a muscle halfway through the day is way worse.

10. Letting Frustration Take Over

Snowboarding is a rollercoaster—for your body and your emotions. You will fall. A lot. Your knees will get sore. Your ego will take a few hits.

But hear this:

Everyone struggles at first. Even the pros looked like baby deer on ice their first time out.

What to Do:

- Laugh off the falls
- Take breaks when needed
- Celebrate little victories (like your first successful run!)

The mountain will be there tomorrow. Ride at your own pace.

11. Not Knowing When to Stop

One last run, right? Then another. Then—boom—you’re face down in a snow drift, exhausted, maybe even hurt.

Fatigue = Mistakes:

Most accidents happen when you’re tired and not thinking straight. Board smart. Call it a day before your legs turn into Jell-O.

12. Ignoring Snow Conditions

Snow is not just snow. Ice, powder, slush—they all ride differently. Beginners often don’t consider that and wonder why their board suddenly feels like it has a mind of its own.

Pay Attention To:

- Morning ice vs. afternoon slush
- Fresh powder vs. packed snow
- Visibility and weather changes

Ask locals or ski patrol for a heads-up. Understanding the snow you’re riding on is half the battle.

Bonus Tips for First-Time Snowboarders

Okay, we’ve covered the big mistakes, but here are a few rapid-fire extras to help you out:

- Keep your knees bent. Always. Stiff legs = faceplants.
- Use your arms for balance, not steering. You're not flying an airplane.
- Practice on green runs first. Don’t let your ego shove you onto a black diamond.
- Hydrate and fuel up. Snowboarding burns a load of energy.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Their Day 5 might be your Day 1.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Wipeouts

Look, everyone starts somewhere. And yeah, that somewhere might involve a few unexpected butt-landings. But every fall is a step forward. Snowboarding is as much about grit and attitude as it is about skill. Don’t sweat the stumbles—instead, laugh, stand up, and try again.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about loving the ride.