Snowboarding is in fashion. Every year more people of all ages are encouraged to learn this fun winter sport that will increase your adrenaline and make you enjoy outdoor exercise to the fullest.
Not everyone has the same physical and mental ability to learn snowboarding at a good pace, so today we're going to give you some beginner snowboarding tricks to help you improve your level.
Choose a team according to your level and your height
Beginners usually start with fairly "soft" or "soft" snowboards. It is essential that you choose a table according to your height, your foot number and also your weight.
Let yourself be advised by the experts in the store until you manage to improve your level and you are more aware of the type of snow you like to practice:
- All Mountain (or All Terrain) snowboards: These are versatile boards that are suitable for all types of terrain, piste, off-piste or snowpark. They are usually the most common for beginners.
- Freeride snowboards: They are somewhat longer boards that are specially created to go to off-piste places with virgin snow.
- Freestyle snowboards: They are somewhat shorter and more manageable boards, perfect for making figures in the snowpark.
Apart from the board, it is essential that you have good equipment: suitable clothing, snow boots, helmet, gloves, goggles, etc. Comfort is essential to learn in conditions.
What is your favorite foot?
Trick: On an even surface, get on the board. Which leg did you instinctively put in front? It's almost certain that this is your favorite.
Generally left-handed people put their right leg behind (Regular mode) while right-handers usually put their left leg behind (Goofy mode). The leg that is behind is the one that acts as the "rudder" and is usually our strongest leg.
What is the correct position?
Do not stand totally rigid on the board, as you will lose your balance. It is best to slightly bend your legs.
As for the shoulders, control them 100% as they will also act as a rudder. The arm that you keep in front of you will be the one that has "the singing voice".
learn to brake
When the descent is very slow, we can brake by putting pressure on one of the heels, which will gradually reduce the speed. However, if the speed is a bit higher, this practice is not enough.
Learn how to do the “hockey stop”: press hard on the front edge of the snowboard (what is called “toeside” braking) or press on the rear edge (what is known as braking toe). “heelside”), and at the same time we must turn the upper part of our body decisively.
It is not easy at first, but with repetitions and patience everything is learned. This type of braking is much more abrupt than the previous one, and with it you will be able to brake better on steep slopes, when you have enough speed or when an unexpected obstacle that you need to avoid is put in front of you.
We hope that these simple beginner snowboard tricks will help you to get started in this fascinating sport.
Where to snowboard?
The Catalan Pyrenees is full of good stations for snowboarding at all levels, of course also if you are a beginner.
From Hotel Les Brases we recommend some of the following: Port Ainé, Virós-Vallferra, Sant Joan de L'erm, Espot Esqui, Tasvascan or Baqueira Beret ski resort, all located in the Pallars Sobirá region.
