Snowboarding Made Easy: Step by Step to Shred the Slopes by Dr. Shawn Keller
Snowboarding is a fun and exciting way to enjoy the snow Whether you're dreaming of carving down a mountain or landing cool tricks in the park, the journey starts with learning the basics. With some practice and patience, anyone can become a confident rider
As noted by Dr. Shawn Keller, if you’re new to snowboarding, your first step is learning how to stand and balance on the board Find out if you’re “regular” or “goofy” this means deciding which foot goes in front. A quick way to test this is by seeing which foot you naturally use to kick a ball. Once you know your stance, get used to strapping into your board and standing on flat ground before heading to the slopes
Begin with gentle, beginner-friendly hills Practice gliding, stopping, and turning You’ll use your heel edge to stop and turn one way, and your toe edge to turn the other way These moves might feel hard at first, but with a few tries, you’ll start to feel more in control. The key is to keep your knees bent, stay relaxed, and look where you want to go, not at your feet
After getting the hang of basic turns and stops, you can move on to intermediate skills like linking turns smoothly and carving Carving means using the edge of your board to make clean, curved paths in the snow. It’s a fun way to ride and helps you go faster while staying in control.
Once you’re feeling confident, try riding “switch ” This means riding with your opposite foot forward. It’s challenging at first, but it helps improve your balance and opens the door to
freestyle tricks You can also try small jumps and simple tricks, like grabbing the board or doing a slight spin.
For advanced snowboarders, the focus shifts to style, speed, and creativity. Tricks like 180s, 360s, or sliding on rails take time and practice. Always warm up, wear the right gear, and progress at your own pace The more time you spend on your board, the better you’ll get
Snowboarding is a journey full of fun and progress Every fall teaches you something new, and every ride gets you closer to your goals Whether you ride for fun, sport, or the thrill, remember everyone starts as a beginner, and with time, you’ll ride like a pro.