The Complete Beginners Guide

So you want to get into snowboarding? Seen some Tiktoks or reels and thought “that looks pretty cool”? Or you’re looking for a new challenge and it’s always been something you wanted to try?

Well this is the right place for you. Our step by step guide offers all the information you need on how to get started in snowboarding, from what you really need, to where you can learn in the uk, to even exploring what you would learn when you start.

Just click on the chapter below and we can take you through each step with all the information you need to start your snowboarding journey. We’ve also created a full video for you here, along with guides on our Instagram and TikTok, so you can access this in which ever way works best for you.

If its specifically about buying the gear, you can check an in depth article and video here.

Where to snowboard in the U.K.

Snowboarding can be an expensive sport, and a lot of people get intimidated by the price of the sport, whether that’s the cost of that first trip, or the horror stories of a £35 burger in some swiss resort. This can be a major barrier to a lot of people choosing to learn, particularly in a world where everything seems to be increasingly more expensive.

For this reason, the best times to learn this sport are actually in the summer month. Yep, madness, doing a winter sport in the middle of the Great British Summer. But, due to our unique position as a nation with very very limited mountains and spaces. Because of this, the artificial slope scene in the UK is pretty massive, with slopes across the country ranging from Artificial Dry slopes, to indoor Snow Slopes.

You can find our little guide exploring the pricing of slopes across the UK here, with an extensive list of different dry slopes across the UK. Pretty much all of the UK’s top talent in snowboarding have stemmed from the world of Snowdomes and dry slopes, with a lot of the smaller dry slopes really offering quite a unique community oriented feel – something often hard to find in what seems like an increasingly complex and isolating world.

For our purposes though, we are going to split learning into two different types. The Indoor Snow Slope, and the classic Dry Slope.

The indoor artificial slope

These are the current beating heart of the UK snowboarding Scene, why? As honestly it is the next best thing to a mountain we have in the UK. Indoor slopes contain artificial snow in a giant fridge. They provide you with the experience of what actual snow will feel like. On a mountain it will of course feel slightly different, but as a place to learn, in a safe environment, without taking on the costs of travelling to the mountains this is an unreal facility. In the UK we have The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead and now in Manchester (previously known as Chillfactor), Snozone Milton Keynes and Snozone Castleford, and finally the legendary Tamworth.

These slopes are all quite different and have their own unique appeal, and for some, they are starting to feel their age a little bit. BUT they still provide an excellent place to learn.

BUT they can be pretty pricey. The big advantage they have is your lesson includes the hire of boots, a board and a helmet. However they do then charge additional for waterproof trousers and a jacket, not much but it can add up, and you will need to bring your own gloves – not those wollen ones, proper gloves – these can be picked up cheaply online, we have some advice about this on our equipment section here.

Lessons in domes are also ALWAYS much cheaper in the summer months, with centres starting to really push discounts. Some slopes like The Snow Centre in Hemel even offer socials where a drink is included at the end of the session for you to kick back and laugh off all the inevitable falls and hits you’ve taken throughout the course of the session.

Cost wise, well it’s not too cheap, we go over this in more detail in our slope guides, but lessons in seasons cost anywhere between £60-80 for two hours in the season. And usually a beginner needs around 5-10 lessons before they feel comfortable on their own. However, in the summer these prices are slashed in two, as centres try to fill the demand, whilst also offering further discounts on lift passes, monthly lift pass deals and tons of other offers which can really help make snowsports a little bit more affordable. The key here is choose to learn in the summer months when things are a bit cheaper and a lot more affordable.

Dry slopes

Dry slopes aren’t as fun to learn on. There I’ve said it. BUT they do offer something quite unique, and yes there will be a steep learning curve when you first go from a dry slope and onto a mountain or even an indoor dome, although not one that can’t be overcome quite quickly with a bit of an adventurous spirit. As an instructor for over a decade, I’ve found people do tend to find the shift to snow quite challenging at first, so if you do learn on a dry slope, its worth just doing a refresher lesson (usually an introduction to basic turns from toe to heel and heel to toe edge) at an indoor dome before you go to the mountain. Honestly, this will make the experience better and also give you a chance to feel what snow feels like. On a very basic level you have less friction on snow, so it feels faster and its harder to get grip needed to control and steer the board.

Also the dry slope tends to be a lot more affordable than their indoor slope equivalents and they do have quite a unique community orientated feeling. Most people that work in snowsports in the UK do it because they usually really really love the sports, and dry slope culture epitomises this. Plus, there are a lot more of them placed across the UK than there are domes. For example if you live down in Bournemouth, your nearest indoor facility will be Hemel, however, you have access to two dry slope facilities relatively local to where you are. Again you can check out our map here of different slopes and domes in the uk to find your nearest. But sometimes this convenience makes it worth it.

The other big downside is the surfaces you will be learning on. Dry slopes, although better than they were, still aren’t the nicest to fall on or scrape your skin against. We have a gear guide here for your first time both in the UK and abroad, but the most important thing for a dry slope is that your skin is always ALWAYS covered, as friction burns here can leave some pretty intense cuts and scars. Weirdly for dry slopes they are also a bit nicer if they are wet. I know that sounds a bit mad, but in the summer they can often just be a bit too dry and this can cause a few issues and mean you are trying to learn on quite a resistant surface. Which can be quite limiting in itself.

In a nutshell, try and make use of the facilities local to you to get into the sport, and then reinforce it by utilising the indoor domes across the uk. Not all domes are equal but honestly its a great entrance point into the sport.

All the Gear and No idea… Gear Guide

Next big question we get asked when teaching lessons to beginners is “where do I source my gear?” Well firstly, you can pretty much rock up to any indoor slope in the UK and hire the gear from them for your first lesson. In most cases, the board and boot hire are included in the cost of the lesson, but your trousers, jackets and gloves won’t be.

In fact the only thing you really need to have if learning at an indoor slope is a good pair of socks that cover most of your leg below your knee and a decent pair of gloves that won’t get cold and leave your fingers soaked.

We’ve done some pictures below of how your boots should look – along with a quick video here – when done up.

If you are going away to learn, or you’ve smashed your lessons in the UK and want to get out on the slopes, then again you can hire a board and boots in resort fairly competitively. However, you will want to source a jacket and some good trousers. In this next section we’ve split it up by location as to what you need to buy, as for a mountain you will need a semi decent pair of googles and we recommend buying a helmet – although these can be hired in resort as well.

First timer gear list – Dry slopes

Well on dry slopes you don’t want to wear your best mountain gear. Why? Because dry slopes tend to wreck your clothing. You want some thick comfortable trousers that will protect your legs from the surface. A dry slope is exactly that, a dry slope. The surfaces tend to be quite brittle. So you want something thats going to protect your legs from rubbing against the surface. A lot of people say you need snowboard trousers that will cover the boot, but the chances are you are going here to learn, and you might hate the sport. So a pair of tracksuit bottoms and some waterproof trousers (depending on the weather) are more than fine. I’ve even seen someone come in work wear as he said it was so much more durable on the slope when he stacked it.

I myself use a pair of old and beat up jeans that I’ve modified to flare out and cover the snowboard boot, and covered and waterproofed as they are hard wearing and super comfortable. Jeans aren’t recommended! I’m just trying to be cool and edgy and harp but to a time in my teens when all the cool kids did it at my local slope. You want trousers that are ultimately comfortable to wear and let you move around in.

Next up, its long sleeves. I tend to go in a t shirt with a hoodie over it. The golden rule is no exposed skin as when you go and slide on this stuff it can really hurt. You can get friction burns and honestly it’s just not worth the hassle to be slightly cooler in a t-shirt. If it’s raining, a waterproof jacket is always worth considering just to help keep you dry and comfortable.

Gloves. Get a cheap pair of waterproof snowboard gloves. You can pick up a pair online for pretty cheap. Try to avoid the knitted kind, mainly as these aren’t as durable and you want something that can protect your hands on the surfaces. Absolute Snow have some real bargains and quite a lot of options. I personally go with the mittens as I find these are a bit cheaper and keep my little fingies a bit warmer!

Helmets. At some slopes you don’t need to wear a helmet. But honestly you should. One slight knock and you can have a really bad concussion on your hands and its just not worth the risk. Slopes in the UK will have these to hire, so you don’t need to buy one, but if you are learning please do try wearing one as this could be the difference between a fall where you are laughing about it after, to a hospital trip. If you are going to commit to the sport I’d recommend buying one. We have a basic guide to this here which explores different types and what to look for.

Finally, Socks! Get some thick and comfy socks that go up to your knee. I’ve seen people rock up with training socks before you just can’t ski or snowboard in them. You can get these pretty cheaply and a lot of slopes will have a pair to buy.

First Timers Gear list – Snowdome

What do you need for a dome? Well in a nut shell you can literally rock up to these and hire all the gear. From trousers to jackets. And honestly, if you are trying the sport for the first time this isn’t a bad shout at all. It’s going to keep it affordable for you and let you see if you enjoy it. If you do, then start looking to invest in the essentials like a good jacket and a pair of trousers.

Helmets, these are standard and included in the lift pass in most domes now. The big thing here then is gloves and a pair of good snowboard socks. You cna get a pair cheap online on the likes of amazon, and an even better pair from a brand like Stance for about £25. Its a lot but they will last and feel a LOT better.

Next up its gloves. I get mitts, I love a mitten, its cosy. And I’m all about that cosy life. You can pick up a cheap pair, or buy a set of gloves from the centre when you go. The gloves at the centre will be fine for your purpose, but I’d always recommend getting a slightly more comfortable pair.

If you do want your own jacket, then we have a gear advice section here. BUT basically to keep it simple, look for sale items, and a jacket that is warm and with a good amount of waterproofing. Same with Salopettes/ snowboard pants.

In terms of what to wear, if you have a proper snowboard jacket, then a tee shirt will be just fine. You are going to be moving A LOT and using a lot of energy. When working indoors, even though its -6, people are always surprised how quickly they warm up, and you will be too. If you aren’t wearing a jacket, then a hoody under a waterproof jacket will be fine and cosy. If you get warm you can always ditch the hoodie as well.

First time Mountain Gear guide

You went big. Booked a trip away without a second thought and now you are 2 weeks out wondering what you need and realised you’ve done a startling lack of research. No stress. We got you.

Starting from the feet upwards we are starting with a must have, a good pair of snowboard stocks. No one ever talks about this but a good pair of socks that are going to feel comfortable are a real must have. The chances are on your first trip you are going to be using a pair of rental boots, and a good pair of socks can make a huge difference in a pair of boots youre feet aren’t used to. Blisters do happen and they can really disrupt your trip. Particularly if its your first time on a mountain and your feet aren’t used to the movements they are going to be making in a snowboard boot. So much of how we control a board goes through our feet.
I really like Stance socks, they can be a bit pricey but they are totally worth it and long lasting. But any decent ski or snowboard sock will do the job.

Salopettes are absolutely essential. But you don’t have to break the bank on a pair. The key thing’s I look for are a comfy fit, am I comfortable moving around in this pair and do they feel good flexing and moving in. Snowboarding involves a lot of movement and flexing at your knee and hip, so you want a pair that will let you do that.

The next thing is waterproofing. You are looking for something which has a minimum of a 10k rating. Higher if your budget will allow it. As a beginner you are going to spend a lot of time on your butt, so having a waterproof pair is essential. If you are on a budget you can always buy used. If you do, it’s always worth getting some waterproof spray – I used Nikwax – just to make sure they still have some waterproof protections.

You can also grab a pair for some vents. Again not essential but these can be super useful for hotter days when you need to release a bit of heat and get some air around your legs. These are Zips which usually open to a bit of mesh to just let some air flow through.

And finally, pockets with a zip. So this isn’t essential but my god it makes life a bit easier. Just to make sure your stuff is secure. I tend to ride with nothing in my trouser pockets except for some well placed snaaacks, but being able to quickly pop something in there, or store a lift pass or an additional credit card can just make life a little bit easier. Even having a big pocket to stick some gloves in quickly when stopping for a cheeky beer. Absolute dream.

Gloves.

A good pair of gloves and Mitts are 100% essential. Even for riding indoors or on a dry slope you should be wearing gloves. Mountains are cold, and gloves are ging to protect you from the weather. I’m a big fan of mittens, as I find it just keeps my fingers warmer. But also you can buy cheaper mittens and your hands will naturally stay a bit warmer as your fingers are closer together and you have less surface area for heat to escape than gloves. The down side are that it can be a bit more fiddly to use your bindings or do things in. Again waterproof are a must! You don’t want to rock up onto a slope with knitted gloves from the local corner shop. You need some proper ski or snowboard gloves. Go to a decent shop and ask or just check online to see what snowboard shops stock. You want a water proof glove as again, you will spend a lot of time in the snow and putting your hands in it. Thats part of learning. So a good warm, comfy waterproof glove!

Jacket

Just like trousers you want a comfy fit. One that lets you move freely. Baggy can sometimes be best for this to just let you move freely, although that does tend to mean losing a bit more heat if it isn’t well fitted. Its down to you, but it’s all about something that makes you feel good and comfortable and able to move freely and easily. Again waterproofing is essential. As is style. You want a jacket that makes you feel good, snowboarding is all about feeling good and looking cool, so find something that you like and will feel good riding in.

Layers

Layers are essential, but this doesn’t mean lots of thick hoodies under your jacket. I always tell people to invest in base layers. They don’t have to cost the earth and can just be something you would wear to the gym or for a run. Something thin but warm to help you keep warm on those colder days. Some people also say a good soft shell and that’s fine, but these can be expensive. So a good comfortable hoody that you can freely move in is also great. The reason we say layers, is that this means you can strip off if you get hot. Snowboarding is quite physical particularly when you are starting out and learning, so you can work up a sweat and you might want to loose a layer. You don’t want to loose that outer jacket as that’s keeping your dry and also offering a lot of protection from the wind. So having layers you can remove below that are going to make life a bit easier. You will find as you snowboard more, you will start to learn how many layers you will need for given conditions. On hot days I tend to just wear a big tee under my jacket, but on colder days I’ll have multiple layers to make sure I stay nice and warm.

Helmets

Just wear a helmet. You don’t have to buy one, you can hire these in resort, but honestly if you are going to stick with the sport this is such an essential item. Plus rental helmets can really carry the odor of their last owner.
A helmet can quite literally save your life, and its impact is massive. So just don’t be a muppet and wear a helmet. You can get a real variety and we explore these here, but basically something that fits well and feels comfortable. MIPS helmets are great and can be really affective.

Goggles

I’ve seen some people say Sun glasses are fine. They just aren’t. In Europe weather can change pretty quickly so you want a pair of goggles that are going to protect you from different weather types. Goggles are sealed at the side so its a lot harder for wind to get in. But also its going to protect you from glare and the risks of things like snowblindness.
If it’s your first trip a cheap pair with a general all conditions style lens is absolutely fine. I tend to ride with a couple, one for bright sun and one for cloudy days, but if it’s a blue bird or the weather seems a bit sketchy with clouds all day I’ll just stick to the one and risk it. In terms of more affordable brands, Melon Optics are great and offer a product that will last and fit comfortably. Again you want a pair that feel comfortable on your face, so try a few pairs and explore your options. Try to have the strap over the helmet. This is personal preference but people that go under look like tools. There I said it. We might do a cheap googles review in the future based off some weird brands off amazon, if so there will be a link here.

Snowboard Buff

A buff or facemask I think is essential for most beginners. You don’t have to wear it all the time BUT if its a windy day or a particularly cold one, this will help you massively with that. The wind on a mountain can be brutal when combined with the cold or with snow. Frost bite is super painful, so just keep your face safe. And it can also help with the sun

Sun Cream and lip balm

Sun cream is key. When you are on a mountain you are nearer to the sun, but you also have loads of reflective surfaces around you so you get hit by the sun in all directions. So protect your face. Also no one wants a goggle tan, it’s not cool.

Additional stuff

Other things to think about but aren;t essential are

In liners for your gloves, just to help keep you warm if its really cold

Crash pants. Now if you are going to stick with the sport or you already love it I’d say get a pair. You spend a lot of time falling on your butt when you are learning and throughout your snowboarding journey. So having some protection for your butt is a pretty good option.

Sun glasses. Having a pair of these are great for those apres stops on sunny days. I’m not a fan of riding in them, but a lot of people do in the spring months.

A beanie in a pocket is also always a good shout for when you stop and want to just take that helmet off and be a bit more cosy. Again not essential but I always have one to hand.

Things not to bring when learning

A backpack. Seriously, don’t bother. I get this a lot when people bring a backpack with them on their lessons and honestly, all it’s going to do is set your posture up wrong and affect your balance. A lot of people like to bring a backpack up the hill to store lunch or a go pro. And I get it, mountains are expenses. But its going to affect your riding when you are learning. By all means when you feel more comfortable go for it, for a long day it lets you pack some additional stuff and can help save you some cash. But for a learner you want to be in the best position possible to set yourself up to learn and improve as quickly as possible and this won’t do that. IF you are worried about cost, at lunch head down the hill and find a little local bakery or sandwich stop and grab something cheap to eat there. Or bring a backpack and if you are on a mountain with the option rent a locker for it. But these will hold you back when you are learning, particularly in terms of your posture on your heel edge, and for the toe round to heel turn.

Gear Buying advice

Okay, so when I was younger and probably a little bit cooler (only a bit) I hated the idea of buying used clothes. I think this was mainly from the trauma of teaching indoors and working close up with people and seeing just how much sweat one man can produce when they are charging up a small hill only to then power down it again. But also, one of the worst smells you will ever experience is a rental boot in an indoor dome in the middle of winter.

However, in the last ten years I’ve seen first hand how our impact on the environment has changed the mountain landscape, so I started for the first time a few years ago seriously looking and using used gear. Now I’m still not there yet to buy a used pair of boots (although I can tell you now people I know who have had found themselves finding virtually unused pairs for next to nothing), but picking up an ex demo board or a second hand jacket or salopettes can be a real bargain. Like any bits of clothing you can make some real savings by looking in this space, but also you are acting in a way that is ultimately more sustainable, stopping these clothes going into landfill and ultimately creating more damage to an already sketchy planet.

Goggles can also be found used and barely touched, these are quite expensive items but finding a decent used pair can give you an incredible product at a great price point. Basically, take some time and shop around, you can find some real bargains here.

The second big thing to utilise if you can is using summer sales or buying previous seasons gear. What does this mean?

Well like the summer collection at a massive chain goes on sale at the end of summer, winter sports are the same. And the discounts can be absolutely huge. In terms of jackets and trousers, although brands will tell you their new gear is bigger, warmer, better, cooler… ultimately the technology in a jacket isn’t changing massively, so buying something from a previous season at a huge discount is always a good shout. And this is true for almost anything from gloves to jackets.

If you’ve booked your trip super last minute and it’s the middle of season don’t stress. You can still find a bargain, just look for jackets that didn’t sell or are from a previous season and you will still find them heavily discounted. This approach will make that trip or this experience a little bit cheaper and will make all the difference to your bank account!

The only items I wouldn’t look to buy second hand are things like a helmet or any protective gear. Why? Well helmets like anything that protect you do have a shorter life span. And the more impacts they have taken the more fragile they will be. Also these are items that can last quite a long time and are worth investing in as they can really make the difference between a light fall laughing on the floor, to a concussion and a splitting headache (or much worse).

Key points:

Buy used! Save money!
Shop the sales hard.
Buy previous season gear, it will save you a fortune!

What will my first lessons look like? And what will I learn?

The range of expectations instructors get on a lesson is a little bit surreal. It ranges from the insane belief that someone will be throwing threes once they have put a board on to the idea that they will barely be able to stand up on the flat snow. In snowboarding you do actually make relatively quick progression, but every individual learns differently and quicker than others.

We created a video here which will show you exactly what you will be learning on each lesson, and explores the structure of how most people teach in the UK and in Europe.

Snowboard boots – the fit, the feel and (basically) everything you need to know

The Fit and how to wear them.

We are just going to leave this video here as this explains it all best, and this is one of those things that is a lot easier to see than to read about. So watching this!

What to look for when buying your own boots

There is a lot online about what boots to buy and brands are pretty good at signposting you to what there beginner range is. So our first big bit of advice is just go into a local shop and ask them. Talk to them about you, who you are, your feet and what is the best in your case.

Yep, pretty much making us non existent now. Basically ignore what’s online and go old school.

But in general you will find softer boots tend to be what brands mean by beginner boots. By going into a shop though they will also take into consideration your actual foot. Say if you need insoles in your running shoes you will most likely want them in your snowboard boots, and a shop can custom that approach to you. Getting the boots right is arguably the most important part of the kit. It means your feet aren’t in a situation where they are uncomfortable in a sport that is ALL about your feet. If you are going to spend a bit more, then a good pair of boots is where to do it. It will be the best purchase you make and if you are only going one to two times a year then these will be essential to your journey and last.

And just to flag it now, boots do take a bit of time to “break in” and make your own. Heat moulding can help with this process – this is where they mould the boot to your foot – but even then I tend to find the first few days in the mountain my feet will ache a bit as I get ready for the feeling of my boots.

Hiring a Snowboard and Boots: which one is right for me, and what should I look for.

About ten years ago I took my girlfriend at the time on her first snowboard trip, we went to Bulgaria, I left her to pick up her own hiring board thinking “what could go wrong”, when I cam back, she had been given a board that was WAY to big with a double positive stance (more on what this is later) from the 1980’s. Skip forward an hour to me finally convincing the rental shop to let me reposition the bindings to a ducked stance on a much more size appropriate board.

Now when you go to hire a board and a pair of boots its really important you take a minute to make sure you are happy with everything before you leave the shop. Firstly boots:

With boots you want to make sure the pair you have are in a reasonably good condition. At the domes and dry slopes in the UK the boots and boards are checked and maintained pretty well, but abroad, particularly in the more affordable resorts, the equipment can be a bit worse for wear. Make sure the boots have structure to them, do they feel pretty robust, or are they feeling a bit aged and too soft. Don’t be scared to asked to try on another pair that are a bit more durable. If you can fold the boot in half for example its probably a pretty sketchy pair and they just won’t feel great to ride in at all. What I will say is that beginners tend to want a “soft boot” but this doesnt mean one that doesnt support your foot. Don’t be fobbed off with an old worn boot by a hire shop by them saying “it’s just soft”, you will know if your foot feels supported or not so trust yourself and your judgment. You won’t get a brand spanking new pair to use, but it should still have structure to it.

In terms of fit, give our boots video a watch here for this info in a slightly nicer form, but you want them to feel comfortable and fit well like any shoe. You don’t want your foot to be strangled or feel too tight.

Things to look out for when Hiring a Snowboard

So the first thing you want to look for on your board is that it is the right size for you. Now most boards are actually done on the weight of the rider, BUT if a board is the same height as you its going to feel absolutely gross to ride, and the same goes for if the board is chest height – it’s going to feel gross to turn and use across a mountain.

What you are looking for is a board that is some where between where your Adams apple would be/is and your chin. Some people say all the way up to the nose, but its personal preference, I find when I’m teaching people on a board that goes above the chin, they really struggle with the first part of turning the board.

Also look out for a board thats quite flexible, you don’t want some stiff piece of wood from the 1980’s, but rather something that can give you enough to be able to twist and manoeuvre it.

The next thing is the bindings and how they are set up. You want a ducked stance when you are learning. What does this mean? well you want both your feet facing outwards. Usually at the same +/- angle (see picture below). This means as a beginner you can really be best set up to control your board and learn the key steering components on the snowboard. If we snowboard with a positive stance (both feet facing in the same direction) your body is going to be twisted in all sorts of ways. As you progress, playing with your stance is great fun and can massively improve your riding in different ways and for different terrain, BUT for your first few turns on a hill, having that ducked stance is going to be massive for you.

Buying your first board (a brief intro)

Okay, this is a bit of a minefield. I can not tell you the amount of times I’ve had people rock up to lessons with the wrong board, wrong stance, wrong everything. So here is the kicker. Don’t buy a board until you have tried the sport first and think you have a good feel for that snow is like.

Why you ask? Well you won’t know what good or bad feels like for one. Now this tends to be something where people get really excited, and buy something a good price point thinking all boards are born equal. Unfortunately, they are not. And even within great and decent boards out there there is a lot of variation.

For a beginner though you want an All mountain freestyle board. That would be our recommendation. This is going to give you the most mileage across the sport, from hitting the park indoors, to using them across a mountain, to even hitting those bits of powder at the side of runs. The freestyle side tends to mean its softer and more playful which is great for a beginner who needs a bit more forgiveness. Also try to look for a true twin option if you can. This is controversial and there are A LOT of reasons to disagree with this statement. But the thinking here is it allows you to easily move into using both feet to control the direction of the board and I find it tends to let people find an easier position to steer and control the board when they are early on in their snowboarding journey. It also means it’s easier to move into the park or just be a bit more playful across the hill.

Snowboard manufacturers will also sign post which boards are aimed at beginners and which are more advance. So have a look and a think about what ones tick the right box for you. The brands want you to have a good time on their products, just like the shop you buy from want you to have a good time on the things you buy from them. So ask, have a chat, be a human, find out whats right for you then give it a go! If you are really keen you can even do demo days are Domes across the U.K. and feel what its like to use different boards.

If you want a bit more specific advice about buying a board, we have an article set up here for you that answers some of the key questions. We’ve also put together a set up video of how we put our board and bindings together so you can see how this process works for when it comes to setting your first board up.

First time on a mountain: Where to go and what to do

This isn’t a resort guide. We are in the process of putting one together with a focus on first timers, but also on the idea of affordability. Price is the biggest barrier for many into snow-sports and as instructors we see this constantly, with people setting themselves unrealistic expectations in their own learning journeys and attempting to rush the process to try and save as much money as possible. The sports expensive and hopefully we can put something together to help navigate that.

This is however a guide of how you should approach a mountain on your first trip.

If you haven’t learnt in the UK get an instructor and lessons out there. This is a dangerous outdoors enviroment where things can and do go wrong, so play it safe.

If you have learnt in the UK get an instructor out there for the first morning just to show you the slopes and where the best terrain for your level is going to be. There is nothing worse than coming off a chair lift and realising you are in totally the wrong place for your level. And honestly there is no fun to be had in doing the safety heel edge down a black run whilst skiiers are wizzing past you. You will feel rubbish about yourself and your whole experience.

Piste maps explained

Piste maps are all over resorts and usually at the base and top of the lifts. These tell you what run can be found where, and also give you an idea of where you will end up. They can be a bit confusing, so don’t be too worried about huddling around one of the big signs in resort, and trying to understand them before you go.

They can also be found in paper form so you can fold them up into a pocket and are completely free. You can find paper versions at the main ticket offices of the resort you are in, whilst many even have apps now.

What does each colour mean?

Green: Beginner run, for those that are just starting out or have never Skied or Snowboarded before. Can be great for the first few warm up runs on a mountain. They are usually in quite sheltered and protected areas, however they can be quite busy with people learning for the first time

Blue: These runs are a bridge from beginner to intermediate. These are usually quite wide and open runs, with a nice gentle gradient.

Red: Red runs are now starting to get a bit steeper and are going to have more variable conditions on. you will pick up more speed and you want to be quite confident on a mountain before going onto one of these.

Black: These are expert runs. They are steep and sometimes ungroomed – meaning they are left in the condition they are with a lot of different types of snow and variable conditions. They can be quite steep and narrow and are something you should look to avoid as a beginner.

Snowparks

You will see Snowparks on a map with the symbols below. These indicate where a park is.

In a Snowpark, again features are normally clearly ordered into ability level. Always start on the beginner line, these are normally more rollers than kickers and very very flat ride on features. IF you are new to snowboarding just avoid this for now, it will cause more headaches then its worth.

Snowpark etiquette

This is a whole topic on its own – we’ve written a first time in the park guide just for this reason. So if you are looking to go into the park, that can be found here.

The rules of the hill.

So there are some rules we have to try and follow. They are called FIS rules, these are the list here. But the big one that isn’t included is don’t be a dick.

Yep. It’s that simple. Things will go wrong, accidents do and will happen and 99% of the time when there is a collision is a laughing matter where nothing was deliberate and it was a genuine accident. The mountains are for everyone and people are all going there to have a good time. So don’t be the guy that flies off the handle when some poor ski school kid looses control and taps your board. You are going to find falling over and things going wrong is a HUGE part of learning a new sport, so get used to it. People will make mistakes, people will cut you up, not everyone will be as polite or decent as you. All you can do it make sure you always the good dude in a mind field of chaos.

Rule 1: Respect for others
A skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he or she does not endanger or
prejudice others.

Rule 2: Control of speed when skiing or snowboarding
A skier or snowboarder must move in control. He or she must adapt their speed and
manner of skiing or snowboarding to their personal ability and to the prevailing terrain,
snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

Rule 3: Choice of route
A skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose their route in such a way that
they do not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

Rule 4: Overtaking
A skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and
to the right or to the left provided that they leave enough space for the overtaken skier
or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

Rule 5: Entering, starting and moving upwards
A skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving
upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slope so that they do not endanger
themselves or others.

Rule 6: Stopping on the piste
Unless absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste,
in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or
snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

Rule 7: Climbing and descending on foot
A skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of
the piste.

Rule 8: Respect for signs and markings
A skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

Rule 9: Assistance
At accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.

Rule 10: Identification
Every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must
exchange names and addresses following an accident.

Now hopefully this has given you a rough over view of everything you need to know before you go jump head first into your first snowboarding experience. IF there is ANYTHING you think we’ve left out, let us know, we are updating this constantly, and at the end of the day, it’s been a long time since we were just starting out, so your unique perspective could be huge in helping someone else.