How to Get Started in the World of Snowboarding

1. GET THE RIGHT CLOTHING - I ordered some waterproof pants and a jacket off of eBay. Used is a good way to go. I started shopping for snowboarding outerwear about a month before I went so that I would be able to find good deals and spend as few dollars as possible. I wasn't sure I'd like it, so I didn't want to get carried away. I found a great Roxy jacket and matching pants for less than $70. They would have retailed for over $300. Instead, I splurged and spent money on the important stuff - warm Gore-Tex gloves and wool ski socks to keep my feet warm! Also, after what I experienced, I'd suggest a nice pair of kneepads to complement your snowboarding ensemble.

2. TAKE A LESSON - The first time I tried snowboarding, I didn't take a lesson. I let my best friend "teach" me (i.e., she drove me to the mountain and left me on the bunny slope). I spent the whole day falling on my face! It took me four years to work up the courage to try again. I took a lesson, and I definitely did a LOT better.

3. GO WITH SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS NO CLUE WHAT THEY'RE DOING - Snowboarding with a bunch of old pros can be embarrassing. I suggest you spend your first couple of times trying out the sport with someone who is going to spend as much time falling on his/her butt as you are. Trust me, you are going to fall - especially coming off the ski lift. It will be much more enjoyable to crash into someone who would have fallen down anyway - you won't feel as stupid or guilty.

4. RENT YOUR EQUIPMENT THE FIRST TIME - Don't buy a snowboard before you've tried renting one once or twice. I almost did that, and I would have regretted it. I ended up choosing a snowboard that was a lot longer than my original choice because of my experience renting. Plus, rentals usually have step-in bindings and boots, which are a lot easier to get in and out of your first time.

5. DO A LITTLE RESEARCH - It really helped me to find a few books and websites on snowboarding before I went. I was excited about learning, so I did a little reading before my trip to the slopes. I learned about the basics of turning and stopping and getting off the lift before I set foot into my lesson. Therefore, I already had an idea about what I was going to learn before I learned it. Sometimes it helps to visualize yourself doing something and understand it ahead of time. Since snowboarding can be a little scary the first time, it might help you to know the basics before you put yourself on a mountain full of other snowboarders.

6. LEARN TO FALL THE RIGHT WAY - Don't put your hands down in front of or behind you. That's a great way to break your wrists. Land on your butt as much as you can - that's where you have the most natural padding. If you took my suggestion and wore knee pads, falling forward shouldn't be too painful either.

7. DON'T PANIC ON THE SKI LIFT - Sure it can be a little nerve-wracking, but getting off the ski lift gets easier every time. Just make sure you position your board to go straight down the little hill, and try keep your balance. If you fall, the lift attendant will stop the lift and make sure you get out of the way safely.

8. TAKE THE BOARD OFF AND WALK - Most beginners are going to try to go down the mountain as slow as possible. This is a good technique to learn, however, if you make it to a patch that has a slight incline, you might not make it up. If the ground gets to flat for you to keep moving, you might have a hard time standing back up on your board. Snowboarding is like riding a bike or a surfboard - it's hard to stay up when you're not moving. Don't exhaust yourself trying. Just take a foot out of the board and skate or take the board off completely and walk until you find a good spot to start over.

9. TAKE A BREAK - You are probably going to be using muscles that you've never even used before. You're going to get tired. Make sure you eat a decent meal before you begin your snowboarding adventure, and take a little break after a few hours to replenish your energy reserves. Your body will thank you later.

10. DON'T GET FRUSTRATED - Just take a deep breath and concentrate on how much fun you'll have once you master the techniques of snowboarding. You'll be sore and exhausted after the first few times, but that's because you're spending a lot of time and energy standing back up every time you fall. Once you get the hang of it, it'll be a lot less work and a lot more fun.