The Ultimate First-timer's Guide to Snowboarding

Having lived in Utah for almost ten years, it dawned on me this year I've never been snowboarding or skiing or even seen a Ski Slope in Winter. Finally, when an opportunity came up, I took it, seized the day, and have the sore muscles to prove it! Here are a few things I learned that may help or hinder your first-time experience on the slopes...

TIP #1: DRESS APPROPRIATELY

The night before I went, I realized I didn't have any REAL snow gear, nor did I want to rent any. I asked some friends what to wear, and most of them suggested LOTS OF LAYERS. I wore some leggings, a pair of workout pants, sweat pants, and more athletic pants over all of them. I then put on 3 long-sleeved shirts and a hoodie sweatshirt. Over that, I wore a thin but water proof rain slicker that went past my hips. I tied a strip of fleece around my ears and borrowed some good snow gloves from a friend. I also wore tall Soccer Socks over the leggings which kept my feet nice and warm but not hot and sweaty. All of this probably sounds weird, but the decision to go was on short notice and I was strapped for cash, like every college student, and didn't have the money to go out and buy expensive gear. I may have looked like an idiot, but I stayed warm and dry and comfortable the whole time I was there.

When dressing for cold, potentially wet activities, remember one simple slogan: COTTON KILLS. Cotton doesn't hold heat well at all and dries slowly. Cotton is fine to wear toward the outside, but you want the layers that will be closest to your body to be something other than cotton. Thermal Underwear, Fleece, spandex, and polyester are all good choices. The first long-sleeved t-shirt I wore was a workout shirt that breathes well. It helped keep my body dry and insulated. The rain slicker, also an excellent choice, helped me not feel too bulky, but the waterproof nature of rain gear really keeps you dry. Since you spend your first day on the slopes face-planting and/or falling on your rump in wet snow, staying dry is the most essential goal you want to accomplish, and proper attire is crucial. Obviously, if you can rent/borrow/buy some actual boarding clothes, go right ahead, but if you're like me, and have to stick with what's on hand, knowing what types of materials to choose comes in handy.

Other things that may be important to have:

EYE PROTECTION: I don't have very sensitive eyes, so I didn't have a problem not wearing eye protection. It is a good idea, however, to wear goggles or sunglasses. UV Rays bounce off bright, white snow and can actually sunburn your eyes, especially on a clear, sunny day.

SUNSCREEN: I didn't think about sunscreen and ended up with a minor sunburn after the day was over. (I also have olive skin and tan easily; you fair skinned ones need to have sunscreen as an essential item...)

TIP #2: WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TAKE AT LEAST ONE PERSON WITH YOU WHO HAS ALSO NEVER BEEN

Two friends of mine and I (one a first-timer like me and the other, an intermediate "veteran") decide to spend the day snowboarding at The Sundance Resort in Sundance, UT, which is about a 20 minute drive from where we live. My friend Amber and I ended up seeing each other a lot on the slopes since our skill levels were about even. We didn't see Rob, our veteran, very much because he could maneauver the slopes much better than we could. Keep that in mind when you decide to go with friends: If you're a novice going with an expert, don't expect to see your friend at all since he/she won't want to spend time on the bunny slopes waiting for you. It was nice to have someone with which to share the first-time experience. We ended up taking a lesson together, which turned out to be a lot of fun.

TIP #3: TAKE A LESSON!!!

If you're a penny pincher like me, you may scoff and have some of the same thoughts I had when deciding whether or not to take a lesson: "It can't be that hard...surely I can figure it out on my own..." I am here to tell you, you're welcome to try it, but don't expect to have much fun. Our instructor, who happened to be a friend of ours, taught us everything we needed to know, from proper Ski Lift ettiquette to going down the mountain, to falling the RIGHT way. There are tricks to it I could have never dreamed would be important. A good instructor wil teach you the proper way to fall (Trust me when I say there is a GOOD way to fall and a BAD way to fall), which is also a vital factor as to how much fun you will have while you are there. Our lesson was 2 1/2 hours long and cost us about $40, though it retailed at $65. It was WELL WORTH the price. Many places will combine the price of the lesson and the lift ticket for true first-timers and some even offer a student discount. When in doubt, ask; you may be pleasantly surprised what they're willing to do for you.

Because of the lesson, I was able to go down the slope without falling at least twice before we left. I know there is NO way I would have been able to have that much fun had I not taken the lesson. I can't stress how important it is to take a lesson. If you just can't afford it, at least get some good, in-depth tips from a seasoned veteran while you're there. The better experience you have, the more likely you are to go again.

TIP #4: BRING PLENTY OF MONEY FOR FOOD, WATER, ETC.

Like most tourist places, ski resorts have expensive restaurants and snack bars for patrons to utilize. Expect to spend at least $10-15 if you plan on buying food and drink while you're there. Bring a lunch if you can, and save on the cost. I didn't plan in advance, so I ended up spending about $12 for Water, Gatorade, and a bowl of chili. Most resorts have websites you can visit, complete with menus and prices, so do a litle research before you go. When in doubt, eat a hearty breakfast, and pack a lunch; you'll need something.

One thing I did do, however, was bring a protein bar with me. I kept it in my pocket and it definitely came in handy. You will be exerting a lot of energy snowboarding and you need to replace it with something. The food I ate before, during, and after kept me going.

TIP #5: GET EXPERT HELP WHEN BEING FITTED FOR YOUR BOARD AND BOOTS

Amber and I had coupons for free snowboard rentals for a day at a local Campus Outdoor store, and the guys there helped us get boots and a board that were appropriate for us. Neither of us had a clue what to get, but they helped us at every turn and our gear fit us well. The last thing you want are boots that are too big or too small bothering you the whole day. You also need a board that's appropriate for your height, so if you're 5'3", don't expect to be able to just borrow your friend's board if the friend is 5'10" tall; it's not gonna work. Proper fit will ensure a pleasant time and cut your chances of serious injury.

TIP #6: ALLOW AT LEAST 24 HOURS FOR YOUR BODY TO RECOVER

Unless you're a professional athlete, expect to use muscles you didn't know you had. You will be sore in places you didn't think could get sore. Case in point: I face-planted quite a bit. Since I didn't want to ACTUALLY face-plant in the snow, I would jerk my head up before I hit the ground; it's a natural reflex. This movement did a number on my neck and, for 2 days, I couldn't lift my head up if I was lying on my back. The same went for my friend. Plus, we were just plain exhausted from falling so much and going down the mountain, trying to stay up on the board.

You WILL use all of your core muscles, muscles in your legs, arms, etc to maintain your balance on your board. Snowboarding is a full-body work out; treat it as such. Stretch your major muscle groups before, during and after your experience, and your body will thank you for it.

TIP #7: WHENEVER POSSIBLE, GO THE DAY AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF GOOD SNOWFALL

We went on a Monday after an entire weekend of good snowfall. We couldn't have asked for softer powder or better conditions. Our veteran friend kept saying he couldn't just sit down and rest; the conditions were too good and he wanted to get in as many trips down the mountain as possible. Our instructor kept commenting on the great conditions as well. Just remember, the longer it's been since the last snowfall, the more packed-down the slopes will be. If the snow is packed down, it will feel like concrete when you fall. If those kind of conditions are unavoidable, that's fine, just be prepared.

When all was said and done, i had a lot of fun snowboarding for the first-time. Though a spur of the moment adventure, the advice I took from friends coupled with common sense enabled me to have an enjoyable experience, one that guarantees I will go again. Do a little research before you go. Be prepared and take precautions to stay safe. The more fun you have the first time, the more likely you are to go again, a key quality to any recreational activity.