Ask anyone who has spent even a little bit of time on the snow and they will tell you that snowboarding is amazing. It’s a fun wintertime activity enjoyed by millions of people across the globe.
However, it does take a bit of time to get good at. It’s quite physically demanding as well.
Does this make it hard?
Well, that also depends on who you ask. Some find it easy, while others think it’s quite difficult. We’ll look at both arguments below.
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1. Snowboarding is Physically Demanding
As fun as snowboarding is, it does take some serious physical skills. You don’t have to be an extreme athlete or in the best shape of your life to enjoy it, but it’s a pursuit that can leave you sore and feeling beat up.
That goes double if you push your limits. You need to have some basic athletic ability to snowboard. and you also need to be prepared to fall.
Snowboarding’s physically demanding nature makes it tough. However, that difficulty is also part of the reason why it’s so much fun.
It takes a lot of effort and energy, which makes getting good at it that much more rewarding. The sport can be hard to learn, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be only focused on the fun.
2. Snowboarding Involves Harsh Weather
Snowboarding obviously takes place in the snow. That means the weather can rapidly change and go from friendly to rough in a hurry. Some people might be fine with those shifting conditions, while others might find them irritating.
If you don’t mind the cold, you’re sure to find snowboarding easier than someone who does not do well in frigid temperatures.
In reality, there are plenty of ways to deal with cold and wet weather while you’re riding. Modern technologies have made snow pants and jackets extremely effective at keeping you warm and comfortable no matter how cold it gets outside.
If you equip yourself with high-quality gear, the cold won’t be a problem. If you aren’t prepared for bad weather, however, you’re going to have a tough time.
3. The Basic Skills Can Be Hard to Learn
If you’ve never snowboarded before, the basic skills needed to have fun in the snow can take a little while to learn.
Everyone gets the hang of them at a different level through their own experiences on the snow, which means there’s no one way to tell how long it will take to pick up such skills.
Just know that if you have no experience at all, you can expect to put some serious time into learning before you get comfortable on a board.
A good way to learn these basic skills is to take a lesson with a good instructor or ride with your friends or family who are better than you. You might struggle at first, but the more you stay with it, the better you will become.
An instructor will equip you with tips on technique and help you with basic maneuvers that can speed up the learning curve and make it easier overall.
A key aspect of working through the initial difficulties when you’re learning is to have patience and put in a lot of practice. You might be frustrated when you see other riders all around you with better skills, but remember they also had to learn at some point.
It’s ok not to be natural. In order to get better, you have to put in the work and the practice. That can be hard but it’s definitely worth it.
4. Other Boardsports Can Help
If you have experience with other board sports like skateboarding or surfing, you’ll be much more comfortable on a snowboard than someone just starting out cold.
Those sports are similar to snowboarding because of the way you position and move your body to control the board. Even so, it’s important to note that they are not identical to snowboarding.
Don’t assume that because you’re good on a board off the snow, you’ll be good on it. It will still take some practice, but the movements should come to you in less time than they would for other people.
Nothing makes up for practice, but prior knowledge does help.
5. Everyone Has Their Own Experience
There’s no easy way to say if snowboarding is hard or easy because everyone has their own experience with learning. Some skills that you find easy might be hard for someone else or vice versa.
That doesn’t make snowboarding any more easy or difficult, it just means each rider will learn at their own pace based on their natural abilities and how much time they put into getting better.
FAQs
Here are a few common questions relating to how hard snowboarding can be.
Can you learn to snowboard in a day?
Yes, it’s possible. You aren’t going to become an expert in a day, but you can pick up the basic skills and get down a run in a single day. Some people are naturally better than others, so it’s difficult to say whether you can learn how to ride in one day.
How long does it take to learn snowboarding?
This will vary from person to person. If you are a natural, you might pick up the basics and become a pretty good snowboarder in a single season. It can take other people a few years to get beyond the basic level skills.
Can I teach myself to snowboard?
Totally. The best way to learn how to snowboard is to get out there on the mountain and go for it. You can learn a lot through trial and error, and you will improve your ability if you ride on your own. I also suggest learning from an instructor or friends because it can be faster.
How dangerous is snowboarding?
Snowboarding comes with potential risks and dangers, just like any other sport. As long as you take proper safety precautions (like wearing a helmet) and don’t ride outside your ability level, it isn’t super dangerous. But if you take risks and ride dumb, the dangers are for real.
What is the most common body part injured in snowboarding?
Wrists and knees are probably the most common injuries that occur when snowboarding. Falling or catching an edge can result in these injuries. When you fall, it’s natural to put your arms out to break your impact, and that’s how wrist injuries occur.
It’s Worth It!
Snowboarding can be hard for any of the reasons mentioned above, but it also is one of the most exciting and fun experiences you will ever have. It’s totally worth pursuing even if it’s difficult.
There are plenty of difficult tasks in life that are worth the work. If you put in the time and energy, you’re going to have a good time.
The best things in life aren’t always easy, but that doesn’t mean they should be avoided.
When you tackle hard tasks head-on, you will surely get better at the activity and learn how to deal with adversity. Remember, a hard day on a snowboard is better than an easy one at work!
About Lorraine