Learn Snowboarding: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started

Over the past few decades, snowboarding has become an increasingly popular winter sport, one which can be practised in a variety of different formats, from freestyle to jibbing to big air and beyond. So many of the tricks that can be performed on a snowboard go viral around the world and this helps to inspire the next generation of snowboarders.

If you want to become part of this community, but don’t really have a clue where or how to get started, you might be keen to learn more about how to learn snowboarding for beginners. In this ultimate guide to how to learn snowboarding, that’s exactly what we’re going to outline. Here, we’ll go through the timeframes for practising the basic skills and much more.

How long does it take to learn snowboarding?

It’s important to understand that it can take quite some time to learn snowboarding. Even though you may want to know the secret of how to learn snowboarding fast, there is no cheat code and the only way to get better and to master the sport is through practice, practice and more practice.

To give some examples of the timeframe you might be looking at if you’re about to begin your first snowboard lessons, it is estimated that most adults can learn the basic beginner snowboarding skills in around two to five days, if practising for six to eight hours per day. In other words, by the end of one ski holiday, you should be able to handle most of the basic skills, which include falling in a safe manner, gliding, J-turns and traversing. As for advanced snowboarding skills, it could take between three to seven days to master the more difficult tricks of the trade, again if practising for six to eight hours per day.

Of course, when it comes to how long does it take to learn snowboarding, these above timeframes are only estimates and a number of factors could change how long the learning process takes. For example, children or older adults may require more time to get to grips with the various snowboarding skills. On the other hand, the journey might be quicker for you if you have experience on other types of boards, such as skateboards, or if you have a particularly high level of fitness.

The correct use of gear can also speed up the snowboarding teaching. You’ll want to use a snowboard which suits your height, weight and skill level. A good rule of thumb is to choose a snowboard that reaches your chin when standing on its end from the ground up.

At the end of the day, each person’s process to learn snowboarding will be individual and unique and, therefore, it will take a slightly different amount of time in each case. It’s also worth keeping in mind that it’s not so binary as you might think, and that you can enjoy the sport and call yourself a snowboarder even as you continue to advance up the scale, from level 1 snowboarding (being a complete beginner) to level 4 snowboarding (being an intermediate) to level 8 snowboarding (being advanced).

Grandvalira, the best place to learn snowboarding

Of all the places in the world to learn snowboarding, Grandvalira in Andorra is up there with the very best. The Grandvalira Ski & Snowboard School is respected across the skiing and snowboarding community, recognised as being a centre that is the best place to learn snowboarding because of the way it is such an enjoyable learning experience. Boasting top-notch facilities, including beginner-friendly slopes, and with the beautiful picturesque mountain landscapes in the background, this is the perfect environment for snowboarding beginners to develop their skills.

At Grandvalira, there is focus on the skills associated with learning how to snowboard, but also on providing comprehensive training for the body and the mind and on teaching respect for the environment. There are dedicated courses for children and for adults, as well as specialisation courses, so if you go to learn snowboarding in Andorra then you’ll be part of an inclusive educational experience.

It also has to be noted that Grandvalira combines tradition and innovation, calling on the over 50 years of experience held by the professionals working within while also incorporating modern and state-of-the-art tips and practices. Across six centres, there are more than 700 instructors who boast exemplary knowledge in skiing and in snowboarding and who can deliver a holiday to remember.

Of course, if you’re trying to learn snowboarding then you may also be wondering ‘Where can I learn to snowboard near me?’. It is absolutely worth looking into local centres too, even if you’ve already booked an upcoming stay at Grandvalira and some lessons through the Ski & Snowboard School. Even by spending a few hours on an artificial surface near where you live, you’ll be moving closer to the goal and be even better prepared for when you touch down in Andorra and take to the Pyrenean slopes.

In conclusion, it’ll require a lot of practice, dedication, the right gear and a love of the sport for you to truly learn snowboarding. But, the learning is part of the fun, especially if you’re taking snowboard lessons in a ski resort as experienced and professional as Grandvalira. So, enjoy the journey as you go from complete beginner to shredding the slopes with maximum confidence.