How Long Does It Take To Get Good At Snowboarding?

Maybe you have decided to try a new hobby or get a head start on your new killer snowboarding career. Perhaps you were born with some innate snowboarding ability. Or perhaps you are like the rest of us mortals and need time to get good. So how much time are we looking at?

It can take anywhere from 1 to a couple of days to learn the basics of snowboarding. To become an intermediate snowboarder, it can typically take up to two seasons of practice. Finally, achieving expert status in snowboarding may take several years. However, learning speed is determined by practice.

If you are keen on learning how to snowboard, the excitement might get the better of you, and you will want to know how long it will take before you are snowboarding down those slopes. All completely understandable. Desire to become a snowboarder is the first step to attaining your goals. But what else can you do to learn how to snowboard faster?

Different Levels of Snowboarding

Some people might picture learning how to snowboard at an advanced level. Others to an intermediate level. While others, just the bare basics.

The Basic Level

Let's start with answering the question in its purest form - learning how to snowboard at a basic level. It might take you anywhere from 1 day to a couple of days to learn the bare basics.

Bare basics can include skating, heel sliding, and toe sliding. Of course, your motivation to learn, whether you're taking lessons or not, your ability, and previous board experience, such as skateboarding, can all influence how quickly you learn to snowboard.

As a side note, snowboarding has a brutal learning curve!

You will often find yourself falling down in the first stages of learning. Don't be discouraged, though. After you have got down the basics, learning how to snowboard becomes a linear process. Progressively you get better each time you go out.

The Intermediate Level

To reach an intermediate level, it typically takes about two seasons. This time frame is subject to the number of hours/days you put into practice. Practicing once or twice every season will not get you to an intermediate level quicker. However, practicing for 20-30 days per season, or even more, will bring you to an intermediate level much much quicker.

Becoming an Expert Snowboarder

Finally, to achieve expert status in snowboarding, you must put in a great deal of time and effort. You can't just walk up to the terrain park and expect to automatically launch off some sick tricks.

So, although it is hard to determine exactly how long it will take to achieve expert status, it is clear that becoming an expert in snowboarding (or any field) requires years of practice.

In snowboarding terms, it will take many seasons. You could see yourself becoming an expert in 3-6 seasons. But, again, this is dependent on how much time and effort you put into practice. But really practice is just an excuse to get out on the mountain more!

Keep in mind, though, that the projected time frame for becoming an expert snowboarder takes into account consistent practice throughout the season. So this means it is assumed that you have a practice schedule of 20-30 days per season or more. Hopefully you live somewhere near a mountain...

Progress Quicker with Lessons!

Sometimes we are too stubborn to admit we might need help or simply trying to save an extra few bucks - and while neither of these things is intrinsically wrong, enlisting help from a qualified instructor can do wonders for your snowboarding progress.

These instructors know the tips and tricks of the trade that will help you become better at snowboarding in no time. In addition, because instructors have taught many beginner snowboarders, they are familiar with what beginners might struggle with the most.

As a result, they can help you get over that beginner bump even faster than if you tried to learn snowboarding alone. So, overall, it will be worthwhile to invest in lessons if you have the financial means to do so.

Have The Right Gear And Board When Learning To Snowboard

To begin with, you need to have the proper gear and equipment when learning how to snowboard. It might sound obvious to some and not so obvious to others, but having the right gear is critically important in your learning process. Even something that might seem trivial, for example, the fit of your clothes, will impact your snowboarding.

If you are too layered up, overheating, and sweating, you'll be hot and uncomfortable and your goggles will fog up. You can't exactly practice with foggy goggles, now can you.

Additionally, having the right size footwear impacts your practice sessions too. If your boot is too big, you will find it hard to control your board (this can also lead to injury). If your boot is too small, you will probably be in excruciating pain in an hour and would probably be wishing you were back home, on the sofa, massaging your feet better.

The perfect fit is when your toes can touch the end of your boot but are not curled up or tightly pressed against the end.

Lastly, look for snowboards that are suited to your experience. If you're a beginner, try to opt for snowboards designed for beginners. These boards are often easier to control and can make the learning process much easier. Salespersons in your local snowboarding store can help you choose the ideal snowboard for you if needed.

Put In Effort And Time When Learning How To Snowboard

This point may seem unnecessary to write down; however, it is the most important factor in learning how to snowboard. Without putting in consistent effort and time into learning how to snowboard, all those other things like the right gear and lessons will go to waste. So, how much effort you put into snowboarding determines how fast you learn. Many people don't get far because they walk away too early.

Also, having confidence and not being too scared of falling can go a long way in learning how to snowboard. Thus, you are more likely to try new things and will not hesitate to learn. So get out there and learn how to skate those slopes.

Summary

Learning the basics of snowboarding should take a couple of days at most. Thereafter, becoming an intermediate and expert snowboarder will take considerably more time. Nonetheless, snowboarding goals are achievable if consistent time and effort are put into them.