Snowboarding on your first Day, Top Tips and Advice

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I remember the first time I went snowboarding, Mad River Mountain in Ohio. All my friends were signing up for middle school ski club and so of course my brother and I signed up too. Buying used equipment at our local skate/snowboard shop Sunsports, we were set up to go every Tuesday and Thursday after school. After a day or two of learning how to make it down a run, I was hooked. Something about riding down the mountain on a snowboard, it’s different, a freedom like feeling. No coaches telling you what to do or how to do it, just you, your board, maybe some friends, and the mountain (or Hill lol).So maybe you’ve thought about giving snowboarding a try or you’ve been considering switching over from skis for a day to see what it’s all about. One of the most rewarding activities you’ll get into is snowboarding (also pretty challenging at times).

Riding a snowboard will teach you a lot of life lessons through your successes and failures on snow.! It’s also a great way to meet other like minded people who want to spend time outdoors in the winter. Who knows, you might even meet some of your lifelong best friends through it. In this post I’ll be going over the basic fundamentals to get started with snowboarding, what gear to wear, renting equipment, and lastly what you can expect. Alright lets gooo.

What should I wear

I’m not going to lie, snowboarding gear is EXPENSIVE. However, there are ways to make it affordable if you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money. Consignment shops, holiday sales, sales on previous years gear, and getting a job at a ski resort (resort employees get discounts on winter gear) are all ways to save money on snowboard gear. If you’re unsure on if you’ll like snowboarding or not I would go the route of cheaper before you invest a bunch of money into the sport. Below I listed the items you’ll need for your first day.

• Jacket- This needs to be waterproof and have some warmth. If you’re starting out, it’s better not to get too technical on gear and to have something that will keep you warm as well as dry on the mountain!

• Snow Pants- These also need to be waterproof and warm. A good pant to start with is Burton’s Cargo pant. They make this pant in tall sizes and also short sizes. The Burton women’s Society Pant is also a great starter snow pant.

• Goggles- You’ll need these to protect your eyes from snow, wind, and sun. Oakley, Anon, Smith, and Giro all make great goggles for someone starting out.

• Gloves- Gotta keep your hands warm when on the mountain or strapping into the board. Hestra and Burton will offer some great options that last longer then one season. If you don’t want to spend too much, Walmart or Amazon will sell more affordable options that will also keep your hands warm for the day.

• Helmet- The majority of people wear a helmet on the mountain and rental shops will include them in your rental package. Although not a requirement, I would highly recommend wearing one.

• Ski socks- Stay away from Cotton! Anything that has wool or polyester will be able to wick moisture and keep your feet warm!

• Base Layers- Wear these under your pants and jacket. Again stay away from anything cotton! Burton will make some of the best base layers. Since they offer a lot of options, I would recommend a mid-weight option.

Should I use protective equipment other then a helmet

It doesn’t hurt to wear protective equipment with being new to snowboarding, Burton makes wrist guards, knee pads, and impact shorts

Sizing

You’ll want the board to be shorter as it is easier to turn. Boots should be snug, about a half size down from your normal tennis shoes. Bindings will have a boot size range you’ll need to follow. Binding sizes come in Small, Medium, and Large.

Key Snowboard Terms

Stance Width- The width between your feet on the snowboard.

Bindings- What keeps your feet attached to the snowboard.

Binding Angles- Bindings will have numbers on them that correlate with how each foot is angled on the snowboard. This is a personal preference for every snowboarder.

Regular- Riding down the mountain with the left foot forward

Goofy- Riding down the mountain with the right foot forward

Base- The bottom of the snowboard

edges- The sharp metal part that goes around the entire snowboard

Topsheet- Top of the snowboard

Straps- The parts that go over the snowboard boot, locking in the boot to the binding.

Highback- A Part on the binding that supports the back of the snowboard boot.

Channel- A way to mount snowboard bindings to the board using only two points of contact for each binding.

4 Hole pattern- A more traditional way to mount snowboard bindings to the board using 4 points of contact for each binding

Heelside- Edge of the board where the heels of your snowboard boot are

Toeside-Edge of the board where the toes of your snowboard boot are

Skating- Pushing the snowboard with your back foot to get from point a to point b. Your lead foot will be strapped into the binding when doing this.

Stomp Pad- a grippy pad that is placed in between the bindings towards the middle of the snowboard. It helps with stability when getting on and off a chairlift.

Can you rent gear for Snowboarding

Yes! However for most places you’ll only be able to rent the board, boots, and bindings. Some shops will rent the jackets and pants, but I have found those places to be few and far between. Goggles and gloves you will always have to buy.

I recommend renting an LTR set up for your first day. LTR stands for Learn to Ride. The set up will be much softer and more playful, allowing you to learn the basic fundamentals of snowboarding. For busier times of the ski season make sure to, make a rental reservation in advance through the ski resorts website!

Is Step ON worth trying on my first day

You can, however, since Step on Boots and Bindings are more performance oriented the flex will be stiffer. A stiffer set up makes it harder to initiate a turn on a snowboard if you have never done it before. I think LTR is still the way to go on your first day. If you like snowboarding after trying it, Step Ons are great for getting in and out of a board without having to deal with straps.

Do you recommend taking a lesson

I definitely recommend taking a lesson on your first day. Resorts will typically offer half day, full day, and group or private lessons. They will be able to teach you the basic fundamentals of snowboarding as well as how to use your snowboard gear. However! Lessons can be expensive so hopefully this guide will help you as well.

How much is it to snowboard on the mountain

Ski resorts require a lift ticket or season pass to be able to snowboard on their mountains. You can pick these up at the base of the resort. If you plan on snowboarding for more then 3 days, I would recommend buying a season pass ahead of time (spring and summer will be the cheapest prices on passes for the following season). To save money and time, purchase your lift ticket(s) ahead of time online at the ski resorts website. Resorts also only sell so many ski passes, so the earlier the better when buying a pass.

Depending on the resort and location lift tickets can cost anywhere from $50 a day to over $200 a day.

Where should I start once I have all of my snowboard gear

Alright so you picked up your gear, and you are all set up for your first day on the mountain or hill. I would say 99% of ski resorts have a beginner area where you can learn the basics. I wouldn’t even try to get on the ski lift until you have tried the beginner hill, which will more then likely have a magic carpet. Look on the trail map or talk to someone at the ticket office to find out where the beginner area is!

What should my binding angles be set to

I would say +9 and -9 degrees for your bindings is a good start with the stance centered in the middle of the board or at reference. Each binding should be angled out slightly. Your board will also have reference points for the stance so you know if it is centered. It’s also helpful to have someone at the shop where you bought the board at, to set it up. Your bindings will have numbers on them in increments of 3, look for the 9 on both bindings. If you are really short, bump the stance width in and if you are really tall, bump the stance width out.

For rentals, the shop will set the board up for you, but it doesn’t hurt to double check how they set the board up!

How do I get into the snowboard and decide which way to ride down hill

With snowboarding you’ll either ride down the hill right foot forward or left foot forward. There’s a number of different ways to find out which way you slide sideways down the mountain. Examples include, what foot you use to kick a soccer ball with, which foot goes first if someone were to push you, and the list goes on. However! I would say the best indicator is.. the foot you use to strap into the board first, will more then likely be the lead foot used to go down the mountain!

The easiest way to get into your bindings, unless you have Step-Ons, is to sit down. Clear the snow off your boot and binding and start to crank down the toe and heel buckles. Once both feet are strapped in, see if you can pop up off the ground and balance yourself over the snowboard. If standing up is easier for you try that instead when strapping in.

What next once I’m strapped in

The first run will probably be challenging and be prepared to fall! Falling is part of the learning process. Your main goal on the first day is to get a sense of balance between your snowboard and the snow, understanding somewhat how the board turns.

Beginner Tips to help with getting down the hill or Mountain

You’ll want to first learn how to stop on your heel edge. Do this by putting pressure on the heel edge with both feet as the board slowly moves down hill. You can go straight and then stop with your heel edge once you get comfortable. Please note, this will take some practice! Another way to practice getting comfortable stopping heelside is to ride down “falling leaf”, meaning you go heelside the whole way down the run, while slightly going forward with your front foot then going forward with your back foot.

Once you start to feel comfortable with your heel edge try see if you can go toe edge. You’ll do this by putting pressure on the toes of your snowboard boots and toe edge of the board, while looking downhill. Again, this will take some practice. If you can’t get this on the first day, keep trying!

The key to any board sport is to try to get to a place where you have a good center of gravity and balance. To do this flex the knees a bit and try to maintain an athletic stance. Note, you don’t need to be athletic to snowboard, but try to understand that being centered over the snowboard will drastically improve your day and prevent falls.

Skating on your Snowboard

This is where you push with your back foot to get from point A to B. You don’t really need to learn this on Day 1, however as you progress and start to ride a chairlift it’s important that you know how to do this! Practice at the base of the mountain on a flat surface. It helps to have a stomp pad in the middle of your board for balance and stability.

Linking “S” Turns

S Turns are where you essentially make an S in the snow as you ride down the mountain. This is the last beginner fundamental in snowboarding, so if you're able to do this on the first day, that’s pretty amazing. Combine the heel edge and the toe edge together to link turns which will allow you to ride down the mountain more smoothly. The key to doing “S” turns is to look in the direction that you want to go.

How to get on the Chairlift

If you feel comfortable enough to ride the chairlift on your first day, go for it! The easiest way to get on is to skate up to the line and then look behind you as the chair is approaching. Take a seat and when everyones ready, put the bar down. Either rest your board on the footrest connected to the bar (some chairlifts only have the bar) or put your foot under the heel cup of your binding (see photos below).

How to get off the Chairlift

Once the lift approaches the top, lift the bar up, put your back foot in the middle of the board, push off the seat cushion, and ride straight. Try to be graceful when doing this and avoid getting tangled with other people and your board!

Where to buy a snowboard

Hopefully you caught the bug and want to buy a set up! If so, welcome to the Dark Side as they say. There’s a number of different places to buy a board, boots, and bindings with the best being your local snowboarding shop! Shop employees will be the most knowledgable and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction based on your size, skill level, and type of snowboarding you are interested in. To find the nearest shop, google “local snowboard shop.”

If you don’t live near a snowboard shop, then your next best option is online. Most online sites will have tools and customer service that will be able to assist you in buying a set up. Below I listed a number of great local snowboard shops and their location.

Darkside- Vermont

Tribute- British Columbia

Underground- Breckenridge Colorado

Gravity- Copper Mountain Colorado

The Boardroom- Ellicottville New York

Wave Rave- Mammoth Mountain California

Radio Boardshop- Aspen Colorado

That’s it for how to enjoy your first day on a snowboard. Just remember snowboarding is challenging at first, but stick with it and you’ll have a new activity and a way to spend time outdoors! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below! It’s always cool to connect with people:) Interested in taking a snowboard trip? Check out Steamboat, an authentic mountain town with awesome terrain (including beginner), amazing restaurants, and of course natural hot springs.

Summer boarding, The ultimate guide to Hiking the 4th of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Back country Skiing and Snowboarding can be dangerous, even in the summer! Please have a plan, partner, proper knowledge, and equipment when going into the back country

Looking for easy trail navigation? Check out Alltrails; an app with trail reviews, navigation, and trail stats. Predownload trails in case of no service.

Normally when someone thinks of summer, winter activities are the last thing that come to mind. If you do think of snowboarding, Mt Hood in Oregon or Coppers summer park in Colorado are probably what come to mind. However for the back country enthusiast looking to do something different, the fourth of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge Colorado is a way to combine hiking and snowboarding (or skiing) for a fun back country summer day trip. If you’re not into summer skiing or snowboarding this is also just a great summer hike to do too.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trail, what to expect, safety precautions, what to pack, and time frame for the hike. Alright let’s gooo..

Where does the Peak 10 hike start

First you’ll want to drive up the dirt road on Peak 9. If you head north on highway 9 to Breckenridge you’ll want to end up on Park Avenue and then take a right on Village road. You’ll then take a left into the Beaver Run parking lot about halfway up Village Road. Parking is free in the summer for those who have more then one car in their group.

You’ll want to have a good AWD vehicle as the road is somewhat rocky and steeper towards the top. If you’re vehicle doesn’t have good clearance I would park at the Peak 9 restaurant and start your hike from there. If you have good clearance you can drive all the way up to the green gate. Stay on the Peak 9 road all the way until you park. There will be a couple turn offs when taking the road, such as the Stables and Chair Lifts, but just stay on the road.

How long is the Hike

From your car to the top of Peak 10, it takes about 2-2.5 hours on the way up and about an hour back down if you ride the bowl, depending on your speed. Add about another 45 minutes if you only do the hike, without skiing or snowboarding. Below I listed some of the trail stats, starting from Mercury chair on Peak 9

• 5.8 miles out and back

• 2007 feet of elevation gain

• Trail Coordinates- 39.474291, -106.049371

• 13,6340 feet peak elevation

What is the best time of day to go

The earlier the better, as afternoon thunderstorms can pop up in Breckenridge! Anytime you’re doing an exposed hike above tree line it is best to do it in the morning. This is also a safer time to ride the bowl as well because the snow is typically more stable. When things start to heat up that’s when you can see wet slides.

If you can time it right later in the evening would also be a good time to go as long as the weather is good. Golden hour would a pretty cool experience if you can pull it off!

Is it safe to do the hike and bowl solo

I would ride with a partner that you trust who has good back country knowledge and experience! Someone who also has their shovel, beacon, and probe. It will give you peace of mind when maneuvering some of the more technical parts of the hike and riding the bowl.

What should we pack

Since the 4th of July bowl is in the backcountry, I would pack you’re shovel, beacon, and probe to start as well as extra layers, sunscreen, and even bug spray. I’ve listed items below that would make this hike more enjoyable. The weather can be unpredictable in this kind of environment so I’ve listed items below to make your trip more enjoyable. Make sure you also have Hiking Poles! Right before you drop in you have do some rock scrambling and the poles will make all of the difference!

• Hiking Shorts or Pants

• Hiking boots

• Burton snowboards Rain Jacket

• Mid-weight base layer

• Sunscreen/chapstick

• Water (Hydrapak works great)

• Snowboard, Skis, and boots

• Good Socks for Hiking and riding

• Bug spray

• Sunglasses/Goggles

• A ball cap and beanie

• A good hiking backpack. I really like the AK Dispatcher backpack to fit all of my backcountry equipment. It also has straps so you can keep your snowboard attached to the backpack

• A pair of snow pants. You’ll throw these on at the base of Peak 10 as the temperatures start to get much cooler at this point in the hike. I personally like anything Gore-tex because it is a lightweight, durable shell.

• Hiking Poles

What is the weather like

Thunderstorms in Colorado can show up in the afternoon, therefore you’ll want to get an early start for this hike. It also will start to get cooler as you get closer to the Peak. One thing you’ll also want to be cautious of is high winds. If it’s too windy at the top I would recommend turning around and trying the hike on another calmer day. I had to turn around my first try at this hike because of extreme winds towards the peak.

What is the hike like and what should we expect

What’s cool about this hike is you follow a service road in a series of switchbacks all the way to the top, so it isn’t confusing and a pretty smooth trail to the peak. As you make your way, you will come across a couple patches of snow at the bottom. This is where having a good pair of hiking boots and hiking poles will help! Because you’re at a high elevation it helps to have a lightweight jacket or long mid weight shirt.

After the snow patches you’ll hike for a little bit more until you reach the base of the summit where snowmelt is running down the mountain in the form of a creek. This is a good time to throw on your snow pants and take a break. Take in the views, drink some water, and eat some snacks if you packed them. This part of the trail is where there will be a number of switchbacks and about an elevation gain of 1,150 feet.

Once you hike to the top you’ll want to throw on your snowboard boots where there is a flat patch of snow. This will be right before you hike the ridge! It’s important to have your hiking poles at this point and you’re board strapped to the back of your pack. You’ll want to have the best footing possible for this. The top part down to where you drop will be all rocks so make sure to take it slow.

Once you get to the snow, find a good area to strap in and then pick a good line to drop. The turns will be slushy, but it’s still really fun. There’s even a few small jumps towards the bottom that you can hit if interested. Towards the bottom will be really slow, so you might have to skate a little with your back foot, with the other foot strapped into your board.

What is the snow like

The snow won’t be great, it will be hard to carve as it is pretty soft! However, overall it’s still a worthwhile experience to be snowboarding in July

What months can we ride the bowl or do the hike

If you are just looking to do the hike, the best time of year would be late May through late September. If you’re looking to ski or snowboard the bowl. Early June through Mid-July will be the best time of the summer. It all depends on snow coverage and how late of a winter season Colorado had. The snow starts to get pretty patchy around Mid July.

Should we hang out in Breckenridge after

There’s a lot to do in Breckenridge in the summer! Catch a local concert, walk around town, or grab happy hour at a local restaurant. My favorite place for happy hour is Aurum, on Ridge St., one street off Main. That’s the fun thing about doing this hike is.. you can do it early and then hang out in town after.

That’s it for hiking the Fourth of July bowl off Peak 10 in Breckenridge. If you have any questions or information to add, leave a comment below! Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post.