How Long Does It Take to Learn to Snowboard

We have all been there. We want to learn a new skill, yet we want to be perfect at it immediately. But learning to snowboard is not just a skill. It is a sport done on a mountain.

And, when people learn sports, they must be patient. It takes time and multiple lessons to be able to even cross the beginner and intermediate levels.

Snowboarding is one such technical sport. We know them all on the spectrum: beginners looking for fun and seasoned craft veterans. Snowboarding’s a tough row to hoe!

They’ve all taken hits, some broken bones (lots!), and injuries along the way, but they have all undertaken a rigorous learning process to get their snowboards off the snow and into the air.

But how long does it take to learn to snowboard, you might be wondering? And what are some factors involved in learning snowboarding? We consulted everyone, from experts to learners. Read on to find out.

Overview (Quick Answer)

There isn’t one specific timeline for everyone who wants to learn snowboarding. It varies from one person to another. At most, you can learn the basics in a couple of days. But you can go the extra mile and learn faster under a qualified instructor.

To master snowboarding or to cross from beginner to intermediate, one has to be steady in their practice. You cannot rush through the process! Be diligent, and don’t miss leg day!

We’d say that the best way to properly learn snowboarding is to practice every day, if you can, for an average of 20 to 30 days on a mountain.

On Day 1, start at the bunny slope and learn the basics. Then try your first turns on both heel and toe edge by the end of the lesson. On day 2, get back on the bunny slope, and you should be able to link turns without too many falls by the time the day ends.

On the third day, go up to the mountain, take a chair lift and try to ride an easy blue run by the end of the day.

Get the ball rolling by acquainting yourself with the environment, the gear, and all the basics, and understand the activity on a spiritual level. This will give you an understanding of the control and other factors involved in snowboarding.

But, even with the best of everything, learning how to snowboard is a gradual process that cannot be rushed. You might fall and face troubles, but how you choose to deal with everything ultimately will decide how fast you will learn how to snowboard. So hang in there, champ!

Finally, work your way up through a slow snowboard learning curve. This will make sure that whatever you learn will stay with you! Take two birds with one stone!

The Factors Involved In Learning How To Snowboard

Below are some factors that can affect how long it takes for you to learn to snowboard.

Strength & Fitness

Snowboarding is a sport that demands a proper workout. Even at a beginner’s level, it can be extremely tiring and fatiguing. The more fit you are, the longer you will be able to ride.

It requires you to shift your body weight constantly. You have to keep shifting your weight on your hips and entire body left and right to move. It becomes a complete workout, way beyond whatever cardio you’re used to.

For anyone not used to such exertion, learning snowboarding will prove to be a difficult task.

So, our first piece of advice is: hit the gym, exercise, and start those weight workouts! Incorporating weights, slowly but steadily, into your regimen will ensure you build much-needed muscle on that body to conquer the snowy terrain!

But what if you’re already a physically fit person? You can easily practice for more than 3 hours. Push yourself by learning the basics fast and go slow, but your dedication to staying strong and fit will pay off on those steep hills!

However, for those who aren’t as fit or used to regular exercise, remember not to overexert yourselves.

3 hours is the maximum you may push yourself to practice. Any more than that, your progress will begin to slide backward, and the constant falling and loss of energy will demotivate you from further lessons.

This is why you must build up your stamina before you start to learn snowboarding and take your snowboard lessons. You will need the strength to bear constant falling, injuries, sore muscles, and fitness to deal with the workout provided by snowboarding.

Your Attitude

Attitude is the most important factor when it comes to learning how to snowboard.

Your attitude is what pushes you forward. For a sport as demanding as this one up in the snow, a steady attitude towards learning is required.

Patience and positivity are required to keep you on track with your learning goals. Without that, you may quickly lose hope and abandon learning.

If you have a bad attitude, learning snowboarding will prove to be a difficult matter. You will be unable to give it the time and attention it needs.

It can lead to frustration that can cause you to quit. For a new snowboarder, attitude can make or break their development.

So, keep your chin up, don’t give up, and keep at it. Eventually, you’ll get there!

Your Gear

Another factor as important as your attitude is your snowboard gear. You don’t need the best and most expensive gear to learn; you just need the right equipment.

Any good renter’s shop or sports store will be able to provide you with the proper beginner snowboard and boots. What you’re looking for is functional, comfortable, and proper gear, nothing too flashy, shiny, and more aesthetic than useful. That can come later.

You want your gear to perform well and give you that edge in learning. It should supplement your experience, not needlessly complicate or take away from it.

So, take your time researching what to get and what average brands and best items are available to suit your snowboarding journey. It is a process we believe you cannot and should not rush.

Your gear doesn’t end with just snowboard boots and a board. It extends to the snowboarding clothes you wear and the items you carry.

You want to make sure to be warm and well-protected from the snow. It can make a big difference when you are snowboarding in the mountains.

Any protection from the cold snow will provide a boost to your learning. Further, the cold affects your ability to be quick in reflexes and reactions. If you are cold, you will likely quit earlier.

So, when learning to snowboard, make sure you have researched all the possible gear options. Invest in good quality fleece-lined coats, puffer jackets, and gloves.

Snowboard goggles, headphones, socks, and helmets are also very important to keep you insulated. Even the right snowboard size will make a huge difference in your experience and progress in the long run.

Be Patient

Snowboarding has a steep learning curve. It takes time for most people to climb it. For some, it may take a few weeks, and for some, it may take upwards of one season to four.

Everything comes to him who waits. This time range requires tons of patience, just like learning any other activity, such as piano, to cooking. Think about the learning curve again – Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all!

For the first few days, you may have an uphill struggle, one fall after another, and on other days you may ride like a pro. But neither of those days will amount to anything if you don’t practice, practice, practice!

With a skilled instructor and lots of patience, anyone can learn how to master the snowboard. It is all about practicing properly. All of this can be accomplished if one has the patience to carry through with it.

Age and Size

We would say that age is not the biggest factor in learning any skill, and the same can be said about snowboarding. Statistically, younger people tend to pick up on skills faster than older individuals.

However, that does not mean that an average older individual with patience and wisdom, and the right attitude cannot learn to snowboard too.

Similarly, size is one factor that we believe doesn’t intrude much. Snowboarding requires a certain flexibility and strength in a person, but that does not mean that heavier individuals lack such skills.

Sometimes, even overweight people can have excellent balance and quick reflexes. It always depends on you.

Size and age are minor things that provide a small advantage but can easily be overcome with proper instruction. Don’t let it come in the way of your desire to learn to snowboard fast, though!

Other Board Sports Experience

Other board sports like skiing, surfing, or skateboarding require developing skills related to balance.

People with experience in other board sports have an advantage when learning how to snowboard: the average muscle memory regarding balancing themselves. They will learn fast, saving time others would spend on the basics.

Prior board experience does provide a boost to those who want to learn snowboarding. They can skip a few basic steps and get to the main process faster: things like link turns and carved turns. This will make them flexible and quick, and they become fast learners.

Frequency & Access to Ski Slopes

To snowboard is like any other skill you learn: the more time you spend practicing, the better you will get. Practicing regularly will improve your capabilities if you do it for 2 to 3 days in a row rather than hours on end in a single day.

For this, you need proper access to ski slopes. Being able to learn on a proper mountain during the season (on a bunny slope, no less!) is the complete package.

Open access to ski slopes makes it easier to gain control over your skills. Training in the actual conditions can help your body get used to the real deal faster than anything else.

The slopes provide real challenges when learning to snowboard, and more frequency makes it easier to develop the muscle memory needed to go from beginner level to intermediate level.

Even if you do not have access to the mountainscape, the frequency can make or break your progress. If you let yourself fall behind, even the best snowboard instructor will be unable to make up for it. So remember to go as often as you can!

Snowboard Lessons

Like all other sports, this one requires specific gear. If you feel comfortable, you will automatically snowboard faster and better.

While learning to snowboard on your own is not impossible, getting proper lessons can greatly improve and speed up the process. Getting snowboard lessons through snowboard instructors can increase the speed with which you grow exponentially.

Under the guidance of a qualified teacher, you will be able to train to the best of your abilities and will not be as discouraged by falling so much.

Your bad habits, if any, will be taken into account and overcome within the first few days, and skills like link turns, etc., will be a piece of cake!

Taking a lesson or two will also be a fun experience, which will better guide you to take care of your equipment too. It is not necessary, but we totally recommend it.

Bottom Line

On the first day of learning to snowboard, you may repeatedly be falling all over. On the second day, you may still be falling, but you will learn quickly to adapt.

Don’t let fear consume you – enjoy the season and have fun. If you have fun with it, it won’t matter how many days, weeks, or months you take to learn. Go at your own pace, adapt with patience and hone your skills up on that mountain top.

Most of all, keep in mind your goal to succeed and develop – get a teacher and some cool, fun gear, learn how to snowboard, and ride those hills like nobody’s business. You will have mastered it in no time!

Once you’re done learning, you may also want to know how to wax a snowboard without iron to keep yours in a good shape.