Snowolf

In my experience both as a rider learning to ride and now as an instructor, the ideal plan of attack is for a person to take a group first time lesson to learn all the basics and learn the right way. Too many friends pass on incorrect information and bad habits like "use the back foot to steer like a rudder". An experienced rider can be a very poor instructor because, they may be able to overcome poor riding technique as a result of riding ability, but when they pass on that information to a new rider, it is extremely difficult for the new rider to learn by those methods. AASI certified instructors teach a proven method that is the easiest and most efficient way to get a new rider in the saddle and progressing quickly.

After the initial first time group lesson, the new rider should go out for several sessions and practice everything they were taught. What happens is, the rider will notice specific things that they are struggling with. At the point that the rider has a definitive list of items that they know need work, go back and take a one on one private lesson to address specific riding tasks. This is the very best way to manage your instruction and gain the most value from what you spend. Nothing makes a lesson go better than having a client come to me with a list of specific things they want to focus on.

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Grimdog

Your post of stupid advise just reinforced why a lesson is well worth it.

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My experience and what I do in snowboarding is really quite
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bravogrl28

What would you advise for a student who after their initial group class is still lacking confidence to go up the bunny hill? I haven't been to Mt. Hood, but I'm talking about the learning center at White Pass... my friend is afraid to leave that area and also afraid to strap her other foot in, so she just keeps practicing with her foot on the stomp pad... was that good instruction she was given? How do you know if one has a good instructor or not?

wrathfuldeity

Just to qualify my answer, never have taken a lesson but wished I had (maybe someday) and am not an instructor; and took to the hill 6 yrs ago at the ripe age of 44. Considered a reasonable rider for an old geezer by my 13 yr old daughter and 21 yr old son and their crews who are local Bakerites that I'll doo a few runs with till I too beat to keep up with them... but no boxes, rail or pipe. However I enjoy sharing the stoke with newbs and remember I wish I had someone to show me little tricks to really get going.

I have taken 4 rather newbs/friends for an individual tour (ages 13 to 33) out this year (they usually have taken 1 beginner group lessons and been on the hill for less than 5 days), most all get off the lifts without falling on the first attempt, linking turns on the second run, and I take them down a black or double black within an the first 2-3 hours if the snow is good (of course not telling them til later "so what did you think of doing your first double black?").

We do an eq check and set-up (9-12 degrees wide duck) while talking about how the boot, binding and board fit in an integrated manner. 2. safety and how to fall. 3. body form, posture and movements; have them practice for 5-10 minutes proper posture and movements without the board. 4. A brief period of skating, practicing falling and how to roll-over and get up. 5. One run through the bunny hill. 6. 2-3 runs on green/blues, then a black (for comparison and to decrease their anxiety about the bunny and green/blue runs. All the while encouraging, giving corrective feedback, getting them to use good form and immediately try to correct their movements before bad habit forms, point out riders on the hill who are riding well and trying to get them to integrate the information whether they are kinetic, verbal or visual learners. By the time lunch rolls around they are exhausted but happy and surprised about how well they’ve done and are boasting that they did a black run. After lunch they are stoked to go back out to the bunny and green runs to practice.

Some newbs are more anxious, determined, athletic and some instructors are good, some are bad and finding one that works well with you is superior.

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BAKER!!!

Eric @ WA

Right...way back when I also thought taking Driver's ed and driver's training would be a waste of money. My friends just told me to watch old Duke's of Hazzard episodes and Knight Rider and I would learn everything I need to know.

Officer: What the hell is wrong with you son
Me: What do you mean? Bo Duke does jumps like this all the time and the sheriff's of Hazzard county don't seem to mind as much

Insurance company: What the hell is wrong with you son
Me: What? Michael Knight and KITT always back out of a truck going 90mph. How was I suppose to know I would spin out of control, lose my axle, have all 4 tires pop out, and scrape so bad that my sparks looked like a 4th of July show? Come on I have a Ford aren't they build Ford Tough?

All kidding aside...Snowolf puts out great advice. Classes are well worth it in my opinion (even for advanced riders). It's always good getting an outside opinion on your riding technique.

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BoostinChick

This is my first season riding as well and let me tell you it's not easy your first couple times out. I have been out a total of 4 times and still fall doing simple things like hs and ts turns. Your body gets so exhausted because you get frustrated and you are constantly picking yourself up through out the day. My saving grace is a great boyfriend (moral support) and friends who have been boarding for years telling me what I am doing wrong.

I took a lesson to get the basics down it's just practicing and following through. The lessons did help you understand what the basics are but watching other people and experiencing it is how I am learning. I still have the same issue as the OP to where I start freaking out when I pick up speed and start flying down the mountain. As someone else mentioned just suit up with pads and armor so you get over that fear that if you fall you won't end up with broken/bruised bones and possible concussions.

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- Sandra