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Beginners timeline expectancy?

8K views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  twowheeled 
#1 ·
So I am pretty new to snowboarding and I want to make sure I am on the right track to learn the proper techniques within a realistic time frame just so i feel like I have some way to measure my progression.

I guess my question is how many sessions before I should be able to master toe side, Heel side, Turns, Linking turns and the be able to do some beginner level carving?



Side note:

If it helps to know my stats here they are
Riding mostly PNW - Washington State
Female, 145lbs, 5'51/2" Regular
2014 Gnu B-Pro C3 Btx 146
Burton Lexa
K2 Contour
 
#2 ·
Welcome and funny user name.

This is completely different for everyone. Some ppl pick it up that day, took me 3 full days to make it down the hill and not till the beginning of my 2nd year to learn to truly use my feet to initiate turns "properly"

So don't set a timeline in your mind. Get some good instruction so you don't learn bad habits that you will need to break later. This will also help/let you advance faster.
 
#3 ·
Ah thanks lol I like to think I'm clever. ha ha.

I guessed there would be variations in each persons experience but I thought there might be some sort of expected general average. My Background forces the habit of measuring returns on an investment so i guess you can blame me for trying right?

I don't really have a timeline or expectations for myself just goals. Right now I am so new that I'm just focusing on getting the basics in concrete so when it's time to make a jump in progression I have the foundation to support it.

Thanks for the reply!
 
#4 ·
U kind of got a tough board to learn on....likely will be whoop ass on u for awhile...steep learning curve and that board will be taking you for a ride...its not impossible....but a high end board is very responsive and thus not that forgiving...but stick with it and you will end up being a decent rider. Best get some lessons....if you rode 3 days a week and had lessons every 3rd day you would progress fairly quickly compared to most noobs. Its about putting in regular time...but if you only ride 2x/month you will just be relearning compared to riding 3 days per week.
 
#7 ·
Everything I have learned so far has been on a K2 Luna 149 I borrowed from a friend before I was able to pick up my own gear. I didn't like that board for some reason, it just felt harder to maneuver, maybe a little stiff? I'm not entirely sure. (it could have been the fact that I had no idea how to maneuver in the first place)

After riding that board twice I decided I was mildly obsessed, & I should start researching my own gear. I decided the 146 might be better for me from what I read since my weight has a tenancy to fluctuate between 135-145lbs. I chose a more advanced board on purpose thinking I could progress into it & I won't progress out of it for quite sometime. I also chose it based on the style of riding I want to do & the conditions of the west coast.

I JUST rode my C3 for the first time on Friday for about 9 hours & was able to link my turns nicely. I am really happy with the board but I would agree it is way more unforgiving, on a positive note my wipe-outs were much more impressive.

I have a friend who is well seasoned & has been teaching me when he is able but will probably only get a chance to do that once or twice a month. other than that I'm thinking I will be going 2 times a week & more if conditions allow. I will look into lessons once I pay for my season pass :)
 
#5 · (Edited)
^Do you think the fact that she's on a smaller board will counter that somewhat? 146 B Pro C3 is rated for 80-150lbs. So it might not be too bad, but probably want longer at some point.

Actually given that it's short, and flex is 4.5 on GNU's scale, why do you say that will be difficult at all? Just because of C3? Aside from that, softer, shorter board doesn't seem like it would be a handful.
(Not really arguing, just curious...no experience with that board myself.)

Then again, the guy in the other thread is over 9000 pounds and rides a 100cm board ;)
 
#6 ·
I rode once a year for 2 years then decided too really get into it this year. So like most said, the third or forth day consecutively will have you comfortable doing any thing but blacks. If your having trouble with one aspect, force yourself to do it all the way down a run or two. Thats how I picked up toe side.
 
#14 ·
falling,
try to angle yourself...so that you glance, bounce and slide...go with the fall and tuck and roll or slide...don't try to stop with your hands or arms...you will break them.

impact with the biggest body part, e.g. chest, torso, thigh, hip, one butt cheek (falling heelside...twist to the side...don't land or squarely on your butt...you will bruise your tailbone...also try to drop in the knees...so that ur lower to the ground...generally sit to oneside and roll back.

don't punch with your fist...instead chris cross your arms over your chest and hug yourself...do not put your arms out!

make yourself small/compact if ur about to bail...grab yourself and drop in the knees.

If ur worried about your knees...wear volleyball knee pads under your pants.

if you wipe out with some speed...keep your board up....just slide to burn off some speed before putting it down....actually going fast...get low and if you wipe out ...just slide...hopefully not into someone/tree/cliff/treewell.

if you fall down a chute or steep and your head is going down first twist around or if on your back...flip back...do everything to get your board going down first instead of your head.
 
#20 · (Edited)
just to add to wrath's list. If you happen to be falling head first on steep while traversing or turning with pretty good amount of snow,lower yourself and try to go with the direction your going and do a head over heel rollover then land on your board standing up,i just did that saturday:laugh:
 
#17 ·
Hello All!
I have read this convo, pretty much top to bottom and have a couple questions...

I have a friend who had virtually no snow exp(ski or board) and went to buy a Full Advanced setup. Gnu board(?Pickle?), Union Bindings, And Burton boots..He has been spending 1-2 days a week on his board and not really picking up much. Taken a lesson or two, but still seems very out of control. He is not very athletic, is a doctor during the day, but has some ability.

1) So a board does make a difference in the learning curve? Did he jump 'too deep'?
2)Should he stick with it on the equipment he has? Recommend more lessons?
 
#21 · (Edited)
sometimes it just happens so fast there is nothing to be done, stay low enough so you don't just slap like a falling tree if possible. anytime you find yourself sliding after the fall, be it on your back, butt or whatever, use that momentum to pop back up again, be not like the polar bear, though he is cute
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#24 ·
you can practice falling by sliding out on your heelside every time you stop to do up your bindings. Instead of just stopping, teetering on your edge and then planting on your butt, practice the sit down motion while sliding the edge out and extending your legs in one fluid motion. If you do it properly most of the energy will be spraying the snow out in front of you instead of falling on your ass.

Always elbows at your sides relaxed when falling backwards. Never reach your hands out to catch. When I fall backwards it's more like gently lying down to take a break. You will become more familiar with your point of no return, where you have to fall, and anticipate it.

Falling forwards is really tough to learn. I still reach my hands out sometimes, but usually slide them above my head. Saves your wrists but it can wreck your shoulders. Best way is to grab your chest with both palms. Remember always to relax when you fall, because when you tense up you start pulling and spraining things.
 
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