However, there are also certain risks involved. So, in order to avoid such situations, you can try some tricks outside the terrain park. These are the flat ground tricks that you can bring into the park after getting better at performing them. So, here are some of the effective tricks beginners can try:

1. Ollie

These is among the first basic tricks that you’ll get to learn when you begin to learn snowboarding. In this move, you use the tail’s pop to spring off the ground. This trick is fundamental to skateboarding. It is used to get air without going off a jump. It would be beneficial to practice ollies outside the terrain park as it comes in handy later. 

This trick involves scooting the board out towards your nose while flexing your rear leg. Then you pull your front leg up and at the same time spring off the back foot and tail of the board. When you’re in the air, flex both legs so that the board is parallel with the ground. Absorb the landing by bringing both feet down at the same time.

2. Tail/nose press

Also called a ‘manual’, a tail or nose press is another basic trick to be learned on flat ground. Upon learning this move, you’ll get used to shifting your weight over the front and back of your board. It makes you more aware of the edges and brings some play into your ride. Once you’re comfortable standing still on flat ground, you can try a tail press when going downhill. 

The tail press involves shifting your weight towards the tail of the board. It lifts up the nose of the board. In nose press, you shift your weight forward towards the nose of the board. This time it is the tail of the board that would lift up.

3. Flat spin 360

It is another move you can practice outside the terrain park. Flat spin 360 would help you progress to other tricks. This move involves switching between the edge of your toe and the edge of your heel while in rotation. It must be tried on a gentle slope first. You rotate in a full circle while trying this trick. It can be done on the same terrain where you’ve learned to make turns for the first time.

4. 50-50

A 50-50 is done by riding straight over a box or rail with the nose first. You can imagine or draw a box in the snow on a flat area. Then you relax your body and loosen your ankles as you ride across that box. You must keep your board flat from the beginning to the finish. This is for practice on flat ground. If you’re inside the terrain park, begin with a small box that’s shorter and wider. 

It must have a ‘ride-on’, where you don’t have to jump in order to get into the box. Once you’ve mastered the small boxes, ride the narrower or longer ones. You can add a nose or tail press as you progress. You can also do an ollie or a two-foot jump off the box.

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Between the 1960s and the 1970s, it developed in the United States. Later, in the year 1998, it became a Winter Olympic sport. If you’re a beginner and wondering how to get better at this sport, these tips might help:

1. Get the right equipment

Before you begin, it’s important to have the necessary tools for the snow conditions. You must take a look at your snowboard boots first. This is an important part of your snowboarding gear. It needs to fit well so that you can ride to your potential. Next, you must decide on the type of snowboard to rent or buy. 

If you’re going to a resort with deep snow, get a board that performs well in powder snow conditions. If you’re heading to a smaller place with much less snowfall, use a board for that particular snow condition.

2. Take care of your snowboarding gear

Once you’ve made the choice for your equipment, it is necessary to take care of everything that it includes. Make sure that your snowboard is waxed and its edges are well-maintained. If you’re practising on a snowboard course for training, you can also ask the instructor for guidance in this regard.

3. Master the basics

If you’ve forgotten your snowboarding basics a bit, spend a day or more perfecting them. This would be a great way to improve your snowboarding skills. You can take it easy on the first day and then get back into your groove gradually. Pay special attention to your posture, tricks, and timings. 

4. Improve your strength

When you’re off the slopes, you can never get much practice. However, you can begin to build your strength, especially in the legs and core. Exercises that strengthen these areas of the body can help you in practising new tricks later on. An added strength in the right areas of your body would also give you better control. You must also build decent levels of cardiovascular fitness to help you perform well in the sport.

5. Watch some useful videos on snowboarding

Today you have some excellent resources available for free on YouTube. You can watch one of those videos that provide some valuable information on snowboarding. There are videos that take you through the tips and tricks step by step. 

You can also go back or forth at any point in time in these videos. This would help you in understanding what is being explained. Some of the videos even explain things in slow motion to give you a better understanding.

6. Update your equipment

Although having good gear doesn’t quite guarantee good performance, it does help a lot. Upgrading your equipment or gear and investing in items of higher quality can help you improve your skills. It can also lead to greater comfort and improved performance on the slopes. You must also consider your available budget before going for the upgrade.

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You’ll have many reasons to give snowboarding a try despite the fact that it can be challenging to learn. Once you’ve mastered the basics, the learning curve would certainly get easier. Here are a few mistakes that you need to avoid when you are a first-time snowboarder:

1. Not taking professional lessons

When it comes to learning snowboarding, you can either teach yourself, learn from a friend, or take professional lessons. Teaching yourself hardly works. Learning from a friend may get you started, but you won’t gain the required skills and techniques. To develop proper form and technique and get to a decent level, getting professional lessons is the best option.

2. Not taking your time

Whether you have lots of experience skiing, surfing, or skateboarding or you don’t, don’t rush into snowboarding. It would definitely take time and patience to master snowboarding, as it’s a different sport. If you’re ready to give it the time and attention it requires, you’ll be rewarded well. Once you get that breakthrough, things would move faster than you thought and in a positive manner.

3. Not focusing on physical fitness

Although it appears like you just need to glide down a slope, snowboarding is physically very demanding. In reality, you’ll be using almost every muscle in the body. The sport involves shifting your weight, turning, balancing, and stopping. It is, therefore, extremely important to have a certain level of endurance and strength. You must focus on your physical fitness before you’re ready to spend time on the slopes. 

4. Wearing the wrong outfit

Wearing the right clothing is absolutely necessary for snowboarding. Despite this fact, very few beginners get this right. You must have a base layer that keeps you dry. Then, you must add a mid-layer of clothing for maintaining the warmth. Next, you would need an outer layer that breaks the wind and keeps out moisture. Such type of clothing prepares you for rough weather. It also helps you in keeping warm while you learn how to snowboard.

5. Going out on your own

Never make the mistake of going out on your own as a beginner in this sport. You’ll surely have other people on the slopes, but you need a friend, partner, or instructor nearby. They’ll keep an eye on you. The possibility of any untoward incident happening is always slim, but it’s always better to be safe.

6. Attempting to break your fall with your hands

One thing that would surely happen is that you’ll fall during your first few rides. When you do fall, don’t try to minimize its impact with your hands. If you do, you may end up injuring your wrists. You don’t need to worry about your fall, as the snow and your clothing would act as cushions. It may seem as if you’re doing nothing, but it is a much safer option.

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However, all the snow conditions have their own advantages and disadvantages. It’s our wish that you have maximum fun on the slopes. So, here we’re uncovering the most common conditions of snow and what you can expect from them. These are the snow conditions that every snowboarder must know:

1. Fresh snow 

This is a favourite among most beginners, intermediate, and pro snowboarders. Fresh snow conditions are also loved by piste skiers. A clearing of freshly fallen snow can give everyone on the mountain a fantastic day. Those ‘grippy’ turns and a smoother ride down is made easier with a heavy sprinkle of fresh snow. Such conditions make most of the snowboarders and skiers eager to get up the hill and enjoy a smooth descent. 

The freshly fallen snow is usually groomed by the piste bashers in the morning. The purpose is to make for some great skiing and snowboarding experience. As the day progresses, heavy skiing can do some damage to the fresh snow. It can get moved around the slope and an uneven slope would likely be created. The snowboarders, therefore, must be a little cautious.

2. Powder snow

This is a popular snow condition in the mountains. It takes place when the resort has witnessed some heavy snowfall. The snow has a structure of powder and low moisture. While riding, the snowboarders and skiers would get the feeling of floating over the snow under such conditions. The ride would seem absolutely magical. Grooming can take away much of the powder from the piste. 

One gets to discover glistening bits of snow when taking a ride following a heavy dump of snow. As the skiers and snowboarders glide over the thick powder, they must be careful. The weight of the body must be kept towards the back of the board or ski. This is done to avoid the nose digging in the snow. Falling in the thick powder won’t hurt, but digging out of heavy snow can be certainly challenging.

3. Packed powder snow

Packed powder refers to the snow compressed and smoothed by a piste basher. A piste basher is also called a snow groomer. The packed powder makes for an excellent snow base. Smooth conditions created by layers of abundantly packed powder that covers a piste makes skiing and snowboarding much easier. Such conditions can be ideal for those who want to learn and practice new skiing or snowboarding techniques. 

They won’t have to face any unexpected bumps under the packed powder conditions. Early in the season when the resorts get heavy snowfalls, they create pistes with packed powder. This is done by using the piste bashers. A good, even base for the winter season ahead is thus created.

4. Icy or hard-packed pistes

Icy pistes and hard-packed pistes are slightly different from one another. Yet, you can find both these snow conditions on the same day on the mountain. Ice is naturally quite smooth and can be easy to slip on. The hard-packed powder is also slippery, but it is a little more forgiving than ice. 

As the water content in the snow increases, ice and hard-packed powder is formed over time. Ice and hard-packed powder are compacted owing to regular grooming and skiing. They’re usually warmed during the daytime or over several daytimes. They’re also cooled or refrozen overnight. 

Hard-packed snow is often easier to navigate than ice. Despite this, planting an edge in order to make ‘grippy’ turns is more challenging under such conditions for snowboarders. When hard-packed pistes are smooth, it can be great for skiing at speed. On the other hand, ice can be very challenging to ski on and needs edges that are razor-sharp. 

Snowboarding enthusiasts would also require sharp edges to hold their turns on the ice. As an alternative, they can simply glide over the ice at speed without having to put an edge. Under such situations, stopping becomes a bit challenging. Nevertheless, the best ski racers and snowboarders enjoy icy conditions. 

The biggest reason is that these conditions allow them to reach their top speeds. The pistes start to get icy when it has been cold for a while and there is no snowing. Most of the snowboarders and skiers won’t like ice. The reason is that it doesn’t allow them to dig their edges into it pretty well. 

This makes staying in control a bit more difficult. An exception would be the situation where the ice is smooth and even. Such conditions can allow snowboarders and skiers to try some speed skiing and have loads of fun.

5. Slush snow

Slush often occurs during spring as soon as the packed snow base of winter begins to melt. It happens to owe to the warmer mountain temperatures. Some indulge in bluebird spring skiing during the slush snow conditions, while others spend relaxed afternoons in the sun. Thus, the slushy snow also has some advantages. Slush can be challenging for snowboarders and skiers. 

It can be slow and heavy due to the lack of a crystal structure. The wet consistency of slush snow can pull at your snowboard or skis when you try to turn. Slush also occurs as part of a combination of an icy morning and a slushy afternoon. 

The temperatures rising throughout the day results in changing the conditions and melting the snow. It freezes again during the chilly night. Although it can be a lot of fun, slush is generally not preferred. It is only liked by those who want to enjoy warmer temperatures and slower speeds.

6. Crud snow

This is among the worst kinds of snow conditions for most snowboarders and skiers. Crud results from the cutting up of un-groomed snow by the skiers. The un-groomed powder is often found at the sides of the piste. It’s quite difficult to ski crud. 

In order to do that, you’ll need to navigate through alternating snow consistencies. They must’ve become either icy and bumpy or remained soft and fluffy. Such conditions need much concentration and some serious leg work. Only then you’ll be able to successfully slide through such kind of snow. 

You’ll also come across a variation of crud snow on the piste. It is the one that’s been churned up by heavy snowboarding or skiing. This often occurs when it has snowed throughout the day and the grooming has not been done. This snow condition is enjoyed by those who wish to have a workout or like challenges.

7. Sticky snow

This snow condition is quite similar to slush. It is yet another variation of snow created when it starts to melt. When the snow is wet owing to warm temperatures, it begins to make a vacuum under the ski. This makes skiing more difficult as it becomes difficult for the skis to slide through the snow. You’ll find the stickiest of snow when it falls fresh and the temperatures are rapidly rising. 

The snow that has been freshly fallen still retains its crystal structure. It moulds itself to the bottom of your snowboard or skis as it becomes wet. This makes it difficult for air to get underneath and creates a vacuum. Under such conditions, it is hard for the snowboard or skis to slide. Even the most seasoned snowboarders and skiers can be caught off guard under sticky snow conditions. 

This is because it slows you down on the steepest slopes and makes turning a challenge. It would take a chain of weather events to create such conditions. The snowboarders and skiers, therefore, don’t have to deal with sticky snow too often.

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Moreover, snowboarders made up practically 50% of the ski-resort visitors in the American West. Now, you might want to experience this fast-paced winter sport but are not sure which location is the best. In case you’re a free rider, you’ll be interested in some untouched areas in the mountainous regions of the West. 

If you’re a freestyler, you might consider trying the terrain parks. They’d be one of the ideal places to try some adventurous moves of snowboarding and get enough practice. Here are some of the sought-after snowboarding destinations in the United States:

1. Kirkwood

Located in California, Kirkwood covers a vast area of more than 2,000 acres. It is home to four terrain parks that are great for all snowboarders, whether beginners or experienced. You might require some extra effort to get to this resort. However, the fresh snow and the dynamic snowboarding scene makes it worth the effort. 

Even kids can learn snowboarding at the Adventure Land Beginner Park. The Rip Curl Playground would be a perfect place for middle-level snowboarders. At this spot, they can try jumps, boxes and a half-pipe. Advanced snowboarders would have loads of fun at the Rip Curl/Stomping Grounds. 

2. Alpine Meadows

Yet another exciting snowboarding destination in California, Alpine Meadows is located in Lake Tahoe’s north section. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful views of the lake besides indulging in snowboarding adventures. Alpine Meadows is at a high base elevation of around 6,840 feet. 

The slopes, therefore, remain dry on most of the days. Alpine Meadows is also home to a recently revamped terrain park called The Shadows. It uses the mountain’s natural features, allowing snowboarders to board, jump, ride, and rail. 

3. Mount Hood Meadows

Mount Hood Meadows is located on the east side of Mount Hood in Oregon. The trails available for snowboarders range from smooth runs for beginners to steep slopes for the experienced. Every year, Mount Hood Meadows witnesses 430 inches of snowfall. You’ll have over 2,150 acres of terrain to try your snowboarding skills. 

There are six different freestyle terrain parks located in Mount Hood. They include The Zoo, Park Place, Superpipe, Shipyard, Forest Park, and Rose City Slopestyle. The new Superpipe measures 500 feet with a pipe that is 18 feet high. As not much snow is required to ride it, the pipe opens early in the season. It is also lit up after dark to facilitate night riding.

3: Squaw Valley 

This charming mountain village is located in California’s Olympic Valley. You can get to Squaw Valley by taking a 45-minute drive from Reno, Nevada. This wonderful snowboarding destination is surrounded by 4,000 acres of terrain and six peaks. It had hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and is an ultra-modern snowboarding facility today. 

It receives a yearly snowfall of 450 inches and has 300 days of sunshine. The mountain village has the ideal conditions for snowboarders of all skill levels. Don’t miss riding the KT-22, which is a fabulous mountain for snowboarding enthusiasts. It was named for the number of kick turns taken for a skier to reach the valley.

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