Are Snowboarding Lessons Worth It?

The simple and straightforward answer is, “Yes, snowboarding lessons are worth it!”

You might be thinking that lessons are too expensive, or that you’re naturally good at skateboarding, surfing, or some other sport and that snowboarding will be easy to learn on your own.

While these things might be true to varying extents, taking lessons will save you time, money, and some bumps and bruises along the path to learning your first turns.

This article will dive into what you can expect to learn in your first lesson, the different lesson types that exist, and how to save money along the way.

If you’re curious about becoming a snowboard instructor, check out SnowboardTeacher.com or our dedicated article How to Become a Snowboard Instructor.

What You Learn in Beginner Lessons

A typical beginner snowboard lesson delivered by a professional instructor will cover the following:

Introduction to the equipment
Moving around on flat ground with one foot attached
Introduction to mechanical lifts (i.e., “magic” moving carpets, t-bars, chairlifts, etc.)
Speed and direction control

Exactly what you will learn will vary depending on the lesson type, length, and your own progression. You may or may not progress to the point of actually learning how to turn on gentle slopes, but that shouldn’t be the goal of a first lesson.

Some good goals for beginner snowboard lessons are to have fun, stay safe, and learn to control your speed and direction on one or both edges.

Why It’s a Good Idea to Take Snowboard Lessons Early On

Taking lessons right from the beginning of your snowboarding career is a good idea for several reasons.

Snowboard lessons help you progress faster

Rather than spending time “figuring it out,” snowboard instructors tell you exactly what you need to know.

Often just a few simple tips about where to look, where to place your weight, or when to execute a movement will help everything fall into place almost effortlessly.

You can figure out these things on your own, but it will just take more time and you risk developing bad habits along the way.

Snowboard lessons keep you from developing bad habits

Sometimes the focus of snowboard lessons needs to be geared towards eliminating bad habits which a rider has accumulated throughout their journey in the sport, such as:

Counter-rotation (i.e., initiating turns excessively with the upper body rather than the lower joints)
Unbalanced positions, such as consistently keeping too much weight over one leg without knowing it
Inadequate pressure management at higher speeds, resulting in board chattering and falling

Taking lessons from the start will ensure that you don’t develop any habits that make you ride less efficiently than your potential allows.

Snowboard lessons keep you safe

There are too many stories of beginners finding themselves on terrain where they have no business being– don’t let that be you.

Professional instructors not only break down technique into manageable steps, but act as your guide on the mountain as well. They bring you to the type of terrain that makes learning easy or challenges your skills, depending on what is needed.

When Snowboarding Lessons Are Most Helpful

Snowboard lessons are a good idea for any rider at any level; there’s always room for improvement and it’s always good to get coached.

That being said, there are certain people who should absolutely take snowboard lessons when learning the sport. These include:

First-Timers
Nervous Riders

Also, if you’re returning to the sport after a long break, taking a lesson is a great way to shake off any rust and keep you safe as you jump back on the horse.

Why first-timers should take snowboard lessons

The two main reasons are to stay safe and avoid frustration. A professional snowboard instructor will break down the basics into simple and logical steps that build on one another.

Jumping steps can lead to frustration, or worse yet injury. Not knowing how to move through a frustration can lead to falling out of love with the sport before giving it a fair chance.

Nervous riders

Professional snowboard instructors are used to helping people move through fear. Without a guide who can break down the process into micro-steps and choose terrain that will give you confidence, you might let fear stop you from enjoying this beautiful sport.

Choosing the Right Type of Snowboard Lesson

There are two main types of in-resort snowboard lessons that are available in the industry:

Private Lessons
Group Lessons

Choosing the right type of snowboard lesson for you depends on your budget, your expectations of progression, and your learning style.

There are also snowboard camps or clinics which hire groups of pro riders or professional instructors to do two or seven-day intensives. These are often based around a theme such as “Freestyle,” “Freeride,” or “Women’s Camps.

Camps and clinics can be a good option if you want a lively social atmosphere on and off the mountain.

Private snowboard lessons

Private lessons are either one-on-one or you can put together your own group and hire a private instructor.

These types of lessons are often regarded as the highest-quality lessons you can get in-resort, as the instructors are often highly qualified and experienced. They will cater the lesson to whatever you, or your group, desires.

If you can put together your own group, the price of a private lesson can be comparable or even cheaper to that of a group lesson.

Group snowboard lessons

Group snowboard lessons are affordable, a great way to meet other riders, and a great way to ensure you stay safe and progress throughout your day.

Group lessons are segmented into specific age groups (i.e., adult groups, teens, children’s groups) and ability levels to create optimal learning environments.

What to look for when booking a snowboard lesson

A few things to look for when booking your snowboard lessons are:

Start and end times
Group size (minimum and maximum)
Instructor qualifications, especially if booking private lessons

Don’t be afraid to do your math and see if putting your own group together makes the most sense.

Also, be on the lookout for special events throughout the season, such as clinics and camps, and never-ever days, where prices might be cheaper and the atmosphere more electric.