If you are the adventurous type, snowboarding is probably something you are eager to check off your bucket list. Perhaps now is that phase in your life when you finally have the time to learn the sport. But with all the money and effort involved, you may be wondering if snowboarding is worth it.
Snowboarding is worth it for long-term snowboarders and beginners alike. The experience of snowboarding alone is worth it for many, and others love it for the challenge it presents. While it can take some time to learn, snowboarding can definitely be worth it in the end.
Below, we go through whether snowboarding is worth it in more detail, while also taking a look at the kinds of things to bear in mind before you get started. Later on, we’ll also take a closer look at whether snowboarding lessons are worth it too.
Table of Contents
Why Is Snowboarding Worth It?
You go out in the cold, firmly attach a board to your feet and slide down the mountain, often at a thrill-inducing speed. Sounds bizarre, right? If you were to explain the snowboarding process to someone who has never heard of the sport, it would sound pretty odd. There are more than 7.5 million snowboarders in the US alone, and there are several reasons that snowboarding is so popular.
It’s Thrilling
The thrill of sliding down a snowy slope is incomparable. Snowboarding definitely requires a lot of practice in the beginning. But once you nail the basics (which usually only takes a couple of lessons), you will start feeling comfortable in the snow.And if you are a beginner, you will love the feeling of achievement when you successfully manage to make your first turns and complete a whole run.
It’s Great Exercise
Snowboarding is also great exercise, especially if you are fairly new to it (as you’ll definitely find it to be a workout!). Since it’s a mix of endurance and resistance training, snowboarding positively affects your heart and circulation while also being great for your legs and glutes.
If you are a fan of interval training, snowboarding is a good option because it involves short bursts of intense exercise, followed by a rest on a chairlift.
It’s Peaceful
Snowboarding can be an incredibly peaceful experience. Even though you’ll likely be sharing the snow with a lot of other people, when you’re going down the mountain you’re very much in the zone. You’ll feel the wind rushing against you, but you can find some real tranquility in the rhythm of travelling downhill on your board.
It’s A Unique Experience
Whether you are on a month-long trip or simply taking a break for a few days, you will have the experience of a lifetime. Your mountain escapade will be a unique experience that will let you forget all your stresses.
What’s more, snowboarding is a very sociable sport. You get to enjoy mountain time with your friends and family. Also, you get to meet all sorts of people that can lead to lifelong friendships.
Should You Ski Or Snowboard?
Whether you should ski or snowboard depends on a variety of factors, including your physical fitness, your budget, which one you actually would prefer to learn, and even where you plan to do either of the options. It’s entirely up to you as to whether you should ski or snowboard.
The question that almost every beginner asks (I did too when I first started), is whether you should opt for skiing or snowboarding. But before we get into all that, what exactly is the difference between the two winter sports? Both skiing and snowboarding require descending a snowy mountain slope. However, beyond that, the two sports differ greatly in the techniques used.
Skiing involves gliding over snow on two separate plank-like skis, usually with the aid of poles. Snowboarding, on the other hand, is a sport where you descend a snowy slope with a single snowboard attached to your feet. But how do you know which will be right for you? Below are some of the key questions to ask yourself when choosing between skiing and snowboarding.
What’s Your Body Type?
For starters, snowboarding requires better overall fitness and range of motion for beginners. So, if you are a bit limited in your flexibility or not very fit, skiing is probably a better option for you. If you are particularly heavy or have difficulty moving, you will find both sports pretty tough. However, skiing will still be relatively easier.
Which Is Easier To Learn?
Skiing is definitely easier to learn when compared to snowboarding. You’ll be on your feet and gliding down a snowy slope faster on a pair of skis than on a board. However, while snowboarding is harder to learn, it’s easier to progress once you are familiar with the basic techniques.
Which Involves More Injuries?
Both snowboarders and skiers are prone to injuries. However, the types of injuries tend to be different. While skiers are more susceptible to leg injuries, snowboarders often suffer tailbone, wrist, and upper body injuries.
But the fact remains that both are demanding sports with a high likelihood of suffering injuries, sometimes fatal if you don’t take the proper precautions. And that’s why you should always play it safe and wear a helmet to avoid fatalities.
Which Is More Fun?
Both snowboarding and skiing are fun. However, skiing generally tends to be more fun at the start since it’s easier to learn. Comparatively, snowboarding usually gets more fun over time as you master the techniques. Generally speaking, the better you get in both sports, the more fun they become.
Which Is More Expensive?
Gear is relatively similar in price for both skiing and snowboarding. However, ski gear can be slightly expensive in some places. Also, the cost of renting equipment can be somewhat higher for skiing. Previously, there was a more considerable price difference. However, considering the vast number of more affordable skis coming out, the price should not be your primary concern here.
Are Snowboarding Lessons Worth It?
Snowboarding lessons are definitely worth it. You can learn to snowboard yourself, but even if you are naturally good at something you can still benefit from lessons. There are always things you don’t know how to do or things you were doing wrong all along and can learn to do better with lessons.
You Will Master The Proper Technique
You have probably seen professional snowboarders like Shaun White, Aimee Fuller, and Jenny Jones killing it on their snowboards. And if you also want to go from an amateur snowboarder to snowboarding like a pro, there’s only one proven way to do so – take snowboarding lessons.
When you take snowboard lessons, you learn from professionals with extensive training. They will teach you all the complex techniques in a way to make it easier for you to learn. Doing so will help you nail down the basic techniques and start snowboarding on more challenging terrains.
You Will Avoid Serious Injuries
When it comes to snowboarding on snowy mountains slopes, there are specific rules to keep you and everyone else safe, including:
- You don’t stop in the middle of the slope
- You always look up the slope before moving off from the side
- Stay on marked paths
- Always look uphill to ensure no one is coming toward you before sliding down a hill
- Pay close attention to warning signs such as “Danger” or “Slow Down”
Your snowboarding instructor will make sure these rules become second nature to you, and you’ll learn them right from the start. Learning the proper techniques will decrease the likelihood of you hurting yourself.
You Get To Meet New People
Taking group snowboarding lessons is the best way to meet new people with similar interests. This way, you can learn to snowboard while having a good time in a friendly and relaxed environment.
It’s Cheaper In The Long Run
You may believe snowboard lessons are expensive. But trust me, while snowboarding lessons may mean more money upfront initially, it’s worth it in the long run. Besides learning the proper techniques, you will learn how to keep yourself and others safe and always remain in control. This will save you time on the slopes learning and potentially some costs associated with damaged equipment.
Whether you are a beginner learning to snowboard from scratch or an experienced snowboarder wanting to learn how to do a backflip, snowboarding instructors will safely teach you everything you want to know.
Final Thoughts
Snowboarding is worth it if you want to learn how to speed down a snowy mountain and enjoy the social aspect that comes with it. Snowboarding lessons are also worth it, as you’ll still get the thrill and challenge of snowboarding, but you’ll get better at it much faster.