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I'm 36 in 4 months and started snowboarding in 2019 and have been every year since. I always wanted to try it and finally got the chance when my brother did it

I'm 36 in 4 months and started snowboarding in 2019 and have been every year since. I always wanted to try it and finally got the chance when my brother did it for his stag (Borovets, Bulgaria). It was very tough to start with but once you have a few lessons and get the basics it is so much easier. My biggest issue is going straight, or fast if you will! Lessons lessons lessons would be my one big of advice to anyone struggling.

larodi 5y ago
Borovets, Bulgaria is incredible place both for starting with snowboard, and for intermediate and expert off-piste activities also. Lots of very nice runs - popular, and not so obvious also. The Rila mountain in general is very accessible and bears snow for 4 mounts each year - global warming or not. Highly recommended.
secretsatan 5y ago
I learned to snowboard at thirty having never really been on snow before (apart from non mountainous snow) we took a five day activity holiday as a group to learn. It's tough going first few days as you fall over a lot. And learning your first turns off the baby slopes can be a bit terrifying at first. I also thoroughly recommend it. Luckily for me I ended up living in Switzerland several years later and get to go weekends on a regular basis. I don't reckon I'll ever be as good as some of the people who grew up here doing it, but I'm competent enough to get down most slopes with proper technique and getting into a nice flow is incredibly satisfying.
beezle 5y ago
Without being age specific, I've been boarding 20 years and also started later than most. No trips to the mountains as a 7yr old in my sedate family! The most important thing you can do is get more time out on the mountain. When I was first learning I used some of my vacation time to take Friday's off from work to get to a relatively nearby slope (2+hours drive). Remember as much as you want to go straight, do not ride completely flat - it is a good way to catch an unexpected edge and get tossed. Try to find a relatively wide blue run that is not a zoo and practice making and linking your giant "S" turns. As you get nearer the bottom you'll find that you naturally elongate them to maintain speed. Also be aware there are two types of riding/turning - cross over and cross under, you can find examples on youtube. Cross under is used a lot by park rats and by those who never really learned or like making big turns. It can also be situational, ie if it is crowded. You should learn both methods.
- m4tthumphrey 5y ago
  Not sure if that was a direct reply to my comment or advice for everyone but turning is fine for me, its just going straight/fast that scares me!
  - beezle 5y ago
    Yes, for you though tried to make it a bit more general. It is all about learning edge control - how much pressure to apply and when. Beginners tend to put too much pressure on the edge and worse, lean back when they are scared. They also tend to look down too much - look where you want to go (it won't seem as fast that way either). Gradually elongating your turns as you go down the slope builds your confidence/comfort level in going straighter at faster speeds - your mind/muscles learn to apply consistent gentle edge pressure. When it really flattens out, you'll ride mostly toe or heel with very, very slight edge, changing more because of tiredness than anything else.

larodi 5y ago

Borovets, Bulgaria is incredible place both for starting with snowboard, and for intermediate and expert off-piste activities also. Lots of very nice runs - popular, and not so obvious also. The Rila mountain in general is very accessible and bears snow for 4 mounts each year - global warming or not. Highly recommended.

secretsatan 5y ago

I learned to snowboard at thirty having never really been on snow before (apart from non mountainous snow) we took a five day activity holiday as a group to learn. It's tough going first few days as you fall over a lot. And learning your first turns off the baby slopes can be a bit terrifying at first. I also thoroughly recommend it. Luckily for me I ended up living in Switzerland several years later and get to go weekends on a regular basis. I don't reckon I'll ever be as good as some of the people who grew up here doing it, but I'm competent enough to get down most slopes with proper technique and getting into a nice flow is incredibly satisfying.

beezle 5y ago

Without being age specific, I've been boarding 20 years and also started later than most. No trips to the mountains as a 7yr old in my sedate family! The most important thing you can do is get more time out on the mountain. When I was first learning I used some of my vacation time to take Friday's off from work to get to a relatively nearby slope (2+hours drive). Remember as much as you want to go straight, do not ride completely flat - it is a good way to catch an unexpected edge and get tossed. Try to find a relatively wide blue run that is not a zoo and practice making and linking your giant "S" turns. As you get nearer the bottom you'll find that you naturally elongate them to maintain speed. Also be aware there are two types of riding/turning - cross over and cross under, you can find examples on youtube. Cross under is used a lot by park rats and by those who never really learned or like making big turns. It can also be situational, ie if it is crowded. You should learn both methods.

m4tthumphrey 5y ago
Not sure if that was a direct reply to my comment or advice for everyone but turning is fine for me, its just going straight/fast that scares me!
- beezle 5y ago
  Yes, for you though tried to make it a bit more general. It is all about learning edge control - how much pressure to apply and when. Beginners tend to put too much pressure on the edge and worse, lean back when they are scared. They also tend to look down too much - look where you want to go (it won't seem as fast that way either). Gradually elongating your turns as you go down the slope builds your confidence/comfort level in going straighter at faster speeds - your mind/muscles learn to apply consistent gentle edge pressure. When it really flattens out, you'll ride mostly toe or heel with very, very slight edge, changing more because of tiredness than anything else.