5. TAKE A LESSON

Yeah, yeah, we know. Lessons are for wusses. Well guess what: you're a wuss. Unless you want to see your knee hanging casually around your neck, you'll NEED a snowboarding lesson. This initial investment will prove more valuable than a Roth IRA or a good fake ID. Here are the benefits of lessons:

  • The first day is always the roughest, so a lesson will help lessen the inevitable aches, pains, and black and blues.

  • A lesson will help you build a solid repertoire of strong techniques initially.

  • A lesson will allow you to share your frustration and successes with other starters.

  • One of the largest benefits to taking a lesson is that you usually get to bypass all of the lift lines and get directly on the ski lift.

You don't have to take 20 lessons; just take one and see how you feel. If your friends snicker, then lie and say you got the lesson for free, so you might as well use it. That'll save your rep. Here's what to expect in a snowboarding lesson:

  • The best way to get started is to head straight for the snowboard school at the resort and sign up for a group lesson. Lessons usually consist of group sizes of 5-10 people.

  • Lessons will teach the basics of stopping, turning, falling, skating (that is: getting around when only one foot is strapped into the board), and sliding on the board in different directions.

  • Lessons usually start with the very basics of snowboarding such as balancing oneself on both edges (the toe and the heel) and then gradually progress to the art of making turns in each direction (again both toeside and heelside).

  • Most group lessons range from 1 ½ hours to half a day. Shorter group lessons cost $18 - $30 per person, while longer lessons at the pricier resorts (such as Vail) cost $95 - $105 per person for a half day (the half-day lessons usually include the $55 lift ticket).

  • Lessons are often grouped by ability level.

  • Private lessons are available, but these are usually targeted towards those who already know how to snowboard and just need help refining their skills, and with prices hovering around $400-500 for a full day private lesson during the high season, most people are economically placed out of this opportunity.

And now you're all set to hit the slopes. One more thing: don't forget to stretch. Whether it's your first or fifty-first time snowboarding, stretching will help your body not revolt on you the next morning. But if it makes you feel better, we think that your body is revolting anyway. (See? Even we can adopt that smart-ass snowboarder attitude. Get used to it…)