Should I teach my friend or partner to snowboard myself?

It’s usually better to book a lesson with a qualified instructor and support them around it. Instructors are trained to break skills down and choose suitable terrain, and it keeps the day more relaxed for both of you.

Can you teach yourself how to snowboard?

Some people do, but it’s usually slower, involves more falls and can build habits that are hard to undo. If you learn alone, use the gentlest terrain, learn to stop first and consider at least one lesson.

How do you teach a beginner to snowboard?

Keep to a gentle beginner slope and go in order: strapping in and skating, falling and getting up, sideslipping and stopping on each edge, then single turns. If they get stuck on a step, book a qualified instructor.

When is a beginner ready to ride the chairlift?

When they can skate on one foot, stop reliably on both edges and control their speed on the beginner slope. Many beginner areas have carpet lifts for this stage. Tell the lift attendant it’s their first time, and see our lift guide before the first ride.

Should I ride with them after their lesson?

Yes, if they want to, on terrain they can manage in control. Let them ride ahead where you can see them, and repeat their instructor’s cues rather than adding new ones.

Beginner skills

Friends and family

Helping someone learn to snowboard

The best way to teach someone to snowboard is usually to book them a lesson with a qualified instructor and then support them around it: prepare their gear, keep the pace gentle and reinforce what the instructor taught. Here is what a friend can safely do, and what to leave to a pro.

Part of Learning to snowboard and lessons