Snowboarding lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What snowboarding lessons is

Snowboarding lessons teach stance, balance, edge control and turning, for beginners through advanced riders, on snow with proper gear. People book them for a first trip, to get past the falling stage, or to learn to ride steeper runs and control speed in changing snow.

Signs you need it

  • You cannot get your heel edge and toe edge to hold without sliding
  • You keep catching your heel edge and falling on the way down
  • You can ride one way but cannot turn the other way with confidence
  • Your stops are sudden, or you cannot control your speed on a gentle slope
  • You are moving to steeper runs or new terrain and need better edge control

What the pro does

  • Watches you ride to find the stance or balance problem
  • Teaches the stance and foot position that let you balance and steer
  • Works on falling leaf and linked turns on gentle terrain
  • Teaches heel and toe edge control, and how to use them to stop and slow
  • Covers getting on and off the lift and how to fall and get up safely

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private, semi-private or group lesson
  • Length of each lesson and whether it is a half day or a full day
  • Your starting level and the terrain you want to ride
  • Whether lift tickets, rentals or a helmet are included
  • Whether the lesson is at a resort or a smaller hill
  • Whether you ride regular or goofy stance, which may affect how the instructor plans the lesson

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of lessons, length of each and the start time
  • Whether lift tickets, rentals or helmets are included
  • Resort or location for the lesson
  • Group size and whether the lesson is private
  • Cancellation and weather policy

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you check first when you watch me ride?
  • How do you teach the toe edge and heel edge so I can control my speed?
  • Do you teach beginners on the bunny hill first, and how long does that take?
  • Do you require a helmet, and what do you recommend for my level?
  • Will I be able to ride a full run after the first day?
  • Do you hold an instructor certification from a snowboard instruction program?
  • Do you teach children, and how do you handle a group with mixed levels?

Red flags

  • Puts a beginner on steep terrain before basic stance and edge control work
  • Does not check your board, boots and bindings for fit or condition
  • Promises you will ride advanced runs after one day
  • Ignores falling and getting up, which is part of learning to ride

What you can do yourself

You can practice stance and balance at home with squats and balance work, and try a skateboard or surfboard to build a feel for turning. On the snow, ask your instructor to teach you how to fall and get up before you try a slope. Hire an instructor for your first lessons, for edge control and for any run where you lose control.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach snowboarding. Ask whether the instructor holds a certification from a snowboard instruction program and whether the resort requires instructors to carry insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency only for rules that apply to the resort or terrain you plan to ride.

Snowboarding lessons questions

Should I learn to snowboard or ski first?

Either works. Snowboarding puts both feet on one board, so the first days can be harder for some people. Ask an instructor to help you decide based on your balance and the terrain you want.

Do I need my own gear?

No. You can rent a board, boots and a helmet at most resorts. Renting first helps you find out what you like before you buy.

Do children need a helmet?

Many resorts and instructors recommend one for every rider, and some require one for lessons. Ask the ski school what it requires before the first lesson.

If my child takes a snowboard lesson, has the instructor passed a background check?

Many ski and snowboard schools ask for one for instructors who teach children, and you can ask to see proof before the first lesson.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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