How to Snowboard - the basics of riding for your first day | REI

Ready to hit the slopes? We partnered with Amy Gan of the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) to teach you the basics of snowboarding. In this video, we cover everything from your snowboard stance to making J-turns and linking your turns down the mountain.
What you need to know:
Stance and skating on your board - 0:35
Gliding and J-turns - 2:48
Traversing - 6:43
Connecting turns - 9:54
We also have a video on how to put on your snowboard gear-check out that video here: • How to Put on Your Sno...
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At Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products-and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
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A Co-op Films Production-
Producer: Mary Beth Lavender
Director: Jason Lohr-Johnson
Cinematography: Jonathan Houser
Camera: Corey Warren
Content: Amy Gan
Talent: Amy Gan
Editing: Katie Van Fleet

[@Aphectz]

i tried snowboarding for the first time yesterday... full send downhill cus i thought it was like a skateboard.. massive bump , my ribs got cucked. & i got the wind knocked outta me . did that bout 12 times before realizing i should prob watch a video

[@andrewtruett8590]

Oh that was you I saw on the slopes?

[@dmg3691]

Ribs got cucked or cracked😬

[@caraj1307]

literally my same experience. :|

[@Aphectz]

Cara J it sucks now im learning toe side and heel side , i started getting the hang of it today my third time (5 hrs today) heel side - straight - heelside and kinda got the hang of it ill learn front side next time i go

[@tanyabattaglia93]

This is exactly why Im looking at this video 😆 Im going snowboarding next weekend, I used to skate and have read that snowboarding is generally easier to learn since theres no wheels but now idk haha

[@fudhater8592]

These tips will get you going quickly: - When facing downhill (your body, not your board), the higher your toes, the slower you'll go; the lower your toes, the faster you'll go. Reverse for toeside (facing uphill) - When you want to turn, turn your upper body in the direction you want to go And if there's a "secret" tip it's this: When starting out, you'll have a tendency to lean backwards so you can fall on your rear instead of your face; you need to keep your weight slightly forward when going downhill (i.e. nose is pointed straight downhill) as it will be easier to initiate turns, and eventually you'll be able to use your tail as a rudder/brake. Once you accept that your weight has to be slightly forward everything will fall into place :)

[@Kaneda0015]

To prevent leaning backward lift up both hands and point in front of you to keep balance. Don't forget to bend your knees. :)

[@AFatGuyILittleCoat]

So true dude about the secret tip. Once i started leaning on my forward foot, the motion became much more obvious.

[@fudhater8592]

@@AFatGuyILittleCoat Awesome!

[@MaxxHDROM]

there should be a save command or something. solid tip!!

[@js-hk6xs]

If you skateboarded before it's the same thing you lean forward and bend knees when you're going fast.

[@EliNelsonJusAwesome]

I’m impressed at how well the camera operator is tracking her while filming and snowboarding at the same time

[@petermuller7687]

Camera is probably on skis, much easier to control at such slow speeds without having to turn the whole body

[@EliNelsonJusAwesome]

peter müller ah that would make more sense

[@jmartz013]

It's a drone breh.

[@kosycat1]

you should see the people hit huge jumps while filming people!

[@TheBacontarian]

If you watch competitions, camera guy usually on snowboards

[@Aabdallahs]

The biggest thing that no one taught me during my snowboarding lessons is that, in order to go straight, you don't just point the board straight downhill and ride on the flat part of the board. If you do that, you will have a lot of wipeouts. The trick is to pretend you are riding a swing and always be going from heel to tow, back and forth. Once I had that epiphany, I had zero wipe outs.

[@CURRENTEVENTS2023]

Heel to toe while going forward?

[@Aabdallahs]

@@CURRENTEVENTS2023 Sorta, but in really long S-curves, going back and forth from heel to toe, and vice versa. You just never want to have your board flat on the snow. Always want to be riding on either or heel or toe even if it's by the slightest.

[@georgeonofrei3659]

@@Aabdallahs ur right

[@mac2312]

Yeah, you gotta zig zag like skiers

[@W0nTonSoup]

This is it right here!! I tried for the first time yesterday without any lessons and couldn’t find out how to slow down going downhill, I wish I knew this info earlier

[@winstonsmith3244]

Step 1: Strap in. Step 2: Stand sideways Step 3: Profit

[@kubby6129]

Mike Hunt CAH reference I see you

[@conorarnott1840]

I can’t like it’s at 420

[@kubby6129]

I’m intermediate level at snowboarding and I still watched this... just Incase I’m missing something in technique

[@andrewkochman8054]

Same here 😂

[@sexySBH]

Expert skier. This video helped me navigate my first day snowboarding. Not sure about the physics but snowboarding falls are 3x more painful than I remember when I first starting skiing.

[@Ryan-sx9cj]

Faxxxx I am too

[@deadlybladesmith3093]

@@sexySBH Expert skiier here too. Been 4 or 5 years since I've been however. I am going to try snowboarding this winter.

[@jaywilt420-_-2]

I’m a no level just thought I’d check this before I go out and try it

[@damienlewis7882]

wheres the 3 foot drop from chairlift on to icy ruts with a dog-leg right turn with one foot strapped in and 8 people behind you video?

[@wbharris1031]

Yes. Show me that video.

[@reddfn5311]

i laughed at this comment for about 5 minutes lol

[@yallseenmylines7680]

ahh so relatable 😂😂✊

[@Mary-gr3mr]

im still traumatized

[@Gumdrop92]

Lol yes! This is the video I need

[@viktoria3818]

All of the begginer snowboarding videos I've watched on youtube: Start with skating and gliding. My instructor: Naww, let's go straight down the 30 degree slope.

[@sumitshresth]

well if he says that how would he make his money? in my case my instructor told me not to bend knee while practicing toe side sliding while all toe side sliding videos i watched bend knee

[@viktoria3818]

@@sumitshresth well actually looking back at my two day beginners course the instructor taught me a lot and I do think he was right, the only way to learn is to try time and time again.

[@beautifullyflawed6723]

Honestly; my instructor taught me the way the vid is showing. BUT, the faster I went, the easier it was.

[@gucciboi1141]

Watching this after face planting the snow 50 times and realising maybe I should actually know what I'm doing before throwing myself down a red run

[@AFatGuyILittleCoat]

If you're seriously new, don't be stiff. Loosen up and be dynamic with your whole body. Flexibility and relaxing the muscles that aren't used to keep you from falling in that point in time will allow you to learn the balance of being on a slippery surface

[@nytso4940]

is it like skateboarding? where you don’t be stiff even when you fall, lean forward going down and bent knees when going over rough patches?? i’m from fl so i have no idea what snow is like

[@AFatGuyILittleCoat]

@@nytso4940 very much like it, yeah. It'll be different cause you're strapped but you're also not gripping up wheels. Snow is slippery in all directions

[@passthemayo8257]

I’ve never snowboarded but my friends talked me into going on my local hill, this video is the only thing that kept me alive

[@katmananquil88]

Fbi recommended it, lol just planned a snowboarding trip with friends and this popped up

[@omarfuaad9644]

Scary man these companies are stalking everybody in order to make a profit.

[@QuickScopingPerk]

FBI was like “well it’s not like I want them to get hurt and not have fun”

[@GG-nr1lb]

What a bro just looking out

[@JaguarBST]

Unbelievable quality on video, audio as well as instructions and demonstrations. Phenomenal video!

[@amplitudeplus4526]

Yup! Amy Gan rocks!! First Woman to make the AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors) National Team!! She's a fantastic instructor and a phenomanal snowboarder!

[@SuperHysy]

Went to try snowboarding the other day. This video was very helpful! Once I got traversing both ways on toes and heels mastered I was able to link up some turns smoothly. Took about 6 hours and dozens of embarrassing falls but in the end it felt like I started to make some progress.

[@clonkex]

The embarrassment at being new is one of the biggest difficulties. Same with learning to skateboard or rollerblade or ice skate. Once you realise everyone starts out trash and you can just not care what people think, it's a lot easier.

[@Toocoolforschool573]

Your not doing it right if you don’t fall

[@isaiah1707]

Watching this on the way to snowboarding for the first time 😝

[@gzrider7000]

Very good lesson for beginners. What's missing is THE cardinal rule: never catch that front edge. Almost anything you need to do to avoid that is worth doing. As you start, even if you have good balance you may not have the muscles just where you need them yet, which has consequences. It may not be as easy as she makes it seem to stand up while facing downhill. You may not have the edge control she does, either. You may not be able to jump like she does. As she initiates turns, she says flatten the board slightly. Given a tiny bit of slope, the board will do that automatically when you lean forward (tip from an instructor who helped me "undo" skiing practices) and you will naturally start turning. Don't panic as you pick up speed during the turn, and don't look at your boots. Also unlike skiing turn your neck, chin towards the leading shoulder in whichever direction you are going (skiing: chin in its normal forward position but torso twisted to look down the fall line, or at least towards it for shallow traverses). As you come around turns, don't panic about the speed and just ride it out. If you are an older beginner like I was, consider body armor. Pretty sure I cracked a rib the first time I caught a front edge. Gloves or mittens with a wrist brace recommended. Knee pads recommended.

[@HKDAVIS]

Excellent tutorial video, at age 58, i am going to try and have some fun with snowboarding for the 1st time

[@rei]

Thanks for watching! We wish you luck!

[@greghenderson4415]

How did it go? 46 here and want to give it a try this winter as my youngest is getting into it.

[@ydnas77]

Yep. I did all of this during my first class. Getting better every time I visit the resort. Super stocked!

[@T25de]

I’m happy your inventory is fully loaded. 🤙🤙 Happy shreddin

[@DRTHGNGTR]

@@T25de 😂😂😂

[@T25de]

@@DRTHGNGTR Haha that makes me laugh again!

[@davidvince857]

😂😂

[@chuckchai6544]

one of the most important tips I got from my instructor was to look and point where you want to go, I was looking at my feet all the time and that caused a lot of falls

[@alicekane3913]

Sure wish my twin sister & I had had YOU for our instructor for our 'one-time' lesson (Vail/Lion's Head). We were advanced skiers and decided (as we approached middle-age) that we HAD to give boarding a try. We asked for a female instructor but this very young woman hadn't a clue as to how to get beginners started! She took us right to the top of a trail (fuddgedabout us getting off the lift)!! Granted, the boots they gave us were crummy (we have such narrow feet) and, sadly, much of the "lesson" was spent on the ground - not to mention my immediate face-plant that destroyed my prescription sunglasses -- so then 'good vision' became a challenge! The young woman seemed mainly amused at "these twins flopping around the snow," but I always felt that she kinda ruined the possibility of us learning & enjoying the sport! Watching your video, I can totally understand what we SHOULD have been taught and your instruction makes so much sense to me! Bravo on a very good video & excellent teaching skills!

[@austinmaclean801]

Don't quit. Go out again and keep learning. I felt like such an idiot my first time, but the second time was a blast once it all clicked.

[@amplitudeplus4526]

Pro tip: ask the Ski and Ride School Desk for an "AASI Certified Instructor"!

[@Cowboysway1969]

Been boarding for 15 years, Great way to simplify the process!

[@Holistretch]

On my third snowboard trip and I’m finally ready to ease into those turns! Can’t wait!! Thank you:) Terrific footage!

[@Tetsuo01]

I feel like I’d watch this act like I’m gonna actually practice but then jist go straight for the hill

[@laurenp9927]

I thought the same thing xD

[@TheWest400]

Full send bro I’ll see you in the hospital lmao

[@amplitudeplus4526]

Definitely NOT recommended

[@ebrionez]

One of the best instructional videos I’ve see on KZbin. Great explanation of body movements.

[@stef9800]

I’m a skier but I kind of want to try snowboarding so if I like it I can get one and do both

[@chasemasters1579]

same

[@chasemasters1579]

i am going to try snowboarding out

[@josephinecorstens]

@@chasemasters1579 sameee

[@josephinecorstens]

@@chasemasters1579 i started skiing every year when I was like 4 yrs old, but now I’m 15 and I really wanna try out snowboarding

[@amplitudeplus4526]

Any way you chose to slide on snow is cool! Give it a shot! Lessons are highly recommended!

[@driven2succeed141]

Wow this has to be one of the best videos on snowboarding on youtube. Thanks so much!!!!!!!

[@apocalypsehunter4643]

I love this video! Helped a ton! I'm a beginner and reviewed before my first trip of this season!

[@parrotladder9025]

Brilliant vid ! Haven’t been on a SB for 20yrs , heading up this weekend , feeling just that bit more confident and have a game plan , thanks so much :-)

[@dawnbarber2512]

Im going snowbording fkr my first time the weekend and this really helped!!!

[@domnueve]

Taking my lady snowboarding for the first time and I’m sure she’s gonna do amazing after watching this video, thanks so much!

[@fahadhamdan]

That was legit one of the best tutorial videos I have ever watched.

[@sethtorres5202]

What a great instructional video. 10/10 have recommended

[@marioposada4978]

This video was SO HELPFUL! Thanks for putting this information out!

[@xriannarose]

I love this video!! It’s the best I’ve found so far!!! Thank you so much for posting 🥶

[@gcpeterson9751]

Thanks so much for this! Such a great refresher for a beginner like me!

[@sleepingbeautyasmr8197]

This was better than the lesson I paid for! I fell like 20 times after my lesson. Thank goodness for KZbin

[@MsBuBBLesvA]

your video def helped me on the slopes today. first time today! i took about an hour and a half to try each move but the ground wasn't as flat and mellow as yours. went down the beginners-ish slope-- ate snow about 20 times lol. but i got back up. did some j turns, connected them, traversed but the board kept wanting to go downhill. i got scared and sat down. i did manage to stay up for about a minute -- breaking the whole way and doing the j turns. can't wait for my next run tho!

[@rolandverschueren2113]

Wonderfull video! First snowboard instruction video I found that's useful, instead of just people showing off.

[@ss11733]

this was so helpful! I've only been once, I did okay but I had no idea how to slow down 🙈😂 i didn't realize that going down a hill on a snowboard is meant to be flowing between from heel and toe turns!

[@strawberries3667]

I have been snowboarding for about 3 months now (i did it a few years back but never got into it) and i'd recommend this video to ANYONE who wants to learn.

[@freanil9903]

Great video! Broke my wrist in 10 seconds. 5 stars!

[@levikiddd]

Best video ive seen for this thank you

[@BreauxBobby]

Thanks for the video! I went snowboarding last weekend and thought it would be like surfing or skateboarding, things I’ve done since I was a kid. The next day, I felt like I played tackle football with the neighbors because I hit the ground hard so many times. I’m thankful to be here watching this video.

[@punkloserorama]

going to my first lesson this saturday and can't wait to start=) thanks for the video, hope it will help me=)

[@jdpazmino2010]

My gf and I are getting ready to do this for the first time tomorrow... this vid helped a lot thanks 😎💪🏼

[@vio9105]

I'm gonna download this video and watch it right before I'm about to go down the track. This is gonna work out great.

[@temavoutsinos2639]

Damn this was the best video I’ve watched so far

[@nflclips2351]

Hello, you are a really good snowboard teacher today in went down a huge hill your tips helped a lot!!

[@elenab6763]

Ohhh you made it seem easier, thank you sooo much! I’m still learning to turn on a snowboard and this video motivates me to continue learning

[@T25de]

Don’t give up. It’s worth the effort’

[@ianpatrick23]

Excellent snowboarding tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@KevinPon.]

*Thank you for the demonstration! I am going snowboarding for the very first time today! Excited and nervous at the same time haha*

[@simonk3049]

Looks easy. On my way to Switzerland right now. Will update you on my progress from the hospital soon!

[@paolinellibh]

you are simply a wonderful instructor! loved to watch it

[@kevinarsenault8907]

Going snowboarding for the first time tomorrow and was recommended this video and this explains everything perfectly!

[@kylecross9827]

How did it go?

[@borky1987]

He dead

[@annadaisy33]

Thanks ! Finally i got it! U semplified the process! ❤

[@jurajgajovic2554]

I learned to snowboard in one day only with this video. Thank you for this great tutorial

[@w746deli6]

Hi Amy my name is Gigi thank you 🙏 so much for Sharing your video I think it’s great you make me feel more comfortable, It is in my bucket list to be able to snowboard I am headed to Mammoth this month thank you so much for your video, I hope 🤞 I can do it lol you make it seem so easy

[@HaoNguyen-de8je]

Great tutorial❤️

[@camdenbennett5831]

To all beginners that watch this video, do not stop in the middle of the run, if you fall and hurt yourself do not stay where you fell make sure you are in a safe spot so no one can hit you.

[@takeapieandrun]

You seem to think we have control over where we end up

[@adrianahlz1895]

I learned that it is always the responsibility of people behind... so that the "standard" is to watch out what's in front, not behind. And yeah like they say it's not like we can control where we fall!

[@T25de]

If you pull over and park it behind a tree you will never get nuked

[@ronineditor9920]

This is really great and I like how she taught going toeside first, which is usually people's big Achilles Heal, afraid of riding 'blind' to the bottom of the mounting, worrying about that edge. I think what helps is teaching people to push the board away from you... and absorb it, letting it come to you to turn.

[@ArmyBratz12]

I'm a skater that longer can skate due to an industry but snowboarding is cleared by my surgeon! I always ride blind skateboarding, I can actually do more tricks "blind" then front side

[@deneceo9092]

This video is super helpful! Thanks for the tips 😊

[@jorencabigting1305]

As a second time snowboarder what was most impressive for me was that roll bit round 8:50 never thought about that haha

[@Valentino016]

THIS IS LITERALLY THE EASIEST AND FASTES SPORT TO LEARN GUYS I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TRUST ME ! ALL YOU NEED IS STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY

[@InASexyDimension]

Great tips, thank you.

[@rosaliemaier7562]

feel more secure now trying it out, thanks!

[@larainewhite]

thank you for having captions!!

[@hiapom9590]

I like how you start with downhill motion (the most fun part of all of this) instead of falling leaf first (which is stressy on your muscles for newbies).

[@w.ethanjowers559]

I have been skiing yearly for the past 6 years and now I’m considering snow boarding I think I’ll go for it

[@CBCycles]

Nice video, thanks. I broke 3 ribs after catching my front side edge 2 years ago, Thought I would never snowboard again but I’m determined to learn this thing. Just gotta stay on the bunny slope a while longer lol.

[@user-iw9ww7xo6v]

Amazing! Thank you.

[@mehulhb]

very helpful video and tips.....

[@TheGilayan]

great tutorial! thanks

[@blueee]

Thank you, well explained 👍👍

[@alixwelde1628]

These tips were really well done. Hope I can put them into action and do great tomorrow on the hill.

[@rei]

Thanks Alix! We're wishing you the best of luck. Have fun out there! 🏂

[@dawsonhooper9142]

I’m watching this in the summer just because I just moved and my house had a snow board with now bindings. Now I want it to be winter so I can try it

[@gmglobal]

This is a great video. Thank you 👍🏼

[@grvd_yt715]

Nice tutorial i‘m gonna start snowbording now

[@ConnollyCaveman]

Amazing and clear instructions! Thank you!!

[@rei]

Thanks for watching, Stephen!

[@miclairin]

Standing and do heels edge immediately actually pretty hard. You make it looks really easy 👍

[@robfailesgolf5347]

Phenomenal video. Thanks very much

[@ZantherStone]

What a great video. Very clear and with good audio/video quality that matches. Thank you! (It'd also be great if you ahd one on becoming a little more advance. Tips for baby jumps or working with speed, etc. For the advanced beginners or beginner intermediates)

[@jasonlohr-johnson5940]

Hi Zanther, Excellent! We are producing two videos right now that will help with a little more advanced skills, and some tricks for snowboarding. We will publish them ASAP. Subscribe if you want to be notified.

[@sofininak1601]

Great video,now I can try it.

[@helmiopiskelija1489]

Thanks!! This was so simple and helpfull

[@calebmhorvath]

wish i woulda tried to learn turns and how to stop before sending it down a pretty steep hill, but honestly diving in head first and learning how to turn while going fast worked pretty well, kinda got the hang of it

[@SQUAT-BOX-Munich]

I am 12 years old and I was doing ski my hole life. Today I Tried snowboarding for the first time and I was better than I thought!

[@leorojas4560]

Great video. Super helpful

[@banhxeo9953]

omg tyyy !!! I needed THIS, my butt and my wrist can’t handle it anymore 💀💀

[@jrockasmr1007]

get padded crash shorts and wrist guards from amazon. They make all the difference when falling, and give you more confidence when riding.

[@amplitudeplus4526]

It's NEVER too late to learn!

[@paradoxx4546]

I’m VERY late but I learnt this the hard way, when falling, do not try to catch yourself with your hands, you will sprain them almost immediately. Just cross your arms across your chest and take the fall, as long as your wearing a helmet you’ll be fine

[@fleeca]

Can't wait for winter!!

[@0224ann]

I’ve wanted to snowboard for quite some time but couldn’t find anyone to teach me. I thought it wouldn’t work out learning it just by myself. Then I came across this video and decided to go out tomorrow for the very first time. Let’s see how it goes!

[@illes_invest]

How'd it go?

[@Bushcraftgearca]

Nice intro video on how to snowboard.

[@junsethdance]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[@3unkan]

This video is so helpful wish I knew this before I went snowboarding

[@memorycollection7246]

I'm going to snowboard in in two weeks! Thanks!

[@jasonlin1164]

Helped a lot thank!

[@SwayPromo]

This is awesome. First time snowboarding and 13 days! So excited!

[@rei]

Enjoy!

[@SwayPromo]

@@rei thank you! So excited! You suggest getting out there first thing in the morning

[@rei]

There is a certain magic in being one of the first on the run!

[@SwayPromo]

@@rei I will do that!

[@dreamisover9813]

Excellent lesson!

[@thalitamolina1]

So helpful! thanks!

[@catpchin]

You are very good teacher!

[@pastelbunny1723]

Thanks I’m going snowboarding tmr it will help!

[@cesarbadell9780]

Wonderful video. Thanks 1000 times !!!

[@rei]

Thank you for watching!!!