How long does it take to learn to snowboard? SnowWind's seven-stage lesson plan

“How long does it take to learn to snowboard?” Before answering, we have to agree on what “learn” means.

SnowWind’s principal, KAKU, defines it like this: on a suitable green run, you can link S turns, control your line and speed, and stop on purpose when you need to. In other words, you can look after yourself on the piste.

This post is for you if:

• you have never been on a snowboard and are planning a trip to Hokkaido
• you want to know which steps a lesson takes you through
• you have had a few lessons and feel you are progressing more slowly than other people

The number of hours varies a great deal from person to person, so this post gives no average. SnowWind lays out the path from zero to looking after yourself as seven stages, each with a clear practice goal. Understanding the stages is more useful than remembering a number.

Seven stages, and what each one unlocks

Step 0: your lead foot. On a snowboard you first decide which foot goes in front: left foot forward is called Regular, right foot forward is called Goofy. In your first lesson, the instructor will confirm your lead foot with you (editor’s note).

1. Flat-ground prep: get used to the board and your gear on flat ground. Unlocks: moving around on the flat with your board.
2. Very gentle slope and the lift: your first slide, on a very gentle slope, and learning to ride the lift. Unlocks: getting yourself up the hill.
3. Heelside control: controlling the board with the edge on your heel side. Unlocks: controlling your speed on the heel edge.
4. Toeside control: controlling the board with the edge on your toe side. Unlocks: controlling your speed on the toe edge.
5. Traverse: crossing the slope on a diagonal. Unlocks: choosing where you go.
6. Straight run, then stop: sliding straight down the slope, then stopping. Unlocks: stopping yourself once you have picked up speed.
7. S turns: joining the control on both sides into continuous turns. Unlocks: looking after yourself on the piste.

Heel side and toe side are the two edges of the board. Stages 3 and 4 train control on each side separately; stage 7 joins them together. Linked turns are heelside turns and toeside turns, alternating.

Where people get stuck

SnowWind’s published beginner lesson plan singles out stage 6: “straight run, then stop” deserves extra time to get solid before you join the two sides’ control into continuous turns.

KAKU puts it more bluntly, calling this the most overlooked skill, and the one KAKU most often “kicks” students back to redo later, once they move on to more advanced riding:

Everyone who wants to improve: get this one beginner skill wrong, and there is no telling how much money it will cost you to fix later.

KAKU

The other sticking point is skipping stages. KAKU has written about “fast-track” lessons: plenty of lessons on the market promise S turns within a few hours. In KAKU’s view, the classic skip is rushing into S turns before the falling leaf is solid, or moving on to touching the snow with a hand before the rhythm and balance of the S turn are in place. It looks like fast progress; in fact it lays down habits that are hard to change later.

KAKU also regularly meets this kind of student in advanced lessons: they say they can change edges, but as soon as they do a skills check, the upper body sways, the arms flail, and their eyes are not on where the board is going. KAKU’s view is that these most basic things should be taught on day one, with reminders all the way until they become muscle memory.

Finally, slow progress does not necessarily mean something is wrong with you. A 2003 study had 5 novices practise on a ski simulator over a long period and found that the way they controlled the movement switched to a different pattern during practice; during the switch, the two patterns appeared alternately. The limits need stating clearly: only 5 people, on a simulator rather than a slope, so it cannot be converted into how many lessons you need. It is a reminder of one thing only: learning a skill does not always follow a smooth straight line.

Turning it into a trip plan

SnowWind’s Beginner Lesson comes in three lengths: half day, 3 hours; full day, 4 hours of teaching + 1-hour break; full day, 5 hours of teaching + 1-hour break. Prices and available dates are on the courses page.

Because everyone progresses at a different pace, we do not recommend planning your trip around “how many days it takes to learn”. A more practical approach:

1. On your first day, take one Beginner Lesson.
2. At the end of the lesson, ask your instructor which stage you have reached and which stage still needs more practice.
3. Based on the stages left and the days you have, plan your next lessons or your own practice.

The Beginner Lesson covers everyone from complete beginners to riders who cannot yet link turns consistently, so whichever stage you stop at, your next lesson is still a Beginner Lesson. Once you can link turns consistently, you move on to the Snowboard Progression Lesson.

Before you get on the snow, read the next post in this series: How to fall safely on a snowboard. If you have not yet decided between snowboarding and skiing, see Snowboard or ski?. For anything else, see the FAQ.