
With the Winter Olympic Games upon us, excitement surrounding winter sports is at an all-time high. If you’re itching to pack up your Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner and head out to the slopes, here are some snowboarding tips from our team at High River Toyota.
Get the gear
Safety is crucial when you’re gliding down the side of a mountain. While it may seem fun to just jump on a board and go, you need to be prepared with the right equipment. SnowboardHow founder Lorraine Lam suggests buying a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards, and hip pads in addition to your boots, jacket, pants, goggles, and base layer of clothing.
Hire a pro
There’s no shame in hiring an instructor to help you on your first few snowboarding outings. These trained professionals will teach you important lessons so you can stay safe and have fun. Even after you’ve got the basics down, it might be a good idea to take refresher courses at the start of a new season.
Prepare physically
If you’re not in great physical shape, it will be difficult to take on snow-covered mountains. Even though it looks like you’re just swaying back and forth on the board, snowboarding takes a lot of core and leg strength to succeed (and not fall down a hill).
The most important tip we can provide is to have fun! Getting out there and taking on a new skill can be daunting yet incredibly rewarding.