Learn how to snowboard in Norway

Step by step

Want to learn how to glide down the slopes and jump high like a pro snowboarder?

Many people travel to ski resorts in Norway with no prior skiing or snowboarding experience.

Rather than spending the day watching others on the slopes, make the most of it by booking lessons with a ski instructor!

An instructor can teach you the basics, so you can gain confidence and independence and really enjoy the resort.

“It's fun to help people develop and succeed at something they didn't think was possible.”

SkiStar instructor Wilma Håkanson Nilsson

Wilma's snowboarding guide for beginners:

Originally from our Nordic neighbour Sweden, Wilma Håkanson Nilsson (23) has been snowboarding since she was seven years old and has been working as a skiing and snowboarding instructor at SkiStar in Hemsedal for two years.

“I decided to work as an instructor because I love to teach. And I love exercise. It's the perfect combination.”

Start with the basics

When Wilma teaches new students how to snowboard, she starts by explaining some quick and simple facts about the snowboard, how it's built, how to use the edges, and how the bindings work.

"Then I let them decide which foot they feel most comfortable with having as the front foot on the board."

She shows her students how to use the edges and direction of the snowboard to brake and turn.

"Some people have never skied before, so it's important to get them comfortable with the feeling of gliding on snow," says Wilma.

Step one:

Relax your leg muscles and bend your knees.

Snowboarding instructors often tell students to be “low and loose.” Many tend to tense up, which makes it difficult to control and steer the board. Instead, try to be relaxed, with legs bent.

This will make it easier to steer the board and improves balance.

Step two:

Balance your weight somewhere between the middle of the board and your front foot.

Try to get comfortable gliding on the edges on both sides of the board as soon as possible.

Try to slide zigzag down the slope – first going on the heal edge to one side of the slope, then stopping and going on the toe edge to the other side of the slope. Once you become comfortable sliding on both edges, your turns will come naturally.

Point the board down the slope and then start with a heel or toe edge turn, stop, then point the board back down again and turn the other way with the other edge.

Step three:

Point your front knee and hip in the direction you want to go – this makes it easier to turn.

If you get scared or think you're going too fast, you may tend to lean back, making it very difficult to control the board. Instead, try to keep the pressure on the front of the board and focus on your front foot and front leg movements. It will then be much easier to control and steer the board.

With kids, I sometimes do a 'superman to the side' exercise to get them to shift their weight onto their front foot. This exercise also helps with their movements when they need to turn.

Wilma shows her students how to strap on and steer the snowboard.

Now it's your turn to try.

1, 2, 3 ... SNOWBOARD!