Whenever the first snow hits the ground, many people wonder if this is the year they'll finally invest in a snowboard and hit the slopes. Or, maybe, skiing is the more attractive winter sport, with many a novice taking to the run to learn how to elegantly navigate every bend and curve. For snowboarders, though, the differences are significant: Rather than two blades, there's one, rather than having ski poles, a snowboarder's arms are there for balance. When it comes to deciding between the two, snowboarding is often the first choice that many make because it seems to be easier - but is it?

Each sport poses its own unique challenges but for some, snowboarding might actually be easier. With a solid handle on balance and navigation, beginners can easily find their own rhythm. There's not as much equipment to worry about and once a person is comfortable with their foot bindings and being sideways rather than straight forward, it becomes easier... But not without some tips from the pros first.

Safety First, But It's Also A Great Way To Learn Faster

There's no doubt about it: Beginners are definitely going to fall, multiple times. In fact, it's not uncommon for beginner snowboarders to spend their entire first day on the slopes falling. It's not necessarily natural to be sliding down a hill sideways all the while gaining speed and trying to maintain balance, and falling is natural and part of the process.

However, it doesn't need to be something that's painful, which can often hinder a snowboarder's learning process and cause them to be hesitant. When we fall off a bike or rollerblades, we're often not keen on getting back up and immediately flying down a hill again. Therefore, any means of extra padding can only be helpful - this isn't the time to look fashionable on the slopes, it's a time to get down the basics and be comfortable with falling while it's still relatively safe.

Practice Starts Before You Get On The Slope

Everyone will tell a beginning snowboarder that wherever they look, that's more often than not where they'll end up going. We use our eyes to navigate so it makes sense that they would guide the rest of our bodies.

When it comes to snowboarding, navigation depends on the subtle shifts of the lower body, and this can be practiced before a person even hits fresh snow. Strapping on the board in the living room or outdoors and just practicing looking in a certain direction and turning your body in tune will aid in making the motion that much more natural while on the slopes.

Related: 16 Safety Rules Ski Resort Staff Wants Their Guests To Follow

Know The Slope And Learn How To Read The Powder

According to Matador Network, it's important to know how to read the slopes and the terrain, because this is how a snowboarder can get the absolute most out of their run. It's no surprise that - especially for beginners - ice should be avoided. Speed is definitely a good thing but not when a beginner is flying over the handle with no control over where they're headed or how to slow down.

Therefore, making a turn towards fresh powder is always a better bet. This is also how a snowboard was designed to work; along fresh powder, it's made to glide, some would describe it similar to surfing along a perfectly-breaking wave. As the snowboard glides over the top of snow that's been mostly undisturbed, the snowboarder will go a further distance, be able to whip around more easily, and will add a level of weightlessness to the entire run.

Related: 20 Popular Ski Resorts Ideal For Beginners

Remain Determined Because Once The Basics Are Down, The Sky Is The Limit

While it's true that skiing is easier for some initially thanks to the fact that balance is less of an obstacle with poles and two blades, snowboarding is easier to work once the basics are mastered. They're somewhat reverse in this sense, with snowboarding being tough at the start but easier the more a snowboarder practices.

Skiing lends itself to a relatively easy start, but with more challenges as a skier advances in courses and skill level runs. That's part of the reason snowboarding is so rewarding, though! Although it's more of a challenge to practice balance and get a hang on navigating and, in a sense, multi-tasking, the rest will get easier. If nothing else, it will only help those who want to eventually learn how to ski, but learning how to snowboard and a snowboarder holding their own is a proud accomplishment... so don't be discouraged by the fact that it's not always easy.

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