{"id":3456,"date":"2019-03-11T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T13:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pimsleur.com\/?p=3456"},"modified":"2025-06-04T15:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:22:00","slug":"snowboard-the-swiss-alps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/snowboard-the-swiss-alps\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginner\u2019s Guide to Snowboarding in the Swiss Alps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First-Time Snowboarding Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spring is probably the best time of year to learn to snowboard. If you are anywhere near the Swiss Alps, it\u2019s time to hit the slopes and the apr\u00e8s ski. Moving to Switzerland without any skiing or snowboarding experience is like showing up to a Zumba class you\u2019ve never been to and realizing that everyone else knows the routine very quickly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are new to the world of snowboarding and find yourself at the top of Gornergrat, taking in the glistening peaks and iconic Matterhorn while simultaneously having a nervous breakdown, here are some simple snowboarding tips to get you started.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Listen to the Burton Snowboards How I Built This<\/a><\/em> Podcast<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A little inspiration goes a long way. Did you know snowboarding is a relatively new sport? Recently, Guy Raz interviewed Jake Carpenter, the man credited with co-inventing the snowboard. In 1977, he set out to design a better version of a stand-up sled he used to ride as a kid. He worked by himself at a studio in Londonderry, Vermont, incorporated Burton Snowboards, and crafted what is now known as a modern-day snowboard. Burton is recognized as the largest snowboarding brand in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Flea Market Finds<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Snowboarding can be expensive. It requires a lot of specific gear,<\/span> and day passes at ski resorts aren\u2019t cheap. Find a local flea market and sift through some of their winter offerings. I found my snowboarding boots at a weekend flea market in Zurich, Switzerland, for 7 francs ($7 USD) last season.  Use your network and ask friends if they have any old boards, helmets, or gloves to borrow. You can also use online tools such as Facebook Marketplace to buy used gear. My friend found a pair of ski goggles for free!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Take at Least One Lesson<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I took five snowboarding trips to the mountains before taking a lesson. I wasted valuable time because I couldn\u2019t toe-side turn, despite watching numerous online videos beforehand and trying to teach myself. This meant I side-slipped<\/span> down the entire mountain (note: This isn\u2019t an ideal method for your entire run, but it is a key skill to learn early on as it is the only effective way to control your speed). Once I linked up with a true snowboarder, it was amazing how quickly I could \u201cmonkey see, monkey do.\u201d I finally learned how to toe-side turn, and it changed my ability and experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Don\u2019t Worry About Other People<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I was hyper-aware<\/span> of those behind me and those above me in the chairlift, afraid to be in their way or afraid they\u2019d laugh at me when I fell. Tip #1: The people behind you are aware of you, so you don\u2019t have to be aware of them. Tip #2: Learn to laugh at yourself; falling in front of a crowd makes it much less frightening. For me, it\u2019s easiest to forget about others when I\u2019m plugged in. I put on my favorite Spotify playlist, POLLEN, and never looked back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Take Pictures of Your Feet in Bindings<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This will make you feel cool.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Don\u2019t Wait for Apr\u00e8s Ski<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pat yourself on the back and swing through the mid-run ice bar at Iglu-Dorf in Zermatt, Switzerland, for white or red mulled wine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mulled red wine at Iglu Dorf in Zermatt, Switzerland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Don\u2019t Miss Apr\u00e8s Ski<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wait for apr\u00e8s ski, but don\u2019t miss it either. One of the liveliest apr\u00e8s scenes in Switzerland is at Flims Laax. They are known for having one of the best snowparks in Europe. There you\u2019ll find the infamous Riders\u2019 Palace Club & Lobby. You can hear the spirited music oozing out of the Lobby walls from 5 PM until 4 AM. The adjacent Palace Club offers live bands from 9 PM until 1 AM.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Wear a Helmet<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Protecting your brain<\/span> is important!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>