Short answer. No, you don’t automatically need snowboard lessons.
Longer answer. Sometimes they help a lot. Sometimes they’re a waste of money. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just ride more and stop overthinking.
I say that as an experienced snowboard instructor. And before anyone accuses me of trying to flog lessons – if this were a sales pitch, it’d be a pretty bad one!
Snowboard lessons work best in very specific situations. Outside of those, they’re often unnecessary, or at least badly timed. The trick is knowing which camp you’re in. Allow me to explain.
Quick answer
If you’re a complete beginner, lessons are usually worth it. They shorten the painful early phase and help you avoid bad habits. If you’re past the beginner stage and progressing steadily, you may not need lessons right now. Lessons tend to help most at the very start, when you hit a plateau, or when something feels consistently wrong and you can’t self-correct.
If you’re a complete beginner
If you’ve never snowboarded before, lessons are usually worth it. Full stop.
The early stage is awkward and frustrating. Everyone goes through it. A decent instructor can shorten that phase and stop you from locking in habits that make life harder later.
This is about getting moving safely, understanding how the board actually works and not spending three days wondering why nothing feels right.
You might not need a full week of lessons. But two or three early on makes a huge difference.
If you’re improving on your own
If you’re riding regularly and things are slowly getting better, you probably don’t need lessons right now.
That surprises people. They assume lessons are the responsible choice at all times. In reality, riding time matters more than instruction once you’re past the basics.
If you’re relaxed, making turns both ways and not constantly fighting the board, you’re fine. Keep riding. Let things settle.
Lessons work best when they have something specific to fix.
When lessons help a lot
There are a few moments where lessons really shine.
- When you’re stuck doing the same thing for seasons.
- When something feels wrong but you can’t work out why.
- When you want to change how you ride, not just survive runs.
- When you’re nervous on terrain you should probably be comfortable on.
- When you’re exploring new disciplines – like park or powder.
That’s when a good instructor earns their keep. A small correction at the right time can save you months of frustration.
When lessons don’t help much
Lessons can be a waste of money when you don’t know what you want from them.
Turning up saying “I just want to get better” usually leads to vague advice and drills you forget by lunch. That’s not the instructor’s fault. It’s just hard to aim without a target.
They also don’t help much if you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or have expectations far beyond your ability (probably just need more riding time).
The mistake most people make
People either take too many lessons or none at all.
Daily lessons rarely stick. There’s no time to absorb anything. You end up chasing new tips with no time to hone in the previous ones.
No lessons ever can also backfire. Especially if you’ve unknowingly built habits that make riding harder than it needs to be.
The middle ground works best.
“Checking in” Lessons
This is what I usually recommend.
Take a lesson. Ride for a while. Let things bed in. Then check in again later if you feel stuck or curious.
Think of lessons like a tune up, not a subscription. You don’t need them constantly. You need them when something isn’t clicking.
That approach keeps riding fun and keeps instructors useful.
Alternatives to lessons
Lessons aren’t the only way to improve. For a lot of riders they’re not actually the best option. Here’s other ways to progress:
1. Ride with people who are better than you
Not miles better. Slightly. You pick up pace, line choice and confidence – without trying to copy everything they do.
2. Ride the same run repeatedly
This sounds boring, but it works. Familiar terrain removes guesswork and lets you focus on how things feel instead of what’s coming next.
3. Give yourself one thing to work on
Choose edge control, speed, stance, whatever. Too many goals at once just creates noise. Spend an hour on one skill and you’ll progress stupidly fast. Oh, and ride switch. Seriously.
4. Take breaks before you’re wrecked
A short break early beats a long one after you’re cooked. Fatigue hides learning.
5. Film one run, then stop
One clip can be useful. Ten clips usually aren’t. Watch it once, note something obvious, then go fix it.
6. Let things click on their own
This part matters. A lot of improvement happens between days, not during them. Sometimes the best move is doing nothing except coming back tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need snowboard lessons forever. You don’t need to avoid them either.
If you’re brand new, they usually help. If you’re progressing well, ride more. If you’re stuck, check in. That’s it.
Snowboarding isn’t something you optimise endlessly. It’s something you get better at by doing. With the occasional nudge in the right direction.
If lessons are that nudge, great. If not, the mountain is still there tomorrow.
