Updated August 22, 2025
Your first day skiing or snowboarding isn’t glamorous. Forget the ads with perfect carves and powder sprays. The reality is rental boots that feel like medieval torture devices, endless lift lines and at least one dramatic fall getting off the lift.
That is all part of the fun. Everyone looks like a beginner at some point, and if you know a few tricks, you will spend more time enjoying it and less time suffering.
Arrive Early
By mid-morning the rental shop is a zoo and the parking lot feels like a battlefield. If you are new, everything takes longer. Walking in boots, figuring out where to stash your bag, even just clicking in. Give yourself breathing room and show up before the chaos starts.
Don’t Start Sweaty
One of the classic rookie mistakes is gearing up in the car. Full jacket, helmet, gloves, all on before they even leave the lot. Then they walk to the lift overheating, only to be freezing 20 minutes later. Wear your base layers to the hill, then finish gearing up outside. Keep a dry pair of socks handy. Swapping into them before you ride is heaven.
Warm Boots Make the Day
Cold, stiff boots will wreck you. Do not leave them in the trunk overnight unless you enjoy trying to force your foot into a block of ice. Keep them warm in the car cabin or indoors. Sliding into warm boots is a game changer. A ski and snowboard boot dryer certainly doesn’t hurt.
Carry Gear Like You Know What You’re Doing
Skiers should stack skis base to base, tips forward, resting on the shoulder. Snowboarders should grab the board by a binding with the base facing themselves. Do it wrong and you will be smacking strangers left and right in the lift line.
Don’t Skip Protective Gear!
This one gets ignored by beginners all the time. You might think knee pads, impact shorts, or padded base layers are overkill, but trust me, you will hit the ground more times than you can count on your first few days. Ice, hidden rocks, rails, or just catching your edge — it all hurts. Pads do not make you invincible, but they take the sting out of crashes and keep you riding longer. If you want recommendations, check out my guides on the best snowboard knee pads and impact shorts.
Lock Your Stuff
Most people on the mountain are honest, but gear does occasionally vanish. A small ski and snowboard lock or the resort gear check saves you from coming back to an empty rack.
Fuel Up Properly
You burn more energy than you think, even if you are falling more than riding. Eat a proper breakfast, not just a granola bar. Oats with fruit, or eggs and toast will carry you. Pocket snacks should be quick and easy: trail mix, jerky, chocolate. Keep them in a jacket pocket close to your body so they do not freeze. As for lunch, mountain food is overpriced. Bring your own. I have seen people bust out thermoses of soup in warming huts and everyone else looked jealous.
Stay Hydrated
Cold weather tricks you into forgetting water, but dehydration sneaks up and makes you clumsy. A small bottle in your pocket or a hydration pack is enough. Save the beers for après when you are safely off the hill.
Layer Smart
Weather changes fast. One run you are sweating, the next you are freezing on the lift. Breathable layers are the key. A neck gaiter saves your face, mittens are usually warmer than gloves, and wind will ruin you if you are not prepared.
Protect Skin and Phone
Snow reflects sunlight and burns you even on cloudy days. Sunscreen your nose and under your chin, the two spots everyone misses. Lip balm is a must. Goggles should fit snugly to avoid fog. Keep your phone in an inside pocket close to your body heat because cold batteries die fast.
Pace Yourself
The mountain will humble you. Do not let pride talk you into dropping runs you are not ready for. Tired legs mean sloppy turns and sloppy turns mean faceplants. If your legs are jelly, take a break.
Know When to Call It
The last run of the day is when most wipeouts happen. If you are cooked, finish early. Ending on a fun run feels much better than limping back to the car. The mountain will be there tomorrow.
From My First Days
I still remember my first day riding. I spent more time on my back staring at the sky than I did standing on my board. My shins were bruised from rental boots, my gloves were soaked through, and I thought maybe snowboarding wasn’t for me. Then I finally linked three turns together without eating it, and I was hooked. That one moment of flow made all the frustration worth it. Keep that in mind on your first day. It won’t all click at once, but the little wins add up fast.
Final Thought
Your first day is not about being good. It is about surviving, laughing when you wipe out, and catching enough of a buzz from speed and snow that you want to come back. That is the win.
