A new hobby, such as skiing or snowboarding, can help banish the winter blues and open up new possibilities.

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A new hobby, such as skiing or snowboarding, can help banish the winter blues and open up new possibilities.

In winter, outdoor activities are limited.

Another winter activity enjoyed by many during the colder months of the year is going to the slopes for skiing or snowboarding.

Learning to ski or snowboard for the first time can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, especially when kids are speeding down the slopes.

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If skiing or snowboarding has always been something you’ve wanted to try, there’s no better time than now to start.

Below are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you proceed.

If you’re looking for a new activity to take up this winter, consider learning how to ski or snowboard. (Stock)

Skiing vs. snowboarding
Try before you buy
Invest in safety gear that makes you comfortable
Choose your first mountain wisely
Take lessons
Ski like no one is watching
Make it an experience

1. Skiing vs. snowboarding

The first step in your journey is deciding whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard.

Skiing is widely considered the easiest of the two to take up, but it depends on the individual.

If you’re 50/50 on what you’d like to learn, you can always spend one trip skiing and the next snowboarding to get a feel for which one you enjoy the most and pick it up quickly.

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If you plan to go skiing or snowboarding with family members or experienced friends, this is something to consider.

You can always pay for lessons, but if you don’t want to, and all your friends ski, maybe skiing is your best bet to help you learn.

Deciding whether to ski or snowboard is a matter of personal preference. There are challenges for both of them and they will each adapt. (Stock)

2. Try before you buy

Whether you choose to learn to ski or snowboard, it’s not a cheap hobby.

Skiing and snowboarding are very expensive activities in terms of start-up costs and the costs involved in getting to the mountain.

Lift tickets can be expensive, although there are season passes available at many places that can lower the price.

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Before you go ahead and spend hundreds (or more) on equipment, it may be wise to opt for a rental, at least on that first visit.

When renting gear, at least the first few times you go, it’s wise to make sure you want the activity to continue before you invest in expensive gear.

Before buying expensive gear, it’s worth considering renting first until you know it’s a career you want to pursue. (Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)

If you’ve hired once or twice and have a strong feeling that you want to keep learning, maybe it’s time to start looking at equipment.

3. Invest in safety gear that makes you feel comfortable

Even though trying before you buy is wise for expensive gear, buy gear that will make you feel comfortable while you learn.

For example, while buying a snowboard before you start devouring the slopes might turn out to be a mistake, buying a warm snowboard suit to keep you cozy while you learn might be worth buying.

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You may also want to consider purchasing padded shorts and knee pads that can provide extra cushioning during a fall. Knowing that you have that extra layer of padding helps your senses, so it’s worth the purchase.

Goggles are mostly worn on the slopes and are an inexpensive accessory. If you want to improve your knowledge but are not ready to invest in expensive equipment, this is a good place to start.

If you are looking to buy equipment for the beginning of your skiing or snowboarding journey, goggles are a good choice. They are commonly worn and relatively inexpensive. (Stock)

4. Choose your first mountain wisely

Deciding on your first destination to learn to ski or snowboard is critical to your success.

First, you want to choose a location that is suitable for beginners. You can determine this by looking online at trail maps before you go. Route maps are marked with different difficulty levels. So, make sure your destination has beginner-friendly trails to learn on.

Getting off the lift yourself can take a bit of practice.

A great way to learn is found on what is known as bunny hill. These beginner-friendly hills are not steep and often feature lift carpets.

This carpet lift is not as scary as the chair lift because you just get on the moving belt and ride up the hill that way.

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Getting off the lift yourself can take a bit of practice. Therefore, using a carpet lift is a great way to learn and help you feel comfortable.

When you’re looking for your first place to visit, look for those with lift carpets to make sure it’s the perfect place for you to study.

Carpet lifts or walkways are great for beginners and provide an easier way to climb a mountain than chair lifts. (Stock)

5. Take lessons

Taking lessons is a great way to learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding.

Many places offer lessons for beginners at an additional cost.

You can take a lesson with a family member or friend who is willing to teach you.

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Having someone with skiing or snowboarding experience is very important to your learning.

6. Ski like no one is watching

It can be challenging to learn to ski or snowboard as an adult.

Especially if you are on a bunny hill with small children who may be on the slopes as they can walk.

Don’t worry about anyone around you or be afraid of looking stupid on the bunny slope.

At any time during the winter, this mountain can be crowded with people of various experiences. Don’t be shy about your journey. Focus on doing what you can to improve. (Stock)

Everyone has to start somewhere, so give yourself some grace as you learn.