I've taught hundreds of people to snowboard, and I frequently see people's growth stifled by minor mistakes. That could be due to a technical flaw in their riding or a flaw in the way they chose and set up their equipment.

10 Common Mistakes beginners snowboarders makes

These are the most prevalent errors I find in my students and other riders on the mountain.

1. Failure to put weight forward in the turn

The most common technical error that beginners make when learning to snowboard is leaning back in the turn.Turning your snowboard requires you to steer from the front by shifting your weight to your front foot. Unfortunately, when we are terrified or feel out of control, our natural instinct is to lean back. This is a frequent topic that will run throughout your snowboarding adventure. Our natural instinct, whether it's your first spin or learning a new skill, is to lean back - and it doesn't work!

To overcome this, picture what you are about to perform and concentrate on the technique of pushing your weight forward.

This will give you the confidence you need to carry your weight forward.

2. Failure to wear protective gear

When it comes to snowboarding, confidence is essential. Nothing deflates your self-esteem like a devastating tumble. Wearing some safety equipment can give you the courage to push yourself without fear of injury.

When snowboarding, you should always wear a helmet, but it's also a good idea to wear impact shorts, wrist guards, and knee pads.

3. Riding at excessive speeds

When you're out of your comfort zone, it's difficult to concentrate on technique. I frequently see intermediate cyclists riding quite fast but with no skill or style.

Riding slower and more in control will allow you to focus more on your turns. When you start learning tricks, you'll also need to slow down.

Plus, if you slow down, you'll be able to see all of the jumps and natural characteristics that make snowboarding so enjoyable!

4. Windshield wiper rotation

Windshield wiper turns are performed by keeping the rider's weight on the front foot throughout the turn and just kicking the board around with the back foot.

This causes the board to pivot under the front foot, with the tail spinning around like a windshield wiper.

This is a common issue I find among intermediate riders, and it may significantly stymie their ability to improve. Windshield wiper turns are useless when riding in the snow! So, if you don't have good technique, you can miss out on the best part of snowboarding!

5. Failure to attend a lesson

All of the above points are correctable if you take a lesson! Snowboard lessons aren't simply for learning the fundamentals as a beginner; they can also help you advance faster.

Even a simple hint from an experienced coach can help you discover something new about your riding and make a big difference.

6. Not wearing the right clothes.

When starting to snowboard, the right clothing can make all the difference. A good snowboard jacket and leggings that are waterproof and breathable will keep you warm and dry while without overheating. You should also have a nice pair of gloves and goggles on hand.

It takes some practice to know how many layers you should wear in the mountains, so dress in layers and bring a backpack with additional garments to add or remove as needed.

Always check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

7. Not properly lacing your boots!

When I'm teaching newbies, one of the first things I check is that their boots are securely laced. It is critical that both the inner and outside boots be properly fitted so that your foot is securely held in place.

On the other end of the scale, some riders lace their boots so tightly that they cannot bend into the boot and become unpleasant.

8. Failure to properly set up your board

Another typical error is incorrectly setting up the board. The following are some of the most common mistakes I discover:

• Goofy rider on a standard setup (or vice-versa).
• Too broad or too narrow stance.
• Bindings that are too close to the tail.
• Strange binding angles!

If this describes you, take the time to change your binding setup before your next trip to the slopes. Also, keep a snowboard tool on hand at all times!

9. Choosing the incorrect type of board

This one is less prevalent, but it can be devastating to your advancement! If you are a novice, make sure you pick the correct size board as well as one with a soft flex that is comfortable to ride. Normally, the rental business will set you up with the appropriate equipment, but it's worth knowing what constitutes a good beginner board so you can be sure you're getting something appropriate.

Another mistake people make is purchasing a board that is overly specialized for one type of riding. On a powder day, this may be a short, soft freestyle board that is a pain to ride. Or a powder-specific board, such as a swallow-tail, which is useless when the snow is hard.

If you only have one snowboard, make it an all-mountain board. Then you'll be able to make the most progress and have the most enjoyment in any situation.