Learning to snowboard as an adult: Just how difficult is it to master?

WE all like to think of ourselves as fairly open-minded when it comes to braving new challenges but just how easy is it to learn a new sport as an adult?

WE all like to think of ourselves as fairly open-minded when it comes to braving new challenges.

So when the opportunity popped up to learn how to snowboard as a 26-year-old with average skiing abilities and a love of all things snow-related — snow angels, pompom beanies, mulled wine, snugly cardis, toasty warm fires — I jumped at the chance.

But coming face-to-face with a menacingly sheer slope (I swear it was steeper than a green run) at Falls Creek in Victoria this season, and I was cursing the idiot who forgot to install the guard rails.

No amount of shiny new snow gear was going to help me traverse this mountain unscathed, so I made the first smart decision of the trip — off to private lessons I went. Here’s how it played out.

DAY 1 REPORT CARD:

Everyone warns when learning to snowboard you’ll spend the first three days on your bum, but I was in no way prepared for the up-down, up-down, repeat that was my first lesson. My instructor, who was Torah Bright-good on the slopes and an even cooler chick, was so patient with me and insisted I was “getting the hang of it really quickly”. The hardest thing is remembering to look over your leading shoulder while you’re facing downhill. It just feels wrong.

A dozen stacks and one awkward spill off the kiddie escalator, and I was ready to call it a day and head to the spa at the QT Hotel.

A snowy bum was the least of my worries.

How do you make it stop?

DAY 2 REPORT CARD:

Limbs were stiff and sore this morning — has it only been one day? But I’m definitely more confident turning from toe-side to heel-side edge, albeit at a granny’s pace.

We tested the waters on a few green and blue runs, and I managed to make it to the bottom with my dignity intact.

I had one particularly brutal face-plant where my instructor actually said: “Oh, that one was a big one, you won’t do that again,” as she untangled me from myself.

Okay, so we weren’t applying for the Winter Olympics just yet ...

I was great on the flat.

Wobbly. So wobbly.

DAY THREE REPORT CARD:

Feeling fresh and ready to tackle a few bigger runs this morning. I’ve counted no less than five monster bruises but I’m determined not to leave the slopes until I’ve mastered my turns and made it to the bottom without stopping.

I jumped into a group lesson and mucked around with a few people of a similar ability level. Great fun and we even finished up with a cheeky run through the snow park.

No tricks or flips for this ski bunny, but after three days I could actually call myself a snowboarder. Just.

HOT TIPS FOR BEGINNERS:

• You’re not immortal, and you’re certainly not one of those fearless little Milo kids anymore. Have a lesson, you won’t regret it.

• Don’t drink and ride. If you think the confidence two red wines gives you in a bar will translate to the slopes, you are wrong my friend.

• Wearing a helmet is cool. Safety first.

• Amateurs should never attempt to take selfies while on the chairlift. Navigating the slopes, sans gloves is not a fun game.

• Quit while you’re ahead. If you’ve had a good run but you’re starting to feel fairly black and blue all over, unclip the boots and head to the pub.

The ski season isn’t over yet, so if you’re up to the challenge you should get your unbruised butt to the snow for some adrenalin fuelled fun. And if hitting the slopes isn’t your thing, an evening tour on a snowmobile promises one of the best sunsets going.

Falls Creek is a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne and a day’s drive from Sydney. There are also flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra into Albury, a two-hour drive away. Daily coach services run from Melbourne, Wangatta, Albury, Myrtleford and Mt Beauty.

The writer was a guest of Alpine Resort, Falls Creek, Victoria.

The Night Show Spectacular at Falls Creek finishes off with an amazing fireworks display.