How to Prepare for Snowboard Season: A First-Timer's Guide to Chasing Fresh Snow
Your First Snowboard Season Starts Before the Snow Falls
Every snowboarder remembers their first day. There’s excitement, some nerves and getting to know the gear, which might not be a perfect fit on day one. And, of course, there’s the rite of passage: the inevitable crash-landing introduction to snow.
If this is your first snowboard season, welcome to one of the most rewarding adventures you can have. Snowboarding isn’t about being perfect on day one. It’s about discovering new mountains, finding your rhythm, riding free and eventually (if you’re lucky) experiencing that magical feeling of floating through fresh powder.
Listen to this Story on the 1923 Main Street Podcast
A little preparation now will make your first season far more enjoyable. Here’s how to get ready before the lifts start up.
Get Comfortable with the Right Gear
Most beginners are better off renting a snowboard, boots, and bindings for their first few times on the hill. Rental shops can match equipment to your size and ability, and you will learn what you like before investing in your own setup. Unlike skiing, there are many different potential foot arrangements and angles to try, so don’t get too frustrated on the first day.
The gear you should consider buying first includes:
A properly fitted snowboard helmet
Quality snowboard goggles
Waterproof gloves or mitts
Snowboard socks (yes, they’re worth it)
Waterproof snowboard pants
A breathable snowboard jacket
Moisture-wicking base layers
The goal is simple: stay warm and dry without overheating.
Crisp Mornings and Fresh Tracks.
The best snowboard days begin before the crowds, when a new mountain is covered in fresh snow and every run feels like an adventure.
The 1923 Main – Mountain Expansion unisex hoodie captures that spirit of exploration, celebrating the freedom of discovering new terrain, chasing powder, and making every trip to the mountains count. Warm, comfortable, and designed for snowboarders who are always planning their next winter escape, it is the perfect layer for the lift, the lodge, or anywhere your mountain journey leads.
Also available as a t-shirt.
• Base Item: Gildan 185000 • 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester • Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²) • Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling • Double-lined hood with matching drawcord • Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle • 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex • Front pouch pocket • Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem • Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Build Your Snowboard Fitness
Snowboarding uses muscles you probably don’t think about very often (until after your first day on the hill). A few weeks of preparation can make a huge difference.
Focus on:
Squats and lunges for leg strength
Core exercises for balance
Stretching hips and ankles
Cardio to keep you going for a full day on the mountain
You don’t need to train like an Olympian, but even 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week will help. Trust me, it will make a difference.
Learn the Basics Before You Arrive
There are thousands of great instructional videos online covering beginner snowboard skills.
Spend an evening watching some and pay close attention to learning:
How to strap into your bindings
Basic snowboard stance
Getting on and off chairlifts (this is a big one)
Heel-side and toe-side turns
How to fall safely (seriously, there are ways to avoid injury)
The mountain is a much better classroom when you already understand the vocabulary. You don’t want to learn-as-you-go when you can get some valuable advice in advance.
Nothing beats a great snowboarding freeride, especially on a freshly groomed trail or fresh powder.
Our 1923 Main Street® Original Freeride Snowboarding unisex tee is soft and lightweight, making it a perfect choice for double duty as a base layer on chilly days or an outer layer in the lodge or off-season.
Also available as a dark-colored tee and snowboard hoodie.
• Base Item: Gildan 64000
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Book a Snowboard Lesson
This is the single best investment you make. It is well worth it, no matter how good you think you’ll be. Even experienced skiers who switch to snowboarding will benefit from professional instruction (it’s that different).
A good instructor will teach proper technique from the beginning, help you avoid bad habits, and dramatically shorten the learning curve.
Dress for Mountain Weather
Weather can change quickly in the mountains. The secret to combatting this is layering.
Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating mid-layer if needed, and finish with a waterproof outer shell.
Avoid 100% cotton whenever possible. Once cotton gets wet, it stays wet—and nobody enjoys spending an afternoon feeling like a frozen sponge. You can wear cotton, of course, but just be aware of its limitations in this scenario.
Casual Comfort Street Style for All Roads.
Stay warm and keep cool in our street style All Roads Six Stars hoodie from the 1923 Main St. street style series. No matter where your road takes you – skateboarding, snowboarding or surfing – you’ll arrive in style in this timeless design and comfy fit.
Check out the t-shirt version for warm weather chilling.
• Base Item: Gildan 18500
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Expect to Fall, Because You Will (a lot)
Everyone falls. Olympians fall. Professional riders fall. And first-time snowboarders definitely do.
Falling is part of learning. The sooner you embrace it, the sooner you start improving. So don’t be cocky, because that will come back to bite you.
The goal for your first day is not to look like a pro. The goal is to finish the day smiling and excited to come back with as few butt bruises or sore wrists as possible.
Choose the Right Mountain
Not every ski resort is equally beginner-friendly.
Look for mountains with:
Dedicated beginner learning areas (most have them)
Wide green runs
Excellent snowboard schools
Magic carpets for first-time riders
Plenty of good quality rental equipment
Confidence grows much faster when the terrain works with you instead of against you.
The 1923/MS Triple Black Snowboarding T-Shirt brings the same attitude and comfort as our iconic snowboard hoodie version, but in a lightweight, all-season tee. Designed for riders who love the mountain lifestyle, this premium cotton snowboarding t-shirt blends streetwear style with all-day comfort.
With its varsity-inspired design from our streetstyle series, this unisex snowboarding t-shirt keeps you looking sharp in classic minimalism. Whether you’re layering up or chilling post-ride, the Triple Black tee is built for good times on and off the snow.
• Base Item: Gildan 64000
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Quarter-turned to avoid crease down the center
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti or Guatemala
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Pack Like a Snowboarder
A few often-forgotten items can make your day much more comfortable.
Do not forget to pack a few essentials:
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Energy snacks
Neck warmer
Hand warmers
Small backpack for extras
Mountain sun is stronger than most people expect, even on cloudy days. The light reflects off of the snow so it will hit you like you’re on a beach.
Ride with People Who will Encourage You
The best riding partners are patient, positive and encouraging.
If your friends spend every run disappearing into the terrain park while you are still learning to link turns, you will probably have a better experience taking a lesson or riding with others at your own pace.
Snowboarding is supposed to be fun. Find people who remember what their first season felt like.
Born From the Ban List
Before snowboarding was accepted, it was resisted. The Once an Outlaw Cherub Hoodie from 1923 Main Street® Snowboarding is inspired by the era when riders were shut out, ignored, and told no—then rode anyway. This piece pays homage to snowboarding’s rebellious beginnings and the culture that grew outside the lift lines.
Featuring a nostalgic cherub graphic with a distinctly 90s edge, this hoodie delivers everyday warmth with a laid-back, street-ready silhouette. Built for layering, late nights, and early chairlifts, it blends heritage style with modern comfort. This is not just a hoodie—it is a nod to the outsiders who shaped the sport.
Also available as a t-shirt.
• Base Item: Gildan 18500
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Most Importantly: Enjoy the Journey
The first season is full of milestones. Your first successful turn. Your first chairlift without falling. Your first blue run. And even your first powder day if you’re lucky enough to be in a true mountain resort. These are the moments that keep snowboarders coming back every winter.
Before long, you‘ll be planning trips to bigger mountains, chasing storms, and looking for fresh lines in places you’ve never ridden before.
That spirit of exploration is what snowboarding has always been about.
Welcome to the Mountain
At 1923 Main Street®, we believe every trip has a story, and some of the best ones begin with a snowboard pointed downhill. When in doubt, always remember that every experienced rider started exactly where you are right now.
The only difference is they kept coming back for one more run.
See you on the mountain.
Wondering if skateboarding is good practice for snowboarding? Read more on that here.