Snowboarding, like any snow sport, is hard. It requires a lot of practice on technique and strength building, plus a willingness to fall a lot, to get any good. Sometimes you hit a plateau, and getting better can feel near impossible. To really get better, you need to know how good you actually are so you know what you need to work on. You might be much better than you think, working on the wrong things and not progressing, or you might be much worse than you think, failing to consider the basics that you’re yet to figure out. Taevis Kapalka took the time to dive into each and every snowboard level.
Beginner (5-30 days): Beginners struggle with balance, frequently fall, and find switching between heel and toe edges challenging, focusing on side slipping and basic edge control. The main goal is staying upright, linking turns, and enjoying green runs while blues and blacks remain intimidating.
Intermediate (20 to 300 days): Intermediate riders can link turns with some confidence but struggle with icy patches, speed, and advanced techniques like ollies or carves, often feeling stiff and relying on leaning to switch edges. Progression stalls here for many due to unrefined techniques, though focused fundamentals can accelerate improvement.
Advanced (250 to 600 days): Advanced snowboarders ride blacks confidently, hit small jumps and boxes with solid form, and feel the board as an extension of their body with smooth edge transitions. They remain cautious on unfamiliar terrain but learn from mistakes, trusting instincts to maintain control and flow.
Expert (700 to 2,000 days): Experts treat the mountain as a playground, mastering carves, moguls, and steeps with precise, instinctive board control and stylish execution of spins, presses, and airs. Mistakes are rare, recoveries are smooth, and runs are completed with efficiency, creativity, and flow.
Elite (2,000+ days): Elite riders make complex lines and tricks look effortless, shaping the mountain with seamless carves, jumps, and slashes while reading terrain instinctively. Their riding is an art form, blending style, power, and creativity, with constant growth despite rare mistakes.
