It’s the winter to hit the slopes! Lots of early season snow and warmer-than-average temperatures mean a fantastic time at the hill. We decided to take advantage of the great conditions with a snowboard lesson at Mt Norquay. But here’s the fun part: we found someone on our team who’s never snowboarded before to take this lesson! We knew Norquay had a great lesson program for kids, and a great program to develop competitive skiers, but how would they handle an adult beginner?

Here’s the scoop from our brave new snowboarder.

The lesson was wonderful and was beyond my expectations.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this lesson, but I figured I would fall a lot. I was terrified, actually, and quietly kept this to myself. The whole process of the lesson was easy. The staff greeted me and fitted me with rental gear. Everyone was friendly and laughed a lot. My instructor, Valentine, instantly made me feel welcome and at ease. It all felt very professional.

I was reassured I would not die. Valentine was fantastic and reassured me through entire experience. There was a strong sense of teaching good fundamentals and safety, which helped me feel a bit better. Valentine helped me orient my body with the board. It always seemed like a foreign extremity to me, so simple instructions like “place your foot here when standing still” really helped. Balance was an issue for me.

I learned that I was going to fall, but that’s ok. I learned how to fall well so it didn’t hurt. I also laughed a lot and ended the day with a smile.

I didn’t go beyond the beginner area, but that was enough for me. Honestly, the rest of the hill seemed extremely daunting.

If there’s one thing I would like people to take away from a lesson at Norquay, it’s that you will be challenged to face your fears – especially fear of falling – but you will feel supported and not judged along way. You will also advance a little and get that rush of adrenaline and the joy of snowboarding! That sense of freedom and accomplishment was the highlight of this experience. After this lesson, I realized snowboarding is something I can do. I’m planning on taking more lessons at Norquay.

If you’re looking to advance your skills on the hill, or you’re a beginner who’s never slid down a slope before, there’s a lesson for you at Mt Norquay. From the fantastic staff to the expert instruction, you’re sure to face your fears and discover the joy that draws people to the hill year after year. We hope to see you on the slopes.