There’s no denying the similarities between longboarding and snowboarding, and many of the skills and techniques used for one are almost identical to the other. In fact, even the size of the boards is almost the same. But does it mean that you can automatically snowboard if you can longboard?
You cannot automatically snowboard if you can longboard, but you may find it easier to learn. There are slight differences between the two, which will affect how you ride both boards. However, having the skills necessary for longboarding, such as balance and stance, will help a great deal.
There are many similarities between longboarding and snowboarding, but you also need to consider the differences that can make it a bit more challenging. In this article, we’ll talk about how longboarding can help you be better at snowboarding, together with the factors that may affect it.
Can You Snowboard if You Can Longboard?
As mentioned above, there are many similarities between snowboarding and longboarding, leading many people to believe that a longboarder is automatically a snowboarder — or at least they’ll be good at it.
Between the need for good balance and perfect stance, it’s easy to see why people often compare the two. Let’s take a closer look at how they’re similar and how one may help with the other.
Similarities Between Longboarding and Snowboarding
Before we talk about all the ways in which being a longboarder may help you become a snowboarder, let’s take a closer look at the similar skills, techniques, and traits that you’ll need for these activities. Without these, you’ll likely find both quite challenging.
Balance
Whether you’re longboarding or snowboarding, the balance that you’ll need is the same. You need to get your body in the correct position to control the board and keep your center of gravity centered over it. Although there are slight differences between the two, especially on a downhill, the fundamentals for both activities will be the same.
Muscles
The muscles you need to develop to be efficient with longboarding are the same as snowboarding. You need to strengthen your legs to absorb the rough terrain while retaining your balance and when you’re applying pressure to edges when turning. You’ll also need a strong core and to use your arms for longboarding and snowboarding to help keep your balance.
Stance
The way you stand up on a longboard, including how you position your feet and the distance between them, is the same with snowboarding. The back foot may have a very slight difference, but it’s not enough to make it difficult to alter.
Generally speaking, if you’re comfortable with your stance on a longboard, chances are, you’ll feel comfortable on a snowboard. It’s similar to how surfers will likely excel at paddleboarding due to their familiarity with how best to place their feet for proper balance on the water.
Push
When longboarding, you push yourself with one foot to gain the momentum you need to keep moving. It’s almost the same for snowboarding, but many people use their front foot instead of the back foot to make the push. In most cases, with snowboarding, you’re specifically going downhill, which means you’ll use the push far less.
Turning
When turning on a longboard, you push on the board’s edge while leaning your weight towards the side where you want to turn. Snowboarding works the same, and if you’re familiar with longboarding, it won’t be hard for you to make turns on the slopes.
The Takeaway
Having the skills to longboard doesn’t necessarily mean that you can already snowboard. In fact, even exceptional longboarders may still have to learn the fundamentals of snowboarding before they can be good at it.
Of course, there are some advantages to it, such as having a better balance than someone who’s only just starting out, which lessens the learning curve. If you can ride a longboard going down a steep asphalt hill, it’ll be a lot easier for you to learn how to ride a board on snow-covered terrain.
Differences Between Longboarding and Snowboarding
If you can longboard, it’ll be easy for you to snowboard. But there will be some major corrections that you’ll need to go through to get better at it. Here are some of the most significant differences that you can expect from longboarding and snowboarding:
Terrain
A longboard is for dry ground — concrete or asphalt — while snowboarding is for snow. It’s the biggest difference between the two and it’s also why being a longboarder doesn’t necessarily mean someone can also be a snowboarder.
Speed
Snow makes it easier for snowboarders to control their speed, and many will have complete control over how fast they move with just the flick of their heel. In contrast, longboarders may need to exert a bit more effort to control their speed on dry ground.
Stance
The position of your feet will be the same, but your core will be different when longboarding versus snowboarding. For example, many snowboarders position themselves in a duck stance to help them maintain balance; something that you can’t do when longboarding.
Relaxation
Although they seem like they’re the same, the way you ride a longboard is very different from a snowboard because of its design. A snowboard is a platform with two edges, while a longboard has four stable wheels. It means that you can relax better on a longboard, leaning towards either edge, which you can’t do when riding a snowboard.
Tricks
Tricks are possible on both boards, but how people do them may differ. One of the best examples is performing a stand-up slide. With longboarding, stand-up slides take a long time, a lot of practice, and some road rash to perfect. On the other hand, it’s probably one of the first things people learn when snowboarding, and most of them will do it by accident.
The Takeaway
Of course, the above are slight differences that anyone can easily correct. There are even some that can correct these and be better than most beginners in a few hours. However, these are also the reasons why good longboarders aren’t necessarily good snowboarders.
They might have a better balance, but it’s one of the few advantages they may have. Therefore, knowing how to ride a longboard doesn’t automatically make anyone good at snowboarding.
Does Longboarding Help With Snowboarding?
Longboards can help you with snowboarding because of the similar skills, techniques, and traits you’ll need for it. In fact, some snowboarders even use longboards for off-season training to help keep them in shape and ready for the next season. However, these are still two very different pastimes, and one cannot replace the other.
Still, let’s discuss some of the advantages snowboarders may get if they were to take up longboarding.
Advantages Snowboarding Beginners Can Get From Longboarding
There are many advantages snowboarding beginners can get from longboarding, especially when it comes to the fundamentals.The best thing is that these boards are almost identical in size, meaning if you already have your balance with one, chances are, you’ll be able to master the other much faster.
If you can already longboard, you’ll still need to go through some adjustments, but it won’t be as much as someone without experience. On the other hand, someone who is only starting to learn how to ride a snowboard without knowing how to use longboards may have to go through a steep learning curve to find their balance.
Another advantage that you can get from using a longboard is speed control. When you’re riding on dry ground, it’ll be more challenging for you to control your speed. Although it’s possible, it’ll take a bit of practice to control it effectively.
Once you’re familiar with it, using a snowboard and controlling your speed will come instinctively, making it so much easier for longboarders to learn how to use a snowboard.
Advantages That Snowboarding Professionals Can Get From Longboarding
Longboards are the best alternative for snowboarding professionals during the off-season. The ride and control won’t be the same, but it’s the closest thing they can get to a snowboard. Longboarding makes it easy for them to stay in shape and be the best they can when the snow falls again.
However, this advantage will only be beneficial for professionals who already know the differences between longboards and snowboards and who have the right skillset to adjust to these differences.
An important thing that you have to remember is that longboards shouldn’t and cannot be used as an alternative to snowboarding. Although there are advantages to it, the fundamentals are very different, making it important to go through the basics.
Conclusion
Longboarding is a good way to practice snowboarding during the off-season, and it’s how professionals stay in shape. There are similarities between both activities, and you can definitely use some of the skills you learned from longboarding to snowboard.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can automatically snowboard if you can longboard without some adjustments. The stances and terrain will be very different, and the controls you have may vary slightly. That’s why someone who can longboard may still need to learn the basics before snowboarding.
Sources
Mike Belobradic: Does Longboard Skateboarding Help With Snowboarding?
Quora: Does Knowing How to Longboard Help With Snowboarding?
Reddit: How Similar Is Longboarding to Snowboarding?
