Can You Snowboard While Pregnant? Complete Guide From A Mom

I’d like to start out by saying that you should consult your doctor and talk with them first and foremost about anything during pregnancy. Second, you should only ever do what makes you and your baby feel confident, happy, and safe. 

But as a mom who absolutely loves skiing and snowboarding, I wanted to touch on this subject. If you are looking for all the details on whether or not you can snowboard pregnant. I have personal experience and can tell you all about what I did below. 

Can You Snowboard While Pregnant?

Yes, you can snowboard while pregnant. Again, as I’ve said before, you should definitely consult your doctor beforehand and only do what makes you feel safe and happy.

But as someone who has been pregnant before, I can answer this question and say confidently that yes, you can definitely snowboard while pregnant. But hear me out on a few considerations you should think about before hitting the slopes. 

Considerations Before Snowboarding Or Skiing Pregnant

Before strapping on your board to hit the slopes, consider a few big factors. Read them below. 

✅ Skill Level

If you have been snowboarding for years and are confident in your abilities to get down a mountain on a snowboard without falling, you should be able to snowboard while pregnant.

But if you’ve never touched a snowboard in your life or your skills aren’t entirely up to par, I would definitely stay clear of snowboarding while pregnant.

✅ What Trimester You Are In

While every pregnancy is very different, most people tend to feel super pregnant (your bump is out, your clothes aren’t fitting the way they used to, etc.) around mid-way through your second trimester.

Depending on how you feel, you may want to consider putting your snowboard up before you feel too pregnant. 

✅ ​The Level Of Ski Slope You’d Like To Go Down

I generally recommend sticking to green and blue runs while pregnant. These are the easiest slopes to handle, and many are groomed runs, giving you fewer chances to fall.

My Personal Experience

Continue diving in below as I outline my personal experience with winter sports during my first trimester and second trimester. 

I personally hit the slopes while I was pregnant. I was confident in my abilities to get down the mountain, and it made me happy. I knew I wouldn’t fall, so I kept to the easier slopes to make me feel more at peace. 

Another thing that I did while I was pregnant was make sure that my husband snowboarded behind me. This was my personal decision, but it gave me more peace of mind because I knew my husband was watching out for me and behind me so that other skiers or snowboarders wouldn’t accidentally hit me while out on the slopes. 

The third thing I did was I decided that at 20 weeks, I would stop skiing and snowboarding. This was my personal decision, but at 20 weeks into my pregnancy, I could tell that I was getting tired more easily. My stomach was starting to get bigger, and I didn’t want to get to the stage where I couldn’t see the terrain or my board.

But I skied and snowboarded until I was 20 weeks pregnant during my first pregnancy, and I plan to do the same thing with my next!

Tips For Snowboarding And Skiing While Pregnant

​If you’ve talked to your doctor and read all of those points and believe snowboarding is right for you during pregnancy, I’ve included below some tips to help make your time on the slopes a bit easier while you are snowboarding pregnant. 

1. Stay Hydrated

Your body will need plenty of water between exercising and the higher altitude. Make sure you have a backpack with a water reservoir on, and be sure to consistently drink it throughout your time on the slopes.

Staying hydrated is so important throughout your pregnancy, especially when exerting more energy. You also don’t want to risk getting altitude sickness, which can be caused by not drinking enough fluids. 

2. Avoid Crowds

I recommend avoiding crowds while on the slopes to keep you and your unborn baby safe. If you can, try to stick to runs with few people on them.

If you go down a slope and realize there are many people ahead or behind you, I recommend pulling off to the side and letting them pass before you proceed. This always gave me peace of mind when out on the mountain because I could focus more on myself and not worry about other skiers or snowboarders hitting me. 

3. Go Slow

​As an advanced skier, I love to go fast down the slopes, but safety is the number one concern during pregnancy, so be sure to take it slow so that you don’t risk a fall or injury. 

4. Take Frequent Breaks

Pregnancy can slow you down, as you are exerting energy for two! Make sure you take many different breaks to hydrate, eat, relax, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. This is not only good for you and your baby but also for your mental health. 

FAQs About Snowboarding Pregnant

Keep reading below as I answer a few frequently asked questions about snowboarding while pregnant. 

What snow activities are safe while pregnant?

A few snow activities that are generally considered safe during pregnancy include skiing and snowboarding if you are advanced, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking with microspikes if you are an experienced hiker on easy trails. 

Can you ski 2 months pregnant?

Yes, you can ski 2 months pregnant. But be sure to consult your doctor beforehand and do what you both think suits you and your growing baby. 

Is altitude bad for pregnancy?

Altitude isn’t necessarily bad for pregnancy; it just takes some adjustment to get used to. I lived in Denver and frequently traveled to the mountains throughout my pregnancy. I was never told that altitude is bad for pregnancy by my doctors.

However, if you are from a lower altitude destination, make sure to take it slowly and listen to your body. High altitude means less oxygen levels so you’ll want to take it slow, drink plenty of water, and adjust to the air before doing too much activity. 

Final Thoughts On Can You Snowboard While Pregnant?

Ultimately, yes, you can snowboard while pregnant. Again, while not every pregnancy is the same, and not every skill set is the same, I would consult a doctor and make whatever decision you both decide on.

But in general, you can snowboard while pregnant, and I’m proof of that. I know many people have hit the slopes while pregnant. I’m not a doctor, though, so you should definitely consult a professional for medical advice and do what you both think is right for you and your baby!