[red-beard]

Snowboard size is Height/Weight based. I ride a 165, but then I'm over 200 lbs...

Advice: Buy snowboard clothing since it's designed for how snowboarders function. While learning, get some sort of knee protection. Also get a helmet. The 2 "normal" beginner falls will either put you on your knees or your back/head.

Switching from skiing has it's own issues. The balance is front/back instead of side to side. With skiing, you keep the weight forward all the time and then balance right/left depending on which way you are turning. With snowboarding, you weight your forward foot about 70-80%, then roll your weight from the front to make a toe side turn (right if 'regular') and weight your back when making a heel side turn (left if 'regular').

The toes are a good way to help you learn balance. Sit down on a chair in bare feet. Place your feet flat on the ground. Now "grip" the floor by arching your feet and digging your toes into the floor. This is what you should do in a "Toe" turn. Now, keep the heel on the floor, but pull your toes up and point them. The whole front of your foot should come off the floor, while leaving your heel in contact. It sometime helps to use your hand to mimmic this. Make a fist when you are "grippping" the floor with your toes and stretch your finger out when you lift your toes.

Once you can do this while sitting, start practicing this same exercise while standing. Stand with about a 30-45 bend in your knees. Put 70-80% of your weight on your forward foot. Now, practice going from toes to heels. Hold the toe position for 10-15 seconds, then transition over about 5 seconds and hold the heel for 10-15 seconds.

Finally, add upper body transition to this. When on your heels, turn your upper body towards your forward foot (this is left, if 'regular'). Turn your upper body the other way. The twist is in the belly button area, not your shoulders. Keep the shoulders straight.

These exercises should help learn the snowboard balance.