Snowboarding can be a tough sport. On top of the dangers that will always come from going down a hill at 25 to 30 miles per hour, snowboarding works muscles that you don't often use in everyday life. Even if you don't get seriously hurt, a day of snowboarding will likely leave you feeling sore, especially if you haven't been snowboarding in a while.

Whether you're new to snowboarding or you've been going for years, you need to know how to take care of yourself to avoid getting hurt or to recover from an injury.

Stretching

Stretching is one of the easiest and best ways to recover after a day of snowboarding. It removes the tension that you've no doubt had to hold while you were on your board and returns your muscles to their original position. When you do stretch after snowboarding, focus on your leg muscles, glutes, and lower back.

Spend Time in a Sauna or Hot Tub

Saunas and hot tubs are seen as luxurious novelties when people are on vacation, but they have an important practical use. Spending time in either of these settings before and after snowboarding will help maintain circulation to your muscles. They'll help you feel a little more limber when you're on the slopes, and they'll help you recover after a day of snowboarding.

An Ice Bath

Heat from a sauna or hot tub can do wonders for your body, but so can a cold bath if you're really feeling sore. Soaking part of your body in water that is cold tap temperature can help reduce inflammation and speed up your recovery when you have a minor injury. Just don't spend too much time in water that is too cold; about five minutes at a time will be enough.

Knowing Your Limits

Finally, don't push yourself too hard if you're working through an injury. Snowboarding is supposed to be fun; you don't want to hurt yourself and ruin a good time. If you don't think you can physically handle snowboarding at any time, take a break. If you think your injury is something that will require more than a little rest, make an appointment with your doctor and discuss treatments and a recovery plan