Snowboarding looks simple from the outside. Strap a board to your feet, point downhill, turn, stop, and enjoy the mountain. In reality, there is a lot going on that beginners never hear about. Snowboarding is a combination of balance, body positioning, edge control, snow conditions, equipment, weather, mountain awareness, psychology, and learning how to fall safely.
There is also a major difference between what snowboarding looks like in videos and what it actually feels like when you are learning. The first few days can be surprisingly frustrating. Your legs may burn, your hips may get sore, getting off a lift can be awkward, and you may spend more time sitting in the snow than actually riding.
That is normal.
Snowboarding Is More Difficult at First Than It Looks
One of the biggest things nobody talks about is the steepness of the initial learning curve.
A skier can often learn to stand, glide, snowplow, and make basic turns relatively quickly. Snowboarding has a different learning curve because both feet are attached to the same board and your body is positioned sideways.
The first challenge is simply learning how to balance.
You have to learn what it feels like to put pressure on your heels and toes, control the board’s edges, shift your weight, and keep your upper body from fighting the board.
Once these movements become automatic, snowboarding becomes dramatically easier.
This creates an interesting experience where you can feel terrible for several hours and then suddenly have a moment when the board starts making sense.
Your First Day May Be Mostly Falling
There is no shame in this.
Beginners often imagine that they will spend their first day cruising down the mountain. The reality is usually more like:
Stand up.
Slide a few feet.
Lose balance.
Fall.
Get back up.
Try again.
Fall differently.
Repeat.
Snowboarding has a particularly uncomfortable beginner phase because falling backward onto your butt or forward onto your knees and hands can happen frequently.
This is why learning how to fall is an actual snowboarding skill.
You want to avoid putting your hands straight out to stop a fall because your wrists can take the impact. Learning controlled falls and using appropriate protective equipment can make the learning process considerably less intimidating.
Your Wrists, Tailbone and Knees Get More Attention Than You Expect
Snowboarding injuries aren’t simply about spectacular crashes.
Beginners can repeatedly stress the same areas through relatively minor falls.
The wrists can take a beating from trying to catch yourself.
The tailbone can become surprisingly sore after repeated backward falls.
Your knees can become tired from constantly bending and stabilizing yourself.
Your ankles and feet can hurt because snowboard boots are intentionally stiff and restrictive compared with normal footwear.
And your forearms can become exhausted from repeatedly getting yourself back up.
One of the most overlooked pieces of equipment for a beginner is wrist protection.
Helmet use is also important. A helmet doesn’t make you invincible, but it can reduce the risk of certain head injuries.
Snowboarding Is a Leg Workout
People sometimes underestimate how physically demanding snowboarding is.
Your legs are constantly making small adjustments.
Your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves all contribute to maintaining position and controlling the board.
Your core also works constantly because your torso has to remain stable while your lower body controls the board.
A beginner can become exhausted surprisingly quickly.
This is particularly true because beginners tend to remain tense.
Instead of allowing the board to move underneath them, they often stiffen their entire body.
That burns energy quickly.
Being Strong Helps, But Balance Matters More Than Raw Strength
You don’t need to be exceptionally muscular to snowboard.
Snowboarding rewards coordination and balance much more than simply being able to lift heavy weights.
Strong legs are useful, but so are:
Good ankle mobility.
Hip mobility.
Core stability.
Single-leg balance.
Coordination.
Reaction time.
Body awareness.
Cardiovascular fitness.
This is one reason someone who exercises regularly can still feel completely unprepared for their first day on a snowboard.
Gym strength doesn’t automatically translate into snowboarding skill.
Your nervous system has to learn an entirely new movement pattern.
Snowboarding Is Surprisingly Mental
One of the biggest barriers can be psychological rather than physical.
You may know exactly what you are supposed to do but hesitate because the slope looks intimidating.
Your brain sees the downhill direction and thinks:
“Don’t fall.”
That can cause you to stiffen your body, lean backward, and lose control.
Fear can actually create the very problem you are trying to avoid.
Relaxation becomes a skill.
Experienced riders aren’t necessarily fearless. They have simply developed enough familiarity with the board that their brains don’t interpret every change in terrain as an emergency.
Looking Down the Mountain Can Be Intimidating
Beginners frequently make the mistake of staring directly down the hill.
That can cause them to focus on the distance rather than what is immediately in front of them.
Good riders continually scan the terrain.
They are looking for:
Other people.
Changes in snow.
Ice.
Moguls.
Terrain transitions.
Trees.
Lift towers.
Trail intersections.
Unexpected obstacles.
Crowded areas.
The safest snowboarders aren’t simply concentrating on their own board. They are constantly reading the environment.
Your Body Position Matters More Than You Think
Snowboarding is extremely sensitive to body position.
Small changes in where your weight is distributed can dramatically change what the board does.
Leaning too far backward can make it difficult to control the board.
Leaning too aggressively forward can cause the nose to catch or make the board feel unstable.
Turning isn’t simply about twisting your body.
Your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and torso all contribute.
Eventually these movements become almost subconscious.
Edge Control Is the Real Language of Snowboarding
A snowboard essentially has two primary edges.
The heel edge.
The toe edge.
Much of snowboarding is learning how to move between these edges smoothly.
Your edge determines how the board interacts with the snow.
A rider who understands edge control can slow down, turn, carve, and navigate changing terrain.
A beginner who doesn’t understand edge control may feel as though the board has a mind of its own.
This is one reason lessons can be so valuable.
A qualified instructor can explain what your body is doing incorrectly instead of allowing you to develop bad habits through trial and error.
The “Catch an Edge” Experience
This is one of the things every snowboarder learns about eventually.
When an edge suddenly catches the snow when you aren’t expecting it, the board can stop or redirect extremely quickly while your body continues moving.
The result can be a very sudden fall.
It can happen even to experienced riders.
Learning to control your edges is therefore not just about improving your turns.
It is also about reducing unexpected edge catches.
Snow Conditions Change Everything
There isn’t one type of snowboarding.
Fresh powder feels completely different from hard-packed snow.
Packed powder feels different from icy conditions.
Wet spring snow feels different from cold, dry snow.
Slush feels different from powder.
Hard ice can make edge control much more demanding.
This means a rider who feels confident on one day can suddenly feel like a beginner when conditions change.
That isn’t necessarily a loss of skill.
The mountain itself has changed.
Powder Is Not Automatically Easier
Movies make deep powder look effortless.
It isn’t always.
Deep snow changes how the board floats and moves.
A rider may need to modify their technique and body positioning.
Getting stuck in deep snow can also be exhausting.
If you fall in powder, getting back up can require considerably more effort because the snow doesn’t necessarily provide a firm surface to push against.
Powder can be amazing once you understand it, but it isn’t simply “soft snow that makes everything easier.”
Ice Is a Completely Different Experience
Hard, icy snow can be one of the most challenging conditions for newer snowboarders.
There is less forgiving surface texture and less room for sloppy edge control.
A sharp edge can help tremendously.
This is where equipment maintenance becomes important.
Nobody Talks Enough About Keeping Your Board Tuned
A snowboard isn’t something you simply buy and forget about.
The base needs to remain in good condition.
The edges need attention.
Wax matters.
A properly maintained board can behave very differently from one that has been neglected.
Wax affects how easily the board moves across the snow.
Edge condition affects how effectively the board grips harder snow.
You don’t necessarily need to become a snowboard technician, but understanding basic maintenance can make the sport more enjoyable.
Snowboard Boots May Be Your Most Important Equipment
Beginners sometimes focus heavily on choosing the board.
Boots can actually be one of the most important decisions.
Poorly fitting boots can cause:
Foot pain.
Heel movement.
Cold feet.
Blisters.
Reduced control.
Numbness.
Fatigue.
Your boot should hold your foot securely without causing unnecessary pain or cutting off circulation.
A boot that is excessively loose can make board control more difficult.
A boot that is excessively tight can make an otherwise enjoyable day miserable.
Bindings Matter Too
Bindings connect your boots to the board.
They transfer your movements into the snowboard.
Binding setup influences how the board feels.
Stance width, binding angles, and positioning can all affect comfort and control.
There isn’t one perfect setup for everybody.
Your height, riding style, board, and personal comfort all matter.
Your First Snowboard Probably Shouldn’t Be Your Dream Snowboard
Another thing nobody talks about is that the board you eventually want may not be the board on which you should learn.
Beginners generally benefit from equipment that is predictable and forgiving.
An extremely aggressive board designed for experienced riders can make learning unnecessarily difficult.
You want equipment that helps you learn rather than equipment that demands that you already know what you’re doing.
Renting Equipment Makes Sense for Many Beginners
If you’re not sure whether you will enjoy snowboarding, renting can make sense.
Buying everything immediately can become expensive.
You may need:
Board.
Bindings.
Boots.
Helmet.
Jacket.
Snow pants.
Gloves.
Goggles.
Base layers.
Socks.
Protective equipment.
And potentially transportation and lodging.
A beginner can spend a considerable amount of money before discovering whether they actually like the sport.
Renting gives you an opportunity to learn what you like before investing heavily.
Clothing Is More Complicated Than It Looks
Snowboarding isn’t simply “wear something warm.”
You need to manage temperature and moisture.
You can be freezing while riding the lift and sweating heavily while riding down the mountain.
Layering becomes important.
A base layer manages moisture.
An insulating layer provides warmth.
An outer layer protects against wind, snow, and moisture.
Cotton is generally not ideal as the primary base layer because it can retain moisture.
Your Hands Can Ruin Your Day
Cold fingers can make an otherwise great snowboarding day miserable.
Gloves or mittens need to provide warmth while still allowing you to manipulate equipment.
Mittens can be warmer for many people because the fingers share heat.
Gloves provide greater dexterity.
Hand warmers can also be useful in genuinely cold conditions.
Goggles Are More Than Fashion
Goggles protect your eyes from wind, snow, and glare.
Visibility can change dramatically with weather.
Flat light can make terrain difficult to see because shadows and contours become harder to distinguish.
Bright sunlight can create intense glare.
Fog, snow, and clouds can reduce visibility.
Good goggles therefore serve an important functional purpose.
Sunscreen Is Still Necessary in Winter
This surprises some people.
Snow reflects ultraviolet radiation, and you can spend hours outdoors at altitude.
A cold day doesn’t mean your skin isn’t exposed to UV radiation.
Sunscreen and lip protection are therefore still useful on the mountain.
Altitude Can Affect You Before You Even Start Riding
Many major ski and snowboard destinations are located at high elevations.
If you normally live near sea level, arriving at a mountain resort can feel different.
You may notice:
Shortness of breath.
Headache.
Fatigue.
Poor sleep.
Dehydration.
Reduced exercise capacity.
This can be particularly noticeable when you combine altitude with strenuous exercise.
The answer isn’t simply “push through it.”
Your body may need time to adjust.
Hydration Is More Important Than It Seems
Cold weather can reduce your perception of thirst.
You are also losing fluid through breathing and physical activity.
Altitude can add another challenge.
Dehydration can contribute to fatigue, headaches, and reduced concentration.
That matters because snowboarding requires constant decision-making and coordination.
Alcohol and Snowboarding Are a Bad Combination
This is an important part of mountain culture that sometimes gets treated casually.
Alcohol can impair reaction time, balance, judgment, and decision-making.
Those are precisely the abilities you need when moving down a mountain surrounded by other people and obstacles.
The fact that someone feels relaxed after drinking doesn’t mean their coordination is unaffected.
Ski Lifts Are Their Own Skill
Getting onto a chairlift can be intimidating for beginners.
Getting off can be even more intimidating.
Snowboarders have one foot removed from the binding during many lift operations, depending on the system.
You have to learn how to move toward the loading area, sit down properly, unload and glide away without falling into the path of other riders.
It sounds trivial until you’re doing it for the first time.
A lesson can teach you the process before you’re thrown into a crowded lift line.
Falling Near a Lift Is Different
A beginner falling while unloading can create a dangerous situation because other riders are coming behind them.
This is one reason lift etiquette matters.
If you fall while unloading, move out of the unloading area as quickly and safely as possible when you can.
Don’t stop directly in front of the lift.
Mountain Etiquette Is a Major Part of Snowboarding
There are unwritten rules that beginners may not know.
Don’t stop in the middle of a trail where people cannot see you.
Don’t suddenly cross directly in front of another rider.
Look uphill before entering a trail.
Don’t sit in blind areas.
Don’t block trail intersections.
Give people space.
Understand who has the right of way.
These aren’t merely manners.
They reduce collisions.
Faster Doesn’t Mean Better
One of the biggest misconceptions about snowboarding is that improvement means going faster.
It doesn’t.
A highly skilled rider can ride slowly with excellent control.
Speed is simply another variable.
Control is the real objective.
Being able to stop when you want, turn where you want and avoid obstacles is far more important than how fast you can travel.
Carving Is Different From Simply Turning
Beginners usually learn basic turns.
Eventually they may learn carving.
A carved turn uses the board’s edge to create a clean arc through the snow.
The difference can be dramatic.
Instead of sliding sideways through the turn, the board follows an edge-driven path.
Carving is one of the things that can make snowboarding feel almost effortless once you’ve developed the necessary skills.
Freestyle Snowboarding Is Its Own World
Snowboarding isn’t just cruising down trails.
There are several disciplines.
Freeriding involves exploring natural mountain terrain.
Freestyle involves jumps, rails, boxes, and terrain parks.
Alpine or carving-focused riding emphasizes precise turns and speed control.
Backcountry snowboarding takes riders away from controlled resort terrain.
Racing emphasizes speed and precision.
Each requires different skills.
Terrain Parks Are Not Just Playgrounds
Terrain parks contain jumps, rails, boxes, and other features.
They can be fun, but they introduce additional risks.
A jump isn’t simply something you ride over.
You need to understand takeoff, trajectory, and landing.
The landing area needs to be clear.
A feature that looks small from a distance can feel considerably larger when you’re standing at the top.
Beginners should not feel pressured to enter terrain parks simply because other riders are doing it.
The Backcountry Is a Completely Different Level of Responsibility
This is one of the biggest things nobody talks about.
Riding inside a controlled ski resort and riding in the backcountry are fundamentally different activities.
In controlled resort terrain, professionals manage many hazards and the mountain has established boundaries and procedures.
In the backcountry, you may encounter avalanche terrain, unstable snow, cliffs, tree wells, remote areas, and no immediate ski patrol response.
Backcountry snowboarding requires education, equipment, planning, and experience.
Avalanche education is not something to casually skip.
Tree Wells Are Particularly Dangerous
Snow around trees can create deep voids.
A snowboarder can fall into one and become trapped.
This is one reason riding alone in deep tree terrain can be dangerous.
If you’re riding in areas with tree wells, understanding the hazard and staying with companions is important.
Avalanches Are Not Just a Professional Rider Problem
Avalanches can affect recreational backcountry users.
Understanding snowpack, terrain, weather, and avalanche forecasts becomes essential outside controlled resort boundaries.
The safest approach isn’t assuming you can recognize every dangerous slope by looking at it.
Avalanche risk can be complicated.
Ski Patrol Is There for More Than Injuries
Ski patrol personnel deal with much more than broken bones.
They help manage mountain safety, respond to accidents, address dangerous situations, and sometimes conduct rescues.
Knowing how to contact ski patrol and understanding resort procedures is part of responsible riding.
Your Phone Can Become Surprisingly Important
Before riding, knowing where you are can matter.
You should know:
Your resort.
Your trail.
Where you parked.
Where your lodging is.
How to contact emergency services.
How to contact ski patrol.
Your group members’ contact information.
Cold temperatures can also affect batteries.
Don’t assume your phone will remain fully charged all day.
Snowboarding With Friends Is More Complicated Than It Looks
Groups naturally have different ability levels.
One person may want to race down the mountain.
Another may be nervous on every run.
Another may want to spend the afternoon in the terrain park.
Another may be exhausted.
Trying to keep everybody together every minute can actually make the day less enjoyable.
It is often better to agree beforehand on meeting points and times.
The Mountain Changes During the Day
Snow conditions aren’t necessarily static.
A trail may be different at 9 a.m. than it is at 2 p.m.
Sun exposure can change snow.
Temperature can change snow.
Heavy traffic can change snow.
Wind can move snow.
Fresh snowfall can cover hazards.
This is one reason experienced riders continually reassess conditions.
Weather Can Change Faster Than You Expect
Mountain weather can be unpredictable.
A beautiful morning can turn into:
Heavy snowfall.
Strong wind.
Low visibility.
Freezing temperatures.
Whiteout conditions.
Lift closures.
Trail closures.
Weather isn’t merely an inconvenience.
It can affect your ability to see terrain and other riders.
Chairlift Closures Can Change Your Entire Day
Wind and weather can shut down lifts.
If a major lift closes, certain terrain may suddenly become inaccessible.
This is something to consider when planning a day at a large resort.
Don’t assume every lift will operate continuously.
Snowboarding Can Be Expensive
The cost isn’t just the lift ticket.
You may have:
Transportation.
Lodging.
Equipment rental.
Lessons.
Food.
Parking.
Clothing.
Travel insurance.
Resort fees.
Equipment maintenance.
The first trip can therefore cost considerably more than someone expects.
This is another reason renting and taking a lesson can be sensible before making a large equipment investment.
Lessons Are Probably More Valuable Than Beginners Think
A good instructor isn’t merely someone who tells you how to turn.
They can help you avoid bad habits.
They can teach you how to:
Strap in.
Stand up.
Stop.
Control your edges.
Turn.
Fall safely.
Use lifts.
Read terrain.
Navigate crowds.
Understand mountain etiquette.
Progress at an appropriate pace.
Perhaps most importantly, they can help you understand why the board is behaving the way it is.
You Don’t Have to Be Young to Start
This is an important misconception.
People sometimes assume snowboarding is exclusively a young person’s sport.
It isn’t.
Adults can learn.
Older beginners may need to be more thoughtful about conditioning, recovery, protective equipment, and progression, but age itself doesn’t automatically prevent someone from learning.
The important thing is respecting your current physical ability rather than comparing yourself with a 20-year-old riding aggressively through a terrain park.
The Goal Doesn’t Have to Be Extreme
You don’t have to become a park rider.
You don’t have to jump cliffs.
You don’t have to ride powder.
You don’t have to race.
You don’t have to snowboard difficult black-diamond terrain.
You can simply enjoy cruising down well-maintained trails.
That is still snowboarding.
Snowboarding Can Become a Lifelong Outdoor Activity
Once the basic movements become automatic, the sport can become much more than simply going downhill.
You’re outdoors.
You’re exercising.
You’re navigating changing terrain.
You’re developing balance and coordination.
You’re learning to read weather and snow.
You’re spending time in the mountains.
And you’re continually learning.
That combination can make snowboarding particularly rewarding.
The Biggest Beginner Mistake Is Trying to Progress Too Quickly
There is a natural temptation to prove that you’re improving.
You ride a green trail successfully and immediately want to try something much steeper.
You make a few turns and want to go faster.
You survive a small jump and want a larger one.
That progression can work when it happens gradually.
Problems occur when confidence develops faster than skill.
Your ability to control the board should determine when you progress.
There Is a Difference Between Fear and Respect
Fear isn’t always something you need to eliminate.
A healthy amount of caution can protect you.
If a trail looks far beyond your ability, listening to that feeling can be useful.
Experienced riders aren’t necessarily reckless because they are confident.
Often, confidence comes from knowing their limits.
Snowboarding Teaches You How to Deal With Failure
This is one of the more interesting psychological aspects of the sport.
You will fall.
You will look awkward.
You will make mistakes.
You will occasionally have a terrible run.
You may struggle with something that another person learned quickly.
And then you get back up and try again.
Eventually something that once seemed impossible becomes automatic.
That process can be surprisingly satisfying.
The “Click” Eventually Happens
Many beginners experience a moment when the sport suddenly starts making sense.
You stop consciously thinking about every movement.
Your body begins responding automatically.
You start linking turns.
You begin looking farther down the trail.
You stop panicking every time the board accelerates.
The sport starts feeling less like something you’re controlling and more like something you’re participating in.
That transition is one of the most rewarding parts of learning.
Snowboarding and Skiing Aren’t Really Competitors
There is sometimes unnecessary debate about which is better.
They are simply different.
Skiing gives each leg independent control.
Snowboarding connects both feet to one platform.
Skiing can make certain beginner movements easier.
Snowboarding can have a particularly steep initial learning curve but can become very fluid once the fundamentals click.
Neither needs to be treated as superior.
Someone who enjoys one may not enjoy the other.
One of the Best Things About Snowboarding Is the Mountain Itself
Eventually, the board becomes only part of the experience.
You’re surrounded by mountains, forests, snow, weather, and enormous landscapes.
You learn that the mountain isn’t simply a backdrop.
It determines the entire experience.
Temperature changes the snow.
Wind changes the mountain.
Sun changes the surface.
Snowfall changes the terrain.
Your skill determines which parts of that environment you can safely enjoy.
The Real Progression Is Control, Not Courage
This may be the biggest takeaway.
Snowboarding isn’t about proving that you can survive increasingly dangerous terrain.
It’s about gradually gaining control.
First you control your balance.
Then your speed.
Then your turns.
Then your edges.
Then your line.
Then your reactions.
Eventually you can make decisions almost automatically.
That is when the sport becomes much more enjoyable.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Good
Snowboarding can provide an incredible combination of exercise, outdoor recreation, travel, adventure, and skill development.
It can introduce you to mountain environments you might otherwise never experience.
It can also become a social activity because resorts bring together people from many different backgrounds.
The Bad
The sport can be expensive.
Learning can be frustrating.
Equipment can be uncomfortable.
Weather can ruin plans.
Crowded slopes can be stressful.
Lift lines can be annoying.
And your body can be sore after a long day.
The Ugly
Injuries are a genuine possibility.
Collisions happen.
People can underestimate weather.
Beginners can progress too quickly.
People can ride beyond their ability.
Backcountry terrain can contain serious hazards.
And a beautiful mountain environment can create a false sense that everything is safe simply because the surroundings are beautiful.
Respecting the mountain is therefore more important than trying to conquer it.
Snowboarding is much more complicated than strapping a board to your feet and going downhill.
The things that ultimately make someone a good snowboarder aren’t simply speed or athleticism. They’re balance, edge control, body awareness, decision-making, mountain awareness, patience, and the willingness to learn progressively.
For someone starting out, the smartest approach is generally to take a lesson, use appropriate protective equipment, learn on terrain appropriate to your ability, understand the mountain’s rules, and give yourself time to develop the skills.
You don’t need to become an extreme snowboarder.
You don’t even need to be particularly adventurous.
You can simply learn to ride comfortably, enjoy the mountains, get some exercise, and gradually discover what kind of snowboarding you enjoy.
And perhaps the biggest thing nobody talks about is that the mountain will still be there tomorrow. There is rarely a good reason to turn one day of recreation into a test of how much risk you are willing to take.
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SNOWBOARDING
National Ski Areas Association
National Ski Areas Association (NSAA)
The NSAA is a major U.S. industry organization and is useful for learning about ski-area safety, mountain responsibility, skier/snowboarder behavior, and the broader ski-resort industry.
Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors
This is one of the most useful resources if you’re interested in actually learning to snowboard rather than simply reading about it.
REI Snowboard Buying Guide
REI — How to Choose a Snowboard
Avalanche.org
This is an excellent starting point for understanding avalanche hazards, avalanche forecasts, terrain, education, and backcountry decision-making. Avalanche.org is a partnership involving the American Avalanche Association and the U.S. Forest Service National Avalanche Center.
CDC — Travel to High Altitudes
CDC — Travel to High Altitudes
The CDC explains altitude illness, acclimatization, symptoms, and precautions. It notes that people traveling above approximately 8,000 feet can be at risk for altitude illness and discusses gradual acclimatization.
Snowboarding Fitness
Before a trip, you can also prepare your body without trying to become a professional athlete.
The physical qualities that make sense to work on include:
Leg endurance: squats, split squats, lunges, and step-ups.
Glutes and hips: squats, hip hinges, bridges, and lateral movements.
Core: planks, side planks and controlled rotational exercises.
Balance: single-leg standing and controlled single-leg movements.
Cardiovascular fitness: walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or other aerobic exercise.
Since snowboarding involves repeated bending, stabilization and balance, general fitness can make the experience more comfortable. It doesn’t mean you need a specialized “snowboard workout.”
Smithsonian
The Smithsonian is a useful place to explore the cultural and technological history surrounding snowboarding and other American sports.
This is useful for understanding how snowboarding developed into an international competitive sport and the different disciplines that emerged.
TransWorld SNOWboarding Archive
This is particularly interesting if you’re interested in the culture and history of snowboarding, not just learning how to turn.
This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors before publication.