Buy or rent good snowboarding boots, an all-purpose snowboard, a helmet and wrist guards. Pick the right time and place to learn. Pick a skiing area that allows snowboarders. Use slopes that are not crowded and that have packed snow. Avoid icy slopes.
Most snowboarders recommend soft snowboarding boots to start.
It's not as easy to balance or to get up after a fall in hard boots. Moonboots and hiking boots are dangerous. Wearing them puts you at high risk of broken bones and ankle injuries. Start with an all-purpose snowboard. Later, if you are ready to race or do tricks, you can try a specialty board.