So, you've decided to try snowboarding. Good.
So, you've decided to learn a little about it rather than trying to wing it. Also good.
The below covers a bunch of the basics and a few helpful tips to make your life a little easier on the first day snowboarding. If this is not your first day, this could still improve your riding a whole lot.
Although this information is good, it won't compare (usually) to a good lesson. It is strongly recommended that you get at least one lesson.
With that little disclaimer out the way, here are some basic concepts and things to keep in mind at all times when snowboarding:
Basic Stance: How the Position of your Body above the Board Makes or Breaks your Snowboarding.
A basic stance is the foundation on which all aspects of snowboarding are then built. Most times when a beginner is struggling or falling down a lot, it can be traced back to an issue with their stance or their mindset.
Generally, it is best to try to control the board using your ankles and knees, whilst shifting weight using your hips.
It helps to remember that your legs can be used independently of each other – one to steer the nose of the board, and one to guide the tail through a turn. It makes sense then that your weight should be anywhere from 50-50 nose and tail to 60-40 nose and tail.
The best way to tell where your weight is, is through your knees. If both knees are bent the same amount (and they should always be bent some) then you are centred. If you bend your front knee a little more it will put a little extra weight on your front foot (by effectively moving your hips toward the nose of the board).
In addition, it helps if you can try to stay up nice and straight – bent knees of course, but a pretty straight back – and keep your upper body in-line with the board for the most part.
Finally, because you're travelling sideways with everything lined up, it's important to look where you are trying to go using your head (not your whole upper body). You will usually veer towards whatever direction you are looking, including towards kids, lift towers, and even straight down, so look where you want to go!
Your basic neutral stance should be:
- knees bent
- hips centred over the board
- back straight
- shoulders in line with the board
- head turned to look in the direction of travel.
From this stance any and all movements will affect the board's performance in some consistent way, allowing the boarder to progress and to develop muscle memory. For example:
Bend the front knee more and shift hips to be above front foot.
This will make the nose of the board heavier, and movements made in the front leg will have more responsive effects because of the additional pressure. This is something beginners find difficult because the instinctive reaction is to shift all weight onto the back foot in a state of panic.
This movement when made as a turn is initiated will help the turn to happen faster.
Shift your hips (rather than your entire upper body) to be above the edge you wish to use for any given turn. Stick your butt out for heel side turns and arch your back and push your tummy out for toe side turns. This is a much faster movement than leaning into a turn with your whole body and it allows you to keep your body stacked up above the board.
Hopefully this helps you to spend a little less time scraping yourself up off the snow, and a little more time making laps of your favourite trails!
Alistair Mahoney - null
Join the Conversation