Beginning Snowboarding

Peers Teaching Peers

Sven Lidén
Jan 9, 2004
 Overview
 Types of Riding
 Finding Your Lead Foot
 Equipment (Board, Boots, Bindings, Other)
 Clothing
 Stance & Balance
 Getting Up
 Skating
 Getting off the Lift
 How to Fall
 Edging & Side-slipping
 Traversing
 Pendulum (Falling Leaf)
 Making a Turn and “pivoting”
 Linking Turns (C-turns)
 Advanced Riding (linking S-turns)
 Pressure Control, and “Timing and Coordination”
 Types of Riding
 Three main styles of snowboarding:
 Freeriding: Riding almost any terrain, but spending
most of the time on the ground rather than in the air.
If you're a first-timer, this is your style.
 Freestyle: Lots of tricks, spins, and time spent in the
snowboard park. Usually, the boards associated with
freestyling have twin tips (that is, identical nose and tail
shapes) for riding forward and backward. Freestylers
also spend a lot of time in the air. This is an advanced
"trick" style, for which you'll need a trick board.
 Alpine/freecarving/racing: Unlike the other styles,
alpine riding is concerned with going very fast; to this
end, alpine boards are much narrower and longer than
other types and use a hard boot and binding system
(like skis).
 Finding Your Lead Foot
 Stance - Regular or Goofy - describe a
rider’s stance.
 Neither one is better, it’s just a name -
Supposedly (Disney’s) Goofy rode a
skateboard with the right foot forward.
 Ways to figure out dominant (thus
"lead") foot:
 The foot that stays on the ground while
kicking a ball should be the leading foot.
 Slide across a room. Whichever way you
slide across should also be the way you
stand on a snowboard.
 Have someone gently push you from “Regular”
behind, whatever foot you put out to
brace yourself should be your leading = Left foot
foot. forward
 If none of these work, just put your left “Goofy” =
foot in front. (75% of people do this Right foot
anyway.) forward
 Equipment
 I would highly recommend
renting equipment until you
get good
 As you get better the length
and style of boots & board
you want may change
 If you buy, get boots first &
rent the board so you can try
different lengths and styles
as you get better
 Costs
 Snowboarding can be expensive
 Rent equipment from a local shop instead of at the
mountain to avoid time delays and incorrect gear (those
mountain stores often run short in equipment on
crowded days, and they may try to get you to rent ill-
fitting equipment).
 Most shops rent a complete set up (board, boots, and
bindings) for about $30 a day, and some will even apply
all rental charges to the eventual purchase of a new
board.

 New boards range from $350-600; boots: $150-

250; bindings: $130-200; complete set-ups: $600-
1000+ (look for package deals). Although pricey,
the snowboard market is seasonal, so shops often
boast deep discounts during the summertime.
 Equipment – The Board
 Usually made of a
wooden core wrapped
in fiberglass and
encased in a plastic
or fiberglass cap with
metal edges
 The top of the board
is known as the deck
while the bottom is
the base.
 The two most
important
considerations are its
length and waist
width
 Selecting a board size
 Measured in centimeters, the length of the board depends on the
rider's weight, height, and riding style, while the width
usually depends on the size of the rider's foot. Here's how to
pick the right board:
 As a rule of thumb, a board standing on end should reach between the
rider's shoulder and bridge of nose.
 Most adults need a board between 150 cm and 165 cm tall.
 Waist width (or the width at the board's middle) is primarily a function
of foot size. The bigger your feet, the wider board you'll need.
Generally, the toe and heel of the boot should be flush with the edges
of the snowboard. People with size 11 feet (or bigger) usually require a
wide board.
 Consider your weight. Smaller, lighter folk should get a shorter, flexible
board (to give them some weight for control), while bigger, heavier
people should get a longer, rigid board (to help them sail along the
smooth powder).
 Beginners should consider more flexible boards, since they offer more
control (albeit less speed).
 You should definitely rent a snowboard your first couple times out. That
way you can experiment with different styles and feels.
 Boots
 Most snowboarders' boots are known as "soft
boots“
 When picking out a pair, here's what to consider:
 The most important considerations are fit and comfort.
 Try the boots on with only one pair of socks (preferably
the socks you intend to snowboard in).
 The fit should be snug, and your heel should not rise up
too much when you bend your knee forward. You should
not feel any pressure points or pinching.
 Make sure that your ankle feels secure.
 Again, if you're a novice, just rent the boots. Sample
around until you find a pair you like, and then buy those.
 Bindings
 Bindings (that is, the straps) are what connect
your feet to the board
 Your choice of boots will affect your choice of
bindings and vice versa; they must complement
each other:
 Most freestyle and freeride snowboarders use high-
back bindings with two straps to secure the boot.
 Some freestylers prefer low back systems, while
some freeride snowboarders prefer three straps
instead of two; it's really just personal preference.
 Recently, step-in bindings have moved to the
forefront. Like ski bindings, these do not rely on
straps to secure the rider to the board. While these
eliminate the time and hassle of "strapping in,"
they do require special boots and can sometimes
become troublesome when snow gets jammed in
them.
 Setting your Stance
 Stance width: The distance between the two bindings (that is, how
far apart your legs are).
 Your stance width should measure about the same as the distance
from the bottom of your heel to the middle of your knee.

 Stance angles: The way your feet point on the board.

 Your feet might be directly perpendicular to the board (standing purely
sideways), or they might point slightly forward.

 Narrower stances allow the board to flex more easily, while wider
stances give more rotational maneuverability (make spinning
easier).
 Freestyle riders generally have wider stances (the bindings are farther
apart) with their stance angles at around 0° (meaning their feet point
directly across the board).
 “Duck Stance” is with your feet pointing slightly outward
 Alpine riders have narrow stances with their feet pointed towards the
front of the board.
 Clothing
 Most experts recommend a three-layer system to stay comfortable in changing
weather. Dress for colder than predicted:
 Underlayer: long underwear and polypropylene socks. This layer functions to keep you warm
while wicking away all the sweat that you're going to generate picking your butt up off of the
slopes. Stay away from cotton because cotton will absorb the sweat and end up keeping
you colder than desired.
 Insulation layer: consisting of wool or fleece sweaters for the torso and glove liners for your
hands. Basically, this layer provides most of the warmth and can be easily shed if pulling all of
those tricks makes you too hot.
 Outerlayer:
Outerlayer: to protect you from the elements. The key adjective for this layer, consisting of a
jacket and snowboard pants, is waterproof.
waterproof. Nothing is more miserable than being wet while
trying to navigate down a steep glacier. Also, material for this layer should be made of rugged,
tough, breathable fabric and should be baggy enough to allow for movement. Although costly,
"Gore-Tex" is currently the best outerlayer material on the market. Material like denim should
be avoided at all costs.

 Waterproof gloves or mitts, which should also be rugged, breathable, and tough
 Hat or helmet to retain that 90% of heat that can be lost through your head
 Goggles or sunglasses
 Sunblock
 Some beginners also like to wear wrist guards under their gloves
Stance & Balance (1)
 The Balanced Body Position (BBP)
is the basic athletic stance for
snowboarding:
 maintain a tall relaxed position (torso
upright)
 ankles, knees and hip joints slightly
flexed
 Arms out and loose for balance – keep
them over the tip & tail of the board
 Head and eyes facing the direction of
travel
 Body weight distributed evenly
between both feet (equal pressure on
both feet until you want to move)

 This is critical to get better at

snowboarding
 Getting Up
 Off your Heel Side (tougher):
1. Get your weight over the board
2. Use your back hand to push off the snow
3. Bend your knees & ankles
4. Move your body over the bindings and stand up

 Off your Toe Side (easier):

1. Bend your knees & ankles
2. Move your weight over the board
3. Push off the snow with your hands & stand up

 Tips:
 Make sure the board is perpendicular to the fall line
otherwise you’ll start moving down the slope before
you’re balanced
 You can always flip over to the side that’s easier for
you
 Skating
 Put your front foot in the binding
 Walk around by pushing with your
free foot
 Try to push in front and behind the
snowboard
 When you start moving place your
free foot between the bindings
 Stay centered in balanced body
position while skating
 Use your free foot when you want to
stop
 Tip: Find a tiny slope to practice, like
a the bottom of a hill you can walk
up easily
 Getting off the Lift
 To get on the lift:
 Make sure you remove your back foot from its
binding & slide with your front foot.
 Look over your shoulder at the approaching
chair, and slow its motion with your hands as
you sit down. These kind of lifts are notorious
for banging people in the back of the knees.

 To get off the lift:

 Prepare to unload by turning your body a bit so
that your board points straight in he direction of
travel.
 Lean forward and stand up soon after the board
comes in contact with the snow
 Don’t worry about moving too fast – the
BIGGEST MISTAKE people make in getting off a
lift is LEANING BACKWARDS to slow down.
 Stay in a balanced position until you glide to
a rest
 How to Fall
 Forward:
 Don’t fall on your wrists, but on your lower arm
 If you’re going fast you can often tuck and roll to lessen the
impact
 Make sure you have good gloves for wrist protection

 Backwards:
 Roll onto your back
 Tuck your chin into your chest
 Keep your hands under your knees (don’t brake with your
hands)

 Tips:
 Spread the impact out by sliding or rolling
 Make yourself as small and compact as possible (pull your
knees up!)
 Edging & Side-slipping (1)
 Side-slipping - a controlled sideways
slide down a slope with your board
across the fall line.

 Enables you to descend even steep

slopes safely. In essence, it’s a braking
action.

 Practicing side-slipping is a great way

to develop the edge control skills
necessary for turning and stopping. The “fall line” is
where a
 Practice side-slipping until you are able snowball would
to accelerate and slow your slide at roll down the hill
will, on both your toe and heel
edge.
 Edging & Side-slipping (2)
slower faster
 Toe Edge (facing the mountain):
 Make sure you are in a balanced
stance with the board perpendicular
to the fall line
 Keep equal pressure on both feet
 Straighten our your back and bend
your knees
 Adjust the speed with your heels
(up=slower / down=faster)
 The stance of your weight decides your
direction (right=right / left=left)

 Heel Edge (facing down hill)

 The same except lifting your toes adjusts
the velocity
Pendulum (Falling Leaf)
 Find a medium slope ending in
an open flat area, away from
traffic.
 Start in the basic stance like you
are side-slipping
 Start side-slipping and put about
5% more pressure on your front
foot (start with your toe side)
 To slow down equalize the
pressure on both feet
 Keep your arms up look in the
direction you’re moving, and
remember your balanced body
position
 Traversing
 Find a gentle slope ending in an open flat
area, away from traffic.
 Like the pendulum, start side-slipping and
put about 5% more pressure on your front
foot (start with your toe side)
 Go all the way across the slope!
 To slow down equalize the pressure on
both feet
 Keep your arms up and your head facing
forward, and remember your balanced
body position
 After you stop, lie back down on the snow,
flip over, and go the other way on your
heel side
 Heel-side Turn

 Begin gliding in a low position

 Rise to reduce pressure on the board.
 Point your front shoulder in the direction of
your intended turn, kick your back foot to the
outside of the turn, to pivot the board about your
front foot.
 Flex your knees as you begin to turn and
gradually put your weight from your tows to your
heels.
 When you are halfway the turn, go down again
and let the turn complete.
 Toe-side turns are done in the same way except
that you put your weight from your heels to your
toes.
 Linking Turns
 All turning maneuvers can be divided into 4 basics
phases of a turn:
 The preparation (stance and balance) for the turn:
Un-weight (rise) in preparation
 The initiation (pivot) of the turn:
Turn your shoulders
 The execution (edge and pressure):
Switch edges and swing your rear foot around
 The completion (pressure and edge) of the turn:
Re-weight (down) to complete the turn

Weighting (flexion) and

Un-weighting (extension)
motion will help initiate the
turn
 Advanced Riding (linking S-
turns)
 When linking turns, the
completion of one turn
prepares you for the next
so only three parts are
noticed

 During short radius fall-line,

narrow corridor turns, the
turns are never quite
completed as in the last
two examples therefore
only the initiation and
execution parts are
noticed.
 Pressure Control, and “Timing
and Coordination”

 Timing and coordination refers to the skill of harmonizing movements

so that the right things happen at the right time. In a sport such as
snowboarding where the very essence of the sport is balancing while
moving over ever-changing terrain, timing and coordination is crucial to
progress beyond the beginner stage.

 Initially the student learns to do such things as pivot the feet at the
right time, extend or bend at the right time, etc. and then later, to do
several of those actions at the same time (coordinated). In the expert
riding, timing and coordination is the magical element that makes
riding appear effortless, fluid and so fantastic.
 Other Terms
Backside Heel-side edge of the snowboard
Directional The nose is longer than the tail (the board has a
direction)
Effective Edge Where the board gets grip on the snow
Flex Flexibility (of board or bindings)
Frontside Toe-side edge of board
Hardboot Skiing-style boot (hard shell)
Nose Front of the board
Noseturn Board turns 180degrees while nose stays on
the ground
Softboot Boots for freestylers and freeriders
Tail Back of the snowboard
Twintip Nose & tail are equal (symmetric)