With regular practice and good dedication, snowboarding will evolve from an awkward and counter-intuitive game of balance and risk to a second-nature activity of competence and enjoyment. To develop good, all around snowboard technique, the rider must have command of several skills that make each snowboarding day fun, safe and rewarding.
Making Turns
There is no sensation quite like carving good turns on a snowboard. Remember to keep your knees together. This helps the board flex through its natural flex patterns and brings the nose and tail up off the ground for better turns. According to extremecarving.com, all movement should start at the hips, facing the direction of the turn. Link your turns until they resemble huge S-shaped arcs, and minimize the time that the board is flat on the ground. Not only is this good technique, but it conditions the body as well.
Skating and Traversing
At some point every snowboarder will find herself pushing the board like a skateboard with her rear foot unstrapped. Skating, as it is called, is the most efficient way for a snowboarder to get around flat terrain without unstrapping both feet. Practice will have a tremendous payoff. The idea is to become very strong at this, making navigating through lift lines, around busy areas and over flats a comfortable and efficient skill.
Comfort off the Ground
Possessing an ability to jump over obstacles, or "ollie" off the ground, is a viable tool for the snowboarder. According to Adventuresportsonline.com, the ollie is the basic introduction to getting comfortable in the air. Not only is it used to begin countless tricks and stunts, but to be able to hop or lift off the ground can aid in avoiding things like logs or rocks or patches of grass or dirt that may be encountered at a ski area or in the backcountry. Remember to ride with your knees bent and to be ready pop off the tail of the snowboard at short notice.
Hockey Stop
Snowboarders need to be able to stop at a given notice. Having an ability to slide or turn aggressively into a stop is a strong skill that can help avoid accidents and enhance the rider's control over the board. Remember to develop this skill for your heel and toe edge.
All Mountain
Every snowboarder should try to familiarize himself with all aspects of the mountain conditions that are present. Having competence in every condition will only make him a better all around snowboarder. Don't be afraid to experiment with new runs, venture into the terrain parks and hit a steeper section of the mountain. Often, pairing up with a more experienced rider than yourself is a great way to broaden your interpretation of the sport.
Member Comments