Nothing will ruin your day on the slopes quicker than catching an edge during a high-speed maneuver or hairpin turn. According to the specialists at Transworld Snowboarding, when purchasing a new snowboard you will need to perform a few detuning procedures. Dulling the edges of the new board will help to increase your turning efficiency.
Used Snowboards
To save a little money, many novice riders opt to purchase a lightly used snowboard from their local mountain shop. Thanks to the riding efforts of the previous owner, you won't have to detune a used snowboard. Over time, the hard-packed terrain of the groomed snowboarding slope will dull the edges of the board. This will allow you to effectively transfer your weight during turns and maneuvers and help to prevent you from catching an edge.
Effective Edges
The effective edges are the sections of the snowboard deck that make contact with the ground during turns and maneuvers. The heel and toe edge extend down the length of the snowboard and often are reinforced with stainless steel or carbon fiber. When performing your detuning procedures, be careful to avoid the effective edges of your snowboard. Dulling the heel and toe edge accidentally will significantly decrease your turning efficiency. You will actually need to tune up or sharpen your effective edges on a regular basis.
Nose and Tail
While the front end of the snowboard commonly is referred to as the nose, the back end is defined as the tail. If you need to detune your snowboard, these are the sections that you will be focusing on. To identify the contact points of your nose and tail, lower the snowboard onto a level surface. Dulling the contact points of the snowboard's nose and tail will help to prevent you from catching an edge. Many snowboards designed for beginners come with a detuned nose and tail.
Detuning Technique
While the detuning technique might appear simple enough, one false move could cause serious damage to the metallic edges of your snowboard. Use a metal file to dull the contact points of your snowboard's nose and tail. The Snow Professor recommends holding the file at a 45-degree angle throughout the detuning process. Move the file between the contact points in a fluid motion to grind down the edges. Rub a diamond stone along the nose and tail to smooth the contact points.
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