The snowboard kicker is a prominent feature of a mountain terrain park. Freestyle snowboarders use a terrain park to practice aerial jumps, as well as grinds and slides. Kicker ramps come in a variety of sizes to accommodate boarders of all ages and skill levels. Big kickers are designed for advanced riders and often allow you to jump a distance of 40 to 60 feet. ABC-of-Snowboarding recommends mastering the jumping technique on flat ground before moving on to inclined kicker ramps.
Step 1
Wear a polycarbonate snowboarding helmet when jumping big kickers in the terrain park. Buckle the helmet's safety straps under your chin to ensure a snug-yet-comfortable fit. Choose a flexible freestyle snowboard that can absorb the impact of your jump.
Step 2
Ride toward the kicker with your nondominant foot in the lead position. Approach the kicker at a high rate of speed to avoid undershooting the landing. Transfer your body weight onto your back foot as you ascend the kicker ramp.
Step 3
Bend your knees to a 45-degree angle as you near the top of the kicker. Extend your legs quickly to perform an aerial jump off the summit of the ramp. Elevate your knees as high as possible to maximize your hang time.
Step 4
Lean forward slightly to keep the underside of your snowboard parallel to the ground. Rotate your hands in a forward circular motion to maintain your airborne balance. Lower your eyes to the ground as you begin to lose altitude.
Step 5
Bend your knees as the underside of the snowboard touches down. Rotate the snowboard to a horizontal position to decrease your momentum. Practice the basic kicker jump until you can land the maneuver on a consistent basis.
Things You'll Need
- Snowboard helmet
- Freestyle snowboard
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