Nothing will put a damper on your day quicker than a bone-crunching snowboarding fall. When learning the essential maneuvers, slide-outs are usually unavoidable. However, there are a few techniques that will help to prevent you from losing balance. Most snowboarding resorts offer slopes specifically designed for beginner, intermediate and expert riders. Research the snowboarding slopes beforehand to find runs that corresponds with your level of skill. To avoid falls in the terrain park, the Snow Professor recommends using a series of precautions known as the Smart Style technique.
Step 1
Choose a snowboard that corresponds with your physical dimensions to maintain control during turns and maneuvers. Select a snowboard with centered bindings to keep your body weight evenly distributed across the deck. Avoid expert snowboarding runs as these often feature the most treacherous of terrains.
Step 2
Bend your knees to a 45-degree angle to lower your center of gravity. Ride with your nondominant foot in the lead position to easily steer around hazards in the riding terrain. Hold your arms parallel to the ground for increased stability.
Step 3
Keep your front foot slightly elevated to prevent the nose of your board from catching in the snow. Avoid hitting breakneck speeds by rotating your snowboard to a horizontal position every few minutes. Lower your hand to the ground during hairpin turns to avoid losing balance.
Step 4
Examine the terrain park obstacles beforehand to gauge the distance and necessary speed. Survey your surroundings in the terrain park to avoid painful collisions with fellow riders. Practice on smaller terrain park obstacles to develop your freestyle skills and prevent unnecessary falls.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear a polycarbonate snowboarding helmet to protect your head during accidental falls. When falling forward, extend your forearms toward the ground to avoid wrist injuries. During a backward fall, lower your chin toward your chest to prevent your head from hitting the ground.
Things You'll Need
- Snowboard with centered stance
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