7 Essential Snowboarding Tips That Will Make You a Pro Rider
Winter’s here, which means it’s time to hit the slopes and get shredding! There’s nothing quite like the unique thrill of shooting down a hill with a snowboard underfoot. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re an experienced rider aiming to fine-tune your abilities, having the right advice can make all the difference.
So, with that in mind, here are seven essential snowboarding tips that will make you a pro rider, no matter what experience level you have.
1. Get the Right Gear
Ever heard the saying ‘you get out what you put in’? Well, it couldn’t be more true when it comes to snowboarding. You don’t have to go crazy with the latest and greatest gear, but you do need to ensure that your gear is fit for your purpose. This means getting items like a snowboard, bindings, boots and even outerwear that’s specific to snowboarding.
If you’re an absolute beginner, it’s usually best to buy a package comprising all the items you need in order to get started. This will typically include the snowboard on its own, or a complete package with the boots, bindings, and outerwear all in one. A complete package can be more cost effective, and it’ll make sure that everything fits together nicely.
2. Find a Good Instructor
If you’re a beginner, finding a good instructor is key to getting you set up for success. A good snowboarding instructor will teach you the fundamentals, and make sure that you’re doing everything safely and confidently.
When looking for an instructor, start by asking for recommendations from other riders you know. Alternatively, you can google ‘snowboarding instructors near me’, and you’ll find plenty of options.
3. Learn How to Fall Safely
Another key part of learning how to snowboard safely is to learn how to fall correctly. It’s a fact of life that you’re going to fall periodically while snowboarding, so it’s important to know how to do it safely.
To fall properly, start by moving your arms and legs outwards and downwards, creating a ‘butterfly’ shape with your body. This will slow your momentum and give you time to assess the situation before hitting the ground. Then, when you land, uniformly distribute the weight impact across your body, keeping your head up and away from the ground.
Then, ‘tuck and roll’ onto your side to absorb the impact. Remember that if it’s super icy, you can soak up the impact further by using your outer layer of clothing or jacket.
4. Work Your Balance
In order to be a smooth snowboarder, you need to be able to balance yourself properly on your board. Doing this starts with standing correctly on the board.
The stance you take should be comfortable, with your knees slightly bent to keep your weight centred and your feet perpendicular to the edges of the board. This can take some getting used to, but it’s essential in order to have good balance.
It’s also essential to build up your core muscles so that you have a strong foundation for everything else you do on the board. Core exercises like crunches, planks, mountain climbers and push-ups, along with foot drills, are great workouts to dial in your balance.
5. Practice Fractional Edging
One of the key fundamentals of snowboarding is to follow a technique called fractional edging. This involves making gentle adjustments to your board’s edge every few seconds, by lightly pressing down on the toeside or heelside, in order to shift your weight up or down.
This technique allows you to quickly change direction, and is essential to be able to carve, turn, jump and even slide. With just a little bit of practice, you should be able to master the timing and rhythm of fractional edging.
6. Learn How to Slide
Once you’ve mastered the basics of snowboarding, it’s time to start learning how to slide. This is important as it allows you to control speed and navigate uneven terrain in a safe and controlled manner.
When sliding, you’ll want to make sure your board is perpendicular to the slope with your body weight slightly towards your back foot, creating and maintaining an even pressure on both edges. Start off on a low angle and practice edging, then once you have the hang of it, start to increase the angle of your turns.
7. Get out, Practice and Have Fun!
The final, and perhaps most important tip of all is to go out and practice. Even if you’ve read all the tips and mastered a few skills, nothing will beat actually getting out and trying it for real.
When you’re on the slopes, visualise what you’ve learned and focus on staying relaxed and having fun. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll improve, so just keep at it.
So there you have it – seven essential snowboarding tips that will make you a pro rider in no time. So, get out there and start shredding!
“7 Essential Snowboarding Tips That Will Make You a Pro Rider.