Snowboarding – Making the Slopes your Playground.
If you’re looking to take your winter sport thrills to the extreme, snowboarding is certainly worth considering. Not only will it get your adrenaline pumping as you dive and spin down the mountain, but it can also provide you with an unparalleled sense of personal accomplishment. By mastering carving, jumps and stunts, you’ll be able to find the perfect balance of personal fulfillment and excitement.
Snowboarding is a popular winter sport that first gained traction in the mid-1960s, when surfing fans began tinkering with boards in the snow. It began to gain widespread popularity in the late 1970s when iconic brands like Burton Snowboards began producing snowboards and to this day, Burton remains a leader in the industry.
So what does snowboarding entail? Well, at its core, snowboarding is about having fun, so it can be tricky for us to answer that in a succinct and straightforward way. In its simplest form, it’s taking the edge of a snowboard and gliding down the hill. But, if you want to get more technical, it’s combining a set of movements, tricks, spins and jumps that are used to travel down the mountain.
To master these moves you’ll need to understand the fundamentals and practicalities of snowboarding. This includes understanding the different parts of your snowboard, mastering the basics of balance, agility and precision.
Over the next few paragraphs, we’ll cover the fundamentals so that you can start to wrap your head around what snowboarding is all about. We’ll start with understanding the different parts of your snowboard.
Parts of a Snowboard
For starters, the most important part of your snowboard is your board itself; which pertains to the shape and size – both of which are heavily reliant on a variety of factors such as your terrain, foot size, weight and skill level. Additionally, you’ll need to pay close attention to the bindings, boots and outerwear.
The Board.
Your board is one of the most important aspects and it comes in five main shapes: twin-tip, directional, fish, alpine and free ride.
Twin-tip – This is the most popular shape amongst beginners to intermediate snowboarders as it’s symmetrical and pliable, allowing you to ride in both forward and backwards motion.
Directional – This board is solely designed to ride forward, so it typically has a longer nose and is typically seen in riding in powder or on mountain trails.
Fish – This is best suited for those who love to ride in deep powder, as its shorter length and tails allows more flotation in the snow.
Alpine – This board is designed for speed and is the shape of choice for those who love to race down the slopes.
Free-ride – This is the most versatile board type, which mixes the all mountain performance of traditional twin-tip, with the directional precision of boarding on hard-packed areas.
Bindings.
Bindings are what keep you secured to your board, so its important to find the perfect fit for you. Generally, you should make sure that your bindings are adjustable, to accommodate a wide range of stances (we’ll discuss stance in the following section), sizes and skill levels.
Boots.
Your boots should fit comfortably and provide you with the grip you need to stay affixed to your board. Of course, there are a variety of boots in the market place, each tailored to different needs and budgets, but make sure you invest in the right one for you.
Outerwear.
Finally, make sure you invest in the right outerwear. This means layers of clothing to keep you warm and dry throughout your time on the mountain.
Getting to Grips with Stance.
When you’re putting together your set up you’ll need to decide on your stance. Essentially this is the position of your feet and ankles when you’re riding down the hill. There are three basic stance options – Regular, Goofy and Duck Foot.
Regular – A regular stance means that your left foot is placed in front and your right foot is placed behind. This is the most popular stance amongst recreational snowboarders.
Goofy – As the name implies, this is the opposite of a regular stance; so your right foot is placed in the front and your left foot is placed in the back.
Duck Foot – This stance is used by advanced riders and requires both feet to angle outwards (just like a duck’s foot). This stance is best suited for big mountain and freestyle rides.
Mastering Balance, Agility and Precision.
Now that you’ve got to grips with the basics, you’ll need to start mastering the basics of balance, agility and precision.
Balance is a difficult concept to explain in words, as it’s largely a physical concept. In its simplest form, balance refers to your ability to remain upright when riding a snowboard – it’s the ability to align your board and keep your balance while riding down the mountain.
Agility is the ability to move quickly and efficiently while on the snow. It refers to your ability to execute quick turns, jumps and spins. It’s an important aspect when it comes to mastering freestyle snowboarding.
Finally, there’s precision. Precision is the ability to turn your board exactly where you want it to go at the exact speed you desire. The best snowboarders are able to execute complex manoeuvres by being able to control their board with surgical precision.
Getting Started.
So now that you’ve got a basic understanding of the fundamentals of snowboarding, it’s time to get started! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, finding the right snowboard is always something that should be taken seriously. That’s why it’s so important to think about your mountain terrain, your budget, and personal preferences when deciding which board is the best for you.
Once you’ve sorted the board, you can begin to–editing the learn and improve your snowboard style. Many dedicated snowboarders will start off their training in the safety of a terrain park, which is an area of a ski resort specifically designed for snowboarders. Here you can get used to the feel of your board as you master the basics.
As you start to gain more confidence and skill, you’ll be able to tackle the mountain runs. As you progress, you’ll be able to work on mastering jumps, slides and tricks on the terrain parks.
But what about safety? Well, due to the extreme nature of the sport, safety should always be paramount when snowboarding – always wear a helmet and protective outerwear, obey piste regulations, and ensure your board is instantly responsive.
Takeaways:
Snowboarding is a popular winter sport that gives you the thrill of gliding down the mountain with an extreme sense of personal accomplishment. To do this, you’ll need to invest in the right snowboard, and understand the basics of stance, balance, agility and precision. Finally, safety should always come first when you’re out on the slopes, so make sure to invest in the right safety gear and obey piste regulations. Now, are you ready to make the slopes your playground?