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Home » What Are The Various Snowboard Moves?

What Are The Various Snowboard Moves?

You may have heard the phrase about snowboarding it’s more difficult to master than skiing, however it’s much easier to master. How much truth to that assertion is dependent on your personal preferences. Whatever your reason for choosing to take up the sport, it’s a fantastic opportunity to feel the thrill of floating over snow and exploring the stunning beauty of the mountains in winter.

The article explains beginner will be taught how to stay balanced on boards as well as how to traverse the slope, and then make these first steps. The instructions you’ll be taught:

Proper Snowboard Stance
How do I skate?
How do I Glide
How to Make J-Turns
How do I Traverse
How do I Traverse into the Turn
Linking Changes

Before you begin, you need familiar with your equipment and how bindings work. Learn more on our snowboarding blog.

Make sure you know how to do the Proper Snowboard Stance

Learn to maintain a relaxed, comfortable body posture on a snowboard can help you manage your board better , and also ride more effectively.

Here’s how to achieve the fundamental snowboard stance

Bend your ankles and knees while keeping your knees aligned above your toes.
Your hips and shoulders should be in alignment with your board.
Take your arms off to your side, and maintain your upper body in a relaxed state.

How do I skate?

Once you’ve strapped yourself into the first binding on the front, you’ll discover how to skate or move about on flat terrain with your front foot strapped in , and the back foot pushing you forward. You’ll be able to move around on flat surfaces and to be able to ride the chairlift.

When you have your foot firmly strapped to the binding, put your back foot on the heel side of your snowboard. Place it slightly behind your other foot.
Utilize the back of your foot in order to propel yourself around.
Make small steps.
Don’t let your foot free pass through your back bindings, or you could begin to split.

How do I Glide

Gliding allows you to glide around gently on the mountain using one foot strapped to the board and the rest of your foot in the chair. Gliding is a crucial ability to get off the chairlift.

Once you are comfortable with skating on flat surfaces, place your free foot into the center of your skate, and place it on the back binding to provide added stability.
Try straight gliding on an easier surface. Next, try gliding on the slopes that are gentler with a smooth runout.

How to Create an J-turn

One of the fundamental abilities you’ll acquire while riding on a snowboard is the J turn and this is how you begin shaping the turn. In order to master the J-turn you’ll be able to glide straight before you make a slight upward turn to form an alphabet J. Begin by practicing with your front foot strapped into the binding, and your back foot resting on the top of the board.

Toe-side J-turn

Straighten your snowboard toward a gentle slope. Then slide forward.
Move your weight towards the front foot, and then to the toes. Then, move your hips across the edge of your feet while you bend your knees and ankles.
The moment you get your weight above the edge of your toe should begin to rotate the board down the hill.
Repeat the exercise while practicing at a moderate slope using an even runout.


Heel-side J-turn

Straighten your snowboard towards a gentle slope, then move forward.
Move your weight towards the front foot and up over your heels. Your calf should feel and boot rubbing against the front highback. Keep your hips pointing over the heel-side edge of your body as you stretch your knees and ankles.
When you are able to put your weight on that heel-side edge will cause you turning the board upwards.
Repeat the procedure while you work on turning around an easy slope.

A tip for J-turns: Do not sit up straight. When turning your heel maintain your knees bent as if you’re sitting in an armchair.
How do I Traverse

When you climb the slope, you’re learning how to be able to balance and hold an edge while you traverse an incline.

Toe-side traverse

Be sure to keep your board on the slope, and also on the edge of the hill when you get up, so that you aren’t sliding down the hill.
Bend your knees and ensure that your weight is evenly distributed over your toe’s side edge as you locate the equilibrium point.
Place your weight on your front foot, and then let your front foot flatten a little. Your feet will begin to move toward the direction towards the nose of the board.
To slow down, place your weight on each foot and lean more on the edge you’re standing on. An increase in the angle of the edge will slow you down , and eventually slow you down until you come to a complete stop.

Tip: Your shins will move towards your toes. Do not try to balance on your tiptoes.

The traverse is on the heel.

Make sure your board is on the slope, and also on the edge of the hill as you stand up to ensure you aren’t sliding down the hill.
Your hips should be above the heel edge when you reach that balance line.
Relax your knees like you’re sitting in chairs. You will feel the back of your knees to your calves.
Move your weight slowly towards the front foot, letting the front foot flatten out slightly. It will begin to shift toward the front of your board.
To slow down, place your weight evenly across each foot and lean more on the edge you’re standing on. An increase in the angle of the edge will reduce your speed and eventually will bring you to a halt.

Tips: Make tiny adjustments to tilt the board. Be careful not to stand too high or performing more sweeping movements.
How to Traverse into A Turn

Once you’ve learned to ride along the hill, now you’re ready to know how to complete your first full turn. Try it first on a smooth slope. Make sure you have an even runout, so that when you get into trouble it will be the natural slope that will stop you.

As you did when moving, begin shifting your weight onto your front foot.
However, this time allow the board to flatten out so that you can go directly downwards (into an area known as the Fall Line, which is the most direct path downhill).
When you’ve flattened the board, you can get into a an athletic, centered stance but keep more weight in your forefoot.
When you’re sitting standing on a flat board within the fall line, begin to move towards your new edge with the form of a J-turn (either either toe-side or heel-side).
Try to maintain a good posture with your arms by your sides, and your legs positioned with your feet over your knees. Your ankles and legs are working and your body stays relaxed.
Stop and repeat the exercise on the opposite side.

Tips When you smooth the board too fast You could get caught on an edge. Don’t overdo it on this part. If you’re unsure, try this at the beginning of the run to ensure you don’t lose too much speed.
Linking Changes

If you’re satisfied with these steps You can then begin to move in a continuous manner from one direction to another.

After you’ve made a turn in the opposite direction, instead of stopping proceed on the slope before beginning to take a second change in the other direction.

Tips: Common mistakes include not leaning enough towards the edge of the board, or being too quickly.