 Despite the need to build strength, don't get too sport-specific in the weight room. Imitating a snowboard stance in a squat exercise, is a way to hurt yourself. Instead, work the calves on a calf-raise mackine and practice a lot of ankle-rotation work. |
No one wants to learn to snowboard so they can learn how to fall. But, it happens. Because falling occurs in this sport, it is important to know the best way to do it so that you minimize hurting yourself.
If possible, fall up hill. This will reduce the impact. If you do fall downhill, try to relax and roll with the fall rather than resist it with your arms and legs. |
 In general, snowboarders should take an athletic stance that is 1-2 inches wider than their shoulders. A common mistake is to make your snowboard stance too narrow. This makes turning and controlling your snowboard more difficult.
For those who like to huck big spins, we suggest making your stance even wider to center your weight over the board and keep your balance. Snowboarders who prefer carving and powder may want to make their stance a bit narrower. |
For starters, regular means your left foot is forward and goofy means your right foot is forward. Ask yourself how you would run and slide on ice?
If you know which foot you would slide forward with, chances are this is the same foot you would snowboard forward with. Another method is to push a person forward from behind, and whichever foot they step forward with is their front foot when they are snowboarding.
Finally, you can push a person backward from the chest, and whichever foot they step back with is their back foot when they are snowboarding.
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 Always strap into the front snowboard binding first. Your back foot needs to be free for skating to and from the chair lift. Remove any loose snow from the binding. If you have traditional strap snowboard bindings, push your heel into the heel cup, buckle the ankle buckle, then buckle the toe strap last.
When you are ready to start riding down the hill, you can strap in to your other snowboard binding the same way.
Beginner Snowboarding Tip: Beginners will often find it easier to put their snowboard bindings on while sitting down, and you will gradually progress to the point where you can do it standing up. |
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