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Ever watched professional snowboarders and wanted to pull some of the same tricks they make look so simple? If so, Mastering Snowboarding is the resource for you.
Olympic gold medalist and X Games champion Hannah Teter teams up with expert snowboard writer Tawnya Schultz to bring you the techniques and tricks used by the pros. They'll take you inside the sport and provide in-depth coverage of snowboarding equipment, including how to select and customize a board to fit your style and needs. Packed with the coolest tricks, expert advice, and secrets from the pros, this full-color guide is the only resource you need in order to own the slopes.
Whether you are a recreational rider or a seasoned vet about to drop in to the halfpipe, Mastering Snowboarding has you covered. Add this one-of-a-kind resource to your library and you'll soon be ready to put your new skills on display.
Part I: Before You Begin
Chapter 1: History of Snowboarding
Chapter 2: Choosing and Assembling Your Equipment
Chapter 3: What to Expect
Part II: Basic Techniques
Chapter 4: Getting Started
Chapter 5: Be in Control, Stay in Control
Chapter 6: Ride Any Terrain
Part III: Advanced Riding
Chapter 7: Introduction to Tricks
Chapter 8 Taking It to the Next Level
Chapter 9: Getting the Most out of Your Ride
Chapter 10: Competitive Riding
Hannah Teter is one of the greatest female snowboarders in the history of the sport, having earned numerous awards and honors since she began competitive snowboarding at the age of 15, when she placed fourth in her first world cup halfpipe event. She has represented the United States twice in Winter Olympic Games, medaling both times in the halfpipe. She earned the gold medal in 2006, for which the United States Olympic Committee named her the USOC Sportswoman of the Year, and the silver medal in 2010. She has achieved six FIS Snowboard world cup victories and earned bronze at the 2005 FIS world championships. Competing in the Winter X Games, Hannah has medaled six times, winning the gold for the superpipe in 2003 and bronze in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2012.
Hannah’s snowboarding record is legendary, and her mainstream celebrity acknowledgments include a 2006 ESPN ESPY Award for Best Female Action Sport Athlete and a 2010 appearance in Sports Illustrated’s famed swimsuit issue. She is active in philanthropy and is committed to helping the world’s poor. She founded Hannah’s Gold in 2008, and the charity donates profits from her family’s Vermont maple syrup sales to the village of Kirindon, Kenya, to help provide clean drinking water, farming opportunities, and schooling for the village. In 2010 she launched Sweet Cheeks, a charity that donates 40 percent of proceeds to Children International. Hannah often donates her prize money from competitions to her charity. Hannah was awarded a VH1 Do Something Award in the category of Do Something Athlete.
Hannah lives in Belmont, Vermont.
Tawnya Schultz is the founder and editor of Tahoe Snowboard magazine, which recently celebrated its third season of publication. She is a contributor to Snowboard magazine (for which she has managed three women's annuals) and is a weekly writer for the burtongirls website. Tawnya has written for Cooler Mag, Transworld Snowboarding, and Snowboarder magazine while also running her own website. She is the author of a children’s snowboarding book titled Sammy the Shredder, which tells the story of Sammy a snowboarding bear.
Tawnya lives in Kings Beach, California.
“Hannah has not only won Olympic gold and silver medals, but she has also lifted women’s snowboarding to the next level during her 10-year pro career. Mastering Snowboarding lays out a clear path so you too can reach your potential, feel great, and have fun."
Mike Jankowski-- Head Coach, U.S. Snowboarding and Freeskiing
“Mastering Snowboarding is a great tool to help snowboarders at any level hone their skills on the mountain. I highly recommend it!”
Mark McMorris-- 2014 Bronze Medalist at the Olympic Games in Sochi; 2012 and 2013 X Games Gold Medalist
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Learning how to stop on the snowboard
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they’re learning how to snowboard is how to stop.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Stopping
Understandably enough, one of the first things people want to know when they're learning how to snowboard is how to stop. First of all, it's not by sliding and sitting (or maybe slamming) on the ground. Stopping is a motion controlled by the heel- or toe-side edge of your board. Just as with getting up, there are two ways to stop. The easiest way to learn the first method is by doing it. Begin by standing on a gradual or beginner slope with your entire body facing downhill and your board across the incline. Stand with your knees bent, and stay low. Don't think about trying to turn yet. Concentrate on what edge control and stopping feel like. If you're standing on a slope, you will immediately begin sliding down the hill. Think about pressing your heels into the back of the board and lifting your toes very steadily off the ground. People always mess this up and completely flex the foot. It isn't about flexing; it's about pressing. Your board will be doing a lot of the work, but always remember you are the one in control. Now practice sliding downhill while remaining in that position, with your whole body and board perpendicular. Pressing your heels hard into the snow is what is going to make you stop. You will feel yourself slow (figure 4.4).
There is no doubt you will probably fall quite a bit learning how to stop, but this is where all the pretraining and techniques for getting yourself back up come in. Your legs are sure to burn after practicing this for a while. It's like staying in a squat position for a very long time. You may experience some cramping. If so, sit down and stretch out your legs. If the pain is persistent, take a break off your board and shake out your legs.
To learn the second method, the uphill stopping technique, start by using the belly method to get into a standing position. With your entire body facing uphill and your board horizontal, push yourself off the ground and stand. Make sure you have plenty of room for this technique. As noted, you should always be aware of what's below you first and foremost, and this is difficult to do when you are facing uphill.
To perform the stop, press the toe-side edge of your board into the snow, and lift your heels slightly. Staying bent and low as you place more pressure on your toe-side edge will bring you to a stop (figure 4.5). Think not about pointing and standing on the top of your toes, but instead about pushing your toes down as if you were standing on the balls of your feet. Many beginner riders make the mistake of taking the toe-side edge instruction too literally, which in turn makes them fall forward. Stay entirely facing uphill with your board horizontal in order to stop.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Riding rails and boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Rails and Boxes
Rails and boxes are intimidating for almost anyone who just began snowboarding. Thinking about riding a board across a metal or plastic piece of hand-built material may not be appealing at all. But then again, if you're reading this then you must be somewhat interested. The truth is rails and boxes can be a fun experience and a cool way to develop your skill set on a snowboard. Of course they are challenging, but if you learn what to do when approaching, riding, and landing them, then you just might find yourself to be a jib master in no time.
Rails and boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This can be one of the most intimidating factors of all. Lucky for you, most resorts have beginner boxes and rails. Try flat boxes, preferably only a few feet long at first. These are the easiest features to learn on. Rails are usually more difficult because they are round. However, there are flat rails now, too.
The beginner area in a park should be apparent, but if it isn't, ask a worker at the mountain or look on the trail map. Parks that are sponsored by Burton designate single runs for beginners and riders looking to improve their skills in zones called Progression Parks. Look for these too when possible.
Once you find the zone, really hone in on what others are doing and take notes. You will notice right away what not to do. Remember the rules of riding park features from chapter 5. Make sure there is plenty of room and there are no other riders around the area before attempting the box.
You will need some speed when hitting features. Find a nice flat box that is almost completely set down in the snow. Start on a box you don't have to ollie, or jump up, onto. You want a smooth ride-on box first.
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is going too slowly. Watch others if possible to gauge the right speed for hitting a feature. Drop where everyone else does, and understand the speed to hit the box.
As you attempt to drop, make sure you're strapped in tightly. Face downhill on your heel-side edge with your feet horizontal. Turn your body as you normally would to ride down a run, with your front foot forward. You basically want to head directly toward the box. Try not to make any turns. Just keep a consistent edge and hold your speed. The number one rule in landing is to keep your eyes on the end of the feature and never ever look down. Just as when learning how to snowboard, always look in the direction you want to go when hitting a feature. Keep your knees bent, and as you approach the box, think about staying completely flat on your board, not pressing on an edge whatsoever. Pressing an edge equals destruction. You will crash if you press an edge, so think of pressing directly down in the center of your board and staying flat.
As you approach the box, keep your body sideways down the hill. Don't make any sudden turns or maneuvers. That comes later. Stay straight, with your nose in front and tail in back. With all of these things in place—keeping your speed, staying flat, and looking at the end of the feature—you should easily ride right onto the box. As your tail makes its way off the box, ride away, turn, and stop. You did it!
If you fall, it shouldn't be too serious off of this size and type of feature. Remember what you learned about how to fall properly, and use those tools to do so if it happens. If you get scared during your approach and decide not to follow through, try to make a quick turn away from the feature. Try not to crash and burn onto the feature. If you feel yourself falling off the feature, try to stay flat, keep your balance, and look to the end. If you fall, try not to fall onto the feature. Point your board off the side of the feature and move out of the way (in case someone is dropping next) as soon as possible.
As you keep practicing and are feeling confident riding boxes, try your skills on longer flat boxes and move up to rails. The same rules apply when riding rails. The feeling will be a little different, mainly because your entire board won't be on the rail and it takes a little more balance, but you should have a better idea what to do once you've got the hang of boxes.
After getting used to confidently riding straight (boardsliding) on boxes and rails, you will be able to start trying tricks and really showing people up.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.
Performing grabs, including the double, indy, and method grabs.
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it’s time for you to learn how to put some style into it.
Mastering Snowboarding.
Grabs
Now that you can jump and have begun to spin, it's time for you to learn how to put some style into it. You don't want to be flailing all over while you're up in the air. Establishing control and making what you're doing look cool and natural identifies you as a solid snowboarder. Grabs let you demonstrate your skills and change up a trick to give it some oomph. Being able to do them properly will also help you maintain control when you start attempting more technical spins. Every grab has an endless number of variations. A rider can perform a grab along any part of the board, toe or heel-side, nose or tail and can grab with one or even both hands in endless positions. Riders add grabs to personalize a trick and add more style. Nail down the basic grabs presented in this section, then tweak them on your own. Always remember to stay bent when attempting any grab, and for a clean grab, wrap your hand around the edge of the board.
You can also do a double grab. The double has many variations, but it's any grab (front, back, toe, or heel) performed with both hands. Both hands will be grabbing the edge of the board, whether it's both grabbing the nose, both grabbing the tail, one grabbing either, or even crossing your arms and grabbing (if you are skilled); there are many ways to get creative with a double grab. Grabbing with the leading hand in between the back bindings on the heel-side edge and the back hand between the frontside toe-side edge is a common double grab. You can add in a spin once you get your grabs dialed, although performing double nose or tail grabs is more advanced, since positioning your body in that way may feel strange and can throw off your rotation. Pick a style and try it out for yourself.
Indy Grab
The indy grab consists of grabbing the middle of your board with your back hand on the toe-side edge in between your feet. Practice on flat ground by bending your knees and reaching down with your front hand directly between your legs. When you're ready to try it in the air, grab in between your feet at your toes with your back hand as you start to peak in the air, right off the lip. Hold the grab until you start to come down from your jump. There are a number of things you can do with your other arm, but most riders throw it in the air during the grab, either naturally to help with balance or for style.
Indy Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air.
- The more deeply bent you are the better. As you peak in the air, reach down (but don't look down; it should be a natural motion) with your back hand in between your feet on the toe-side edge of your board, keeping your grabbing arm bent.
- As you descend, let go and land with your back foot flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Method Grab
The method grab is one of the most talked about and sought-after grabs in snowboarding. The method takes considerable time to perfect and tweak out, and there is a lot of controversy about how to do it properly and who does it best. This trick has been celebrated in its own contests and events in recent years. Most riders consider the method the epitome of snowboard style. The method takes superior skill because you need to move the board and your body while in the air.
To attempt a method, ollie and pop in the air, lifting the board behind your back. This sounds really odd, but it's almost as if you are jumping in the air and bending both your knees toward your butt. When the board is in the air behind you, grab the heel-edge center of the board with your front hand. Most riders throw the opposite hand up in the sky. The entire time your whole upper body is facing uphill, but your shoulders and head are tweaked downhill. As you descend, release your hands and land as you normally would, and ride away downhill. The method seems unnatural at first, but it gets easier with practice, and the variations are fun and challenging. This trick is super fun and essential for all genuine snowboarders. Watching videos and seeing it in action will help you perfect yours.
Method Grab Instructions
- Ride toward a small jump, staying low and bending your knees.
- As you approach the lip, pop an ollie in the air, lifting your knees toward your back and butt.
- Your body should be facing uphill, except for your shoulders and head, which should be facing slightly downhill.
- As you lift your knees toward your back, reach to the heel-side center of your board so your base, also known as the bottom of your board, is high in the air and at an angle.
- As you descend, let go of your grab and bring your feet back underneath you so you can land with your back foot first, flat on the snow, followed by your front.
- Ride away and try it again.
Read more from Mastering Snowboarding by Hannah Teter and Tawnya Schultz.