A Snowboarding Turns Tutorial that Beginners Need to Implement!
In this Basic snowboard turning tutorial, you’re going to learn how to turn on a snowboard, and hopefully we will be able to deliver some core concepts that help you on your snowboarding journey as well!
We’ll also talk about some of the common problems people face when connecting the C turns and Linked Turns together.
The Turn Shape:
There are two types of turn shapes we have at our disposal when we are learning how to turn on a snowboard.
The first turn Shape I’m going to mention, is called an open turn shape, this is generally used for maintaining speed, increasing speed or riding flat terrain/trails.
The other type of Turn shape which is used more commonly when snowboarding, is called a closed turn shape.
We use this to turn shape to help control our speed before entering a turn.
This Closed turn shape should be our fundamental turn shape on our snowboard when we are learning how to ride.
It is also important to note that with correct posture, (basic stance) speed control you should be able to maintain a smooth controlled balance when riding your snowboard.
NOTE: Want to learn how to shortcut your frustrating beginner snowboarding progression? Simply download this beginner snowboarder roadmap to learn all aspects of learning how to turn. Learn what bad habits beginners tend to make so you can avoid them to progress faster and maintain balance and control easier…check it out now!
How to Turn on a Snowboard:
Turning on your snowboard comes down to a couple of core exercises that help create balance and confidence when learning how to change edges.
Although there are other steps before this, some naturals are able to pick up the snowboarding turns technique relatively quick using only these 2 fundamental exercises.
2 step snowboarding Turns Technique
Snowboard C Turn:
C turn, we need to learn to use this C turn technique first before we attempt to start linking turns.
The C turn will help us gain Edge control, and you’ll also learn the concept of entering the fall line.
You’ll learn how to Steer our snowboard through the fall line and change edges, then learn to steer our snowboard back across the hill in the opposite direction.
How to do it?
STEP 1 :Our starting position is in a Heel Side edge skidded traverse, like a garland.
STEP 2 :Have your weight on your leading foot and when you’re ready to make the turn, I want you to Extend (flexion and extension) and then initiate the turn like you did in the garlands exercise.
STEP 3 :Once your snowboard comes down into the fall line, I then want you to slowly change on to the opposite edge, at the same time, immediately start looking back across the hill in the opposite direction.
STEP 4 :Make sure you keep the weight on the front foot, this will help you steer the board in the new direction where you want to go.
STEP 5 :Keep your head up and pointing to where you want to go. If you’re feeling up to it, try turning the opposite way, feel the flow and ride!
The whole time your Basic stance should be in alignment with your snowboard.
STEP 6 :Once you have completed one turn, I then want you to try it turning the other way. Take your time, relax and always point to where you want to go.
NOTE: You can not force the turn, make sure you are on a beginners run!
Where:
Green runs, big wide flat areas
Snowboard S Turns:
Now we get to link the two c turns together to make a complete s turn…
In other words, linking turns on a snowboard.
The key here is patience and speed control, If your going to fast, things will be forced and this is not a good idea.
Make sure you are in a semi controlled environment like the learning areas on the mountain…
ALWAYS try to make closed turns when you are at these early stages of your snowboarding journey, and remember to be patient with the snowboard…
Don’t lean into the turn, stand up tall and perform the correct body movements.
How to do it:
STEP 1 :Start with a Heel side edge traverse across the hill, once you feel ready, initiate the turn, changing edges to complete the C-turn.
STEP 2 :Maintain the momentum in the new traverse and then continue into the next turn.
STEP 3 :Keep a strong basic stance and weight on the front foot. Always looking and pointing to where you are going.
STEP 4 :Remember to extend into the start of each turn, it will release any pressure you have built up during the traverse.
STEP 5 :Control your speed by applying even weight on both feet or steering your board up the hill to slow yourself down(bring your board back across the fall line)
STEP 6 :A little bit of speed is your friend here, stay nice and balanced over your snowboard, Don’t lean into the turn, let your lower body steer the board for you.(weight on the front foot)
Your turn shape should be closed and large.
Congratulations, you’re riding!
Where:
Wide green runs, ski school beginner area.
NOTE: Want to learn how to shortcut your frustrating beginner snowboarding progression? Simply download this beginner snowboarder roadmap to learn all aspects of learning how to turn. Learn what bad habits beginners tend to make so you can avoid them to progress faster and maintain balance and control easier…check it out now!
Snowboard Turning Tips and Pointers that Realign your Basic Stance:
Heel Edge Turn on the snowboard:
Common issues when changing onto your heel edge is taking the weight off the front foot , losing control and leaning back to far so you end up falling over.
The trick is to keep weight on the front foot and KEEP LOOKING and pointing back across the hill to where you want to go.
As soon as you change edges, start looking across the hill in the new direction, this will help control speed and keep your weight on the front foot!
Toe Edge Turn on the snowboard:
The toe edge can be a little more difficult to master for some, if you have already purchased our beginner training module ‘Learn to turn’ ep then go back and do so refresher exercises with garlands and toe side edge traverse.
The problem with changing edges onto you toes is that people get scared to commit into the turn and generally fall forward (lean) before they have successfully brought there snowboard into the fall line so that they can have a smooth edge change.
PRO TIP: Patience is the key here, make sure you have little speed, stand up tall and initiate the turn, keep weight forward over the front foot and let your snowboard face straight down the fall line before you change onto your toe edge.
Don’t lean, just be patient,(you can’t force the turn) keep weight forward and let your skill set do the work!
Snowboarding pointers that make all the difference when Turning:
Body Position:
So our body position is massive, always try to keep weight forward and over the front foot when learning how to turn.
In this snowboarding turns tutorial I probably haven’t stressed it enough, but you must keep weight forward to enable correct pressure through the nose of your snowboard.
Without weight froward, you will lose your steering ability.
NEED SOME MORE SNOWBOARDING TUTORIALS? click here…: Snowboarding Tutorials
TIP: Try and keep your front hand over the nose of your snowboard when turning. This will help keep weight forward!
Speed Control when learning how to Turn:
This one is pretty simple, make sure you are on the beginners slopes, try and find a big wide open area to practice these turning techniques. Control your speed by using a CLOSED turn shape pattern.
Speed is not your friend when you are in the learning stages of how to turn correctly.
Self Awareness when changing edges on your Snowboard:
Do you know how to use visualization techniques?
If so, practice running through the turn in your head before you actually do it.
Patience is the key here when directing your snowboard into the fall line, BE PATIENT and let your snowboard come around and into the fall line before attempting to change edges, especially onto your toe edge.
keep weight forward, stand up tall and slowly start applying pressure onto the toe edge to engage the new edge.
RELATED: snowboarding Ollie tutorial
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