Beginner 'Learn to turn' snowboarder course 

Lesson 24

Lesson 3

Turn Shape:

Open turn:

The rate of descent down the mountain is controlled mainly by the shape of our turns relative to the fall-line.

The shape of these turns can be described as open and closed, or unfinished and finished.

An open turn is where you complete the turn at any angle less than perpendicular to the fall-line.

Where:WHEN AND HOW TO USE THEM, PLUS DIFFERENT TERRAIN USAGE

Open turns are mainly used on flatter pitches, or slower conditions to maintain forward momentum.

It is also a handy technique that snowboarders use on cat tracks, park and powder!

Closed turn:

A closed turn is where you end the completion phase of the turn with you board perpendicular to the fall-line.

This type of turn will easily allow you to control both your forward momentum and rate of descent.

Closed turns are used on steeper pitches, or faster conditions to help keep forward momentum down.

As you become more advanced in your snowboarding, you will naturally become more aware of what type of turn is required to get the best line of decent.

Where:

Always use closed turns on steep runs, unless it’s a powder day! It is at this stage, you point your snowboard straight down the hill, crank some tunes and ride like it’s your last time snowboarding!

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