How to Do a Snowboard Turn

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

You see the pros gliding down the hill - back and forth, back and forth. You wish you could be just like them, and turns out, you can! With a little practice, you'll be able to glide smoothly down the hill, just like them!

Steps

1
Start out on your heel side with your knees bent outwards. Not too much though, or you'll have a tough time riding. You should be leaning on your heel a comfortable amount; not too much to inflict painful pressure on your legs.
2
Keep your hands out to your sides. This will help you balance. Lean your weight on your back leg.

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3
Slide down the hill a bit on your heel until you are comfortable with the trail.
4
Flatten board by removing weight off of your heels and let board start to point downhill (Regular: Left, Goofy: Right). Thing about swinging your back foot in the opposite direction, rather than trying to "point" your front foot.
5
When board is pointing downhill look where you want to go and transfer weight to front foot toes first then back foot toes and look up the hill as turn is made toeside.
6
Your edge will come around so that you are now on your toe edge, facing up-hill.
7
Now that you are on your toe edge, you need to make another turn to bring you back to your heel edge. Slowly transfer weight off of your toes and bring board flat and pointing downhill. When board is pointing downhill look to where you want to go and transfer weight to front foot heel side first then rear foot heel side.
- To turn left, you slowly lean on your heels lifting your toes in the air slightly. To turn right, you lean slowly on you toes and lift your heels slightly.
8
Your edge will come around onto your heel side and you will be looking downhill.

Warnings

Don't throw your board away in frustration at being unable to turn correctly.

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You should be able to heel slide and toe slide before you try this.

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Never attempt anything outside of your level. If you're just starting out, don't be cocky and go on a double black diamond run. Just because you can snowboard, doesn't mean you're immortal and can practice dangerous tricks and not be in danger.

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Start on a relatively easy run until you get the hang of it.

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Don't try to eat the snow

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