SNOWBOARDING: Quick Tips and Tricks- From Riding A Chairlift and How To Ollie

Tips and Tricks

Riding A Chairlift:

When riding the chair, it’s best to skate up to the line marked by the liftees and get eyes on the chair that’s coming around before it comes to you. When you see it coming closer, turn your body as much as you can to face uphill. This will make it easier to sit down when the time comes. As for coming off the chair, it’s best to put all your weight on your front foot and balance the rest of your weight with your back foot, pushing against your back binding. Keep your base flat. Don’t use your edges to peel off in a direction until you’re away from your chair neighbors. In other words, engage your core and point it straight until the coast is clear. Also, trust in the process. It will all get easier! And we’ve all been there struggling before. Ride with friends and make the most of the learning curve. 

How To Hit A Box:

Tips for successfully hitting a box or rail

Take a warm-up lap before you hit features! Scope out the lip and landing of a feature before hitting it.

Inspect whether or not you can ride onto the feature from the top or if the entry requires an ollie in order to get onto the feature (there is a gap between the lip and the feature).

-If an ollie is required, practice ollie-ing over an invisible marker on a groomer run before attempting the feature! This will both increase confidence and maximize your safety.

Most of a successful line comes from a confident flow during your run-in/ entry.

Broken down…

-Imagine/visualize a smooth run into your feature

-Keep your base/edges flat the entire time

-Bend your knees

-Commit!!!

Powder Tips:

Set up your stance with your back foot less angled towards the tail of your board (more neutral than a park stance) so you can have more power and endurance when leaning back. 

Bend your knees. Anticipate slightly leaning back during all of your landings.

Train for powder days. Get your muscles ready to last as long as possible by getting out as much as possible.