The toeside turn - Snowboarding Lesson

Anyway, my advice is to go back to basics for a few runs. Get up toeside and learn to sideslip toeside then do the falling leaf thing and then some J turns to a stop then do Garlands. Stay on your toe edge the entire time when doing this. You might have to do this in sessions as people who are just beginning to do toeside work will get tired very quickly from their calf muscles burning. You don`t use these muscles like this in everyday life or other sports like you do in snowboarding. Conditioning makes this easier and you will be able to ride longer toeside with practice. Just remember that when you are on that toe edge, not to relax and let you`re heels drop and catch the edge causing a slam. When you start getting tired, take a break!

Now for the turning thing.....On your heel edge, slow yourself down almost to a complete stall before starting the turn. With just your front foot, begin relaxing that heel pressure so the nose of the board begins to slide downhill toward the fall line. Shift your weight a tad toward your front foot and bend your knees a bit more than when traversing. Also, shift your front shoulder over the toe edge of the board. As the board rotates down the hill, begin to relax the heel pressure you were holding on the rear foot. The idea here is to have the board riding totally flat for a moment at the point it is gliding straight down the hill. Gradually increase the toe pressure on the front foot to get the toe edge to bite into the snow and start the turn. Once the turn is established and you are about halfway into the turn, follow through with the rear foot to bring the board up on it`s toe edge to carve the remainder of your turn. This is a timing thing and most people in the beginning tend to rock onto the toe edge too soon when the board is pointed down the fall line. Give yourself a count of 2 then come in with the rear foot.

To avoid overturning up the hill, a few degrees before you are across the fall line, ease up on that toe pressure on the front foot and the board will travel in a straight line across the hill.

Remember....DONT LEAN BACK! when pointed straight down the hill and accelerating. This "speed anxiety" will totally screw you because if you have no weight on the front of your board, it is never going to turn for you.

The heelside turn
1o steps learn snowboarding