Snowboarding Course - Linking Turns

Is this the same as carving? Can you guys put together an article on how to do "dynamic carving" ? Awesome site!

im having still having troubles linking turns, whenever i turn on my toeside i fall. any other hints or tips?

This is realy great website, it helped me a lot.
Thanks!!!!

jenna...i had the same problem when i started riding. Try standing a little more straight up. Your legs will straighten and keep your bodies equilibrium more balanced and will help you not fall over. I also put my back hand out to balance myself. Also, dont push too hard on your toe edge, it will force your body to lean too far over.

Hope it helps.

Thanks for the tip, BMac. It's been 2 years since I went riding and I've been having issues trying to do turns without falling. I read your advice and realized I was freaked out about going too fast and you're right, that's what was making me lose control. When I relaxed and just let myself go a little faster knowing I could control it later, I had no problems making the turns! Thanks!

ok so i read this about 5 days before i actually went snowboardinq and it helped alot i was way better then my gf whose been snowboarding like 6 times and i made a 20$ bet with her brother and her that i would kick there ass at snowboarding and yea im 40$ richer lol thanks for the helpp

Good points, BMac. Also, I would recommend using your lead foot to initiate the turn and get your board sliding before engaging the back foot to carve. I had the same problem with my toeside - too much speed - until I stopped leaning my shoulders out past my board and instead use my hips to control my direction. This makes turns much tighter and smoother.

i have been snowboarding for nearly a month now and i can already link turns. i think it''s pretty easy, thanks for the tips, Jack.

I think you have to be careful who teaches you. I went boarding with my bf and he didnt tell me how to get off the skil lift properly and i fell and hurt my hip really badly. I have trouble turning toeside when hes around he shouts "always keep an edge turn with your backfoot more backfoot!" but i think hes telling me wrong because i end up switching from regular to goofy or stopping toeside. Is this from too much pressure on the backfoot? though its necesary to keep an edge u do need to have the board surface flat on the snow sometimes right? I find i enjoy myself and get down the slope much better when hes not around..

My problem is transitioning from toeside to heelside. My heelside turns are stronger but when going from toeside to heelside i catch the edge and eat it. Any suggestions?

Erin, that''s exactly what happens to me

Thanks to the guys that have put together this wonderful page!

Several additional points for making turns easier:

-1) Use helmet, but-protector, snowboard gloves with plastic enforcement. One of the things You''ll need to learn is how to fall, no matter how good You are in sports.

0) Doing curves is when You change the pressure from toes-to-heel or vice-versa. NEVER change the pressure toes-to-heel or heels-to-toes with the two legs simultaneously - You''d fall immediately.

1) When sliding on toes, start the curve with your leading leg - change the pressure from toes to heel. Like BMac advised earlier slide for a moment parallel to the fall line. Then engage the back leg pushing on the heel. During the curve the board is twisted. Bend your knees. Keep your chest in the middle of the board, as straight and relaxed as possible. Do not rotate your arms and shoulders much.

2) When sliding on heels, start the transition from heels to toes, on your front leg, twist the board and when it is parallel to the fall line, engage the back leg on toes. It is essential for beginners to rise their chest and push their hips forward, when finishing the curve (banana shape). When sliding on toes try to look higher on the slope instead into your legs.

3) Keep the weight during turns primarily on your leading leg. This will make maneuvering with your back leg easier and You''ll gain some stability

4) When starting with snowboard try with a bit smaller-than-needed one. Usually the board needs to reach your chin, but taking curves with a board like that is not an easy thing to learn.

5) Start with a as softest as possible board. The better You get, the stiffer the board will need to be, but twisting a stiff board as a beginner will make You hate the sport.

6) When tightening your bindings, always start with the one, that covers your heel. It will bring your foot as back as possible. Then do the toe binding.

7) Selecting the leading leg starts to be significant when You start with the curves. Practical way of knowing which is your leading leg is if somebody pushes You from the back - the leg that You step forward to keep balance is your leading leg. Most of the people are using the left leg. When using the left leg, the injuries You get on your right shoulder are milder, so if You write with your right hand, this may be good for You.

8) After several days of successful curves - try a change of the feet position - Goofy, Duck, Regular. You may have selected the style that is wrong for You.

Hope this helps. If You have questions, suggestions or objections - please contact me vie Skype: strannotia

John: beginner should use short, flexible board.

Longer and stiffer boards are faster and require more effort from the legs to turn (which makes it especially hard if you don''t have good technique). Long boards also have less control but more stability compared with shorter boards.