Snowboarding Guide for Dummies

Posted: 04 April 2011 06:18 AM

I just got back from Sugar Bowl last night. Woke up all sore on my shoulders (which I did not expect since I didn’t fall much) and neck. Took a full head-on face-plant towards the end of the run that’s just a straight path. It was probably a combination of the spring slushy snow and my lack of skills.

I found out that it may have been a combination of me catching an edge and the way the board (if kept flat) interacts with the water in a suction-like manner like an ice cold glass of water on a glass table top that stopped me so suddenly and caused my face-plant.

Someone then told me that I should not keep my board flat on the surface for more than a moment and should always ride on one of the edges. Doing so will minimize my chances of face-plants on straight runs.

I then did a search on the internet about this and found and article saying the same thing about riding on an edge on straight runs. But then I found a YouTube video that said to keep the board flat on the snow. So the two information are a bit contradictory. Can anyone tell me what they do on flat straight-runs?

And also, one more newbie question… There were parts on the bunny slopes where I stalled to a stop. A couple of times, I had to remove my bindings so I can push with one foot to get to part that I can snowboard down. Is there a way to get moving again without removing the bindings on my rear foot? Or should I get on my knees and crawl?  =)

I have a business trip this week and will be in Colorado for a couple of weeks. So this weekend, I’m going to get a chance to go to Vail for 2 full days of snowboarding. I’m hoping to learn as much as I can to avoid that face-plant. Even ordered a few books about snowboarding from Amazon, which will have to be delivered to my hotel in Colorado.

If you can help out a newbie, I would appreciate it!

Posted: 04 April 2011 06:49 AM

Hey Tonto,

Whilst learning you’ll feel much more comfortable if you keep moving from edge to edge; but most snowboarders who are intermediate and above should be perfectly happy staying on a flat base, especially when riding down more mellow slopes.

As a snowboard instructor living in Tahoe I can tell you that over the past three or four days, excluding today, the snow has been very slow and sticky. This is due to the snow having a very high moisture content and the weather being really hot and not going below freezing (32) at night. In fact it’s without a doubt the slowest snow I’ve ever ridden…....thankfully the temperature dropped below freezing last night which meant today was epic.

There are two ways in which you can minimize face-planting on this type of snow:
1) Shift your body-weight slightly back when riding sticky snow.
2) Purchase some ‘spring conditions’ high temperature wax.

You can buy all the books in the world but nothing will help your riding as much as a lesson…..If you find yourself in Tahoe before the end of the season come to Sierra and grab a lesson, our instructors are great.

Have fun in Vail.

Tom

Posted: 04 April 2011 07:05 AM

Hi Tom!

Thanks for the feedback! Yea, I need more practice and lessons. Figured the books are the next best thing before my trip to Vail.

So you’re at Sierra at Tahoe? If so, then there’s a really good chance I’ll be going there on April 16th if my local ski & sport store manages to charter a bus for one last trip to Tahoe.

Should I go for a group lesson or private lesson? And should I ask for ya or someone else?  =)

I may be dragging some newbie snowboarders with me to Sierra at Tahoe, so I guess they should probably take the beginner snowboarding lessons, eh?

I’m not sure if I can post links on this forum (apologies if it’s not allowed), but this is the link I found about going on an edge: http://www.wikihow.com/Snowboard-Straight-Without-Catching-an-Edge

I guess as a beginner, I should try going straight on an edge for now if I’m going down a straight narrow path (it was too narrow for me to feel comfortable linking turns left and right to slow down for fear of going over one edge).

And can you tell me what to do if I stalled on a flat area? Is it best to just remove the bindings and walk to a spot I can snowboard down?

Posted: 06 April 2011 07:21 AM

Hey Tonto,

Obviously a private lesson is much better than a group lesson because you’ll have the instructors undivided attention but you do end-up paying a fair bit more. Bear-in-mind Sierra is one of the best-value resorts in the Tahoe area, you’d pay twice as much at Heavenly. In a couple of hours I’m sure most instructors would be able to straighten-out any niggling issues. I’d be more than happy to instruct you for a couple of hours and I’ll definitely be working on the 16th…...give the snowboard school a call on 530.543.3150 if you’re keen.

With your friends as they’re complete beginners I’d stick them into a group lesson. Sierra does a $35 deal…..have a look online for this amazing deal.

If you become stalled on a flat spot you can either take one foot out and push yourself along; or you can try walking with your snowboard on…...it’s a fairly easy technique but you’ll only be able to do it for 60ft before you’re completely out of breath.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Posted: 07 April 2011 08:08 AM

One thing I will add, if you notice or know ahead of time of a flat spot in a run or an uphill section that looks like you might not make it to the top:

a) haul ass to get as much speed as you can and
b) pump the board by doing squats, it will help propel you forward.  Do a solid down squat and get up less forcefully in order to maximize it.

Even better, if there are transitions like small downhills in a long stretch time your pumps to the downhill parts to maximize speed…  there is a mountain here in Alberta that is notorious among snowboarders for the flat traverses.

Posted: 08 April 2011 07:07 PM

Hi Tom & Steve!

Thanks for the advice! Will keep that in mind when I go snowboarding at Vail this weekend. I’m at Colorado at the moment and I heard the snow is really awesome.

Tom, I also called Sierra today to book a 2-hr private lesson in the morning and put in a request for you. Someone name Drew is going to call me later to book the lesson. I told the girl I spoke to that I’m currently around level 3-4. Hopefully with my group lessons at Vail this weekend, I will be at least a solid Level 4!

—tonto

Posted: 10 April 2011 07:27 AM

Hey Tonto,

Yeah I saw your reservation on my schedule, 2 hrs is absolutely perfect. I’m looking forward to getting you shredding even better than you already are!

Enjoy Colorado, see you next weekend.

Tom