Last Updated25 October 2024

Advanced Carving explores the technical aspects required for more advanced carving techniques and some tasks that can be used to progress riders to a higher level of performance.

Once students are comfortable carving on a variety of blue terrain we can start to advance and adapt their skills for steeper pitches, more varied terrain, higher speeds, increased board performance and to become more creative. Riders should already be exploring use of a high performance stance and a variety of turn types.

Advanced Angulation

What, Why, How

Adapting and developing angulation techniques to cater for increased speed, pressure and performance.

When carving at higher speeds and with increased performance, the snowboard will bend more and the radius of the side-cut becomes tighter. As this happens the snowboard is able to make tighter turns that change the rider’s direction very quickly across the fall line.

With the introduction of Advanced Turns and the Stance Scale, the groundwork for a high performance stance has already begun.

Spend time carving on familiar terrain exploring different positions within the stance scale. Focus attention on how a change in stance can affect the four directions of movement, both positively and negatively.

In between each run, pause on flatter terrain to address each movement whilst stationary. Holding the back hand of the rider, have them flex down over their heel edge and progressively create angulation with a more rotationally open position of the upper body. Draw attention to how the front knee must remain flexed, how the hips need to slide over the back foot slightly, how the chest begins to move over the front quad muscles as you flex and the front hand lowers behind the highback of the front binding, and how the trailing ankle must be actively flexed (pulling the toes up).

Repeat this on the toeside, drawing attention to how the back knee and hip can drive into the turn laterally and how the shoulders can adjust slightly to the pitch of the slope.

Now begin to explore how this high performance stance can increase the range of movement in all directions and improve angulation for advanced carving. Exercises like dragging the back knee on the snow or moving towards a melon grab on the toeside, and lowering the lead hip towards the snow on the heelside, are suitable for this purpose.

Movements & Board Performance

Lateral & Vertical with Edging & Pressuring

A high performance stance with advanced angulation allows a greater range of vertical movement, which helps to maintain a higher edge angle, whilst keeping the COM closer to the board. This allows the rider to remain low and balanced throughout the turn, rather than extending excessively for the edge change. This position also allows the hips to be used more effectively when flexing on both edges. It is possible to adjust the shoulders laterally to match the pitch of the terrain, increasing the ability to regulate pressure. On the toeside, the hips no longer align over the toe edge, although the core should still remain perpendicular. On the heelside, the hips and core can align laterally with the edge, even though they should be open to the direction of travel. Maintaining dorsiflexion in the back ankle is important.

Rotational with Steering

The rotationally open body position is used on both edges, yet steering is created through manipulating the sidecut and use of whole body rotation. Powerful rotational movements are needed here, so the shoulder must work with the hips and knees.

Longitudinal

Moving the hips slightly over the rear foot is necessary to allow for the more open body position. Adjustments can be made through the hips to allow for recentering of the COM (and more range vertically) when needed, bringing the chest towards the front quad muscles. This position provides more time to be proactive with movements when anticipating changes in terrain. It is imperative that the front knee and ankle remain flexed to allow for steering and absorption.

Terrain & Group Management

Use terrain that is familiar to the student, as they will be exploring a new position on the board, focusing more on their movements than on the terrain around them. Early-morning blue groomers are ideal for this. Keep the carving tasks relatively slow at first and only increase the pitch or speed as they become comfortable with the new position – this may take some time. Be aware that they will need to feel the increase in forces for the new position to become completely relevant. Like all carving tasks, ensure that everyone remains aware of uphill traffic and blind spots, particularly on the heelside. Use long stretches of runs or even the whole trail to allow lots of practice and exploration of movements. Regular stationary steps to review each movement will be useful.

Example

Have your students follow your track on a fresh groomer, whilst continually playing with their turn shape on easy, familiar terrain. The follower can try to match your carve in the snow but perform it a few metres higher on the run, instead of following the exact track.

Corrective Teaching

Student struggles to create a high performance stance on their heelside and pushes their lead hip too far inside the turn:

Spend more time working on the position while stationary, focusing on blending vertical, lateral and longitudinal movements and sinking the hips back over the rear highback.

Reduce the range of vertical movement being used if necessary and focus on keeping the leading hip directly under the lead shoulder.

Take the focus off adjusting the shoulders to match terrain and put emphasis on the hips, knees and ankles.

Ensure that their leading knee remains flexed throughout and have them pull the toes up through the completion of the heel turn.

Student inclines the shoulders on the toeside too far:

Focus them on driving the trailing hip over the toe edge early in the turn, rather than the shoulders.

Continue to build edge angle with the lower body first and foremost.

Change their mindset so the upper body becomes a powerful extra that can be added when desired, rather than a habitual movement pattern.

Discourage the dragging of hands in the snow.

Self Reflection

“Do my students have the body awareness to make small adjustments to their stance, without it negatively affecting other movements?”

“Am I encouraging too much movement in a particular direction, that could be creating an inefficiency in their riding?”