Last Updated3 November 2022

First-Time Snowboarders introduces an example progression for teaching first-timers. All first-time lessons should begin on flat terrain, with as much space as possible and minimal traffic. The general goals for any first-timer lesson should include staying safe whilst becoming familiar with the snowboard, learning how to move around on flat ground with one foot strapped in, as well as learning how to stop and change direction on both the heel and toe edge.

The order of the following exercises or activities may change relative to the available terrain and snow conditions, and your students’ physical ability, age and fitness. All of these activities may not be needed in every lesson so make sensible decisions to maximise the student’s learning time.

Heelside Control

What, Why, How

Learn to sideslip down the fall line on the heel edge with the snowboard across the slope. Then start moving left and right with a floating leaf motion for direction control. This will work on the ability to adjust/control speed, direction, and stop when required. It also develops edge awareness on the heel edge.

VIDEO: Heelside Control with Jamie Middleton

Sideslipping

Start by standing up in a comfortable and relaxed stance, balance the hips over the heel edge and feel the boots pressing softly against the calves.

To begin sliding downhill, gently move the hips and knees towards the centre of the board and slowly lower the toes. This will flatten the board and it will start sliding. It may help to rise up slightly.

To slow down and/or stop, move the hips back over the heel edge and gently lift the toes in the boots. This will lift the edge and cause it to grip on the snow. It may help to relax and bend the knees a little.

Continue to move further in this way to stop. Repeat several times to increase comfort, confidence and the sliding distance.

Floating Leaf

Once confident sideslipping it's time to have a go at moving left and right across the slope.

To move to the right, start slowly sideslipping, then gently move the right knee and hip more on top of the right foot and lower the right toes slightly.

Feel the right side of the board begin to slide more down and across the hill.

To stop drifting to the right, return to even pressure over both heels.

Drift to the left by making the same movement with the left knee and hip.

Plenty of mileage will help grow confidence.

Example

Have your students look at and analyse their tracks in the snow once they have stopped sliding: “Notice how this is a smooth, skidded track, versus this track that has sharp lines randomly spaced out. Looking at your own tracks is a valuable self-checking tool to see how smooth your movements are.

Movements & Board Performance

Lateral & Vertical with Edging

When sideslipping, small vertical and lateral movements from the knees and hips are used to keep the body in balance over the heel edge and bring the hips up and over the board and back to the heel edge to decrease and increase edge grip. Very small movements in the ankle aids in this. Changing direction with the side slip into a floating leaf shape requires similar movements focused through the side of the body the rider wishes to travel towards. Lateral movements of one knee and hip are used to create twist in the board and decrease edge angle and grip at one end. Use a subtle vertical rise with both legs blended with lateral. A subtle ankle extension/flexion can also be blended in. To stop moving sideways, move back to the centred position used to slow down in a sideslip. Be aware that only using ankle extension/flexion (flattening the foot) may be effective but can be detrimental to stability and levels of fatigue.

Longitudinal & Rotational

A centred and rotationally aligned stance with even pressure on both feet is necessary to help keep the snowboard across the fall line. Small movements longitudinally may help the rider adjust back to the centre of the board as the fall line changes or to aid movement in a particular direction. Very slight rotational movements can or may occur when twisting the board and changing the direction of the board. A rotation of the head through the neck can also aid vision and focal points.

Terrain & Group Management

Move your students from the flatter terrain used for the two-foot introduction to something with a gentle slope. A slightly steeper pitch can be useful when teaching side slipping as the students have less chance of catching their edge. Look for an area with a single fall line with lower traffic and a flatter run out. Try to avoid having your students take up too much width of the run while sitting and waiting, three riders side by side in a row is a good rule of thumb. When teaching floating leaf, it is typically best to stay on the same terrain. However, a longer section will allow more practice time.

Example

When teaching children you could adjust the content and pretend to be groomers: “You know those big machines that groom the snow? Let’s pretend to be groomers and make the snow nice and smooth for the next person. Only one groomer goes at a time to avoid crashing and groomers should always park at the side of the trail.”

When teaching sideslipping and floating leaf, always offer hands-on assistance and, even if your student declines, walk alongside them for the first few metres just in case. If giving hands-on, consider assisting from uphill or downhill as you will be able to manipulate their movements easily to avoid edge catches. Standing uphill allows your student to see more of where they are going. Standing downhill allows the use of eye contact and natural face-to-face conversation to calm any nerves. Be aware that there are pros and cons to standing uphill, downhill and even to either side, students will tend to move towards where you are standing.

Hot Tip

As your students naturally develop their riding skills at different rates it can be useful to allow more confident students individual practice laps or give them a new challenge. Trying floating leaf, attempting the other edge, changing the distance travelled or exploring movements are all good options. Encouraging those that are comfortable to help each other up and even assist to get each other sliding is another way to maximise riding time with bigger groups. It is important to keep the group together in the same area even if there is a split in levels.

Corrective Teaching

Student experiences fatigue while sideslipping or floating leaf:

Ensure boots and bindings fit well.

Take breaks to rest relevant muscles.

Offer hands-on assistance to apprehensive students to boost confidence and minimise increasing levels of muscle tension.

Student catches downhill edge:

Practise smooth lateral movements with the lower body to develop a more controlled and predictable use of tilt to remain over the uphill edge.

Encourage the use of more vertical movement to help them start sliding and to ensure that the lateral movement of the COM is not too fast and direct.

Offer hands-on assistance to boost confidence and offer instant instruction and feedback if needed.

Focus on keeping the hips laterally over the heel edge with slightly flexed knees. This will encourage student's COM to remain over the uphill edge.

Student is broken / over-flexed at the waist:

Reinforce the basic stance encouraging a strong core.

Encourage students to stand up more with a straighter back and look in the direction of travel.

Student falls back uphill:

Have students look in the direction of travel and offer hands-on.

Take students to a flatter slope, if lacking confidence on steeper terrain.

Check for sufficient highback forward lean on bindings.

Encourage students to increase edge angle by feeling for their toes in the roofs of their boots.

Student’s snowboard pivots very quickly around the nose and tail sequentially creating a swinging motion causing quick loss of balance and loss of control:

Encourage students to move as smoothly as possible when creating twist in their snowboard and remind them that they only have to move a small amount to create a big direction change.

Remind students to keep their upper body stable and quiet when creating twist in their snowboard to aid balance.

Use terrain with a single fall line so that terrain changes do not over-challenge students.

Encourage students to start in and come back to a sideslip to help boost their comfort levels before committing to a direction change again.

Self Reflection

“Did I offer help to everyone for their first slide?”

“Are my students sitting around too much and not riding enough?”

“Is there a lot of traffic here that might make students nervous?”

“Is my student confident or do they still need some hands-on assistance?”

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