Last Updated2 May 2023

Advanced Freeriding explores options and tactics for riding advanced freeride terrain and snow conditions including turn sizes, shapes and types that are appropriate to the terrain and snow conditions, with movement options quantified through range, timing and power. It is by no means every consideration for creating developmental and corrective activities and progressions but merely a guide to get you started. A more in-depth use of SCOPE is also necessary to develop decision making abilities in these situations.

Riding Drops, Spines & Windlips

What, Why, How

Hitting drops, slashing features and sending it off windlips and spines.

Increase versatility and adaptability of existing freestyle skills to off-trail terrain features.

Review turn types, abilities and confidence in other off-piste terrain like gullies and trees where drops, spines and windlips can be found.

Review and develop techniques for doing slashes on both toe and heel edge that utilise powerful aft movements, then releasing rebound with quick retraction movements to change edge.

Review and develop ollies and straight airs off simple features like rollers, cat tracks, small jumps or even cut-outs.

Discuss how to scope drops and windlips, the angle to hit each feature to maximise or minimise air time, how soft or firm the snow is on the takeoff, how to judge the approach speed, and how to recognise if a landing is too flat having the potential to cause injury.

Explain the characteristics of the terrain features, appropriate approach speeds and make a plan of what to do (slash, drop, gap, transfer etc.)

Develop further by explaining where to look and how to identify areas to slow down and control speed after landing.

Find drops, spines or windlips with options to progressively go bigger, scope it, identify the runout, commit and send it. Develop by adding a grab or tweak. Finally integrate into freeriding, encouraging flow and decision making.

Example

It's like being at a pool with a selection of diving boards and platforms, there are options for which ones to send it off and how you are going to send it. This is based on your confidence and abilities. If it is your first time off a diving board it's probably best to choose the lowest one and walk to the end and gently jump in feet first. If you have experience you may go to a higher diving platform and/or dive in head first.

Movements & Board Performance

Vertical & Longitudinal with Pressure

When getting air in natural terrain a slightly aft position can be beneficial. The hips will be slightly aft of centre, maintaining flexion in the leading leg. Extension movements will be subtle from the ankles, knees and hips depending on the drop and approach speed. Using an ollie on takeoff will help the rider to tuck their knees up in the air. Flexion movements will be used in the ankles, knees, hips and curvature of the spine to cope with absorbing the landing of a drop. If needed, extension of the back leg to prepare for landing can help absorb pressure on flatter or powdery landings. Powerful extension through the back leg is required when doing slashes.

Lateral with Edging

Small adjustments will be made in the ankles to control the amount of edge angle during approach and takeoff, often dictated by the natural slope. Ideally, a laterally neutral position will be maintained at takeoff to provide as much stability as possible. Higher edge angles are needed when slashing wind lips.

Rotational with Steering

Rotational movements should be kept to a minimum to promote stability when jumping. Stance adjustments can be made rotationally (i.e. high performance stance) to allow for a larger range of other movements. Powerful and at times separated rotation is essential when slashing.

Terrain & Group Management

Fear management is a big part of riding drops, spines and windlips. Ensure students are choosing to take on features within their ability levels. Intervene when necessary to suggest more appropriate lines or, better yet, additional tasks to ride that can prepare them for the feature they have been eyeing up from the lift.

It is essential to scope the terrain to assess the landing for any rocks or debris that may cause injury. This is especially important with fresh snow that may have hidden natural hazards. A visual assessment of the landing can provide further insight into line choice, expectations of landing and the approach speed needed to clear any hidden surprises.

Example

Most people have at some point in their life, jumped from or over a fence/wall/ledge. Draw from this simple experience relating the new situation on a snowboard by highlighting why line of sight and knowledge of what's below is so important to the landing.

Corrective Teaching

Student lands and falls over the nose:

Focus on allowing the back leg to flex more than the front leg when landing to help the COM move slightly towards the tail.

Encourage students to look where they want to ride out towards as opposed to the ground near the nose of the board.

Student lands on the heel edge with the board across the slope:

Choose a smaller drop, or build confidence on other suitable terrain changes to build confidence in the ability to land aligned.

Practise straight running at increasing speeds over ungroomed/variable terrain to build confidence in the run out.

Student nose dives off the drop:

Focus on subtle, smooth extension movements from the legs at takeoff.

Assess the approach speed being used to ensure that there is sufficient speed for the board to leave the lip or drop cleanly.

Student becomes very extended in the air:

Ensure that there is a small pop or ollie during takeoff. This will help them to become more compact in the air.

Reduce the size of the drop and increase the size of their ollie.

Bring the board up towards the COM, rather than raising the hands.

Self Reflection

“Are my students capable of riding away from the drop that we are scoping?”

“Is fear blocking their ability to commit and, if so, what other suitable terrain could build confidence first?”

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