thanks for the falling tips Doug. I never thought about that. My ex taught me how to snowboard and all she and her friends told me was keep your hands in and don't reach out. Which has been fine so far, even though I still stick out my hand/arm every now and then, but definitely didn't think about these techniques.

Sad to say I haven't had the time to check out the new ones that were posted but its something defintely to look forward too

I'm progressing!! working on my switch now.. and such =D

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Regarding Doug please refer to the message I posted about 6 posts up...

Hopefully you'll find these helpful as well! 

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At the very least they are wrist savers!

http://www.snowpals.org/deals/learn-to-ski-deals/

Sounds like a great idea to give a general idea of what would be easier to learn and improve on or progress with.  Everyone is going to progress differently find some things easier to do than others, Its a start tho.  Adds to the video that we alrdy have access to.

 

I've only heard them call it a parkboard or park-board or park board, likewise they have park-skis.

dont you think that we should create a post where starts firstly from the easiest things to improve in the snowboarding¿?

I mean in order to make a good progression in freestyle riding, start creating a post where will be posts regarding the first steps that whould be done in freestyle snowboarding...  starting from basic positioon, ollies, nollies, switch riding...

who wants to create with me that progression guide¿? fromthe easiest to the most difficult tricks...

For me, I had to dedicate full runs riding switch. The more you do it, the better you'll get at it. Some people have told me to strap in switch, but I don't want to look like a completely noob getting off the chair. It was really hard for me at first, but then you just get more comfortable. 

yeah they do call it a roller board, I wonder if they are exclusive to woodward. 

Ive never been to woodward or any action sports camp. Its costs a good chunk of money.

I searched rollerboard, nothing like that thing came up. Freebords look fun but i think these would be even more similar to snowboarding.

It be really interesting to try one of those snowboards with wheels. thats the first time ive seen one of those

 

Courtesy of Thrive Snowboards

 

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I hear he's making more tutorials but for Thrive, but I'm sure he would post them on here as well or at least someone will.

 

 

Yes, building a ramp in your backyard or the back country from which to jump off of.

 

It would be the same no matter the foot, just the opposite. I don't think goofy or regs move differently, the motions are the same.

pretty sure it is toe edge. thats what i do.

Sometimes I'll strap in on a flat area and need to "waddle" over to the slope.  

When waddling, should I be using my toe edge or my heel edge to move forward?  

New Zealand Domination!!!!

I got an email at 1:15 this morning saying someone had replied to this thread in broken english promoting their own website to help teach you how to ride.  I went to the site, had to have Chrome stranslate it from spanish, started watching some vids and noticed that ALL the vids were snaked from the web.  In fact the very first vid was Doug's how to ollie vid!  Another was a vid from SnowBoard Addiction!  I mean, yeah, the stuff is on Youtube, but taking someone elses stuff, organizing it, calling it your own, and then advertising it one the site you stole it from!  

OMG!

 

Go for a group lesson on a day when there's no one out there.  That way, you basically get  a private lesson for the group price.  This worked for me in the past.

I think everyone should take at least 1 lesson first.  My daughter did last year and all they showed her was how to stand and how to skate with the back foot, but that was enough for me to take her down the hill last weekend.  Not just the bunny, but the run I do...

edit:  Oh yeah, but I did get that "Learn To Ride" DVD from Snowboard Addiction.  It's got 40 minutes of great beginner stuff from how to stand in your living room to getting on and off the lift.  I think the download for it is super cheap, and it might help her out a bit.  I know it showed my daughter some great pointers before I took her on the hill.  I even learned a few good tips from it!  

If you download "Orbit Downloader" or "Real Player", they allow you to download any youtube video.  

The custom has frostbite edges which should help in icy conditions.  So besides making sure the edges are sharp and really digging your edge into your carves, not much else you can do for ice but be carefull!  I'm still weary when I hit a patch of ice...

LOL! Could be 

I've never boarded on the east coast, but what I get down here on my hill in Las Vegas is nothing like what the rest of the west coast guys get...

I think what you west coast guys call ice is what we call hardpack in the east. Ice is translucent. If it's white it's snow.

What board are you riding?

Aside from getting a new deck with something like frost bite edges or magnatraction, what you want is a good sharp edge.  Since you don't ride rails, this should not be a problem.  Take your board to a shop and have them wax your board and sharpen your edges for icey conditions. 

 

My Rossignol One Mag has magna traction and it cuts through ice like butter!

So I'm good with linking turns on the greens and I'm starting to get comfortable on the blues. What is the next skill I should be learning (no park stuff though...that will be later!)? Any advice from any snowboard instructors or those who took lessons would be grateful, though anyone can contribute!

Thanks!

Did I miss something, or did you mean to quote a different post?

so THAT's what pop is...thanks, this actually helped a lot! i can see why someone will say camber has more pop now...and all this time, i thought the ollie was a self propelled jump...

 

Try it on your carpet in your living room.  Strap in and then shift all you weight so it is centered over the tail of your board.  rockered or not, as long as your board isn't way to stiff for your weight, the front should start to lift off the ground. 

Not at all.  I think you should watch the videos first.  Just don't go to your instructor at your first lesson and say "Well, Doug said to do THIS in the video!" 

 

But just watch the basics vids.  It will give you an idea of what to expect, and then you will be more prepared the first time you set foot on the snow. 

- Doug

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

I guess you were thinking begginers like never been on the snow before type stuff?  

Otherwise, I'd think ollies are the very basic when you are starting to do tricks.  

 

That being said, frontside 180s are easier because you are not landing blind.  For a 360, you throw another 180 in there so a fronside 360 will give you a blind landing.  Therefore, I would think a backside 360 would be easier to learn then a frontside 360, whearas a frontside 180 will be easier to learn then a backside 180. 

 

For you, that would be spinning to the left...you will be blind on the take off for half a turn but will have the second half of your turn to spot your landing downhill. 

 

Check out the thread: www.trusnow.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46162

stuff like waxing or how to file an edge.

im pretty new to this stuff so i am not sure what else there is when it comes to board care, but you get the picture

 

It sounds like you need to commit to the trick more.  Front boards are tricky for sure because your body is facing the opposite way of travel. 

To correct slipping out on your toe edge, make sure your keep your body weight perpendicular to the box/rail/feature.  This generally means you will have to lean downhill more than feels natural at first.  Commit to the trick, and look at the end of the box/rail so that you slide the entire length of it.

Actually, a good way to get to that 90 degree position would be to practice on dry land first to get the muscle memory.  Strap your snowboard on in your living room, and practice rotating your legs (counter-rotating your upper body) into the front-board position.  That's what I would suggest.  Good luck!

i have only been twice, the first time i went i didnt know anything and the second time i went i watched these vids prior to going.

 

granted, it is still very hard for me to link turns but i hope this will come with some time.

 

i wish i had lessons or certain things to practice to help me improve before hitting the slopes. it is hard to afford gas and lift tickets AND lessons... so vids like these are nice

i need help on my front boardslides.  ive been practicing them by doing 50-50 shuffling into frontboardslide and also by popping right into them.  either way, i feel like i cant get my board to be 90 degree/perpendicular to the box.  and i always feel like im going to slip out on my toe edge.

 

any suggestions?

It's real fluid, once you start carving and getting used to the basic mechanics your confidence and speed will eventually pick up. Trying to bee line and say "I'm going to go 100 yards without slowing" always ended up pretty disasterous for me. 

I ride this stance (12/-12) all the time.

 

I trust her on blue squares now... and last week I barely trusted her outside of the bunny slopes.

We are hoping to start shooting more videos soon, both upper level and new rider tips.

Thanks for all the shout outs!!

 

I had the same issues when I used to make the homegrown jumps.  Either the take off is to steep, throwing off you center of gravity, or you are trying to "pop" with your legs and you are throwing yourself off. 

Working on getting more vids  out soon.

 

Basic idea is when the ground comes, stand up on your board while using the chair to balance your self.  once you balanced, let go of the chair, putt most if not all your weight on your front foot and just go straight until you speed starts to dissipate. then step off your board with your back foot.  That's it.  I usually fall if I try and turn when I get off the lift, so that's why I go straight.

 

Also when I'm on a lift and i wanna take the strain off my front leg, I'll put my back leg under my rear highback(there should be a little lip you can stick your boot under.  DON'T put your boot  under your board as the edge can slice into your lacing system.

I will try to get a powder riding video out this winter.

Key things for riding powder: 

As recommended, gear makes a big difference either a larger board or a board with taper for extra float. Also make sure to set your bindings back on the board. Steeper grades can help you carry your speed. Speed is your friend in the powder. 

Lean Back, Try to learn how to use active legs to generate power in the board to avoid having to lean back as much. Pulling the front leg to the chest with a long back leg is a great way to keep the nose of the board up rather than lean the body towards the tail.

Find areas where you can go in and out of the powder with easy, the sides of trails and around other riders tracks in the powder.

Use the kids teaching cycle PDAS to keep them having fun and into it.

Play 

Drill 

Adventure 

Summary

Snowboarding should never be taught in a way that it becomes something that is not enjoyable by the participant. It can be fun for all levels of rider, whether first day or 100th day.

Not Doug, but I thought I'd chime in ... lots of tips here ... biggest thing is to keep it fun.  Just keep them sliding on snow and having as much fun as possible.  Three of my favorites, I use with my guests.

1) Snowball games - Lots of snowball games.  I have them see if they can hold it in different positions while they are riding (behind back, at stomach, out parallel with tips and tails).  I even say if they can hold the snowball for a run, I stand at the bottom to see if they can hit me with it.

2) Snow Angels in the Snow Bank - if you see soft snowbanks on the side of the trail, I always see if we can "crash" in the the bank sideways and then make snow angels in the snow.  We try to leave our mark all over the mountain so we can show where we were (and they show their parents too!)

3) Counting games -- kids love to count.  If you want to get turns shorter radius for instance, have them count the number of turns they make down the bunny slope (or wherever you are) and then see if they can double it next run and count each out loud.

Good luck!

1. Find steep grade.

2. Lean back.

3. Don't get stuck.

Screw the bunny slopes.  Learning to ride and new tricks is generally easier on moderate-sloped terrain, not the flats.  Bunny slopes are also often the busiest part of the hill with out-of-control beginners.