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Basic Turns

Author: Jeremy Sheridan - Snowboard Instructor (CASI 2)


The next step from isolated turns is linking the turns together in a fluid motion; this is essentially how we snowboard down the mountain. The moment you can link turns on a snowboard, the fun factor increases dramatically! This article follows directly from isolated turns.


Key points

  • Look and point in the direction you want to turn.

  • Keep your ankles and knees bent.

  • Keep your upper body upright and aligned directly over your snowboard.

  • Be patient with the turn. Don’t force yourself onto the new edge.

  • Maintain a relaxed upper body.

  • Don’t stop after each turn. Carry momentum into the next turn.


How to

  •  The only difference between an isolated turn and a basic turn is we don’t stop after each turn.

  • Choose a gentle slope (green run) or use a designated beginner’s area. This is the easiest and safest place to learn the basic skills of snowboarding.

  • Start by traversing (travelling across the slope) on your heel edge in the direction of your leading foot. Look and point in the direction of travel.

  • Increase pressure on your front foot. Simultaneously rotate your upper body, so the leading side of your body is pointing downhill. Look and point with your leading arm directly downhill. Your snowboard will turn into the fall line and start travelling downhill.

  • As your snowboard turns downhill, transfer from your heel edge to a flat base. The base of your snowboard must be flat on the snow before it can transfer from one edge to the other. You will pick up a bit of speed when your board is facing downhill - don’t panic.

  • Once your snowboard is flat on the snow and pointing downhill, continue rotating your upper body in the direction of the turn. Apply pressure to your toe edge - by bending at the ankles and knees. Look and point across the slope. Your snowboard will engage the toe edge and turn across the slope.

  • Your upper body should now be aligned directly over your snowboard. Apply even pressure to both feet. Increase pressure to your toe edge - by driving your knees towards the snow.

  • You should be on your toe edge, traversing across the slope. Continue looking and pointing across the slope - maintain your momentum.

  • Increase pressure on your front foot. Simultaneously rotate your upper body; so the leading side of your body is pointing downhill. Look and point with your leading arm directly downhill. Your snowboard will turn into the fall line and start travelling downhill.

  • As your snowboard turns downhill, transfer from your toe edge to a flat base. The base of your snowboard must be flat on the snow before it can transfer from one edge to the other. You will pick up a bit of speed when your board is facing downhill - don’t panic.

  • Once your snowboard is flat on the snow and pointing downhill, continue rotating your upper body in the direction of the turn. Apply pressure to your heel edge - by bending at the knees and lifting your toes. Look and point across the slope. Your snowboard will engage the heel edge and turn across the slope.

  • Your upper body should now be aligned directly over your snowboard. Apply even pressure to both feet. Increase pressure to your heel edge - by bending at the knees and lifting your toes.

  • You should be on your heel edge, traversing across the slope. Continue looking and pointing across the slope - maintain your momentum. Continue into another toeside turn.


Common problems

  • Don’t rush the turn. When learning to turn it is normal to feel nervous or scared when the snowboard turns downhill and picks up speed. As a result of this, it is common to try to get on the new edge before the turn is properly initiated. If you try to get on the new edge too early, you will tip over and fall. Be patient with the turn. You must allow the snowboard to travel directly downhill with a flat base before you engage the new edge. Try to relax and overcome the fear of speed - it will actually prevent you from falling.

  • Counter-rotation occurs when your upper body rotates in the opposite direction to the turn. When this happens, your body is not aligned with your snowboard - which causes a variety of problems. It is important to rotate your upper body in the direction of the turn, while keeping your body aligned directly over your snowboard. Initiate with your upper body, and follow with your lower body.

  • Placing too much weight on the back foot causes turn initiation and completion to be very difficult. Shift your hips forward, so you are centred over your snowboard. This will also enable you to place pressure onto your front foot when needed - giving you much better control over your snowboard, as well as making turn initiation and completion much easier.


If you have any questions, ask one of our qualified snowboard instructors on the Boardworld Forums.