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Heelside Sideslipping

Author: Jeremy Sheridan - Snowboard Instructor (CASI 2)


The first skill you need to learn to safely get down the hill is heelside sideslipping. It allows you to safely control your speed, stop, and also introduces you to using your heel edge. Heelside sideslipping by definition is sliding down the hill in a straight line on your heel edge, with your snowboard perpendicular to the fall line. When you are on your heel edge you will be facing downhill.


Key points

  • Keep your head up and your eyes looking straight ahead. Never look down at your snowboard.

  • Keep your knees bent.

  • Maintain even weight on both feet.

  • Keep your upper body upright. Don’t bend forward at the waist.

  • Maintain a relaxed upper body.


How to

  • Ideally you want someone standing in front of you without their snowboard on. This way it will be easier for you to get to your feet and get a feel for your edge before trying it on your own.

  • 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.

  • Sit down on the snow facing downhill, with your board perpendicular to the fall line. Dig in your heel edge and get a feel for the edge. Notice how it grips the snow. Using your hands and your leg muscles, push yourself forward onto your feet. Keep your knees bent and balance on your heel edge by lifting your toes upwards. It is important to have even weight distribution on both feet. Look straight ahead - not at your snowboard.

  • Slowly lower your toe edge closer to the snow. As you decrease the edge angle, you will start moving. Apply pressure to your heel edge and find a balanced position, in which you can comfortably control your speed.

  • To slow down or stop, you need to increase the edge angle - by pushing on your heels and lifting your toes. Bend your knees and keep looking at the terrain ahead. As the edge angle increases, your edge applies more pressure to the snow and grips harder - slowing you down or bringing you to a stop.


Common problems

  • Bending forward at the waist causes your upper body to be unaligned with your snowboard. Keep your upper body upright. Bend your knees and hips. Maintaining this body position will keep you aligned and balanced over your snowboard.

  • Don’t jerk the edge angle backwards and forwards - causing you to go fast then stop abruptly. Balance in a position where your snowboard slides in smooth and comfortable speed.

  • When you want to stop, resist the temptation to tense up and straighten your legs. Instead, bend further at your knees and hips. Lower your bottom closer to the ground and raise your toes. This is the most stable stopping position.

  • Don’t look down to see what your snowboard is doing. Looking down lowers your head and pushes your body forward, increasing the chance of catching your toe edge. Keep your head up and your eyes looking at the terrain ahead.


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