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Toeside Sideslipping

Author: Jeremy Sheridan - Snowboard Instructor (CASI 2)


Now that you know how to control your speed and stop using your heel edge (heelside sideslipping), the next step is learning to control your speed and stop using your toe edge. In snowboarding, you use your heel and toe edges equally, so it is important to build your skills on both edges. Toeside sideslipping by definition is sliding down the hill in a straight line on your toe edge, with your snowboard perpendicular to the fall line. When you are on your toe edge, you will be facing uphill.


Key points

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

  • Keep your ankles and 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. Grab underneath one of your legs and roll over onto your knees. You should now be facing uphill, with your toe edge in contact with the snow. Dig in your toe edge and get a feel for the edge. Notice how it grips the snow. While your toe edge is gripping the snow, slowly push yourself up onto your feet using your hands. Keep your ankles and knees bent. Balance on your toe edge by pushing your knees towards the snow. It is important to have even weight and pressure on both feet. Look straight ahead and not down at your snowboard.

  • Slowly lower your heel edge closer to the snow. As you decrease the edge angle, you will start moving. Apply pressure to your toe 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 toes and driving your knees towards the snow. 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 ankles and knees. Maintaining this body position will keep you aligned and balanced over your snowboard.

  • When you want to stop resist the temptation to tense up and straighten your legs. Instead, bend your knees further, apply pressure to your toe edge and raise your heels.

  • Don’t look down to see what your snowboard is doing. Looking down lowers your head and takes your body out of alignment with your snowboard. Keep your head up and your eyes looking directly uphill.


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