Self Arrest Emergency Snowboard Stops in Steeps

When you’re snowboarding in steep terrain you need to be able to stop in case you fall because if we don’t stop ourselves something else will like a tree or rock. This online snowboard lesson will go over the Self Arrest Drill for emergency stopping in steeps. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

We need to get the board in front of you perpendicular to the fall line and facing down the mountain. If I’m turned around backwards and I try to stop on my toeside that can lead into compressing and doing a backflip which can be even worse. You’ll be on your heels sitting down and have your head up the slope. If you fall any other way you’ll want to get back to this position as quickly as possible.

If you fall and you’re on your back but you’re going down head first use one arm/elbow as a pivot to get the board in front and your head back up the mountain. If you want visual demonstration take a look at our snowboard video. If you fall on your stomach head first you’ll need to roll over and then pivot yourself back around so you’re on your heels with your head up the mountain. Similar to if you were to fall out of a boat in a river, you want your feet and legs in front so they can absorb/push rocks. You don’t want your head to hit obstacles first you want your legs to.

Practice this on steep terrain that flattens at the end. While you practice this emergency snowboard stop in steeps if you’re unable to get around and stop the terrain will safely stop you. Choosing a safe area for this is key. You don’t want to be out of control. The terrain should be very steep but flatten so you’d naturally stop if you couldn’t by using the Self Arrest Drill. Knowing how to do this skill could save your life and keep others safe. Snowboard safety is huge so learn to snowboard online with our full online snowboard lessons at flowingfreeride.com. We take you step by step to progress your snowboard skill and knowledge at your pace and level. We build your snowboard skills up. Snowboarding for beginners, for an intermediate snowboarder or for advanced rippers. This is one of our Drills sections for L3 Ripper.