Category Archives: Snowboarding Tips

How To Snowboard: Funnel Turns

October 11, 2017Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, Snowboarding Tips, UncategorizedHow To Snowboard, intermediate snowboarder, snowboard, snowboard lesson, snowboard tips, snowboard tutorial, snowboard videoBlake Clark

You’ve got off the easy trails (easy is marked by Green in America and Blue in Europe) and are exploring the mountain as a L2 Rider. You’ll be riding more of the mountain getting into intermediate terrain (Blue trails in America and Red trails in Europe). Riding steeper terrain can be super stoke especially when you’re using efficient movements and alignments. This online snowboard lesson will go over Funnel Turns Drill. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step and feedback from your coach. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for ‘Snowboarding Backcountry’ on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching and mastering these L1 RAW snowboard videos before riding Steeper Terrain; Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, How to Snowboard: Balance Twist & Beginner Snowboard Stance. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and learn to snowboard right!

Think of the shape of a funnel making large turns, then medium and last small/fast turns. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step. We also have some free snowboard videos to prepare for steeper terrain on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching and mastering these L1 RAW snowboard videos before riding Steeper Terrain; Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, How to Snowboard: Balance Twist & Beginner Snowboard Stance . Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at Our Blog for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

The focus on this drill is to be able to turn and different speeds and multiple size radius of our turns. Let’s face it snowboarding is about turning. I love to just point it and not turn when conditions and safety allow. Before we get into pure speed and adrenaline we need to be able to turn as quickly as possible. There are dangers and obstacles all over the mountain. Once we get off the easy trails the slopes become more steep and narrow. For your safety and those on the mountain you’ll want to practice changing the size of your turns. The Funnel Drill is perfect to help you practice the size of your turns. It will help you develop ‘Rhythm & Flow’ key to everything we do.

Start making 4-5 turns that are very large, then make 4-5 turns that are medium in radius shape. Make 4-5 turns that are small and quick and then see how quick and fast you can make your turns. You’ll want to be using a lot of lower body movements and really focus initiating your turns with your ankle. There you’ve done it Funnel Turns. Drills really help you explore you snowboarding body movement and develop muscle memory. Get out there and Ride Right!

You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, text books, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

How To Snowboard: Active Passive Absorption

October 5, 2017Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Free Snowboarding Lessons, Snowboarding TipsAdvance snowboarder, snowboard, snowboard tips, snowboard tutorialBlake Clark

At Level 3 Ripper you’re an advanced snowboarder and are using advanced movements that help you absorb the many obstacles that exist out on the mountain. This online snowboard lesson will go over Active Passive Absorption. Get to know what type of absorption is best in certain situations. We have some videos to prepare for advanced snowboard movements on our YouTube Page. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step. I recommend watching and mastering these free Youtube L3 Ripper snowboard videos before riding advanced absorption movements; Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, & Snowboarding Moguls. 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 want to explore different movements once we become advanced Level 3 Rippers. Take two ways of doing something and get more minds thinking how to make yourself a better snowboarder. I take a lot of my snowboard training into other sports like mountain biking. When you’re on terrain with lots of rollers you can shoot off or jump off a roller and skip some and that would be more like Passive Absorption or keep your wheels on the ground and go over each roller Active Absorption. On a Snowboard X course or Motor X course you find rollers and jumps one after another. The riders can actively absorb each bump or use them to shoot off or passive absorb. Knowing when to use each movement can be beneficial and improve your riding.

To practice the Active Passive Absorption Drill find a trail with a lot of bumps, moguls or rollers on them. Go through practicing just Active Absorption first. Keep you board on the snow. Use your legs to really absorb everything. You’ll really need to be bending your ankles, knees, hips and spine to stay low. The animation in the video shows this. You move fore and aft on your board. As your front leg comes to the bump actively lift up your foot and then really press down as you go over it and repeat with your back leg. This is more movement and can give you a work out. We move our legs independently pushing them up and down. Flexing and extending very aggressively using our legs as shock absorbers.

Now go through the same run with a lot of bumps, moguls or rollers on them. Practice Passive Absorption now on every bump that is safe. When getting air we want to consider a down hill landing and not an uphill landing slope. We start getting air and shoot off the jumps. There may be three rollers in a row and you shoot off the first shoot over the second and land on the third. Then go through the same run and blend your Active and Passive Absorption and see how that drill helps you become a more versatile rider. It will help you to improve your quickness and speed in bumpy terrain and if you’re really good you’ll be able to compete in Boarder X competitions. Our Full Course goes step by step through drills to build your skills if competing is the level of snowboarder you want to become.

When you’re out riding and you want to practice some movement and skills to improve your riding think about the Active Passive Absorption Drill. You can watch our other snowboard tutorials to improve your riding. The snow has already started falling so get snowboard fit and start practicing today. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, text books, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Start snowboarding right at the beginning and you’ll excel quickly. Avoid injuries by using flowingfreerdie.com & snowboardclass.com snowboard video tutorials.

Learn to Snowboard Chutes and Couloirs

September 25, 2017Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, Snowboarding TipsAdvance snowboarder, Chutes, snowboard lesson, snowboard tutorialBlake Clark

Once you get to be an advanced snowboarder L3 Ripper you’ll be riding the whole mountain with every type of terrain. Riding steep terrain can be super stoke especially when you’re using efficient movements and alignments. This online snowboard lesson will go over Steep Chute Snowboarding. A chute or couloir is a narrow corridor created by obstacles such as rocks or trees. We have some videos to prepare for steeps on our YouTube Page. You’ll have access to all our snowboard tutorials when you signup that cover every step. I recommend watching and mastering these L3 Ripper snowboard videos before riding Chutes; Building Rhythm, Upper/Lower Body Separation, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Snowboarding Steeps & Alignments & Self Arrest Stops. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

You need to be very comfortable making very quick turns while keeping your board on the ground. It you have to jump turn you loose your friction or your brakes which is your edge. In steep terrain you gain speed fast so keep your board on the snow using more rotation movements and really twist your snowboard so much that your front foot is on the opposite edge of your back foot when transitioning edges. It’s also recommended being comfortable going straight and fast because some chutes are so narrow you might not be able to turn. We build up to these movements step by step. If your body isn’t perpendicular to the slope you’re leaning back. Your board, knees, hips & shoulders should be parallel to the slope. If you’re not comfortable riding steep terrain go back and practice these body movements and skills.

Go out and find steep terrain with a natural line such as trees or use the rope on the side. Draw a line in the snow that is about 5-10 feet wide. This creates a perfect chute simulation. I like to create a really narrow portion by drawing the line to be only 2-3 feet wide for a small portion of where I’m doing my chute drill. Steep Chute Snowboarding has examples and animations showing this drill. The goal is to be making all your turns within this corridor and keeping your board on the ground while turning, no jump turns. After you feel comfortable doing this go out and find real chutes/couloirs on the mountain. Remember a chute can be created by many things like rocks or trees but sometimes are formed by snow just being pushed around. This drill can help you get out of tight situations. I’ve been snowboarding before where the only way down is a chute so having this skill in your tool belt can save your snowboard from damage or prevent injury to yourself.

Experiment with your riding style and technique and you’ll be riding chutes like a pro. This video focused on riding steep narrow terrain and making quick turns. Remember the basics steer with your front foot and the back foot follows. You’ll want to be very dynamic in your riding and if you’re not watch Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend and get this movement dialed in. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, text books, glossary, tests and direct feedback from your coach. Start snowboarding right at the beginning and you’ll excel quickly. Avoid injuries by using flowingfreerdie.com & snowboardclass.com snowboard video tutorials.

Snowboard Responsibility Code #3 Don’t Obstruct and Be Seen

September 18, 2017Snowboarding Tipsresponsibility code, snowboard safetyTeako

Know the code and #3 of the Snowboard Responsibility Code is to not obstruct the trail and be seen from above. This online snowboard lesson will go over Snowboard Safety Code #3. It is very important to know the responsibility code when riding on the mountain. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

If you need to stop pull off the side of the trail. If your group stops line up single file down the hill and not across. Peeps from above need to see you from 100 feet so they have time to stop or avoid you. Terrain may vary going up and then down. If you go over a roller, where the run goes uphill you don’t want to stop a few feet down from there because people won’t see you until they get to the apex. This happens a lot in parks with jumps when riders or skiers stop on the landing. Snowboarders are carrying a lot of speed in the air and just can’t stop. Never stop on the landings of kickers because you’re not being seen from above until it’s too late!

I’ve spent a lot of time in the and seen some accidents that could have been avoided if they only knew the code. There’s nothing worse than being 15 feet in the air and seeing some gaper right where you’re going to land. I’ve been able to jib them luckily and not landed right on them. That’s why safety is so huge. Know the safety rules of the park and mountain especially as you start getting on more intermediate terrain. Other riders know the rules and assume you do too. Avoid injuries to yourself and others by knowing the full responsibility code.

Snowboarding is such a great fun sport and to ensure you’re able to keep doing it be safe! Look uphill whenever you start or when trails merge. Stay in control and people in front of you have the right away. Obey the posted signs and closed areas. Know how to load, ride and unload the lift and use devices to prevent runaway equipment.

Stay in control
People downhill have right of way
Don’t Obstruct and be visible from above
Look uphill when starting and merging
Use devices to prevent runaway equipment
Observe and obey all signs.
Know how to load, ride & unload lifts safely

Start snowboarding right and being safe at the beginning and you’ll enjoy snowboarding for a long time. Avoid injuries by using flowingfreerdie.com & snowboardclass.com snowboard video tutorials.

Beginner Snowboard Lesson: Balance Twist Drill

June 29, 2017Snowboarding TipsTeako

Learn to snowboarding right with this beginner drill twisting the board. This online snowboard lesson will go over the Balance Twist Drill for proper steering technique. It really helps beginner snowboarders develop skills before getting on the snow and going up the lift. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com and take a look at our YouTube Page for more free content and learn to snowboard right.

Flexing your board from edge to edge and not nose to tail is twisting the board. You’ll get the best performance from your board when using this movement to initiate the turn. Most turns you make during the transitions phase will be on both toeside and heelside edges. You need to start getting into the proper rhythm for turning as a beginner so you don’t develop bad technique. A lot of the times you’ll have to unlearn inefficient body movements and that can take a lot of time. Start snowboarding right at the beginning and you’ll excel quickly. Avoid injuries by using flowingfreerdie.com snowboard video tutorials.

I’m going to go over your body movements for toeside and heelside. Throughout the courses you progress and focus on multiple movements but at first you’ll want to really focus on your front foot and keeping all your weight on your front leg. Before moving into all levels at once focus on L1 RAW. Movements will progress as you move up in skill level. Focus on Lower Body Steering for now. Always think lower body first Ankle First. Let’s try something to help understand steering from the bottom up. Slightly bend your ankles, knees and hips so that you’re slightly squatting or sitting. First move is focus on your ankle, lift up your toes so your weight is on the balls of your heels. You don’t have to bend you knees or hips, just practice lifting your toes off the ground and then back down. After you’ve got that down progress to bending your ankles, knees then hips. This should feel fine because you use these muscles/movements to sit down in a chair.

The toeside stance is next. Slightly bend your ankles and knees but extend your hips. Lift your heel up so you’re on the balls near your toes. We still are focusing on front foot steering and bottom up- meaning first movement is in your ankle. The way our bodies are built on the toeside to lift your heel up your ankle and knee bend at the same time but you can bend your ankle more. Your first movement should be to bend your ankle on both toeside and heelside but toeside you have to bend you knee a little bit. To explore this more lets keep our legs straight. Try lifting up your toes which puts weight on our heels or the heelside edge. I can do this without bending my knee or hips. Now try lifting up your heel putting weight on toes or toeside edge. To do this you have to bend your knee a bit, it’s just how our bodies/skeletons are built. The higher you lift your heels up the more your knee has to bend. So always try to bend your ankle first to initiate your turn but on your toeside edge you have to bend your knee and ankle all at once but you want to bend your ankle more and focus on bottom up steering.

You can watch our snowboard videos and learn to snowboard online. It really helps beginner snowboarders to learn to snowboard. Do this drill off or on snow with your snowboard strapped on. It can even be done without your snowboard on. It will help to develop muscles memory for snowboarding movements. It’s your front foot lifting up and then your back foot. This takes sometime so be patient and keep snowboarding!

Intermediate Snowboard Equipment- Boots & Bindings

April 27, 2017Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding TipsBlake Clark

You’re flowing to your snowboard freestyle rhythm, carving, spinning, Flowingfreeride.com, Snowboardclass.com and you’re an Level 2 RIDER. Flowingfreeride is here to take you further than an intermediate snowboarder. It’s time to buy your equipment. Look at our previous article on the intermediate snowboard:
http://flowingfreeride.com/intermediate-snowboarder-equipment-the-snowboard/

Boots

Snowboard boots need to be comfortable and as an intermediate snowboarder you’ve tried some different makes and models of boots. They need to be the right size. Your heel should not move much when you stand on your toes. I like the laceless system. You don’t have to deal with tying and you get a better fit but check out snowboard reviews and go with what you like. There are many snowboard companies out there so it’s nice to go to the shop and try them on. Go with what feels best to you. If you like a medium flex you might want a soft boot. Stiff boots usually last longer but take a longer time to break in and don’t allow for as much forgiveness. The snowboard boot is the first piece of equipment you should get. Snowboard boots like most shoes start molding to your foot and are custom. Renting a board and bindings is simple. Boots are more unique to every person. A lot of people like foot beds. The shape of your foot varies from snowboarder to rider. Some feet are arched and others flat or a mixture. Boots are easy to transport as well. As an intermediate snowboarder you should have your own boots.

Bindings

Stepping it up as an intermediate snowboarder you purchase your bindings. Most bindings will be fine to put on any board. There is a base plate that will need to be used. Burton makes their boards with two or three holes instead of four with other boards. This makes different pattern base plates to fit the the bindings onto the board. I prefer the standard four holes base plate. I feel that my binding is more secure to the board and I don’t have to tighten the screws. I like the ratchet system with a toe strap and ankle strap. There are binding systems that click you in or something similar but I highly caution these systems due to safety flaws or you have to wear only a certain boot. These systems can get jammed up with snow and powder so they can release on accident and cause just that a crash. Try different setups out by visiting a demo center where you can rent high end equipment and there’s the option to put the rent towards buying the deck. The highback is on the heelside and should be able to adjust the angle of lean. Make sure you get the right size of snowboard binding that matches your boot size.

Intermediate Snowboarder Equipment – The Snowboard

April 3, 2017Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Free Snowboarding Lessons, Snowboard Gear Reviews, Snowboarding TipsBlake Clark

By the time you have got off the bunny hill and are able to keep some rhythm you’ll want to get a snowboard that is specific to you and your riding style. I recommend a snowboard with some shape or camber. You may want a board with a deep side cut. Possibly you might want beveled edges or a hard stiff snowboard or soft flexible snowboard. You may not know what you want. You can go into a shop and tell them your style. They can size the board to your body while you are there. Usually the more you weigh/taller the bigger the snowboard. The snowboard plays such a big part of how you ride especially as an intermediate snowboarder.

This is where you get to experiment and explore. Spend more time out on the mountain riding. I usually will buy a set up after researching what technology is offered by the boots, snowboard, bindings and price. Demo shops are convenient if you don’t know what you want to ride for sure. By the time you spend as much time riding as me you know exactly how to set up everything. Your stance, angles, beveled edges, forward lean will change from the type of riding you’re doing or conditions on the mountain. There are reference alignments or standards that can be used to refer to for the most efficient movements and performances. You are unique so log some more days in the mountains riding different conditions and terrain.

Most mountains/resorts will have a snowboard demo day where several companies come out and let you ride the snowboards for free. This saves money no matter what level you are; Beginner Snowboarder, Intermediate Snowboarder or Advanced Snowboarder. Demo snowboards, ride your friends snowboard or borrow one. My mates and I will sometimes switch our snowboard setups for a run if our boots fit the bindings. This is great if you’re a new rider getting into snowboarding because you get to test the different snowboard technologies out there.

Safety for A Beginner Snowboarder Equipment

March 7, 2017From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding TipsBlake Clark

There are some really good technologies out there to protect our bodies. The snowboarder is a large lever so when the if you “catch an edge” your body is whipped. Depending on the rider especially beginner snowboarders, it’s a good idea to have knee pads, wrist guards, spine guard/body pads and impact shorts. I strongly recommend a helmet for everyone. You’ll want a beginner snowboard with technology and design that will help you learn to snowboard better. (Soft flex, flat or reverse camber, bevel edges, etc.,) The snow conditions can be very soft or very icy. If the snow is really hard and icy then plan on harder falls. It’s easier to learn how to snowboard with soft snow. You’ll want to get equipment that is more function than fashion.

Beginner snowboarders can rent a lot of this equipment and most resorts have “Learn to Snowboard” packages. Check out beginner snowboard deals in your area. You may want to rent at first to test the equipment and see what you like. If you go out and buy all your equipment it might not be what you like and renting can save some money for you.
Some gloves come with the option to have wrist guards. If you have any worry about your wrists then wear guards. Snowboard pants have pads in some clothing lines or you can get your own. If you feel like you might fall or perhaps your balance is off then get a ‘butt’ pad or impact shorts. It’s what hockey players wear on the ice. As a beginner snowboarder your first day out you’ll be skating a lot and might shed layers but once you start moving down the slope you’ll want to put the armor on.

Here’s the basic equipment list I recommend: Waterproof snowboard jacket, snowboard pants, gloves, Under Armor material that will stretch to tuck in so you don’t get snow up your back or worse down your pants, good comfortable tight boots, board and bindings non cotton socks, good goggles that fit around a helmet and a helmet. The helmet protects the most important organ you have and keeps your head warm. Layer up clothing so you can stay warm or cool. Most snowboard clothing lines have vents to cool you off if needed.

How Beginner Snowboarders Can Ride For Free

March 7, 2017Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding TipsBlake Clark

Many times beginner snowboarders buy a full price lift ticket and stay on the bunny slope all day. However, I’m going to give you a little tip that may help your pocketbook if you are at a low skill level or a beginner snowboarder and looking for a practice spot…

Most resorts have a lift or two that is open to the public for free. Of course, this is not generally advertised in this way. However, there are many reasons why these lifts are free. For instance, Ski in/Ski out lodging must run a lift so that people can board/ski over to the ticket office then use the lift to get them home. Other reasons include carrying employees and guests back to their cars. There are other reasons these lifts run for free—but no matter the reason, most of the terrain accessible by these lifts are easy green level slopes, which is great for first timers, beginner kids, or lower skilled riders to practice basic riding in these areas for free.

If you’re teaching kids they might not last long. It’s great to have a mellow slope to practice with beginner kid snowboarders. Children get tired, hungry, cold, thirsty, and need to use the toilet all the time. These lifts are usually by all the facilities that beginner kid snowboarders need. They are also near the base near parking/transports so you can leave quickly. Your girlfriend or boyfriend will like this too if they’re beginner snowboarders so the more advanced riders can often times leave them to practice while they take a few fun runs. Then, they can meetup, practice together, and have money in the pocket to eat at one of the resort restaurants.

How To Find “Free” Lifts?
Generally, these lifts are located at the bottom of the resort and function for some other purpose, such as the reasons mentioned above. Simply look at the resort map online before you choose your destination. Also, do your research on when these lifts open and close since they may vary from other hours of operation. Lastly, if it’s early or late season, make sure the lift is running before heading over.

So remember, if you’re just looking for a practice area, are a low skill level or a beginner snowboarder, & easy on your pocketbook you can get away with using an available free lift for a while. And, although it’s fine to use these lifts to access practice terrain, resorts have all kinds of shops and restaurants, so patronize them, they help their local economies and are there as a business. Then once your basic skills improve, purchase a lift ticket and get out on the rest of the mountain where the real green, blue and black slopes are.

Beginners – Where To Ride

February 16, 2017Snowboarding Tips, UncategorizedBlake Clark

Here are some snowboard tips for a beginner snowboarder, the places to ride are on very wide trails with gradual slopes and you’ll want to stay away from double fall lines and the flats. This will really help you to learn to snowboard right. The slope needs to have enough angle to keep you moving. Practice slopes for snowboarders varies from skiers since they can go over flat areas by walking their skis and using their poles, whereas boarders get stuck then have to unstrap. When there are flat bits you have to maintain a lot of speed to get you through or get stuck, flats are also where you may catch an edge, ouch! With a mild slope you keep momentum and if you fall it’s not onto flat ground. In terms of safety, a gradual slope also allows you to spread a fall out over several feet or yards instead of a sudden “thud” flat stop. You will be safer and have more success when you ride a nice consistent grade slope.

To find the area that best meets your needs, research the resort you are headed to. There is usually the basic info about the trails online or call and ask (difficulty, length, vertical drop, grade, etc.). You’ll want to have the best time while snowboarding so do a little research and use a beginner snowboard.

Since I teach I see the difference in skill ability when the slope is consistent with no double fall lines and no flat sections. However, if you are literally just starting out there is a use for flats… Specifically, almost every resort has a flat area at the base of the lifts where beginners can try out basic movements such as skating. Then once you graduate to beginning drills there is the “Bunny Hill” trail that is longer with more of a slope. This may be serviced by a lift or a conveyor belt. These are the areas to practice if you are a first timer or low level rider. Ask around to see what area might have the best bunny hill for snowboarding. You can watch our snowboard videos and learn to snowboard online & it really helps beginner snowboarders. Sometimes you may need an in between run that is not as long as the bunny hill. I sometimes hike a hill that has a consistent slope before going on the bunny hill lift. It may take more energy to hike but think safety first.

Boots

Bindings

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