Tag Archives: responsibility code

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Ripping With My Mates Grant Elliot, Rob Swanson & Curtis Clark

Awe-Inspiring Snowboarding Videos, Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard video is Snowboarding & Skiing with my mates Grant, Rob & Curt. If you look at my mate Grunta he’s throwing up some huge snow walls. The snow conditions were perfect to throw huge powder walls. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you. 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 snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Superman Eruo Carves, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Advance Snowboard Lesson: Dropping Cliffs, Snowboarding Off Piste, Snowboarding Chutes, Snowboard Lesson Navigating Trees & Obstacles, Active Passive Absorption, Eruo Surfer Carves, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7,Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles & Snowboarding Moguls.

It’s important to be safe out on the mountain. Review this Playlist On The Snowboard Responsibility Code to educate yourself on mountain etiquette and to know what everyone else on the slopes knows to keep you riding all season long. The 2019-20 season has kicked off with a bang and we got over feet of new snow from this last storm over the Thanksgiving holiday here in Park City, Utah. We are supposed to get another wave of storms over the next few days. Keep your fingers crossed. This is the second season in a row that I was able to hike Alta in October. I’m very dankful wink for all the snow we’ve been getting. I do hope that your winter is going well wherever you’re at.

To make big snow walls and to spray the snow you’ll want to carry a wee bit of speed and then really dig into the snow by getting your edge angle up pretty high. To make it consistent like Grunta is doing think about being really fore at the beginning of your turns and then aft at the end. I was making grab carves and getting into freestyle a bit more. I was putting my hands down on the snow. It’s fun to do tripods putting both hands on the snow and then buttering. You can do this by reaching over your tail or nose and lifting up your opposite leg. This video is more to highlight our riding but it you want to learn more about how to do these moves watch Basic Buttering & Surfer Turns Grab Carves.

Watching other people ride can really help you to improve because almost 95% of us are visual learners. If you can ride with others and pull out your phone to get some video of you while you ride will help you improve very dramatically. You can send in your video to Flowing Freeride and we can do movement analysis for you. I’ll edit it and send it back so you’ll know exactly when and where you can improve.

The season is going strong so get your equipment ready to RIP it mates! I created Flowing Freeride to give peeps an affordable way to learn snowboarding. I even have one snowboard video that tells you How To Snowboard For Free. I want people to be able to snowboard in the future and shred the deep powder. Join the fight on climate and do your part. Get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques by going back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills. You can signup for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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How To Make The Mountain Better & Our Climate

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over How To Make The Mountain Better. There are a lot of things you can do to keep winter clean. In mountain cities there are mountains and valleys. This can cause an inversion where the cool air gets trapped in the valleys. It’s warmer in the mountains because the cold is trapped along with all the pollution and temperatures are opposite or inverted. The only way to clear it out is to have a storm system come through. During these inversions try to drive less or carpool. Some cities have no burn days or even months. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you. 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 snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Superman Eruo Carves, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Advance Snowboard Lesson: Dropping Cliffs, Snowboarding Off Piste, Snowboarding Chutes, Snowboard Lesson Navigating Trees & Obstacles, Active Passive Absorption, Eruo Surfer Carves, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7,Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles & Snowboarding Moguls.

I had a great 2018-19 season getting on snow for teaching, filming, coaching, training or hiking 204 days! That was a record for me. I’ve been able to hike up at Alta, Utah several days this 2019-20 already. It’s good to get snow in October and for the weather to stay cool up in the mountains. I wanted to do something to give back to the mountains. I saw a lot of garbage when I was hiking up on June 21, 2019 the Summer Solstice. The snow had melted and all the rubbish folks had tossed was very visible. I decide to make a quick snowboard tutorial on making the mountain better than when arriving. I picked up all the trash on my ride down and recycled it down in the recycle bins at the bottom. I did sacrifice on having a line with rhythm but making things better takes work and sacrifice. Almost everything I found was recyclable. I found ski poles, clothing, plastic bottles, cans and other winter items. There events where you can go volunteer your time to clean your local mountain or you can just go up on your own. Alta has an Annual Event To Clean Up Alta, Utah that you can attend. It’s great just being out in the mountains, especially when they are clean.

Picking up garbage or not littering is a good way to keep winter clean. We can do a lot more though. I’ve lived in places like London, England and Los Angeles, California where stores charge you to buy plastic bags. It wasn’t much but it has already cut the number of bags they’ve found on beaches in half. Bring your own reusable bags when you’re going out shopping. It makes my life easier when I only have a few grocery bags to bring in and a lot of stores give you a credit or discount when you bring your bags too. That makes it a win win. Sometimes it’s not possible but when you can take transit instead of driving. Cars cause a lot of pollution and if you live in a mountain city you probably deal with inversions and that air can be like smoking cigarettes! I know a lot about air pollution here in Utah because I was hired by the Division Of Air Quality DEQ to make a documentary on air pollution It’s Up To All Of Us. You can watch that video if you’re interested in the science of inversions.

We can make a difference by using clean energy, installing solar panels, driving less, using reusable bags, not littering and joining protests that fight for climate. September 20-27, 2019 there were Climate Strikes Around The World to protest the actions a few greedy folks that impacts everyone. You can get involved and join organizations like On A Mission that are fighting for our climate. Snowboarding needs to have snow and over the last decade I’ve noticed that our winters are getting warmer. Polar ice caps are disappearing and places like India and islands are sinking due to the ocean levels rising. Climate is changing and we need to do something about. We can change things for the better and elect officials that will make a change.

I love being up on top of a mountain looking down at fresh powder field. I love to share my passion of being in the mountains with others. I created Flowing Freeride to give peeps an affordable way to learn snowboarding. I even have one snowboard video that tells you How To Snowboard For Free.

I want people to be able to snowboard in the future and shred the deep powder. Join the fight on climate and do your part. Get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques by going back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills. You can signup for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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How To Avoid Snowboard Blindside Crashes 

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over How To Avoid Blindside Snowboard Crashes. Snowboarding is a high impact high speed sport. I was riding at one of my favorite resorts Jackson Hole, Wyoming when this crash happened. Your blindside is where your back is facing and where we can’t see. You’ve got to be aware of your blindside to avoid other peeps out on the snow. I’m going to go over some snowboard safety tips to prevent crashes on the slopes. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride teach how to pick the right snowboard gear best for you. 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 snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Superman Eruo Carves, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Advance Snowboard Lesson: Dropping Cliffs, Snowboarding Off Piste, Snowboarding Chutes, Snowboard Lesson Navigating Trees & Obstacles, Active Passive Absorption, Eruo Surfer Carves, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7,Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles & Snowboarding Moguls.

You want to keep your head on a swivel when your trail starts to merge into other trails. When all the trails funnel down to the lift the traffic increases and you need to be safe. I like to give myself a lot of room so I don’t have to worry about someone making a sudden turn and running into me. I ride a lot and I hit by Rogue Riders/Skiers almost every year. Someone out of control or not looking where they are going. I really look uphill a lot while I’m riding especially on my toeside edge because my body alignment is already facing that direction.

This is Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill and will help you to avoid crashes. The person down hill of you has the right of way. I know it sucks when you’re flowing down the mountain making consistent turn shapes in good rhythm and then someone snakes your line. That can throw you out of wack and mess your line up but some folks don’t have proper mountain etiquette. Be aware of your blindside and other rogue skiers and snowboarders.

When you ride with snowboarders that are all goofy everyone has the same blindside but when you switch to a group with both regular and goofy riders then you have opposite blindsides. This crash was with a regular rider and myself a goofy ride. We were funneling out on to the main trail and we just didn’t see each other because of our blindside. I could have avoided this crash by slowing down because I did see him and we were merging into trails towards the bottom. I was keeping my speed to flow well and to carve. We both had that idea and we met when both of us were doing heelside cares. I was wearing a helmet and always recommend it to anyone on the mountain. The impact knocked my GoPro off but I kept my momentum and was up quickly. It could have been a bad crash but any crash you can get up from without injury is a good crash. 

Beware of Rogue Riders and Rogue Skiers when you snowboard. Keep your eyes up and look around you. We have blindsides and we need to use all our senses out there. Try to keep your riding in rhythm making similar turn shape size. When you are approaching the lift know that there will be out of control high speed maniacs. You can learn more by watching Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles and get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/Flowing Freeride’s techniques so go back to other snowboard videos that teach how to improve your skills. You can signup for the full course to gain access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Responsibility Code #1 Stay In Control

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over Responsibility Code #1 Stay In Control. When you get on the mountain there is a safety code called the Skier Snowboarder Responsibility Code. There are 7 of them and the first one is the most important Staying In Control. People might think staying in control is pretty obvious but I see folks going out of control all the time. Beginners just learning how to snowboard and ski don’t know how to steer well. They might get out of control and hurt themselves or others. I don’t like it but I will usually get hit a few times every year by out of control riders or skiers. When you feel out of control slow down or stop. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride go over equipment to keep you safe out on the mountain. 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 snowboard safety on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Snowboarder Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, #6 Obey All Signs, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7, Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, How to Snowboard: Balance Twist & Beginner Snowboard Stance. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Our Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and Learn To Snowboard Right!

People started coming to my snowboard lessons years ago saying they learned how to snowboard watching YouTube videos. I couldn’t believe some of the info that they were coming to class with. A lot the advice and techniques were totally the opposite of correct techniques. That’s what prompted me to create Flowing Freeride Pro Snowboard Lessons an online snowboard school. I wanted to teach proper techniques through snowboard video tutorials that would be a perfect companion to real snowboard lessons. My techniques are going to be similar to the lessons at resorts. I want my students to come to my snowboard lessons having the right knowledge. I also want everyone to have some basic knowledge of safety on the mountain to prevent injuries. I love snowboarding and don’t want some gaper to hurt me or others because they’re out of control and can’t stop. A lot of my videos teach you how to steer and stop, load the lift and to be safe. This will increase your skill levels, mastery time and keep you safe.

If you’re unable to stay in control you’re “over terraining” yourself or your going on terrain that is out of skill level. You need to be on a run with less slope. If you can’t steer or stop in the learning area then don’t go up the lift and expect you’ll be able to stop there. I’m on the mountain almost everyday during the season and I usually get hit a few times every year. It sucks but there are idiots out on the mountain. I use all my senses especially hearing when I can’t see. If I hear the sound of someone near me I put me head on a swivel and brace for impact. I look uphill a lot for my protection. Looking Uphill Is #4 of the Code and is something you should do to keep safe. I will stop people that are out of control and will take their pass when I’m in uniform. If I see they are just struggling because of their skill level I will recommend they take a lesson, give them my info to FFR Pro Snowboard Lessons Online and then help them down the run safely. Most people don’t work on the mountain so if you do see erratic behavior call ski patrol, talk to mountain safety or a lift operator.

I know where traffic is going to be when I’m out on the mountain. Near the bottom where the lift line starts is always heavy traffic. It’s where trails funnel together and merge. Be extra careful in these areas. Most trail maps do having warnings on the map where there’s high traffic or slow areas. Look if you’re going out of control Review Lessons On Steering and private lessons helps a ton. Take your time when making turns and don’t force it, let it flow naturally. You’ll be Flowing Freeride soon just follow the instructions. You can practice efficiently and get Hooked On Snowboarding with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to other snowboard videos that teach you about other snowboard equipment. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark Contact Me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboarder Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over the Snowboarder Responsibility Code #4 Look Uphill. I had to teach other high level riders techniques to improve their snowboarding to pass my AASI Level 3 Certification. I took my test a few times. You have to be an athlete to pass your L3 and it’s difficult. There are three parts; Riding, Teaching & Movement Analysis. I passed my ride one year and failed my teach and then passed my teach and failed my ride. I always passed my MA but you have to pass everything in your L3 exam. When I passed my L3 the snowboarder I was assigned to improve their riding didn’t have any flaws but one, he never looked uphill.  His snowboard alignments and body movements were spot on and he Ripped! I could see the flaw and that’s movement analysis. Now I had to teach a progression or step by step instructions to fix this or improve his riding. We are snowboarders and have a blindside and looking uphill while you ride will make you a safer more efficient snowboarder. Other Snowboard Videos on YouTube & Flowing Freeride go over movements to teach you how to perform safe efficient movements. 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 Intermediate Snowboard Skills & Drills on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos; ; Building Rhythm, Advanced Snowboarding Getting Air, Snowboard Dynamic Flex & Extend, Active Passive Absorption, Terrain Park Features, Freestyle Snowboards, Upper/Lower Body Separation, Basic Carving: Circle Drills, Basics For Freestyle Features, Advance Snowboard Carving: Surfer Turns & Grab Carves, Funnel Turns For Navigating Obstacles, Snowboard Jibbing & Snowboarding Moguls. Learn to snowboard online with flowingfreeride.com, Take Our Placement Quiz, take a look at Our Blog for more free content, and Learn To Snowboard Right!

I taught my student a progression to look uphill by finishing his turns. I started the lesson by praising his riding and telling him all the pros to his riding and how hard it was to find something to improve. Then I just laid it down on the table that I never saw him look uphill. Both the examiners looked at each other and then me and smiled. I had nailed the MA now for my teach. I told him to start making turns by turning the snowboard up the mountain a bit more and to rotate his neck more and to start looking over his shoulder to start looking across the fall line and uphill more. After that he confirmed he could feel a little change in his riding. I then had him ride in front of me and on every toeside turn he’d look at me in the eyes and I was uphill. After that I had him look uphill at me on both heelside and toeside. I had him finish his turns and turn uphill more. That was something small that improved his riding by using #4 Responsibility Code Look Uphill.  I then had him blend that movement into his regular riding so that he’d be looking uphill once in a while. That was an easy progression to teach a high level rider but when we’re coaching other riders you fix one thing at a time. When you try to fix multiple things it gets confusing and students get lost. Perfect practice is working on one thing that you’re successful at most of the time but not perfect. When you go out and practice on your own, practice a skill that you can do sometimes but not %100 of the time.

When you stop and start you want to look uphill. When trails merge together look up the trail and yield to oncoming traffic or when merging. I shared that story because I wanted to stress the importance of safety and how safety can make you a better rider. Even high level riders have skills that they can work on to improve their riding. Know the code and remember to look uphill and yield. Watch the video to see the movements and techniques I’m talking about. You can practice efficiently with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach you about stance alignments. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Responsibility Code #6 Obey All Signs

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over the Snowboarder Responsibility Code #6 Obey All Signs. I know that some of the rules of the mountain are pretty obvious but people do stupid stuff. If there are ropes and signs saying something is closed there’s a reason. Sometimes you dropping a rope puts others lives in danger causing an avalanche to trigger and come inbounds. In some resorts they won’t come rescue you if you go in out of bounds areas. That’s something to keep in mind if you decide not to follow the rules. 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 Beginner Snowboard Skills & Drills on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Snowboard Responsibility Code #4, Snowboard Responsibility Code # 5, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7, Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, 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!

I know it’s tempting to jump a rope when you see a perfect powder field on the other side. Those ropes are there to keep everyone safe. Use the gates to enter the backcountry or side country. Ski Patrol has gone through and made sure conditions are safe. It might look great on top but underneath there’s rock and other obstacles. There might be machines on the trail or wildlife. I like to hike and rip powder but I want to return home safe and able to snowboard another day. The big thing to signs is staying out of closed areas. You might duck a rope and land on another trail or end up at the bottom of a huge kicker in the park. It’s not smart and it’s not safe to jump over ropes or duck under them to go into closed areas.

The other signs out here on the mountain are for safety. Look up the trail when you see trail merging signs and really be careful in the slow areas. There’s a joke amongst us snowboarders that we say if snowboarding was invented first all the slow signs would say speed up. Slow signs are at the bottom or in flatter areas and ironically we need to keep our speed to get through the flats. I like to take trails that avoid these areas if possible or ones with the least amount of traffic. Let’s face it we need our speed. When we see these signs try to take paths that are safe and to stay in control at a safe speed. I always look at my terrain and pick a line where I’m higher up on the mountain. You need to have some basic skills on how to survey the terrain to pick the best line that avoids the flats.

If you’re a beginner try to avoid crowded slow areas and know bamboo rope fences are closed areas. Bouncing and jumping on the lift can damage it and endanger other passengers. Other signs exist and depending where you are in the world you’ll want to have some understanding of their language and what warning signs are. In Europe Blue trails are equivalent to Green trails or easy in America, Red equals Blue or Intermediate and Black Trails are still Difficult. There were other things that differed from the US but I researched and talked to locals about safety signs and topics to think safety first. You can practice efficiently with Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach you about kids and beginner movements. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Responsibility Code #7 Lift Safety

Blake Tholen Clark Certified Snowboard Instructor, Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School, Free Snowboarding Lessons, From Your Snowboard Coach, Snowboarding Tips, , , , , ,

This online snowboard lesson will go over #7 Lift Safety. The lift is something you want to really know how to use. I’ve gone over certain skills you’ll want to have when loading and unloading the lift. Be very comfortable skating and gliding with one foot in and one out. Use a bench on a slope to create a simulation of the chair lift. Before getting on the chair lift ride the conveyor belts or gondolas which are much safer and easier to load and unload. Refer back to what type of lifts are on the resort in the snowboard tutorial video Navigating the Resort. 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 Beginner Snowboard Skills & Drills on our YouTube Page. I recommend watching these snowboard videos;  Beginner Snowboard Lesson on Steering, Toeside Heelside Stance, Learn How To Ride The Lifts Safely, 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!

I have a ton of eye-witness experience seeing what snowboard chair lifts can do. When loading I’ve seen people not paying attention and get smacked in the face by the chair. This will cause lots of pain, bruising and bleeding. Pay close attention and follow the chair out. You need to keep your board straight and flat. Lifting your edge or turning your board can catch the snow under you and drag you under the lift. I’ve seen all this happen to folks. They usually are able to stop the lift but things happen fast around the lift. It’s good planning to actually sit outside of the lift line and watch people load the chair. Stop and wait for the chair to pass and then follow it out and wait at the line in the snow where the chair picks you up. If you hesitate and don’t follow it you should just wait for the next one so you don’t get hit by the chair. Once your board leaves the snow you can turn, sit, put your foot under your board to relieve stress on the leg that is strapped in and enjoy the ride up.

I had several students talk to me about the lift that failed in Russia this season. There is a viral video showing a Russian snowboard lift that has failed and the chairs are going backwards swinging wildly around the bull wheel at the bottom chucking people off the lift. I’ve worked in the winter sports industry for along time and know about these huge people movers. The technology and moving parts that goes into running thes giant ski & snowboard lifts is amazing. In the back of my head I always think about what if the lift were to fail? Where on this lift would I jump off so I won’t end up like some of the people who were riding that lift in Russia. A lot of times near the bottom there is less vertical and you see some people jumping off there. You don’t want to jump off a lift unless the brakes fail and it starts going super fast in reverse. I’ve been on lifts that have broke and I was evacuated off by ski patrol using and rope. Jumping off the lift or bouncing can cause a lift to derail off or cause damage to the lift and increase injury risk. Respect the lift and you’ll be fine.

I came up to lift and right as I was about to load the chair fell off as it was coming around the bull wheel. They closed the lift for a week to make sure it was safe. Luckily no one was on that chair and that it fell off right at the bottom. I helped the lift operator drag it off and close the lift. That chair weighed 500 pounds about 220 kilos and was heavy. I was teaching a lesson and helped close that trail. I always think about that when I ride that chair. I saw another chair come off the bull wheel at the bottom. This chair was a detachable quad meaning it comes off the wire at the top and bottom and slows down while going around the bull wheels. A skier was going fast out of control and crashed through the bamboo poles and ropes to keep folks away from the lift. Well, he went through those barriers and wrapped himself around a chair as it was about to detach off the wire. The rope and poles started snapping and breaking and then they pulled the chair right off the bull wheel. I was coaching and helped the lifty drag the chair and this one was even heavier. These are personal experiences that I’ve seen mainly because folks weren’t being safe and following the Snowboard Responsibility Code.

Chair lifts are big moving pieces of metal so make sure you unload the lift using efficient body movements. Keep your upper body and lower body aligned with the snowboard pointing parallel to the ramp slope. Have your back foot on your board as soon as you touch the snow. Standing up tall and not touching your hands to the ground is tuff but you can do it and keep the majority of your weight on your front foot that is strapped in. Glide off the ramp without turning and use the edge to steer once you’re in the flats. As you ride up the lift relax but practice turning your body in the chair to get ready to unload. Allow yourself about 30 seconds to get prepared to unload because if you’re prepared you’re 90% of the way there. You can practice efficiently with  Snowboardclass/FlowingFreeride’s techniques so go back to earlier snowboard videos that teach Steering, Balance, Stance and Lift Safety. You can signup to get access to all of our snowboard lessons, study guides, textbooks, 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! My name is Blake Tholen Clark contact me if you want to book a lesson through my local resort or have any questions about Snowboarding.

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Snowboard Responsibility Code #5 Prevent Runaway Equipment

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This online snowboard lesson will go over Prevent Runaway Equipment. Part of the Snowboard Responsibility Code is to have a device such as a leash to prevent runaway equipment. 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 these snowboard videos; Snowboard Responsibility Code #1, Snowboard Responsibility Code #2, Snowboard Responsibility Code #3, Snowboard Responsibility Code #4, Snowboard Responsibility Code #6, Snowboard Responsibility Code #7, & 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!

When you lean your board up on the rack take one of your straps to secure it. Things get bumped or wind knocks boards down and then they can go down the mountain. Use leashes to prevent runaway equipment. Snowboard bindings that have two straps are considered to be safe without a leash at most resorts but you may need to have a leash on your board before loading the lift.

You’ll want to know the full responsibility code when you’re riding out on the mountain:

  1. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
  2. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
  3. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
  4. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
  5. Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment; you are responsible for possible damage or injury as a result of runaways.
  6. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  7. Prior to using any lift, you must have knowledge and the ability to load, ride, & unload safely.

Safety is a big part of snowboarding so be safe while you’re ripping it up! 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.

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

Snowboarding Tips,

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.

  1. Stay in control
  2. People downhill have right of way
  3. Don’t Obstruct and be visible from above
  4. Look uphill when starting and merging
  5. Use devices to prevent runaway equipment
  6. Observe and obey all signs.
  7. 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.