Mendel

I'm not sure which exercises are better, but I can guarantee that lifting weights in the offseason will help when you fall. During the two past seasons, one of which I was working out during, I felt a big difference when I was going fast and happened to eat shit. I could get up and shake it off in a second after I had worked out. When I was less in shape, I would get the wind knocked out of me and had to take a few. I probably should be doing some stretches, I can see why that's beneficial, but ehh.

Josh

Good muscles to work are the lower back and legs. For lower back, I suggest rows. For legs do squats and if you are a gym member look for the machine the girls are usually on that works the hip area.

YanTheMan

For snowboarding you should be both flexible, and somewhat strong. Its better to be more flexible then to be way strong because of being muscle bound.

When it comes to snowboarding and training, there are several things i like doing.

1. Balance - There are many ways to practice balance. I for one practice on top of an excersize ball while on of my peers throws a medicine ball into my hands. Not only does this increase the feel for balance from side to side, also forward and backwards and it increases core strength. This is difficult and takes PRACTICE, make sure you have someone spotting you so you dont fall on your ass.
Another nice item that i have is a bongo board, you may have seen it. It has a board on top with a wheel on the bottom. Same thing as the exercise ball, my peer throws a medicine ball into my hands. This causes you to spin into rotation aswell, WHILE keep the board straight so it does not hit the ground. Controlling the rotation is difficult to master but certainly helps with snowboarding.

2. Strength + core - For snowboarding, try and incorperate Core workouts with your legs. Do squats on a BOSU, or one legged squats on a balance disc. Never use too much weight, and have somebody spotting you. If you are doing normal squats, lunges etc. Try and end your set of with side to side jumps, high jumps, quick knees up, quick jumps, or ladder exercises. Not only do you want to get stronger but you also want to increase your stamina.

3. Abs + Back - There are many many mannnnny exercises for these two. When doing abs and ANY workout, make sure you are not cheating on your form. This will only cheat yourself. As far as abs go, I like to do 2 30-45 second routines then follow it up with a set of pushups. For example, Ill start it off with 45 seconds of situps, then do 45 seconds of crunches, then do pushups till fail, or 20.
Then back to two ab exercises... then back to pushups. NOW, this is supposed to exercise your back aswell. Pushups make pressure on your back. There are also many different kinds of pushups, If you want to know some let me know. As far as strict back workouts, Try the front bridge for 1 minute, followed by 12 hip thrusts, the side bridge on right side for 1 minute, 12 hip thrusts, left side etc etc.

If you have any questions

Let me know!

getgopi1

Thanks everyone...for taking the time to reply!!

The books by Mark Hines And Roger Price look informative enough (somehow must have overlooked them when I searched on Amazon last week).

The responses here refer to a variety of training methods. I don't like unstable surface training though. I feel much can be accomplished standing on firm footing (I sprint and also rock climb). I guess I will just have to experiment over various seasons until I develop my own method of pre-season snow training.

For the upcoming season here in New England, I am going to put together a 4 week program based on jumping rope, plyometrics and certain weight training movements (front squats, goodmornings, etc). Hopefully I can see all that effect my time on the slopes come middle of December. Then, after a couple of weeks of boarding, I can think about revising the program for the following month. Atleast I seem to be forming a coherent plan now

Thanks again!

mister_tu

Where in NE are you?

getgopi1

I live in Boston's North End. So its a straight ride up I-93 (and then possibly I-89) to some good ski areas. Send me a private IM if you want to meet up somewhere this season