Gaining confidence for advanced runs?
 

I have been snowboarding for about 10 years now (only regularly for the last couple years.) I have little confidence in myself when attempting more difficult runs.

I have had issues with really steep runs especially. I turn in toeside fine but I freak when it comes time to lean downhill...

Anybody else have this problem?

I want to at least conquer a small cliff or two before I die (preferably not from 'conquering' a cliff).

On hood, get a private lesson with snowolf

A lesson may help a lot. Despite years of boarding, you may have some bad habits/form. For harder stuff, the right form makes a big difference in confidence, it just feels easier and solid.

As others have said, take a lesson. Teachers are trained to help out with more than just technique...

You're likely freaking out because due to the steeper incline of the terrain, you're gaining speed quicker and must therefor initiate turns quicker (as well as more turns to keep your speed down and controlled). To get a better feel for the turn in without getting out of control, head up to the slope that's giving you trouble and try this: Start at the top of the slope on heelside and make your first toeside carve into the mountain. Make it sharp and come to a complete stop. Now make your heelside and once again come to a complete stop. By doing this you will get a better feel for the balance and torque the turn requires without gaining too much speed and having to bail.

One thing I can't stress enough about most things in snowboarding is that you have to commit to whatever it is you're doing. When you don't shit usually goes bad in your attempt to save it and a lot of injuries happen here. Applying the brakes after the turn is fine, but if you fail to commit to it you will end up pointing straight down the hill causing you to get more speed then you're comfortable dealing with.

Thanks alot, I'm going to give it a shot this weekend and see if I get a little more comfortable.

Otherwise I'm taking a lesson.

A lesson is a great idea just in case you have some places to improve your riding, which everyone does.

When I frist started riding really steep runs I felt the same way. Comfortable toe, but not so much switching to heel edge. I was doing what I would guess you are doing, not leaning enough down the hill, causing me to have too much weight on my back foot. The way I fixed it was firstly to recognize that was what I was doing. After that, before the really steep runs, I concentrated on leaning more down the hill, and not putting too much weight on my back foot. After a few runs of thinking about that I no longer did it.

beer or a solid mixed drink should do the trick :)

Take it to some easier terrain and go as fast as you can. Slowly step up the terrain, dial back the speed a bit, then raise the speed and once you are bombing it, step up the terrain again and repeat.

Yeah I ride at meadows. I usually have fridays off work, some help on the slopes would be GREATLY appreciated.

I'll shoot you a message.