amirh1

Hi all,
I'm an intermediate snowboarder with about 20-25 days total, can do blue runs great and some easy blacks but I seem to be stuck on this one thing that I can't seem to shake off.

When I turn on my heel-side in semi-steep runs (think steep blue), I feel I need to over-turn in order to be able to control speed. This causes me to need wider room for my turns and also causes me to work harder as I'm applying more break. In other words, if the fall line is 0 degrees I can't seem to ride my heel side at 30 degrees to the fall line as I feel like I'm not slowing down enough. If I want to stay on my heel side I must ride more at 45 degrees to the fall line. I hope that explains it, if not I've attached a diagram.

BTW if it matters I'm regular footed, 6'1 185lbs on a 162 board with bindings at +21 and +6. Haven't tried many stances...

Maybe one of you has experienced this or knows what to practice to overcome? Thanks!!

Deimus85

I would say its simply being more comfortable at staying on one edge while going faster, which will come in time and experience. This will translate in you not digging into your edges so much, therefore causing you to need to switch sides more frequently to maintain a straight trajectory and not snowflake down the mountain. Just keep at it and it will come.

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oldmate

From what you've said it sounds like you get it right on easier runs. So you know what to do. It's just a confidence thing. Just keep at it bro and you'll get it.

Many people wont agree but I used to find the quickest way to build confidence on black runs was to ride something well beyond my comfort zone. Riding double blacks (although not riding them well, and not something narrow either) would give me a huge boost in confidence and control when going back to black runs.

XR4Ti

Try sticking your butt out more. It will help you get lower, get more edge, and make it easier to get more weight on your front foot, which should give you the control/confidence to reduce your angle.

Slush Puppie

As Snowolf says the one thing the focus on as it gets steeper is crunching your legs down as you complete each turn. Then extending them as the board heads towards the fall line in the next turn. This one technique will allow you to ride steep and narrow stuff. Practice by deliberately testing yourself by seeing how narrow a corridor you can turn in on the piste. When the time comes you've be able to confidently ride challenging terrain in a controlled manner.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w94jh7ba20b3rf5/IMG_0355.jpg


The more you focus on being dynamic, the more controlled you will be.

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t21

I concur with all of them. This is my 3rd season and had 40 days last year. confidence on speed and definitely dynamic turns is the key. the DT controls your speed, and if possible look for an area where you can practice this. and if you feel you got it down on a semi-steep blue,go to a black run and do the same thing. It may be a bit frustrating at first but once you have dialed your turns on black it will come naturally on easier runs towards the lodge . goodluck and have fun!

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Donutz

Interestingly (to me anyway) I've had a similar problem that I've been working on for a couple of years. I'd describe the specifics differently, but it still comes down to my heelside turns being handled differently from my toesides.

On any kind of steeps, I'll find that I turn more to heelside and tend to skid or skitter on my tail a bit. This has been consistent enough to be a real problem on steeps. Today on Seymour (also after having read this thread), I paid special attention to this. This is what I came up with, and when I corrected it I found my steeps handling improved.

First, I do simply tend to turn more away from the fall line when going heelside. This immediately means more pressure on the edges. I'm not sure of the motivation -- less comfortable with going downhill when I can see it?

Second, I don't normally do the flexion/extension thing, at least not as much as I should. This means that once I'm on the heel edge and essentially braking, it doesn't ease up.

Third, although I have no problem committing to the next turn when I'm on toeside, I find a distinct reluctance to lean down the hill with my upper body when I'm facing downhill.

Today I made a point of not turning to go completely across the fall line heelside; I worked on getting the flexion/extension going on both sides; and most importantly I tried to commit to initiating the heelside turn.

Made a big difference.

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Illegitimi non carborundum

I hate the parts between winter...

jml22

How to Snowboard - Get Dynamic - YouTube

t21

for shit and giggles i did what the OP was describing(blue line) on a black run.since were both regular footed, i wanted to see how i would approach a run especially if there were some icy spots. it was the quickest way down with probably two turns then bomb it. felt good

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2011 Status Focus 158
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Deimus85

Once I stopped being so stiff legged and began to hop around from edge to edge, use my core and upper body to shift my weight quicker, and make my body more "liquid," I noticed an extremely dramatic improvement in my riding, especially at high speeds and on steeps.

It is important to ride within your abilities, so working on these things at a comfortable pace is crucial to staying safe. Don't worry, if you have a desire to improve and the willpower, you will get better in time.

In regards to that video, I have tried listening to my iPod on the hill and find it distracting and puts me in a bubble. I do like to listen to it on the lift, however. To each their own.

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