So, you want to take your snowboarding to the next level with some beginner tricks. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some easy snowboard tricks to get started with, each with steps to complete the trick.
Some are more difficult than others, but if you’re looking for the snowboard tricks to learn first, why not work your way through this list.
How to Ollie on a Snowboard
The Ollie is a fundamental snowboard trick that every rider should learn. It involves jumping off the snow without using a ramp. Here's how to do it:
Ollie on a Snowboard.
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
Shift your weight to your back foot as you get ready to explode up.
Pop off the snow by jumping up, straightening your back leg, while thinking of jumping off your board.
Level out your board in the air and land smoothly.
Once you've mastered the Ollie, you can try out more advanced tricks like the Frontside 180 and Backside 180.
How to Do a Tail Grab
Let's start with the Tail Grab, one of the most straightforward tricks that you can try out on your snowboard. Here's how to do it:
Ride straight and approach a jump or a lip on the side of the run.
As you reach the top of the jump, make sure to pop up as much as you can.
Lift your back foot slightly and reach down with your back handto grab the tail of your board.
Pull the board up towards your backside and hold the grab for a second or two, but make sure you give yourself enough time to get back to a normal stance when you land.
Release the grab and land smoothly on the other side of the jump.
If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can try a tweaked tail grab by pulling the board behind you instead of grabbing it.
How to Do a Nose Grab
Next up is the Nose Grab, a trick that involves grabbing the front of your board instead of the tail. It’s essentially the same as the Tail Grab mentioned above, but you grab the front of the board rather than the back. Follow these steps:
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
As you approach a jump, pop up, and lift your board with your front foot.
Grab the nose of your board with your front hand.
Hold the grab for a second or two, then release and land smoothly.
You can also try a tweaked nose grab by tweaking the board behind you or even by doing a 180-degree spin.
How to Butter on a Snowboard
The Butter is a fun and easy trick that involves spinning your board around while riding flat on the snow. Here's how to do it:
Butter on a Snowboard
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
Shift your weight to your front foot and lift your back foot off the snow.
Spin your board around 180 degrees while keeping the nose on the snow.
Land smoothly and continue riding.
If you're feeling daring, you can try out a 360-degree butter or even a 540-degree butter. As you get more comfortable with The Butter, you can try to lean further back, and pop back into riding as normal.
How to do a Box Slide
Last but not least, let's try out the Box Slide, a trick that involves sliding across a rail or box. Here's how to do it:
Box Slide on a Snowboard
Approach the rail or box at a moderate speed.
Pop off the snow and land on the rail or box.
Slide across the rail or box while keeping your balance and your weight centred over the board as you slide.
Land smoothly and continue riding.
Make sure to start with a small rail or box and wear appropriate safety gear to prevent injury.
How to do the Method Grab
The Method Grab is a classic snowboard trick that involves grabbing the board with both hands and pulling it up towards your backside. Here's how to do it:
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
As you approach a jump, lift your front foot as you pop off the lip of the jump.
Grab the toe edge of your board with your back hand and the heel edge with your front hand.
Pull the board up towards your backside and hold the grab for a second or two.
Release the grab with enough time to get back to a normal stance and land smoothly.
How to do a Tail Press
The Tail Press is a fun and easy trick that involves balancing on the tail of your board while riding. Here's how to do it:
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
Shift your weight to your back foot and lift your front foot off the snow.
Press down on the tail of your board and lift your front foot higher.
Hold the press while you keep your weight on your back foot.
Land smoothly and continue riding.
How to 50-50 Grind
Ok, things are getting a little tricker now, but if you can manage to do the other tricks on the list, then it might time to give this a go.
The 50-50 Grind is another basic rail trick that involves grinding down a rail or box with both trucks. Here's how to do it:
Approach the rail or box at a moderate speed.Don’t be too cautious as you approach the rail, or you might not have enough speed to make it across. However, going too quickly could lead to you overshooting the jump or not being able to control the grind, so you need to find the sweet spot in between.
Pop off the snow and land on the rail or box with both feet. Keep your weight centred over your board.
Slide down the rail or box while keeping your balance.
Land smoothly and continue riding.
How to Do an Indy Grab
The Indy Grab is a simple snowboard trick that involves grabbing the toe edge of the board with your back hand while jumping. Hopefully you’re flexible! Here's how to do it:
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly.
As you approach a jump, lift off with your front foot.
Grab the toe edge of your board with your back hand.
Hold the grab for a second or two, then release and land smoothly.
How to Frontside Shifty
The Frontside Shifty is a stylish trick that involves twisting your upper body and shifting your weight while riding. Here's how to do it:
To practice, you can do it on the snow. It’s the same movement as slowing down on your heel side edge.
After building up a bit of speed, shift your weight on your chosen foot around so that your board is perpendicular with the mountain and you’re facing down the mountain.
Hold this for a second or two, before returning to your normal position and continuing to ride.
Once you get comfortable with this movement, you can take it to the jumps.
Ride straight and bend your knees slightly, ready to take off once you hit the top of the jump.
Get a strong pop into the air. Once you’re in the air counter rotate your body, so your back foot comes forward, and your upper body twists in the opposite direction.
Hold this, before returning to a normal stance to land.
Your first frontside shifty might be small, with a little amount of rotation. But as you keep practicing and get better at the movement, you’ll get better and better.
These are some of the easiest snowboard tricks for beginners that you can try out on the slopes. Remember to practice them in a safe and controlled environment, and always wear appropriate safety gear. So, grab your board and hit the snow, and who knows, maybe you'll become the next Shaun White!
If you're more of a visual learner, then why not check out this video?
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