How to I get over the fear of pointing the nose of the snowboard down the mountain when snowboarding?

Question

I totally get freaked out about pointing the nose of the snowboard down the mountain. I end up just side steping my whole way down the mountain. How do I get over this fear? And isnt it all about edges while you are going down the mountain?

Answer 1

My wife had the same problem before I met her and she was terrified to snowboard. Her first snowboard experience consisted of slamming real hard and not having any fun. The problem was that she was trying to do to much too fast.

IMHO you need to start out on a small practice hill, watch where the instructors take first time boarders, and use that hill. You also need someone with patience and knowledge to teach you how to make your turns. An instuctor is an obvious choice, but a friend who actually knows how to teach you is an alright choice if you don't want to spring for the lesson.

It's all about comfort and progression. Don't just go up the lift hop on a run and expect to be able to carve your way down the slopes. Take your time, and when you feel comfortable on the baby slopes, move up to an easy green. You'll feel great when you progress. You'll also feel a little nervous everytime you progress, but if it wasn't for that adrenaline snowboarding wouldn't be as much fun!

Good luck!

Answer 2

The best way to get over your fear is to practice but you need to practice the right stuff. At the level you're at I'd suggest more lessons. Keep in mind that the best way to slow down and control your speed is to keep turning. Yes, when you point the nose down the hill you're going to gain speed. The key here is to commit to the turn and as you cross the fall-line you'll start slowing down again. Practice this on a run that isn't too steep but keep in mind that speed is your friend as it is much more difficult to balance on edge going slowly.

And yes, snowboarding is ALL about your edges. You should be on edge 90% of the time. Running base-flat is actually quite an advanced technique and if you don't have the skills it is very easy to catch an edge riding this way.

Answer 3

I had the same fear. And it is all about your edges and being comfortable on the snowboard. That is the bottom line with riding, you have to be comfortable in order to get over that fear. Right now is the perfect time to think about this a lot. As long as when you are on the edge you need to use, and you are really digging it into the ground, you are going to be fine. The edge has to be in the snow, don't be afraid of your edges! They are the maker and breaker of all your falls and saves. Daydream a lot now until season, the more you think about how and why you have those edges, the easier it will be to get over that fear. YOU CAN DO IT!

Answer 4

its just a fear you've got to overcome to get anywhere snowboarding. different people overcome fears in different ways
try these:

do the falling leaf (going down w/ ur right foot forward a few feet then stopping, them going down w/ ur left forward a few feet then stopping, then repeating till ur @ the bottom). this is also a great way 2 figure out if ur normal or goofy.

if u can use ur toe edge try S turns (leaning back on ur heel edge a little. then ur toe edge a little and so on) if u cant use ur toe edge yet don't try this, just do the falling leaf

Answer 5

first thing to remember is that it's all in your head. You've just got to turnyour hips and go for it. You will fall a few times, but you've just got to get back up and try again. It is about edging, and if you side step it all the way down then you already know how to ride your back edge. You've just got to learn how to shift your hip s and transfer you weight onto your toe side edge. Just turn your hips gradually clockwise and at the same time lean your heels up, remember to keep pressure on your back foot. This will help you keep your balance while you turn from you back to frontside.

Answer 6

Hey - me too!

Some things that have helped me:

1. Board in powder to learn so you won't be so scared of getting hurt.

2. Follow the leader. When he/she turns, force yourself to turn, too, even if you fall.

3. Lessons can help you change anything you are doing wrong that may be making it harder for you to turn.

Also be sure a pro checks your stance. If you are goofy or regular and how your bindings are positioned can make a huge difference.

Best wishes with all your progress and have a great season!

Answer 7

1. But a helmet.
2. Go to the top to the mountain and find the steepest run that there is.
3. Race some other fool to the bottom.

The faster you board, the more fun you'll have.

Answer 8

try doing it in powder it will slow you down an is soft (just not too deep because you can get stuck) also try in stuff that isn't so steep (i am trying to get over this on the double dimonds)

Answer 9

try with a place not so steep and always, always have your weight on your front leg. maybe get a snowboard instructor

Answer 10

i used to do this. just go down with it pointing down then carve and go sideways for a bit and soon u will never carve real bad unless ur gonna wreck.