Improve Your Snowboarding Challenge | Part 1 – Side Banks

In this article titled “Improve Your Snowboarding Challenge | Part 1 – Side Banks,” the focus is on enhancing your snowboarding skills by challenging the way you steer your snowboard. Specifically, the author suggests riding up side banks as an effective method to challenge your steering abilities and improve your overall snowboarding performance. By utilizing your knees, hips, and shoulders to maneuver your snowboard up and down the bank, you can develop more aggressive and controlled steering, which will ultimately enhance your skills on regular runs. The article, presented in a conversational tone, is accompanied by a video from SnowboardProCamp and includes recommendations for gear. The author, Kevin from snowboardprocamp, encourages readers to share their experiences and ask any questions they may have in the comments section.

Improve Your Snowboarding Challenge | Part 1 – Side Banks

Snowboarding is an exhilarating sport that requires skill and precision. To improve your snowboarding abilities, it’s important to constantly challenge yourself and push the boundaries of what you can do on the slopes. In this article, we will explore the benefits of riding side banks and how it can help improve your steering control. So grab your snowboard and get ready for a thrilling ride!

Steering your Snowboard

When it comes to steering your snowboard, it’s all about the coordination between your knees, hips, and shoulders. These three joints play a crucial role in dictating the direction in which your snowboard moves. By mastering the art of steering, you can gain better control over your movements and navigate the slopes with ease.

Challenging your Steering

One of the best ways to challenge your steering skills is by riding up side banks. Side banks are elevated sections of the slope that require you to turn more aggressively in a confined space. As you ride up a side bank, you will need to use your knees, hips, and shoulders to steer your snowboard.

Riding up Side Banks

Riding up side banks may seem daunting at first, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Not only does it challenge your steering control, but it also helps improve your overall snowboarding skills.

Benefits of Riding Side Banks

Riding up side banks forces you to turn more aggressively and in a smaller area compared to regular runs. This added challenge helps build your skill and allows you to develop better control over your movements. Additionally, riding side banks can enhance your spatial awareness and balance, making you a more well-rounded snowboarder.

Using Knees, Hips, and Shoulders on Side Banks

To navigate side banks effectively, you need to utilize your knees, hips, and shoulders in a specific manner. As you ride up the bank, focus on turning your front knee, hip, and shoulder up the bank. This movement helps initiate the turn and allows you to maintain control. On the way down, turn those three joints back down into the run, all while utilizing your back knee, hip, and shoulder to steer your snowboard in the desired direction.

Techniques for Riding Side Banks

While riding up side banks may seem challenging, there are techniques you can employ to make the process smoother and more controlled.

Turning Front Knee, Hip, and Shoulder up the Bank

To turn effectively on a side bank, start by facing slightly uphill and initiate the turn by turning your front knee, hip, and shoulder up the bank. This movement will help you maintain control and steer your snowboard in the desired direction. As you go up the bank, ensure that your weight is evenly distributed and keep your body aligned with the slope. This technique will help you navigate side banks without losing balance.

Turning Back Knee, Hip, and Shoulder into the Run

When coming back down the side bank, shift your focus to turning your back knee, hip, and shoulder into the run. This movement will help you regain control and steer your snowboard back into the desired direction on the regular run. Remember to keep your body aligned with the slope and distribute your weight evenly to maintain balance and stability.

Improving Steering Control

Riding up side banks is a fantastic way to improve your steering control. By challenging yourself to turn more aggressively in a confined space, you develop the skills and muscle memory necessary to steer with precision on regular runs. The more control you have while riding up side banks, the more aggressive and confident your steering will become when you return to regular slopes.

Effect on Regular Snowboarding

The skills and techniques you develop while riding up side banks have a significant impact on your regular snowboarding. Here are two ways in which your regular snowboarding can be positively influenced.

More Aggressive Steering

By regularly challenging yourself on side banks, you will become more comfortable with aggressive steering. This newfound confidence will translate to your regular snowboarding and allow you to take on more challenging slopes with ease. The ability to steer aggressively opens up a world of possibilities and allows you to progress as a snowboarder.

Improved Steering on Regular Runs

Steering on side banks requires precise control and coordination of your knees, hips, and shoulders. As you develop these skills, your steering on regular runs will significantly improve. You’ll find that making turns and navigating through obstacles becomes easier and more fluid. The practice and control gained from riding up side banks will make you a more confident and efficient snowboarder across different terrains.

Tips and Suggestions

Here are a few tips and suggestions to keep in mind when riding up side banks:

1. Start on smaller side banks and gradually progress to steeper ones as your skills improve.
2. Focus on maintaining balance and control throughout the entire process of riding up and down the side bank.
3. Keep your eyes focused on where you want to go and use your knees, hips, and shoulders to steer your snowboard in that direction.
4. Practice regularly and be patient. Like any new skill, it takes time and effort to master riding up side banks.

Conclusion

Riding up side banks is an excellent way to challenge your steering control and improve your overall snowboarding skills. By utilizing your knees, hips, and shoulders, you can navigate side banks with finesse and precision. The skills and techniques developed while riding up side banks will have a positive impact on your regular snowboarding, allowing you to steer more aggressively and confidently. So, grab your snowboard, head to the slopes, and start riding up those side banks. The thrill and improvement await you!