How to Turn and Carve on a Snowboard

We've all seen them - or been one of them. I'm writing about those snowboarders that doesn't know how to turn on their edge and instead skids sideways down the hill. Snowboarding is fun, even if you are skidding, but these people don't know what they are missing. When you skid, you can't go fast under control, you can't go straight over bumps, and you can't ever feel truly comfortable. To achieve all of these things, correct turning is the medicine that the doctor ordered. The good news is that it's not that hard to do!

Correct turning on a snowboard is called "carving." It involves turning only on the edge of the snowboard, thereby leaving a pencil thin trench in the snow behind you. In addition to looking really cool, this technique allows you to feel like you are turning on rails, to turn comfortably while going hyperfast, and to perform even on ice! Once you learn how to carve, you will wonder how you ever did without it.

Although you can carve on any equipment, certain equipment makes it much easier than others. You really need only one thing--stiff boots. Stiff boots allow you to easily tilt your board on edge, which is necessary for carving. About 15 years ago I got my first pair of stiff boots. It was a night and day difference, and I started carving almost by accident immediately. It was awesome. I still remember the moment when it happened, as I always watched other snowboarders carve, and now I was doing it. Fortunately, most boots sold these days are pretty stiff--but make sure you get a good stiff pair of boots.

Next, you need to learn how to tip your edge in the snow. Start with the toe turn. You should begin by going straight down the hill and pick up a decent amount of speed. To correctly execute a carve, you need to be going somewhat fast, so maybe a bunny hill is the way to go when you are learning. To start the toe turn, put equal pressure on both your front and back toes while bending your knees. Simultaneously you should lean into the turn with your lower body and lean away from the turn with your upper body. Once you start the carve you will feel locked in. Ride it all the way to the side of the hill (and even up the hill!)

Once you master the toe turn, go for the heelside carve. This is a little scarier than the toeside carve, but it is worth it. It is the same concept, but reversed. Bend your knees, get your butt low, and put pressure on your heels equally and tip in the heelside edge by pressing on your highbacks. You can lean your lower body into the turn, and your upper body away from the turn. Lock in the turn and then go all the way to the side of the hill.

These are the basics for carving on a snowboard. After you get some experience, if you really enjoy carving, you should consider getting some alpine equipment, as it takes your carving to the next level. Now get out there and carve it up!