How do I become faster at snowboarding?

Question

Hi! I just took up snowboarding and I think I'm OK at it at this point (4 days total this season). I can link my turns and get down the greens almost completely without putting on the skids. When it comes steeper parts of intermediate trails, I can link my turns coming down them but I'm usually putting on the brakes constantly and lets just say i come down them laterally more than straight down.

Are there any exercises to build confidence in going faster? Or is it simply a matter of facing my fears? (faster = eating it harder)

Answer 1

Going faster has little to do with facing your fears and a lot to do with building your skills.  You want to learn how to go faster without "eating it."  If I could tell you how in a short Yahoo answer I would, but there is a lot to it.  The one thing that I can tell you that you probably are not doing yet is to bend further at the knees near the end of every turn.  As you start the next turn you will need to extend at the knees so you can bend again.  It is easier to show than to describe.

If you really want to learn then take lessons from a certified instructor.   They will be able to watch you ride and give you the right things to work on to develop your skills.  In the meantime, stick to the greens, keep practicing, and have fun!

Answer 2

Stay on the green slopes for a least part of your next trip, learn how to balance correctly in 6 directions on your board and develop muscle memory so you can react to movements. More speed will make it easier, too much speed becomes dangerous.  Learn to control your speed by shaping your turns with both heel side and toe side pressure.  A board is designed to run on edge, so you must learn to balance on that edge and make the board carve.

  One thing that can be done at home is to use an empty 2L pop bottle with the cap on tight balance on it while on your board. This should improve your balance and develop the critical muscle memory to become more accomplished.  

  When you go to the slopes next, take a series of lessons from a qualified professional instructor, be sure your boots are laced tight.

Answer 3

Get a helmet if you havn't already. Really boost the confident, and you won't hurt so much.

R U comfy with your board? Cos I'm the same way, and am thinking about getting a more carving oriented board (got a 7 right now).

What I'm doing is bomb part of a run then slow down relax a bit then bomb some more. Keep repeating until you don't have to slow down anymore.

Answer 4

Don't rush yourself from green trails to steep ones. Snowboarding is a progression sport that you can't just rush yourself into. Since you can make it down greens with ease, head to the blue trails and practice there. Once you're comfortable trying doing really spread out turns so your not cutting off your speed as much. After that, move up to smaller black diamond runs. Take it easy and make spread out turns almost so your board is completely sideways but enough so your turning. By doing this you don't gain a lot of speed since your board is pointing to the edge of the trail and not straight down. Good luck.

Answer 5

wax your board and sharpen your edges

Answer 6

Also to add on

make sure you feel comfortable with your board, bindings boots, etc.

many feel different to different people and some may be more comfortable as well.

Answer 7

Mostly just keep trying to not slow down. Also a faster board will help with this

Answer 8

Always be turning just a liiiiitttle bit when your going fast, ride on one edge, and when you get tired, ride on the other one.

By riding on one edge, I mean just put some pressure on it so you can feel it going down.

If you ride flat going all the way down, you could start to wobble, catch an edge, and bite it hard.

Answer 9

i think the faster your going the easier it is to turn and stop and such plus you don't have time to be worried...just bomb a few easy slope from top till bottom only turning not stopping and when i say bomb i mean let her fly...i've been snowboarding for over 10 years and i love just bombing hills...also bend your knees so you can absorb bumps and ruts...i enjoy bombing hills more than riding parks now a days..once you get good you can hit the headwall at full speed and get some nice air for doing tricks if thats what you want...

Answer 10

YOu just have to become ,more comfortable dude. The more you ride the betta you will get and the faster you'll be able to go.  You dont want to get ahead of yourself or ride at a higher level than your at., you'll end up geetting hurt., just take it slow and go at your own  pace. You'll eventually be bombin the black diamonds but for now just stick to your ability and continue doing what your doing