Snowboarders! Help!?

Question

So, I know I'm going to sound stupid asking all these questions, but I really do suck at snowboarding :( So if you can give me tips on any of my following issues, I would really appreciate it!

-I don't know how to skate the snow, like when I'm just going through the line to the lifts. It's always short strides and jerky, and I can never get the board directed to where I want to go.

- Getting on the lifts, I get so freaked out because as it starts going up, my board usually carries snow and drags behind, and I feel like I'm going to fall of the chair. One time, I actually did, that was not even cool =/

- My feet start to hurt so much when I'm going down the hill and I'm not good at turning.

I'm not sure how specific my problems I just described are, but if you can help on the skating and getting on lifts, I would more thatn appreciate it. Thanks!

Answer 1

Try these tips:

Walking / skating: hold the edge by slightly tilting your board so that when you push off your board doesn't slide sideways.

Lifts: twist your body and sit to the side so that your front foot is 90 degrees to the chair - this will make the back of the board drag flat across the snow and the edges won't catch. Once the chair is higher, you can sit down straight.

When riding: use your balance and weight to turn the board instead of fighting it or throwing it into turns - riding should be very smooth and effortless if you are working with your board.

Good Luck