Snowboarding Course - Sideslipping (Toeside)


Sideslipping is simply sliding along the fall line of the slope. This skill will teach you how to control your Snowboard and make use of your edges when descending.

There are many advantages of learning this skill. First, it will teach you the importance of edge awareness. Sideslipping is one skill that you should learn before you can do traverses. Eventually, you will also be able to perform basic turns. When you decrease the angle of your board’s uphill edge, it will initiate a sliding movement. On the other hand, if you increase the edge angle, the board will slow down and stop.

In this section, know what Sideslipping (toeside) is all about and learn how to use your toe edge in controlling your descent:

	STEP 1: When starting out, learn on a moderate slope. Your feet should be attached to your Snowboard Bindings. Face uphill with your board directly across the fall line. Bend your knees until they touch the ground. Make sure to keep your balance.
	STEP 2: While on your knees, dig your toe edge deeper into the snow. This will give you a firm hold or a stable position before you continue. Plant your hands into the snow to support your upper body.
	STEP 3: Then to get up on your toe edge, move your hands toward your body and put them on your sides. Use your hands to balance yourself while you lift your knees gradually from the ground. Next, steadily extend your legs and try to stand. Keep your balance and make sure that your board remains on its toe edge.
	STEP 4: Finally, try to stand up. This is quite a difficult position to make but it can be mastered through practice. Just find your balance and hold your upright position while the board is on its toe edge.

	STEP 5: At this point, learn how to control your Snowboard and the speed of your descent using your toe edge. Decrease your edge angle. You will notice that your speed in going downhill increases. You will descend faster as you push your Snowboard further down.
	STEP 6: Increase the edge angle of your Snowboard. Take note that there is a decrease in your speed. You will keep on slowing down as you continue to increase the angle of the Snowboard toe edge.
	STEP 7: This is the last step of the exercise. While keeping the board on its toeside, gradually move down and put your hands on the ground to support your body. At this point, you already know how to use your toe edge in descents.

Edge awareness is one of the most important things you need to learn in Snowboarding. Practice Sideslipping and take full advantage of your toe edge. Be comfortable in doing this skill so you can move on to the other Snowboard Exercises. Check out our next section and learn Sideslipping on your heel edge.