Learning to perform a heelside turn on a snowboard is a fundamental skill for navigating the mountain efficiently and safely. It involves a coordinated movement of your body to engage the heel edge of your board, allowing you to control your speed and direction as you traverse the slope.
To execute a heelside turn, you primarily focus on shifting your weight, lifting your toes, and maintaining balance over your board. This maneuver allows you to carve a smooth, controlled arc, moving from your toe edge or a flat base onto your heel edge.
Core Mechanics of a Heelside Turn
According to snowboarding instruction, key actions are vital for a successful heelside turn:
- Gain Initial Speed: Start with a bit of speed. Having momentum helps you initiate and flow through the turn more smoothly. It provides the necessary energy for the board to respond effectively.
- Maintain Centered Weight: As you initiate the turn, keep your weight on top of the board. This means avoiding leaning too far back or forward prematurely. A centered stance ensures you have maximum control over your edge.
- Engage the Heel Edge: Begin lifting your toes (or pushing your heels down) to transfer pressure to your heel edge. This action angles the board, allowing the heel edge to dig into the snow and initiate the turn.
- Shift Weight Forward (Slightly): Along with lifting your toes, apply weight forward. This helps drive the turn through the arc, maintaining consistent pressure on the heel edge and preventing the tail from washing out.
Step-by-Step Guide to a Heelside Turn
For a more detailed approach, follow these steps:
- Preparation:
- Start on a gentle slope with enough space.
- Ride across the slope with a flat base or a slight toe-edge engagement to gain some speed.
- Look in the direction you want to turn. Your head and shoulders are key for initiating rotation.
- Initiation:
- Gently extend your knees and ankles, pushing your shins against the highback of your bindings.
- Simultaneously, lift your toes to transfer pressure to your heels, rolling the board onto its heel edge.
- Bring your knees slightly towards the slope and start to rotate your hips and shoulders in the direction of the turn.
- Execution:
- Maintain consistent pressure on your heels throughout the turn.
- Keep your weight on top of the board, staying balanced over the center of your snowboard.
- Continue to shift your weight slightly forward to drive the board through the arc and maintain edge engagement.
- As you turn, your body should naturally align with the board's arc.
- Completion:
- As you near the end of the turn and are pointing across the slope again, gradually release pressure on your heel edge.
- Flatten the board or transition to your toe edge to prepare for your next turn or to glide.
Common Heelside Turn Tips
| Tip | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Look Where You Want to Go | Your body will naturally follow your gaze, guiding the turn. |
| Bend Your Knees | Acts as your suspension, absorbing bumps and maintaining balance. |
| Relax | Stiff bodies lead to stiff turns. Relaxed muscles allow for fluid movement. |
| Use Your Arms for Balance | Keep them slightly out, similar to holding a steering wheel. |
| Practice on Gentle Slopes | Builds confidence and muscle memory without high stakes. |
Remember, practice is key to refining your heelside turns. Focus on smooth, controlled movements and gradually increase your speed and the steepness of the terrain as you gain confidence.
