How to Lean on the Heels or Toes When Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a sport where an athlete rides on a board while traveling down a snow-covered slope. The snowboarder can control the direction of the snowboard by using her feet, knees and ankles to change the pressure placed on the board, shifting the positioning of the tip – the front part of the snowboard – and the back. Much of this involves leaning on the toes or heels.

Things You'll Need

  • Snowboard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand on the board with your toes pointing to the side of the snowboard, resting in the snowboard bindings. Lean forward on the toes or back on the heels to control the direction of the snowboard.

    • 2

      Skate forward, by placing most of your weight on the front foot and use the rear foot to propel yourself forward. The back foot propels you forward by digging your toes into the snow.

    • 3

      Glide by shifting weight to the front or back of the snowboard, leaning on the heels or toes. Spread your arms to maintain balance and stay upright.

    • 4

      Move the back foot out of the binder, closer to the front foot. Bend your front knee as you shift your body forward, with the axis of your body tilting downward.

    • 5

      Try to point your toes down to move forward. Shift your weight in the opposite direction – backwards – to slow yourself down or stop the snowboard altogether.

    • 6

      Change the position of the snowboard by creating what is called a torsional flex, which is where you create a difference in the angle between the tip and tail of the snowboard.

    • 7

      Start with your weight shifted on your heel. Do a toe-side turn, which is where the snowboard turns in the direction the toes are facing, and move the front knee towards the tip of the board. Move the knee in a circle, in the direction that you want the snowboard to turn. At this point, more of your weight will shift to the toes. The pressure will shift from the side of the foot to the toes, twisting the board’s front edge.