How to Perform Big Jumps on a Snowboard

Catching big air in snowboarding requires a combination of dexterity, timing, strength and guts. To get to the point of jumping the big stuff in the terrain park, you need to work your way through a series of smaller skills to gain the needed set of abilities needed for the big jumps. Follow a pedagogy of moves and practice them on smaller jumps, working your way up to bigger and bigger jumps until you are ready for the big air and large jumps.

Instructions

  1. Training With Smaller Jumps

    • 1

      Go to a smaller-size jump in the snowboard terrain park. Set up above the jump in your normal riding stance. Always wear a helmet when riding, especially when riding jumps.

    • 2

      Start down the slope toward the jump. Get low by bending at the knees. This first feels awkward, but the lower you get by knee-bending, the more power you have when jumping.

    • 3

      Enter the jump and lean back on the board so the front tip begins to rise slightly off the ground.

    • 4

      Spring up as soon as the board tip hits the front of the jump, propelling you up off the jump. This is a combination of power, spring and speed.

    • 5

      Move on to larger jumps, keeping this same pattern of motion and steps.

    The Big Jumps

    • 6

      Position above the jump and begin the run down to the start of the ramp. Bend at the knee as you move down the hill, lowering yourself for the jump. Look down the hill at the jump and not at the front of your board.

    • 7

      Lean back on the board as you enter the base of the ramp. Get the weight off the front of the board and transfer it toward the rear. Hold your arms out to your sides, like they are wings. This adds needed balance for the extended time spent in the air during a big jump.

    • 8

      Push down on the front foot and then spring it up as soon as the front of the board gets to the top of the ramp.

    • 9

      Stand straight on the board as it leaves the apex of the jump. Use the straightening to propel the rear of the board up and off the ramp.

    • 10

      Move your arms up and down as needed to maintain balance as you fly through the air. Focus on the powder area below the jump and aim for it for the landing. Relax the knees and be prepared to bend at the knees, hips and waist when the board hits the ground. Remain in a slight knee-bend as you hit, then stand up and apply weight to the rear of the board to control speed and begin to either stop or slow down.