How to Get Speed for a Backyard Snowboard Jump

Jumping on a snowboard is a matter of skill, courage and, of course, speed. Though approaching a jump with speed can be frightening, it can be more dangerous to approach with too little speed, as it could mess up your landing, potentially causing a injurious fall. Take some time to dial your speed in, and you'll hit it just right.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Flatten the approach and jump. Before attempting to jump, make sure that you have a clean, smooth approach and jump surface. You can smooth it out by snowboarding down and using a shovel to smooth the jump itself. You'll get more speed if you don't have powder or obstacles getting in your way.

    • 2

      Do a few practice runs to get a feel for your speed before taking the jump. Ride down the approach, but stop or carve out at the last minute. This will help you to visualize the jump.

    • 3

      Get in position. Bend your knees, keeping your shoulders flush with the board and your weight toward your back leg as you begin to ride toward the jump.

    • 4

      Avoid excessive carving. Carving slows you down, so carve early -- just enough to properly aim the board. Then let gravity provide the speed.

    • 5

      Use an aid. If your yard is flatter, and you're attempting a jump, you may need an aid like a bungee-based snowboard accessory.