How to Maintain Speed on a Snowboard

Controlling your speed on a snowboard is one of the most important things to learn before you can have a safe and enjoyable run. Learn how to read your surroundings and position the board to either maintain as much speed as possible on a flat area or prevent a buildup of speed while going downhill, and you will quickly be able to make the most of any type of terrain and snow cover.

  1. On a Flat Surface

    • It's impossible to gain speed when snowboarding across a flat surface, since snowboarding depends on a combination of gravity and inertia for forward movement. Maintain your speed as effectively as possible on flat ground by keeping the board pointed straight forward, with your weight evenly centered between your toes and your heels. Avoid placing more weight on your front or back leg, and keep your knees bent and your body loose to absorb the shock of any small bumps.

    On a Hill

    • Snowboarding downhill can quickly cause you to gain too much speed if you aren't paying attention. To maintain a constant speed while going down a hill, use wide, sweeping turns. Each turn slows you down slightly when the edge of the board digs into the snow and creates friction, counteracting your tendency to accelerate. Turn by placing more weight over your back foot, swinging your upper body in the direction of the turn and changing the weighted edge of the board from toe to heel or heel to toe, depending on which way you are turning.

    On Different Types of Snow

    • Fresh powder is the easiest and most forgiving surface for snowboarding. Powder tends to slow you down on both hills and flat surfaces, since the edges of the board dig in easily. Slush also slows you down, and requires more aggressive movements to control the board. Hard, icy conditions are the most dangerous, making it difficult to turn and brake without falling. However, a flat, icy surface does allow you to maintain speed over a longer distance before slowing down.

    Safe Techniques

    • Learn good snowboarding techniques while maintaining a slow speed before trying to go faster. If, at any time, you feel that you are going too fast and are out of control, turn the board perpendicular to the slope, facing the direction of travel, and place more weight on the heel edge until you come to a stop. Avoid catching the leading edge of the snowboard in the snow by keeping it slightly elevated. Change leading edges during a turn at the moment when the board is pointed straight ahead.