Contents:
Introduction
Know the Code
Smart Style
Technical Skills and Fundamentals
Terrain considerations specific to Nub’s Nob
Basic Snowboarding
Walking in Snowboard Equipment
Getting up
Dynamic Snowboarding ( Intermediate)
Dear CCSC Staff Members,
The following represents a technical model based on AASI educational materials. While teaching students and attending a certification differ, AASI practices provide a consistent and proven teaching platform. It is important to remember each lesson will vary in tempo; such as, a private lesson where lateral learning could be applied, and group lessons where the tempo will generally be slower. As CCSC staff members, it is important to include progressions and to incorporate movement analysis scenarios, while still allowing room for your teaching personal style.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY CODE
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering the trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride, and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information and a ski area employee.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death.
Your knowledge, decisions, and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask any ski area employee.
SMART STYLE PARK CODE
Start Small – Work your way up. Build your skills.
Make A Plan – Every feature. Every time.
Always Look – Before you drop.
Respect – The features and other users.
Take It Easy – Know your limits. Land on your feet.
SNOWBOARD TECHNICAL CONCEPTS
Board Performance Concepts
Pressure: The act of managing the degree and location of the forces between the snowboard and the snow along the snowboards length (tip to Tail) and width (edge to edge)
Tilt: The act of adjusting the angle of both edges (base of the board) or one edge and the sliding surface.
Pivot: The act of rotating a snowboard around a particular point or axis along its length.
Twist: The act of applying torsional force that changes the amount of edge angle and pressure along the length of the snowboard.
Board to Body Concepts
Control the relationship of the center of mass (COM) to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the board (Pressure Control): Examples include ollies, nollies, presses, pumping transitions, or simply directing pressure toward one part of the board as it applies to the turn type or shape.
Control the relationship of the center of mass (COM) to the base of support to direct pressure along the width of the board (Pressure)
Control pressure from the toe edge to the heel edge, and from the heel edge to the toe edge.(Pressure Control)
Control the board’s Tilt through a combination of inclination and angulation. (Edge Control)
Control the skis rotation with leg rotation, under a stable upper body. (Rotational Control)
Regulate the magnitude of pressure created through the board snow interaction.(Pressure Control):
Pressure is managed as the board interacts with a variety of different surfaces, including snow, metal, plastic wood, etc.
TERRAIN CONSIDERATIONS
Like all resorts, Crystal offers unique terrain for teaching Snowboarding. The following locations are best suited for teaching purposes, noting that surface condition, weather, and customer traffic make their respective use subject to change. Instructors should always be aware of the fall line and intersections.
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BASICS
Introducing Snowboard Equipment
Boot check (Boots tell the snowboard what to do)
Demonstrate parts of the board & practice ratcheting bindings.
With their hands, move the board: fore/aft & side to side (flat & on edge) .
Have them strap in front foot. Lift the board up & down and edge to edge.
On the flat, practice strapping in both feet and getting up.
Explain & practice reference alignment for proper stance. This includes identifying if the rider is regular or goofy-footed.
Getting Up
With the board perpendicular to the fall line, take one foot out of the binding. When putting it back on be sure to be on the uphill side with the board tilted on the heel side. Check for snow in the bindings and or on the boot soles.
Heel Edge Sideslip (goal - learning to balance)
Hike up hill (short distance & gradually increase)
While sitting on the snow - static- raise and lower both toes same time
Crab walk – feel the boarding sliding – raise & lower toes
Instructor demo sideslip – using both hands to show raising & lower toes
Instructor assisting with students outreach hands on top of instructor’s hands
Variables how slow or fast or how many stops (Red light & green light)
Heel Edge Falling Leaf (goal - learning to change direction)
Hike up hill (short distance & gradually increase)
While sitting on the snow, practice static twisting the board
Instructor demo using hands to show push one foot down & pull up the other
Important to look in the direction you are going
Instructor demo falling leaf
Instructor assists with outstretched hands
Falling leaf “dance” – instructor & student in tandem
Traverse back across the hill
Toe Edge Sideslip
Flat Area static (board off) with a partner, push knees into snow – what do heels do? Raise both heels at the same time
Pinch shoulders & belly button out
Hands out at your side – look uphill
Turtle Flip – to get on the toe edge
Crab walk facing the snow
Instructor demo using hands to show heels raising and lowering
Instructor assisting with hands outstretched
Toe Edge Falling Leaf
Static – twisting the board (push one knee into the snow - push the other heel down)
Look in the direction of travel (spot the magic carpet or handle tow)
Instructor demo using hands to show the board twisting
Falling leaf “dance” Instructor & student in tandem
Traverse back across the hill
Heel Edge Garland
Static while sitting on the snow – twisting the board to start a turn. (Push on front toe to start the board down the fall line and then pull up on toe to turn up hill
Use my hands to show you what my feet are doing
Look uphill – riders below have right of way – some are not in control
J Turn Heel Edge Garland
Draw in the snow a J turn from a garland
Same steps to start a garland turn – but hold the board into the fall line for a longer count
Finish by twisting the board into a sideslip like stop and/or continue with a garland
Toe Edge Garland
Static while sitting on the snow (Pull up toes of the front foot to start the board down the fall line, and then push down on toes to turn uphill
Use my hands to show you what my feet are doing
Look uphill – riders below have right of way – some are not in control
Turtle Flip to get onto the toe edge
J Turn from Toe Edge Garland
Draw in the snow a J turn from a garland
Same steps to start a garland turn – but hold the board into the fall line for a longer count
Finish by twisting the board into a sideslip like stop and/or continue with a garland
Linking skidded “S” shaped turns, controlling speed, riding safely top to bottom, on green terrain (Level 3)
Toe to Heel C Turns
Static while sitting on the snow (push on heel to start the turn – raise both toes to finish the turn)
Instructor demo using hands to show what the feet are doing
Turtle Flip to toe edge
As the board starts to turn across the fall line, encourage the rider to hold the edge and finish the turn with board perpendicular to the fall line (like a heel edge sideslip)
Repeat several times
Heel to Toe C Turns
Static while sitting on the snow (push on front toe to start the turn – raise both heels to finish with a toe edge side slip)
As board starts to turn across fall line, encourage rider to hold the edge and finish the turn with the board perpendicular to the fall line (like a toe edge sideslip)
Blending C Turns to Begin Linking Turns
Begin with Toe to Heel C turn to a complete stop
Then Heel to Toe C turn to a complete stop
Gradually lessen the amount of time stopping between C turns
Link turns (maybe 4 edge changes & then stop)
Linking multiple S turns (increase edge changes 4-6-8-10, etc)
Tornado or hourglass turns (vary turn size)
Eventually, you want to see the riders linking medium radius basic skidded turns down the entire beginner hill. If they are struggling, check to make sure the terrain is not too narrow or steep. Also, go back to garlands and J Turns if necessary, to (re)gain confidence in turning on one edge and linking to the new edge.
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate riders learn how to move their center of mass past the working edges when turning. (Advanced riding requires more vertical movement, fore & aft movements, and movement farther past the working edge when riding and turning. Their movements are more purposeful and proactive.)
Body to Board Concepts
Control the relationship of the center of mass (COM) to the base of support to direct pressure along the length of the board
Control the relationship of the center of mass (COM) to the base of support to direct pressure along the width of the board
Control pressure from the toe edge to the heel edge, and from the heel edge to the toe edge.
Control the boards' Tilt through a combination of inclination and angulation.
Control the board’s rotation with leg rotation, under a stable upper body
Regulate the magnitude of pressure created through the board snow interaction. Pressure is managed as the board interacts with a variety of different surfaces, including snow, metal, plastic, wood, etc.
Lesson Progression
Review Beginner Skills
Using Lifts & Linking Turns (now on blue terrain instead of green)
Introduce Basic Carving
Refine basic Carving
Introduce Dynamic Carving
Practice Different Sized and Shaped Carved Turns
Intro to Cross Under Turns
Introduce Switch Riding
Introduce Dynamic Skidding
FUN STUFF
Flat Spins (180s and 360s)
Butters, Manuals, Nose & Tail Rolls
Small Jumps
50/50 Low to the Ground Flat Rails
Race Gates
Un-Groomed Terrain (powder too when you have it)
TYPES OF TURNS
Skidded
The board has a lower edge angle and pivots through shaping and finish phases of turn, making a loud noise, kicking up snow behind it and leaving a banana-shaped mark in the snow
Carved
The tail edge of the board follows the tip edge through the snow with a higher edge angle, making very little noise, not kicking up snow behind it and leaving a thin line mark in the snow
Extend at Edge Change
Rider extends lower body at to start edge change and CM moves over the board to complete
Flex at Edge Change
Rider flexes lower body to start edge change, and board moves under the rider to complete
SHAPES AND SIZES OF TURNS
Shapes
Open - Turns left unfinished
Closed - Turns finished
Sizes
Small - Changing edges in a space one groomer track or less wide
Medium - Changing edges in a space two groomer tracks wide (or less than1/2 slope width)
Large - Changing edges in a space more than two groomer tracks wide (or more than ½ slope width)
MOVEMENT FOR THE INTERMEDIATE ZONE
Set Goal
Give the student a task to perform and explain clearly what you want them to do, then demonstrate what you are looking for before they begin
Choose appropriate terrain for the task
Set up where you can clearly see the student both coming towards and then away from you if possible
Have the students go in some sort of order
Observe: Where to focus when observing
Fuzzy at first to get a general snapshot of rider, board & terrain, then:
Bottom Up for Major Problems - (terrain conditions, board length and setup, board edging and pressure, boots tied, athletic rider stance, feet, ability to flex ankles, knees, and hips)
Middle Out for Minor Problems - (excessive balancing movements in waist, upper body, shoulders, arms, hands, using the upper body to initiate rotation vs. lower body)
Top Down for Little Things - (alignment of eyes, head, shoulders, hands, knees, bindings, stance)
Analyze
Use these “Rider Reference Alignments” as your frame of reference -
Front Foot – Shoulders, hips, and knees aligned perpendicular to the front foot?
Board/Terrain – Shoulders and hips aligned with terrain and direction of travel?
Center of Mass – Aligned between feet and over the board or turning edge?
Rider Stance (on board and while moving)
Wide enough to have good balance?
Split and Angle match up to and support rider movements?
Weight distribution on the board - Back? Centered? Front?
Rider standing tall (stacked)? Crouched low (angulated to the max)? Or, in the middle (athletic)?
Does the Rider bend at the waist (are they looking down? If yes, they are bending at the waist).
Does the rider use their rear arm like a rudder to counter turning or for balancing?
Rider's range of motion
Degree of flexion and extension throughout riding movements.
Do they have physical limitations (injuries, braces) that limit the range of motion?
Timing, Intensity & Duration of Rider Movements
Timing – Does the rider time their movements well?
Intensity – Do they use the appropriate amount of force or pressure when making movements?
Duration – Do they complete the movement? Do they stop short or hang on too long?
Board Performance
Tilt (how much edge angle is created?)
Twist or Torsional Flex (is the board flat or twisted?)
Pivot (is the board pivoting around an axis, or sliding longitudinally?)
Pressure (is the edge pressured? The board weighted or unweighted?)
REFERENCES
Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors (2014). Alpine Technical Manual. American Snowsports Education Association, Inc.
Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors (2018). Teaching Snowsports Manual. American Snowsports Education Association, Inc.