How do you fall safely on a snowboard?

Get low as soon as you feel a fall coming, avoid catching yourself on outstretched hands, and aim to sit and roll back on heelside falls or drop to your knees and forearms on toeside falls. Ask an instructor to show you and practice at low speed.

How do you stand up on a snowboard facing downhill?

Sit with the board downhill of you and across the slope, pull it close to your bottom, lift your toes to dig in the heel edge, then bring your chest forward and push up with one hand.

Is it easier to get up on the toe edge?

Many beginners find it easier, because you can push up with both hands from your knees. Roll onto your front with the board below you, kneel on the toe edge and push up.

What is the difference between the heel edge and the toe edge?

The heel edge is under your heels and you face downhill on it. The toe edge is under your toes and you face uphill on it. You need both to stop and turn.

Should beginners wear wrist guards for snowboarding?

They are worth it. Wrist injuries are among the most common snowboarding injuries and are more frequent in beginners, and a systematic review found that wrist guards significantly reduce the risk of wrist injury. Pair them with good falling technique, not instead of it.

How do I get up on a snowboard on flat ground?

With no slope to help, the easiest way is often to roll onto your front, kneel on the toe edge and push up with your hands. If you are stuck, unstrap your back foot, stand up and strap back in when you reach a slope.

How can I snowboard without falling so much?

Stay on gentle terrain, keep your knees flexed, keep the uphill edge in the snow when sliding sideways and look ahead rather than at your feet. A lesson is the quickest way to find out why you are falling.

Beginner skills

Edge control

Falling and getting up on a snowboard

Everyone falls when they learn. To fall on a snowboard more safely, get low as soon as you feel it coming, keep your arms tucked in rather than reaching out, and sit and roll back on heelside falls or drop to your knees and forearms on toeside falls.

Part of the beginner’s guide to snowboarding