How do you boardslide on a snowboard?

Once 50-50s are easy on a low, wide box, turn the board across the feature as you get on so it sits between your feet, keep your shoulders lined up with the box, the base flat and your weight centered, then turn it back to straight before you come off. Learn it with a park coach.

Should I learn boxes or rails first?

Boxes. Their wide, flat surface is more forgiving than a narrow rail. Start on the lowest, flattest ride-on boxes in the smallest size area.

How do you hit a rail on a snowboard?

Only after boxes feel routine. Start with a low, straight ride-on rail, approach in a straight line, keep the base flat and centered, look at the end and ride straight off. Rails you have to ollie onto come later.

What is a 50-50 on a snowboard?

A 50-50 is sliding straight along a box or rail with the board pointing the same way as the feature. It’s normally the first slide riders learn.

What is the difference between a frontside and a backside boardslide?

It depends on which side of you the feature is on as you ride up. On a backside boardslide it’s on your heel-edge side, behind you; on a frontside boardslide it’s on your toe-edge side, in front of you. In both, the board ends up across the feature.

Why do I keep falling on boxes?

Usually because an edge catches. Keep your weight centered so the base stays flat on the feature, approach straight and look toward the end of the box.

Next-level skills

Start on wide, low boxes

Learning snowboard boxes and rails

To boardslide on a snowboard, first ride straight 50-50s on a low, wide ride-on box, then turn the board across the box as you get on, keep the base flat and your weight centered, and turn it back to straight before you ride off. Rails come later.

Part of Snowboard tricks and the terrain park