How do I go down a steep hill on a snowboard?

Control speed within each turn by finishing it across the hill before starting the next. Keep your weight centered and flexed, commit to each new turn, and use a controlled sideslip where there is no room to turn.

When am I ready to snowboard a black diamond?

When you can link controlled turns and stop on both edges consistently on blue runs, and a qualified instructor agrees you are ready. Trail ratings vary between resorts, so look at each run before committing.

How do I turn on steep slopes on a snowboard?

Move your weight forward over the board as you start the turn instead of leaning back into the hill, guide the board steadily through the fall line, and finish the turn across the slope to control speed.

What if I end up on a run that is too steep?

Move to the side of the run, stay calm, and sideslip or traverse down slowly on your heel or toe edge. Look uphill before moving off, and spend more time on easier terrain afterward.

What do the trail difficulty symbols mean?

In the US, a green circle means easier, a blue square more difficult, a black diamond most difficult and a double black diamond most difficult with extra caution; an orange oval marks freestyle terrain. The NSAA notes that ratings are consistent within a resort but not between resorts, so a black run at one mountain can be gentler or harder than a black run at another.

How do I snowboard narrow runs?

Use shorter turns, keep your speed low, and sideslip sections where there is not enough room to turn. Stay aware of others and stop only where you are visible from above.

Next-level skills

Build up gradually

Progressing to steeper snowboard terrain

To snowboard on steep slopes, step up one small increment at a time and control your speed inside every turn: finish each turn across the hill, commit your weight forward as the board points downhill, and sideslip wherever there is no room to turn.

Part of Carving and all-mountain riding