Getting Started with Switch Riding on a Snowboard: Mastering Both Directions
Riding switch means riding with your usual stance reversed, i.e. with your other foot forward: a regular rider rides goofy, and a goofy rider rides regular. According to the New Zealand instructors' association (NZSIA), switch is essential for many freestyle moves and also makes you a more versatile rider in freeride. The learning sequence is similar to basic training: on a flatter green run, start with a switch traverse, then the garland, C-turns and finally linked switch turns. Setting up your bindings duck (front foot angled towards the nose, back foot towards the tail, e.g. +15/−15 or +8/−8) evens out both directions. In NZSIA's comparison, learning switch is like learning to write with your other hand: it feels clumsy at first and improves with patience.
Is essential for freestyle: many park moves and spinning jumps require a switch landing or take-off.
Makes you more versatile in freeride: when you end up facing the other way after a turn, or in a narrow passage, being able to ride comfortably in both directions gives you confidence.
When should you start riding switch?
If linked S-turns feel comfortable in your normal stance on green and blue runs, you can start on switch. At this stage, switch is like going through the same steps of basic training all over again, so choose a flatter green run.
Binding angles: the duck stance
According to Burton, in a positive/negative or duck stance the front binding is angled towards the nose of the board and the back binding towards the tail; this set-up is good for freestyle and switch (e.g. +8/−8). Symmetrical angles (e.g. +15/−15) make both directions feel the same.
NZSIA recommends that the total difference in angle between your two feet should not exceed about 30° (e.g. +21/−9), and notes that extreme angles can strain the knees in the long term. Ask the rental shop or your instructor before changing your angles. For the general logic of angles, see the binding angles entry in the glossary.
Switch step by step (NZSIA's sequence)
Step
What do you do?
Watch out for
1. Switch traverse
Cross the slope on your toeside, facing uphill, then on your heelside
Your front foot is now your other foot; look in the direction of travel
2. Switch garland
Staying on the same edge, head towards the fall line and back again
Move from one edge to the other with a single turn and stop
Burton's advice: at first, come to a complete stop on your heelside
4. Linked turns
Link wide, skidded switch turns
Wide turns first, then shorter ones
NZSIA also suggests two extra drills: turns that draw W-shaped arcs while riding backwards, and 360s in both directions on flat ground. Doing 360s one after another can make you dizzy; stop in between.
After switch
Once switch feels solid, ollies, butters and simple freestyle moves on flat ground, and then the park, start to make more sense. For the differences between snowboard types and twin boards for freestyle, see our guide to snowboard types.
Practising switch with a group
Working on switch is one of the most fun goals of the season for a rider who can already ride. The back-to-back days of an activity holiday are ideal for getting a new skill to stick: on the Doğadayız Erciyes and Sarıkamış experience programmes for those who can already ride, groups ride on slopes that suit their level. Filming each other and laughing with people working towards the same goal turns the programme into a social adventure holiday.
Doğadayız Packages
Doğadayız packages for your level
Winter activity holidays with accommodation, ski pass and equipment included, shared with a group.
The easiest way to learn to ski: a winter activity holiday
An activity holiday puts a sport at the heart of your trip: transport, accommodation and meals are planned, so you can focus on learning on the slopes. On Doğadayız winter activity holidays, accommodation, ski pass and ski or snowboard equipment are included in every package; course packages include basic lessons with instructors affiliated with the Turkish Ski Federation, while experience packages let you practise on the slopes at your own level.
What makes the programme different is the group: sharing the slopes with people at a similar level, dinners and nights out together, and a group leader by your side at all times. Solo travellers become part of this social adventure holiday from day one. That is why we describe our programmes as a social adventure holiday.
It means riding with your usual stance reversed, with your other foot forward: a regular rider rides goofy, and a goofy rider rides regular. According to NZSIA, it is essential for many freestyle moves and makes you more versatile in freeride.
What binding angles should I use to learn switch?
A duck stance, with the front binding angled towards the nose and the back binding towards the tail, makes switch easier (e.g. +15/−15 or +8/−8). NZSIA recommends that the total difference in angle between your two feet should not exceed about 30°.
When should I start riding switch?
When you can comfortably link turns in your normal stance on green and blue runs. Start with a switch traverse on a flatter green run, then move on to garlands, C-turns and linked turns.
A linked S-turn means joining heelside and toeside turns without stopping so that you draw an S shape down the slope; it is the measure of being able to say “I can ride” on a snowboard. According to the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), the turn comes from the lower body: the front foot starts the turn by steering the board into the fall line, and the back foot follows that movement to finish the turn. To change edges you only move sideways as much as you need to, and the timing of the edge change is critical: a sudden change before the fall line makes the downhill edge catch in the snow. The most common mistake is leaning back out of fear as you go into the turn.
Snowboards fall into four main types depending on the terrain they are made for. All-mountain boards, in Burton's definition, are designed for good performance on any terrain, including groomed runs, the park and powder; most beginner boards are in this category too. Freestyle (park) boards usually have a twin shape, meaning the nose and tail are identical, which makes riding and landing switch easier. Freeride boards are usually directional and stiffer, for off-piste riding and speed. Powder boards have a wide nose, a tail that narrows (taper) and bindings set back towards the tail (setback), so they float in deep snow. For a beginner, the right choice is often a soft, all-mountain board.
The basic snowboard stance, as defined by the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), is a position slightly lower and more flexed than normal standing: feet about shoulder-width apart, weight evenly on both feet; ankles, knees and hips relaxed and slightly flexed; hips and shoulders aligned with the direction of your feet and the board's edge; upper body upright, arms relaxed at your sides; head and eyes turned in the direction of travel. On the heelside, your hips shift slightly towards your heels; on the toeside, your ankles and knees flex more. The two most common mistakes are leaning back towards the tail out of fear and trying to create edge angle by tilting your whole body.
