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.
When you link a heelside turn to a toeside turn without a break, you draw an S shape in the snow; NZSIA defines it as joining two turns together so that they form an S shape. The S-turn is the actual step from drills such as side-slipping and the falling leaf to real riding (see the linked turn entry in the glossary).
Prerequisites
You can side-slip on the heelside and toeside, control your speed and stop: heelside, toeside.
You can steer the board in both directions with the falling leaf.
With the J-turn and the C-turn, you can turn uphill from one edge and stop.
Step by step: from C to S
Start with a C-turn: While side-slipping on the heelside, as Burton describes it, very slowly shift your weight onto your front foot; the nose of the board turns down the slope.
Enter the fall line: For a brief moment the board runs flat in the fall line. Do not panic here; your speed increases only briefly.
Change edges: As the board passes through the fall line, smoothly transfer your weight to the new edge (toeside). According to NZSIA, just enough sideways movement to change edges is enough; big, sudden movements are not needed.
Finish the turn: The front foot started the turn; the back foot mirrors the same movement to complete it, the board turns back up the slope and your speed drops.
Repeat: Without stopping, start a new turn in the opposite direction. In your first attempts there may be a short traverse between turns; over time the turns link together smoothly.
Timing the edge change
According to NZSIA, the timing of the edge change is critical. Catching an edge, the cause of the hardest falls, usually happens when the downhill (valley-side) edge digs into the snow because of an early or sudden change. The rule: the edge changes as the board approaches the fall line and is almost flat; do not change edges suddenly while the board is still across the slope.
Common mistakes (NZSIA)
Mistake
Result
Fix
Leaning back as you enter the fall line
The board does not turn, the back foot skids
Put your weight slightly forward; the front foot starts the turn
Catching the downhill edge
A hard fall
Time the edge change; change edges when the board is flat
Falling uphill onto your knees on the toeside
Too much weight up the slope
Keep your weight over the board, bend with your knees
Bending at the waist on the heelside
Your weight comes off the edge
Keep your hips over the board, bend your knees
Looking up the slope, behind you
The turn is left half-finished
Look towards the exit of the turn, where you are going
Counter-rotation (turning your shoulders the opposite way)
The turn is less effective
Turn from the lower body; according to NZSIA this is common in self-taught riders
Choosing a slope and speed
According to Burton, you should not rush onto steep terrain while learning linked turns. Repeat your turns on a wide, easy slope at a pace where you can control your speed; on steep slopes fear makes you lean back. For slope colours, see our guide Ski Run Colours and Difficulty Ratings. The next step is to make your turns shorter and longer and later move on to carving.
Getting S-turns solid on an activity holiday
For most people linked turns come on the second or third day, and they stick through practice on consecutive days under an instructor's supervision. On an activity holiday this rhythm is planned: lessons in the morning, practice in the afternoon. On Doğadayız basic course packages in Erciyes, the second day is spent clocking up kilometres on different slopes; progressing with friends at the same stage is the most enjoyable part of a social adventure holiday. For the full roadmap, see our guide How Do You Start Learning to Snowboard?.
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.
Start with a C-turn: slowly shift your weight onto your front foot and let the board turn down the slope, change edges smoothly as you pass through the fall line and complete the turn with your back foot. Then, without stopping, start a new turn in the opposite direction.
Why do I catch an edge in S-turns?
Usually because the edge change is made too early or too suddenly, so the downhill edge digs into the snow. The edge should be changed as the board approaches the fall line and is almost flat.
How long does it take to learn linked turns?
It varies from person to person; in practice it comes for most people on the second or third day. Getting heelside and toeside solid and practising on consecutive days under an instructor's supervision speeds up the process.
The J-turn is the first turn you learn on a snowboard: while gliding straight on a gentle slope, you tilt the board onto one edge and turn uphill to stop; your track looks like the letter J. In Burton's beginner sequence, the J-turn comes after skating with one foot and before the edge work. In a heelside J-turn you put your weight on your heels and look over your heelside shoulder; on the toeside you put your weight over the balls of your feet and look towards your toe edge. It is your front foot and your gaze that steer the board; your back foot completes the movement. After the J-turn come C-turns and linked S-turns.
Toeside means riding on the toe edge of the snowboard: your face and chest face up the slope and your back faces the valley. Beginners usually learn heelside first and then toeside; Burton's beginner sequence follows the same order. On the toeside you balance over the balls of your feet, pressing both shins evenly into the front of your boots. To slide, you ease off the shin pressure a little and lower your heels; to stop, you bend your ankles and knees a little more and bring your hips over the balls of your feet. Next comes the falling leaf, where you steer the board left and right.
Heelside is the long edge of the snowboard under your heels. On the heel edge you stand facing down the slope and press this edge into the snow by pushing through your heels: increase the pressure and you slow down and stop, ease it off and you slide. Most beginners learn speed control and stopping on a snowboard on the heelside first.
