Snowboarding on Steep Slopes and in Variable Snow Conditions

The basics first: the shape of the turn sets your speed

The advanced freeride chapter of NZSIA, the New Zealand ski and snowboard instructors' association, divides turn shapes into two:

• Closed turns (turns that pass through the fall line and are finished back across the slope) reduce forward momentum on steep slopes and in hard snow.
• Open turns maintain speed on flats and in slow snow.

On steep and off-piste terrain, NZSIA's recipe is small, closed and powerful turns. We explain edge angle and angulation in our snowboard carving guide; the topic here is what changes when conditions get tougher.

Riding steep slopes

1. Change edges early. According to NZSIA, on steep terrain the timing of the edge change should be progressive but earlier; that way you do not pick up too much speed at the start of the turn.
2. Don't lean too far into the turn. On steep terrain there is limited room for lateral movement; throwing your body into the turn makes the edge slip.
3. Manage pressure by extending progressively. Control the pressure on the edge by gradually extending and bending your legs throughout the turn.
4. Make your first turn your best turn. As NZSIA puts it, when you drop into a steep section, the first turn sets the rhythm.
5. Choose your entry and exit in advance. Identify safe entry and exit points from above.

Before moving on to steeper blues: NZSIA recommends first doing a falling leaf to feel how much edge you need to slow down on a steeper run.

Adjustment table by condition

Ice: less edge, more base

On ice, your instinct tells you to press harder on your edge. NZSIA recommends the opposite: on ice it may not be possible to get more grip; a low edge angle puts a larger part of the base in contact with the snow. So:

• Stay low and centred, and limit how much you edge.
• Make the edge change before the fall line.
• Use the piles of snow pushed up by other riders as turning points.
• Avoid shady, icy sections; if possible, ride later in the day, once the snow has softened.
• Make sure your edges are well maintained; for sharpening, see our guide to edge sharpening and base repair.

Crud and slush

Crud is snow that has been tracked out during the day, bumpy and uneven. NZSIA recommends a low, centred stance and limited edging; your ankles and knees absorb the bumps passively. If the crud is soft, you can use a slightly higher edge angle.

Slush is wet, heavy snow. According to NZSIA:

• Warm slush is deeper and stickier; cold slush is harder and faster.
• Stay centred and slightly low, and limit your edging; that way you avoid your boot or binding catching in the snow and levering the board off its edge (boot-out).
• Brace your body against the sticky snow suddenly slowing the board down.
• Use less edge angle in wet snow; check how far your boots and bindings overhang the edge of the board, and the board's width.
• Use a wax suited to warm snow; we explain choosing wax in our guide to wax care.

You can find the general differences between snow types in our guide to types of snow.

Powder: floating without leaning back

In powder, your weight goes back slightly so the nose does not dive; but the point NZSIA stresses is how you do it:

• Don't lean back with your shoulders; instead, shift your hips towards your back foot and keep your front knee bent.
• Float the board with small rearward movements, and bring the nose up to the surface by gradually retracting your legs.

Setback: For powder, Burton recommends moving both bindings back together towards the tail by about 2.5–5 centimetres and keeping the same stance width; the tail sinks and the board floats. Park riders generally do not use setback. This is not a standard but a matter of preference; think about your binding settings together with our guide to snowboard types.

Flat light and whiteout

NZSIA's advice for flat light: stay on runs you know that are groomed; use trees and lift pylons as reference points; if you lose your bearings, stop and sit down. Details are in our guide to fog, whiteout and loss of visibility.

Enjoyment in every condition

Someone who can adapt their technique to the conditions starts every day with a solution on an activity holiday, where the snow is never the same two days running. All Doğadayız winter packages include accommodation, ski pass and equipment; lessons with an instructor are part of the basic course packages. Waiting for your group at the bottom of a tough section and talking over the best run of the day together is also what makes a social adventure holiday worthwhile. For programmes, see our winter activity holidays page.