5 Easy Snowboard Tricks to Master

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Ready to upgrade your snowboarding skills? Once you get down the mountain, you might set your sights on learning some tricks. You don’t have to spin through the air or hit the half-pipe to try new things on your board. Learning these skills will also help your skills on the slopes. You will work on shifting your balance, jumping and turning quickly, giving you more options on the trail. Use this guide to do even more with your snowboard. 

How to Do Tricks on a Snowboard

Leave those outrageous double backflips and quadruple spins to the professionals. Legendary snowboarders and pro athletes keep upping the ante every year to accomplish all kinds of insane stunts, some of which can be extremely dangerous. You should only attempt tricks suited to your experience level, or you will increase your risk of injury. 

You need to wear the proper safety gear regardless of where you ride or what trick you’re about to attempt. That includes a full-face or modular helmet with goggles, waterproof gloves and snow pants and boots that fit your feet to prevent them from sliding around. Head injuries and wrist fractures are the main causes of injury when doing tricks on a snowboard. Wear knee, shoulder and elbow pads to cushion your fall. (Trust us — it happens to everyone.) 

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It’s easy to get in your head when going over a hill or trying to stick the landing on the half-pipe. Use snowboard helmet communication to stay connected to your pals or coach as you make your approach. They will tell you when to initiate the turn or spin so you have enough time to get to your final position.

The Best Snowboard Tricks for Beginners

Here are five easy snowboard tricks to learn ranked by difficulty:

1. Ollie 

Every beginner starts with the humble ollie, a vertical jump on a snowboard. It builds the foundation you need to get air as you attempt more challenging stunts. Stand on the board and lift your front foot up as you shift your weight to the back in a quick motion. Bend your knees to your chest as you get a few inches off the ground. Land on both feet at the same time.

2. Snowboard Press

Pressing, or “buttering,” is when you lean over the nose or tail of the snowboard as you move off the ground. Move at a slow pace with your weight centered. Start with the tail press by leaning back with your weight over your rear binding. Take your weight off your front leg to catapult the board in the air. Bring your knees to your chest and land with both feet flat, careful not to lose your balance. 

3. Flat Spin 360

Perfect for showing off on Instagram, the Flat Spin 360 will make you look cool as a cucumber as you swivel your board 360 degrees on the descent without leaving the ground. Start on a modest slope as you turn the nose with your front foot until you’re facing uphill. Shift your weight to the rear foot, or whichever one you don’t normally use to steer, and continue rotating with your head up until the nose points back down the mountain. Go into another turn to repeat the process.

4. 50-50

The 50-50 is the most basic trick you can do on a snowboarding rail. Start with a flat box only a few inches off the ground, placed halfway down a modest slope. Build up your speed as you approach the surface straight-on. If you need to turn, make sure you are in position at least 10 feet out. Turning or shifting could throw you off course. Do an ollie to lift the nose of the board before landing on the box. Keep the board parallel with the box as you maintain your balance. Hop or slide off as you get to the end. 

5. Tripod

The tripod is a nose press that uses the upper body to create what looks like a tripod in the snow. Head down a modest slope as you lean over the front of the board with your weight centered over your front foot. Raise your arms over your head as if you are about to do a handstand as you reach down to support yourself. Take your weight off your rear foot as the tail comes off the ground, pointing up. Hold yourself in that position without shifting to either side. Get your friend to snap a pic before shifting your weight back to your feet to land upright. 

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Mix up your routine on the slopes with these easy-to-learn snowboard tricks. You can move on to more aggressive turns and flips once you master these opening acts.