Once you can turn both ways, the final step is to link them without stopping: heel turn, toe turn, heel turnโ€ฆ This is when you're officially past the beginner stage โ€” and when snowboarding really becomes fun. Linked turns let you ride a whole run with flow, control your speed with the shape of your turns, and start exploring more of the mountain.

Top view: the board follows an S-shaped path, alternating between the heel edge (orange) and the toe edge (blue). The board is briefly flat as it crosses the fall line.
Top view: the board follows an S-shaped path, alternating between the heel edge (orange) and the toe edge (blue). The board is briefly flat as it crosses the fall line.

Step by step

  1. Start on a wide green run with a heel-side traverse
  2. Make a heel-to-toe turn, finish across the slope on your toe edge
  3. Don't stop โ€” immediately let the nose drift down again and make a toe-to-heel turn
  4. Keep linking turns with an even rhythm, using the turn shape to control speed
  5. Gradually shorten the traverse between turns until the turns flow into each other

Tips for a smooth rhythm

  • Up-down movement: stand up a little to release the edge, sink down to load the new edge
  • Look ahead to where the next turn will be
  • Finish each turn across the hill โ€” speed comes from turns that are too straight
  • Count out loud (โ€œturnโ€ฆ andโ€ฆ turnโ€) to find a steady rhythm

Controlling speed with turn shape

In linked turns, you no longer need to stop to slow down. The more you finish each turn across the slope, the slower you go; the more directly you point down the hill, the faster you go. If you feel too fast, make rounder turns that come further across the hill. This is the same principle skiers use, and it is the key to riding steeper runs calmly later on.

Common mistakes

  • Stopping between turns out of fear: keep moving โ€” momentum makes edge changes easier
  • Back foot doing all the work: steer with your front foot and let the back foot follow
  • Rigid legs: stay flexible to absorb bumps

Drills to build flow

  • Follow a friend or instructor and match their rhythm
  • Use the run's width: plan turns from one side to the other, like a slow zigzag
  • Try three turns, stop, then four turns, stop โ€” add one turn each time
  • Practice on slightly different snow, such as softer afternoon snow, to adapt your balance

Riding safely as you speed up

As your turns improve, it's natural to ride faster and on busier runs. Remember the slope rules: people below you have priority, check uphill before you start, and stop at the side of the run. Snowboarders stand sideways and have a blind spot behind their back, so look over your shoulder regularly to check what's around you.

๐Ÿ’ก Congratulations โ€” this completes the beginner snowboard series! Next steps: try blue runs, practice switch (riding the other way), or start carving.