Winter Fun

If simply taking your snowboard straight down the groomed trails at the snow resort is not enough of an adrenaline rush for you, it may be time to progress on to something a little more exciting. That means visiting the terrain park and tying some freestyle snowboarding.

Freestyle snowboarding is a sub-discipline that requires a specialised snowboard if you are going to get the most out of your attempts. A freestyle snowboard is more flexible than an alpine snowboard, it is lighter so that you can get more air more quickly, and it is generally shorter than an alpine snowboard so that it can be manoeuvered though some tight turns.

There is going to be more of an exposue to the possibility of injury if you intend on becoming a freestyle snowboarder because it involves performing all sorts of tricks. These tricks may mean taking off over some dizzying jumps, performing moves on the half pipe, grinding the board on rails and other feats that require an ability to land the board properly.

Generally it is advised that you have a fair amount of snowboard experience before you attempt to become a freestyler. Complete confidence in snowboarding and in your snowboard is a good start but knowing how to fall safely is also a requirement. If you can take a fall without ripping every tendon away from your knee, you may well be in for a long career at the terrain park.