How to brake on a snowboard: techniques, tips, and next steps

Braking properly on a snowboard is one of the most important skills for any beginner. It not only gives you control over the board, but also increases your safety and confidence on the mountain.

Main techniques for braking in snowboarding

1. Heel-side stop

• Turn the board so that both heels are pressing against the back edge.

• Bend your knees and shift your weight back, keeping your back straight.

• The board will slide sideways until it stops.

• Ideal for : beginners, it is the first technique you should master.

2. Toe-side stop

• Turn the board by standing on the balls of your feet.

• Lean your body slightly forward (chest on the snow).

• Maintain constant pressure on both feet until you stop.

• Important : Control your balance so you don't fall forward.

3. Sliding stop

• Combine both edges, skidding sideways with the board.

• Useful when you need to reduce speed quickly on gentle slopes.

• It is the basis for speed control on all types of terrain.

Tips for safe braking

1. Look where you want to stop , not at your feet.

2. Keep your knees bent to absorb vibrations and gain stability.

3. Don't lean on just one foot , distribute the pressure between both sides.

4. Practice on gentle slopes first before attempting steeper slopes.

5. Always wear a helmet and goggles: falls are inevitable during your first practices.

Recommended exercises for beginners

• Controlled skids : go down a slope braking in a zigzag pattern, alternating between heel and toe.

• Short stops : Start sliding and stop every 5–10 meters.

• Speed ​​control : Keep a straight line and practice reducing speed only with the rear edge.

What to learn after braking?

Once you've mastered basic braking, the next steps in your snowboarding progression are:

1. Basic turns (edge ​​change) : going from heel edge to toe edge in the same descent.

2. S-turns : linking several controlled turns to descend smoothly.

3. Speed ​​control on steeper slopes : apply braking in combination with turns.

4. Introduction to carving : more precise and fluid turns using clean edges.

Conclusion

Learning to brake on a snowboard is the foundation of all your progress. Start with heel edge, move on to toe edge, and practice drifting until you feel confident. Once you've mastered this, you can move on to turns, carving, and more advanced styles.

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