Learn  the "Snowboard Alphabet" on MontanaPictures.Net  (Page two of four)

We'll look at the basic four snowboard turns so you can ride down any hill in control.
Each turn carves a "letter" in the snow.
The four "letters" carved in the snow represent the "Snowboard alphabet."
The most basic snowboard "slide"
is the
Letter "Z" turn
Stand in “Army Man” position.
Place your weight on your left foot.
Slowly slide diagonally to the "Fall line."
Come to a complete stop
by pressing your heels on the UP-Hill
edge of your board.
Catch your breath and pat yourself
on the back for completing
your very first snowboard turn.
Shift your weight on your right foot.
Slowly slide diagonally to the "Fall line."
Come to a complete stop
by pressing your heels on the UP-Hill
edge of your board.
-What happens if you fall -
How do you get back up?
1.) Lay on your back parallel to the "Fall line."
Point your head up hill & your board
down hill, perpendicular to the “Fall line.”
2.) Now, "Flip" your board over until you
are face down in the snow.
You just did the "hard part" so let's
stand up.   (Hint: If the slope is really
steep, dig out a little ledge or plateau
in the snow with the "toe-side" of the
board. This will give you a flat "platform"               (Click on the picture to see how to get back up.)
to standup on.)	(.WMV File size 598KB)
Your choice NEXT:
3.) Get up in a kneeling position to look around and wave at people.
OR
4.) Gather your legs under your torso until you are in a squatting position. (Pictured above)
5.) From the squatting position, PUSH your self up using your arms & legs.
In Gym class, this exercise was called a "Squat thrust" or "Burpee."  During the typical
first three days of beginning snowboarding you will perform this exercise over fifty or more times.
6.) Stand up in the “Ballerina” position.
More Letter "Z" turns
Stand in the “Ballerina” position.
Place your weight on your right foot.
Slowly slide diagonally to the "Fall line."
Come to a complete stop
by pressing your toes on the UP-Hill
edge of your board.
Really fight hard to press the UP-Hill
edge of your board.
If you fall forward, that's O.K.                            (Click on the picture to see a boarder really fight for a toe hold.)
in snowboarding a "face-plant" is	(.WMV File size 391KB)
considered a "fall." Everything else is just
regaining your balance or "resting" for your
next series of turns.
Wow! Watching beginners carve "Z" turns looks like hard work.  Yep, no getting around it.
You will sweat like a horse, until the you feel comfortable on the board.
The work is worth it because you learn the subtle changes required to make a turn or
come to a stop in the future.  This learning process can take the entire first day.