How to Snowboard 101: Heelside Traversing

Lesson 8/12
Traversing heelside while on a snowboard is a way of controlling your descent by riding diagonally back and forth across the fall line instead of directly down it. This works to help slow your descent down the slope, and is pretty easy to do once you get the hang of it. Here are some easy instructions so that you can get started.

Step 1
In order to traverse heelside down the slope, you will need to start by looking in the direction that you want to go. You should also spread your arms so that it gets easier to keep your balance.

Step 2
Now, you will turn your body and head toward the direction that you want to go. You will want to shift a lot more of your weight onto the foot you are leading with for this, and remember to move together with the other foot. Angle the board downhill, but since you are traveling diagonally, only angle it slightly.

Step 3
After traveling as you read in step 2, you can return your snowboard to the original position it was in on the fall line, and prepare to go back across. Look where you want to go, turn your head and body that way, and shift your weight to your leading foot to gain momentum. Remember, angle downhill but only a little bit! With a little bit of practice, you will be able to traverse heelside very easily. This can really help you on those slopes that you want to take it easy on.

Related posts:

1. How to Snowboard 101: Toeside Traversing
2. How to Snowboard 101: Linking Turns
3. How to Snowboard 101: Falling Leaf Technique
4. How to Snowboard 101: Heelside Sideslipping
5. How to Snowboard 101: Doing Garlands