How to Snowboard 101: Linking Turns

Lesson 12/12
Once you have mastered all of the basics of snowboarding, you are ready to start linking turns. Linking turns is basically the most advanced part of the basic skills needed to know how to snowboard, and once you learn to do them, you will look and feel much more professional! The most important reason to know how to link turns is to be able to carve! There are a lot of moves associated with linking turns, and here is a short summary of what you will be doing. First of all, you will be traversing, you will change edge, and then you will traverse again, going the opposite way. Here is a step by step guide from which you can learn to link turns. Hopefully, with some practice, you will master this move with ease!

Step 1
Find a nice, groomed, gradual slop upon which to practice linking turns. Make sure that it is not very crowded! Not only would you not want to collide with anyone, but you would also not want to be distracted or nervous as you practice.

Step 2
The proper linked turn starts with a good heelside turn. You should begin by traversing across the fall line, much like you do when doing a garland. Your head and body should be turned in the direction that you want to go, and your knees should be bent so that your center of gravity is kept low.

Step 3
Once you are ready for your first turn, start by shifting your weight forward. You should shift towards the point of the board, and point it downhill. This will gain you enough momentum doing this to go into your turn, though you can always cancel out of your turn by shifting your weight towards the back of your board and pushing up to a heelside traverse.

Step 4
Halfway into your turn, your snowboard should be pointing down the fall line. You will need to pivot your board from heelside to toeside at this point, and you will want to twist your foot so that your board will turn across the line. Push it through using your back foot. You should remember to make the switch quickly. Don’t gain too much speed, or you could fall!

Step 5
To complete your turn, twist your foot even farther and push yourself and your snowboard way from the fall line. Always keep your head and body pointed where you are going. Once you come out of the turn, you should be traversing on the toe edge of your board.

Next, you need to make your toeside turn. The steps are basically the same, but we will go over it again just for reference. Begin with a traverse, and keep your head and body facing the direction you are traveling in. Shift your weight forward to start the turn, and point your snowboard downhill. Halfway through the turn, you will want to point your board straight down the fall line and pivot from toeside to heelside. Twist your foot so that the board starts to cross the line, again being careful not to gain too much speed. Without getting enough edge, you will probably fall! Complete the turn with a twist of your front foot, in a direction further way from the fall line. Again, keep your head and body pointed in the direction you are traveling.

Related posts:

1. How to Snowboard 101: Heelside Traversing
2. How to Snowboard 101: Falling Leaf Technique
3. How to Snowboard 101: Toeside Traversing
4. How to Snowboard 101: Doing Garlands
5. How to Snowboard 101: Snowboarding Basics