How to Ride Fakie on a Snowboard

Learn to ride backward as competently as you ride forward to double your freestyle capabilities.

Things You'll Need

• Ski And Snowboard Stone
• Helmets
• Snowboard Bag
• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Boots
• Snowboard Clothing
• Snowboard Goggles
• Snowboard Hats
• Snowboard Leash
• Snowboards
• Waxes

Instructions

1. Ride on your uphill rail and enter a frontside turn.

2. Slide your back foot around to face downhill as you turn, so that after the turn you are still facing uphill.

3. Keep your back hand forward over the tail.

4. Look in the direction you are riding and steer with your feet.

5. Try to carve and ride normally, while still riding fakie. Relax.

6. Enter another frontside turn and again overrotate your back foot to slide all the way around and end up riding forward again.

7. Mix fakie riding into your normal riding patterns so that eventually it feels comfortable and natural. This will dramatically improve your overall riding abilities.

Tips & Warnings

• Start by riding fakie slowly, on gradual slopes. Then build to steeper slopes and faster rates.

• When you turn fakie, try not to think of it as riding backward, but rather, riding forward differently. (Sort of Zen, no?)

• Try jumping up and turning 180 to ride fakie, and then jumping 180 to get back.

• Try spinning 180 into fakie, then continuing the spin to a 360.

• If your board is not upturned at both ends, be careful of digging the tail into the snow when riding backward. This may cause a sudden stop and perhaps some unintended air time.

• Snowboarding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.