How to Frontside Boardslide a Snowboard

The frontside boardslide's an advanced snowboarding trick you can use to transition down boxes, rails and any other surface that's slideable. Because you travel backwards during the trick, it seems difficult to do, but with a bit of practice and a little more courage you'll have it down in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Approach the rail on your board so that it's facing the front side of your body. For example, if you ride with your right foot back, the rail should be downhill and to your right.
2. Ollie onto the rail. As soon as your board hits the rail, turn your body toward your rear foot and shift the board so you're sliding down backwards.
3. Look over your shoulder and down the fall line as you slide along the rail. Looking anywhere else during a frontside boardslide can cause you to lose your balance and crash.
4. Keep the snowboard centered over the rail, and ride it for as long as you want.
5. Uncork your body and hop off the rail. You can either ollie off to switch or to your regular stance. Go with whichever feels the most natural to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the box or rail's smooth before trying the frontside boardslide. Kinks and rough patches can unexpectedly throw you off balance.
• You don't really need to turn your upper body that much during the boardslide. Just twist it enough to get the board centered over the rail.