How to Do a Heel Turn on a Snowboard

A heel-side turn is one of the basics of snowboarding. Master this, and you're on your way to carving turns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Helmets
• Snowboard Bag
• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Boots
• Snowboard Clothing
• Snowboard Goggles
• Snowboard Hats
• Snowboard Leash
• Snowboards
• Helmets

1. Build a little bit of speed.

2. 

   Lean slightly forward over your front foot with your shoulders pointing straight downhill.

3. 

   Rotate your shoulders around in the direction of your heels while lifting your toes slightly. Your board will begin to turn away from the slope.

4. 

   Keep your toes up and continue turning until you run out of snow or you want to go the other direction.

Tips & Warnings

• People often try to turn with little or no speed, and that just makes it harder.
• Heel turns are a bit harder than toe turns for most people, so if you can master this turn you should have less difficulty with the toe-side turn.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 1/26/2006 To keep from hard falling when you attempt your heel turn, bend your knees really low when you begin feeling the fall.

on 1/13/2006 One common mistake that people make is sticking their rear (butt) out and go up on their heels, which will result in losing your balance and falling. You want to kind of turn your waist a little outward while keeping your back more or less straight. Doing this is only half the job, since it'll only start turning the board under you. The key is to actually push off a little with your heel. As the board is turning, you push your heels down a little bit to actually get yourself turning and not just the board. As you're pushing off, you want to let your back foot go out a little so you're guiding yourself with the tail.

on 11/22/2005 Tuck your back knee into your front knee when you want to make a heel side turn. Do not straighten your front leg. When you get better at it, you can turn without changing the direction of your upper body. It's all in the knees and feet.
When you get good enough, you can turn without changing the direction of your upper body. It's all in the knees and feet.