How to Get Up After a Snowboard Fall

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (14 Ratings)

You're going to fall while learning to snowboard, but at least getting back up isn't difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

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

Back-Side or Heel-Side Fall

Step1
Begin by orienting the board so that it's on your downhill side and perpendicular to the slope - not pointing downhill.
Step2
Scoot your bottom close to the board.
Step3
Put your hands down behind you and push yourself up over the top of your board.
Step4
Rotate your shoulders toward the nose of the board as you rise. Your chest will be on your forward knee and your forward hand will be the last thing to leave the snow.
Step5
Stand up, pressing with your forward leg.

Front-Side or Toe-Side Fall

Step1
Begin on your hands and knees.
Step2
Orient the board so that it's on your downhill side and perpendicular to the slope.
Step3
Scoot your knees close to the board.
Step4
Put your hands down in front of you and push yourself up over the top of the board.
Step5
Rotate your shoulders toward the nose of the board as you rise. Your chest will be on your forward knee and your rear hand will be the last thing to leave the snow.
Step6
Stand up, pressing up with your forward leg.

Tips & Warnings

  • It's easier to get up on a slope than on the flats because your backside is already a little higher than the board.
  • Leaning too far forward as you get up will make you fall forward.
  • Getting back up is harder in deep snow. If this happens, try facing the snow (toe side).
  • Getting up from a toe-side fall is easier than getting up from a heel-side fall because you don't have to use your stomach muscles.
  • It's common to let your upper body get too far over your heels as you stand up, causing you to fall backward.
  • 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.

Comments

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on 4/5/2008 hm. didn't realize other people thought getting up on a snowboard was hard.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/3/2006 Getting up after a backside/heelside fall is the most difficult. Especially on steep slopes, because your board will often start sliding before you've centered your center of gravity over it and you're ready to go. As you sit facing downhill your heelside is digging in the snow. Now with your weight on your arms, tilt your board so the toeside digs in the snow. You can now push your body forward with your arms so your weight is over the board. Stand up and straighten out and you're on your way. It might be necessary to do a little 'hop' to get over the accumulated snow that your toeside dug into, but this looks extra cool (if done properly).

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 1/24/2006 When getting up in slush or other conditions it can be easier to, put both hands behind you on the snow, lift your rear (like if you were making a bridge). Pull the board in with your legs, sliding it under you, so the bottom of your legs are straight up-and-down. Rock forward, bending your knees until the toe side of your board bites into the slush.
Keep scooting down hill until you are over centered, balanced on your toes.
Then just stand from the crouch and go.
It feels goofy at first, but with practice it looks fluid.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When getting up from a back-side or heel-side fall, place one hand on the board between your feet and pull on the board when pushing up from the ground with your other hand. This will give you extra lift as well as helping keep the heel side in the snow and stopping you from sliding down the slopes before you are ready.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When getting back up on a snowboard, it's important to keep your board perpendicular to the hill while standing up. It also helps to dig the edge of your board into the snow a bit to help keep it in a stable position until you're ready to continue.

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eHow Article:  How to Get Up After a Snowboard Fall

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