5 Snowboarding Tricks for Beginners

Looking to impress your friends or family on the slopes? Still new to boarding? Don't worry! We got you covered with all the tips to performing simple yet impressive tricks. We will break down 5 of the simplest tricks that every beginner can practice and master with relative ease. These should be learnt in the order they appear as knowing an Ollie or Nollie makes the Melon and Indy easier. Knowing the Melon and Indy makes the Nose Grab easier.

Ollie

What is it?

An Ollie is a way to get air either from the ground or off a ramp. An Ollie is performed by pushing up off your back leg.

How can I do it?

1) Find a flat space.

2) Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight to your back leg, doing so should kick your board forward slightly.

3) Jump up. The nose of your board should be leading the jump upward with your back foot in line.

4) At the top of your jump level out the board.

5) Ensure your knees have a slight bend and land.

Once this has been practiced this can be done downhill off a ramp. The Ollie should start near the apex of the ramp. When landing ensure that the nose of your board is pointing in the direction you want to go and doesn't conflict with the angle of the slope/hill.

Nollie

What is it?

A Nollie is a way to get air either from the ground or off a ramp. An Ollie is performed by pushing up off your front leg.

How can I do it?

1) Find a flat space.

2) Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight to your front leg, doing so should kick your board backward slightly.

3) Jump up. The tail of your board should be leading the jump upward with your front foot in line.

4) At the top of your jump level out the board.

5) Ensure your knees have a slight bend and land.

The landing of a Nollie adheres to the same rules as an Ollie.

Melon

What is it?

A Melon is when you catch some air and grab the heel side of your board.

How can I do it?

1) Find a ramp or spot with a slight drop.

2) Jump when you near the apex or the ramp or drop. This can be a regular jump, or you can Ollie or Nollie to try maximizing your airtime and style points.

3) As you are ascending or near the top of your jump reach back and grab the heel side of your board.

4) Level out your board.

5) Ensure your legs have a slight bend and rotate your nose in the direction you want to go before landing.

Indy

What is it?

An Indy is when you catch some air and grab the toe side of your board.

How can I do it?

1) Find a ramp or spot with a slight drop.

2) Jump when you near the apex or the ramp or drop. This can be a regular jump, or you can Ollie or Nollie to try maximizing your airtime and style points.

3) As you are ascending or near the top of your jump reach back and grab the toe side of your board.

4) Level out your board.

5) Ensure your legs have a slight bend and rotate your nose in the direction you want to go before landing.

Nose Grab

What is it?

A Nose Grab is when you catch air and grab the nose of your board.

How can I do it?

1) Find a ramp or spot with a slight drop.

2) Jump when you near the apex or the ramp or drop. This can be a regular jump, or you can Ollie or Nollie to try maximizing your airtime and style points.

3) As you are ascending or near the top of your jump reach back and grab the nose of your board. (Keep in mind a nose grab is a further reach and will take slightly more time so ensuring you have a good jump will make this much easier)

4) Level out your board.

5) Ensure your legs have a slight bend and rotate your nose in the direction you want to go before landing.

There you have it! 5 very simple tricks that will give you some shred cred. Hit the slopes and have fun!