how to land jumps on a snowboard

3 min read 17-01-2025

Landing jumps cleanly is a crucial skill for any snowboarder progressing beyond the beginner stage. Whether you're tackling small jumps in the terrain park or hitting natural kickers in the backcountry, mastering the art of the landing will significantly improve your riding experience and confidence. This comprehensive guide will break down the techniques and strategies needed to land jumps smoothly and safely, taking you from tentative hops to confident airs.

Preparing for the Jump: The Setup

Before even thinking about launching, proper preparation is key. Neglecting this phase is a recipe for a painful and potentially dangerous landing.

1. Assess the Jump:

Size and Shape: Gauge the jump's size and lip shape. Small, mellow jumps are ideal for practice. Avoid anything too big until you're comfortable with the basics.
Landing: Examine the landing. Is it flat, packed, or uneven? Are there any obstacles? Choose a landing with sufficient space.
Speed: Approach the jump with consistent speed. Too slow, and you won't clear the lip; too fast, and you risk overshooting the landing. Practice maintaining a steady pace on your approach.

2. Body Position:

Balanced Stance: Adopt a balanced and athletic stance, knees slightly bent, and your weight centered. This provides stability during takeoff and landing.
Look Ahead: Focus your gaze beyond the landing. This helps maintain balance and prevents you from fixating on the jump itself.
Prepping for Takeoff: Before hitting the lip, shift your weight slightly forward to maintain momentum.

Taking Off and Executing the Jump

The takeoff is crucial for a clean landing. This is where the correct technique translates into a safe and stylish landing.

1. Ollie Technique:

Flex and Pop: As you hit the lip, flex your knees and ankles, then explosively extend your legs to launch yourself upwards. This "pop" generates the height for your jump.
Maintain Balance: Keep your body centered during the takeoff. Avoid leaning too far forward or backward.
Level Approach: Make sure you approach the jump at a consistent speed and on a level line. Jumping too slowly will lead to a bad landing; jumping too fast might lead to an overshoot.

2. Riding Out of the Jump:

Control Your Body: Once airborne, keep your body relaxed and try not to tense up. This will help maintain balance and stability.
Prepare for Landing: As you approach the landing, begin to prepare your body for impact.

Landing the Jump: The Crucial Phase

This is where all your hard work comes to fruition. A smooth landing is the ultimate goal.

1. Absorb the Impact:

Bend Your Knees: As you land, flex your knees and ankles to absorb the impact. This is critical to preventing injuries. Think of bending your knees like a shock absorber.
Maintain Balance: Keep your weight centered. Avoid leaning too far forward or backward.

2. Ride Away Smoothly:

Maintain Control: Once you've landed, maintain control of your board and continue riding smoothly.
Post-Landing Analysis: After landing, take a moment to analyze your performance. What worked well? What could you improve?

Practice and Progression

Mastering jumps takes time and consistent practice. Start small, gradually increasing the size and difficulty of the jumps you attempt.

1. Start Small:

Small Jumps First: Begin with small jumps to develop your technique before progressing to larger features.
Consistent Practice: Practice regularly to improve your skills and build confidence.

2. Gradual Progression:

Increase Height: Once you're comfortable with smaller jumps, gradually increase the height and difficulty.
Vary Terrain: Practice on different types of jumps to develop adaptability.

3. Safety First:

Wear Safety Gear: Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet.
Ride Within Your Limits: Don't attempt jumps that are beyond your skill level.

Learning to land jumps on a snowboard is a rewarding process. By following these steps and practicing consistently, you'll be landing jumps like a pro in no time. Remember, safety and gradual progression are key to avoiding injury and maximizing your enjoyment on the slopes.