Fall Line Jumps

There is a lot going on when you're jumping on a snowboard (especially in your head) and sometimes just getting to the park jump can be a challenge in itself. In this tutorial we are going to teach you what you need to know about riding into your first park jump with ease.

Make sure you check out the Snowboard Tutorial Membership, because even more great jumping tutorials were added there this month!

(Narrating/Rider: Duncan Mainland/Nev Lapwood. Film/Edit: Vince Emond. Filmed At: Whistler Blackcomb)

Warm Up

1. Warm up by getting familiar with straight lining on your snowboard, because you will straight line into the takeoff of a jump. Practice by starting in a Heelside side slip and pivoting your board so that it's pointing straight down the hill. You can pivot around your front foot, back foot, or just jump 90 degrees so that you are now facing down the slope. If you don't know how to side slip, pivot or turn yet, check out our First Turns tutorial.

Pivot! Pivot!

If you do a big turn to get moving, you'll end up spending so much time getting lined up and judging your speed for the jump that you'll have little time concentrating on hitting it properly. By getting right into the straight line, you'll have lots of time to get focused, balanced and prepared for take off.

Just Pin It! 

2. Once you're straight lining, keep it going for as long as you feel comfortable. Getting comfortable with speed will not only help you when hitting jumps, but whenever you're shredding the mountain. It can even help you get away from mountain safety. Even though you are a respectful upstanding member of society, right? 

Getting comfortable with speed is very important.

Common Problems

1. One of the biggest mistakes people make when learning to jump is trying to slow down and stop as soon as they land. Sometimes even before they land. Ideally you'll want to stay straight until you have regained your balance and composure. Then slow down slowly. So get comfortable going fast! Speed is a skill you need to work on to get confident with.

2. Another problem is too many speed checks when riding towards the jump. Too many speed checks will kill your speed and will result in you crashing on the deck or the knuckle of the jump.  

Jump Around

It's 11:30 and the club is Jumpin', Jumpin'.

1. After you've done a few straight lines, it's time to add a jump into the mixer. While riding down a gentle slope, jump evenly off both feet and try to use slower big movements, instead of fast jerky ones. Try to take off and land with your board flat based to stay balanced.

 Make an extra snowball or two and throw them at skiers, or your friends.

2. Once you're doing successful straight lines with a jump down a gentle slope, put a track in the snow or a snowball on the run. Use this as an obstacle or marker to jump over, so you can practice setting up and jumping at a designated point. This will help you get ready for a real jump in the park. 

Go fast and coast over the knuckle.

Once you master Fall Line Jumps, it's time to take it to the next level and hit a park jump. Don't go for the XL's just yet, we will help you get there though!

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Jesse-Ray Townsend
Snowboard Addiction
Our Goal Is To Improve Your Riding