MCC 2023 Day #1 Carving Tip: Posture and Stance with James Cherry

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[@Justaride-Snowboard-Channel]

Thank you Ryan for stating that the difference comes in when the terrain changes! Number one comment on my channel when I talk about posi posi carving is "But Ryan Knapton can do it!". I've explained your board (large radius), your terrain (mellow, wide open runs), your desired outcome (freestyle elements) to people multiple times, they seemingly don't believe that duck carving finds its limits when things become steep, and even worse, narrow and steep... Thank you so much for conveying this here!

[@great_lakes_ryan]

Lars you explain this very, very well on your videos - the ability to pressure the front of the board in a double posi stance vs. duck stance. Applying your instruction has helped me dramatically tighten my carve turns on steeps (+27/+18 binding angles) and just wanted to comment with appreciation.

[@durial702]

Great comment. I ride in a Knapton style and find myself out of my element extremely quickly on very narrow or steep runs.

[@ckkl]

He actually only said his switch carving isn't as good on steeps. Whereas you can't switch carve on posi posi at all.

[@ANETOKILLE]

​@@ckkl Terje Haakonsen, he can do it. IMO Lars and James have a much more surfy style carving than Ryan. Lars is right, Ryan being an ace, he is humble in the video and recognizes that these guys have an edge in steep terrain.

[@cherrycarves]

Thanks for all the positive vibes Knapton fans! Qapla'!

[@KevinT3141]

That overhead angle makes it look like it's shot with a drone, but knowing that it wasn't tells you just how steep the slopes are that James is carving on. Impressive stuff, thanks to you both Ryan & James!

[@PhilippUnterreiner]

Gotta give credit to Ryan for being so humble and open regarding other styles of riding, given that he's such a unique and talented rider that nobody seems to be able to imitate

[@SilasZoeBell]

James Cherry, thanks for showing off those feet forward skills! I learned to carve in the 90’s and after taking a Tai Chi class in college it felt so right. +30 +15

[@shofarsogood7504]

Wow. Like catch and edge with out catching an edge. 5:50 he’s basically on his stomach on down hill edge but not falling! Great stuff

[@russbritt4100]

Sweet I get to say hi to Ryan in person see ya Wed

[@jameslee7961]

When a carving ninja like Ryan is impressed, you know that James Cherry is the real deal!! My goals is to find that perfect stance for carving, trees, pow and a dash of freestyle… will it be as hard as finding a quiver killer?

[@schwastyface]

Buttery smooth

[@mackakiwinz4353]

To be somewhere different brings another level to your channel thank you Ryan straight away even though I am Jim’s age and try to carve like him I can tell after your awesome aerial footage I am always going way to fast no wonder I crashed last season and ended my season with 2 broken ribs! Have a good time and thank you for the new perspective 🤙

[@byunism]

Alpine snowboarders can definitely carve... but for me nothing is cooler than carving like Knapton as a "soft booter".

[@elho001]

Yeah, carving without butters is just like bread without butter. :D

[@geoffv22]

Ryan, it’s time to man up and get some video of you carving some steeps at Turner. The trail Powder Mills has a good head wall. My fav trail was Mtn Standard Time under the lift. I’ll be waiting for your video 😁

[@RyanKnapton]

No can do! 😁. Some of this is too aggressive of terrain for how I really love to jam. 😎❄️🏂❄️✌️

[@mackakiwinz4353]

I went with the man up thing last season here in NZ thinking I was a hero and had my biggest heaviest crash in 35 seasons lucky I got away with 2 broken ribs but ended my season remember accidents happen fast and 6 months on I can still feel the break/crack! Ryan is onto it ride within your limits otherwise you will end your season like I stupidly did!

[@sugarplumflyjelly]

James has great technique, even with his hand dragging. Railing steeps like he does is difficult, especially in soft boots (as buttressed as they may be), and requires a lifetime of learning. It's great to see the spectrum of carvers together at MCC, from the duck-foot new school, like you, Ryan, to the grey-bearded alpine hard-booters--the full spectrum of hard-carving styles and techniques.

[@2coolforyourdog]

James Cherry what a maestro 🏂🔥🔥

[@irsever]

Glad you made it out to the clear cut! My coach in 2020 for the intermediate clinic specifically focused on the difficulties of carving in steeper terrain, which Turner has plenty of. Talked about finishing your carve for instance, using the energy to send yourself uphill some before swapping directions. Lots of cool boards to demo, see if they have a Rad-Air in wide, that thing destroyed the steep bumps there

[@DaveHollanderEE]

Ryan got to try Jordan's ~160/30.5/7-10m Donek Aloha in the soft dense stuff today. Many cool boards at the demo tents this year!

[@gboates]

Posi posi all the way!

[@hsidder]

Encouraging to hear you, as one of the best carvers, have some struggles on a new mountain. I visited a new mountain this past weekend and simply could not get it together. Different feeling snow, unfamiliarity of the runs, not sure but it was not a pleasant experience. Head back to my home mountain the following day, everything was fine. Thanks for sharing.

[@DaveHollanderEE]

Turner is both steep and NARROW! I stepped down from 12m to 7-10m board, and Ryan stepped down 19m to 13m. It's a challenge, and having the right tools for the terrain is key! 🔑

[@ShredAheadSnowboarding]

That happens to a lot of us, new run different ground under feet etc. Chalk it up as a new learning experience and keep on shredding.

[@hsidder]

@@ShredAheadSnowboarding appreciate it.

[@elho001]

Finally one thing you lucky people with a home mountain are at disadvantage - us vacation warriors typically get to see different terrain. ;) Also, seriously I do wonder whether that is an US thing? In the Alps, I'd say even smaller resorts have a variety in the combination of pitch and width and at least one steep run.

[@ShredAheadSnowboarding]

@@elho001 The only disadvantage of a home mountain is when the riders only use the same run every time they come. Moving around the mountain terrain they can challenge themselves on a variety of slopes if they chose to do so. However many people on the mountain have only a limited amount of time to slid each season due to the longer work schedules and less holidays off time to ride here is America in general!

[@noahbyrne2402]

Turner is rad!!!

[@lukeuseforce]

About to head out to Snowboal and Telluride in a week. Thanks for all your content Ryan! So motivating! ♥💯

[@BobJackson-zv1fh]

Very Awesome Video !!!!!!!!!!

[@Felix-kd8tn]

Well, looks like I have to plan a trip for next year!

[@ericlarin2066]

Thanks for the tips on carving for steeps. Going to experiment with my angles on a steeper day.

[@SugmaDLigmaNutz]

It's better when it's steep and deep!

[@ShredAheadSnowboarding]

Nice lines and great tips each rider will have to find their own best riding positions depending on the planned outcome. Thanks for the video enjoy watching great riding plus some of the riders at the rally are local from back here in the Silver Valley area of Idaho!

[@peterjacobs6290]

This was killer. That’s the same game I play. Carve it as steep and narrow as possible. Some days I got it and some days not so much.

[@yannickm1396]

When i first learning how to carve i also used alpine stance because i was on a board with a 25cm waist width and otherwise i would boot out way to soon. But it also helped me to get a good posture fore carving like the guy in this video says. Maybe a good thing for someone that is just learning to carve to start out with alpine stance and when they got the hang of it go back to duck stance if that is what they prefer for all-round riding.

[@gboates]

I taught both my daughters alpine stance - less than an hour they were gone. No tail scraping ever.

[@przemek301981]

Pięknie 😉🤪🤪 Beautifully. Greetings from Poland

[@dzigerica666]

wow i like that green jacket James is wearing!

[@waltciii3]

Wow! I haven't been double positive in 10 years. Maybe I should go back since I am not a switcher anymore.

[@boardski]

laces and straps or bails and buckles, it's the edge that matters!

[@snocarver]

as you can see, the hardbooter has an easier time.

[@boardski]

@@snocarver that's why I've been hardbooting for 35yrs

[@cherrycarves]

@@snocarver His section was wider and far less steep... Aaron is a top tier rider though, props to him!

[@louisdunn7981]

Hi Ryan, big fan. I'm writing from the Italian Alps as we speak. Wondered if you had any tips for intermediate-advanced boarders looking to ride switch. Cheers L Kblaah

[@elho001]

The keeping shoulders level/bending backwards thing is something that happens automatically when doing ultra-quick down-unweighted turns, where your head and upper body hardly move and go down the fall line straight while your hips, legs and board swing back and forth below. It also comes instinctively when on really icy terrain, where you can't just lean in full G-force as you'd love to. The posture thing is interesting, is the "post 2000s" posture referred to being always closed/sideways/"minus" position or only on the toe side? Either way, schools of teaching vary from country to country. Here in Europe, I did learn the "minus" position/shoulders aligned with the board on the toeside and "plus" positiot/open stance/shoulders rotated 90 degrees to tde xoard style 30 years ago in Switzerland. This style is also what the European EC guys base their technique on and they face the issue of newer riders using the open stance only style (as advertised here) that they have to unlearn. Then there's that "asian technical" riding style that I only came across recently that lay down deep on the toeside while almost overdoing tde shoulders level part on the heel side with an almost 90 degree bend at the hip.

[@hyattbusbey3563]

To keep my upper body posture I was taught to reach my back hand to front toe on a heel side and reach my front hand to my back heel on a toe side.

[@hyattbusbey3563]

@@strangefuture808 Like James is saying in the video, it keeps the shoulders level and the upper body facing forwards. I was taught this by a Level 3 examiner and resort trainer who's been riding Alpine snowboards for 30 years. I trust him over some dude on KZbin

[@snocarver]

@@strangefuture808 it's a practice drill and it's good for breaking the habit of rotating your shoulders sideways and/or bending over at the waist.

[@strangefuture808]

@@hyattbusbey3563 I’m not into internet arguments go ahead and do that if you think it makes sense lol.

[@hyattbusbey3563]

@@strangefuture808 would love an explanation how it's wrong

[@strangefuture808]

@@hyattbusbey3563 the advice you got about heelside was right but your toeside you should try touching the front highback bot the back one. I get that it will help you break a habit of breaking forward at the waist too much but if you reach for your back highback you are not breaking at the waist and improperly stacked towards the nose in an attempt to bend your body in a way it’s not meant to bend. Keep it simple and aim for the front highback if you feel you need to use that tactic to stay stacked. I’ve got 25 years of instructing and coaching experience so I consider myself more than just a random dude in the comment section but that doesn’t mean you have to take my word for it

[@grimmriffer]

Interesting the whole "pretend you're holding a tray" thing. The guy who first turned me onto carving had raced slalom and ran a school for a bit, they used to say pretend you're holding a barrel over the nose of the board, and move it to one side or the other as you turn. I used to ride with forward angles on both feet, but I've softened to having the rear foot square. (I have a wideish board so don't tend to worry about booting out.)

[@snocarver]

yeah that's obsolete advice.

[@grimmriffer]

@@snocarver What is?

[@snocarver]

@@grimmriffer the barrel. Proper body position is aligned with your bindings. However if a new carver can't grasp that you may have to tell them to turn toward the nose of the board.

[@grimmriffer]

@snocarver an awful lot of people who carve very very well would disagree with that, including the two people featured in this vid I expect. Do what works for you, but don't just dismiss someone else's approach as obsolete, that doesn't even make sense.

[@snocarver]

@@grimmriffer it's true, ask any accomplished racer or race coach. You really never want to twist past the nose of the board, if I'm reading the barrel thing right.

[@nicholasmcintyre1971]

Just rippin turns, Just rippin turns

[@gorgobey]

Really impressive turns! I really have to try positive angle on my back foot !

[@dadweight]

Thanks for sharing your stance angles James! I’m gonna try those. Also, did James have any tips on high back angles?

[@cherrycarves]

This season I've backed off the forward lean a lot. Turns out it isn't necessary and creates more boot out problems. I recommend about 5-7 degrees, which is just a hair steeper than my Driver X boots.

[@johnnykhawand]

I am stuck with +15/-15 even when in back country and practicing straight lining. Tried the forward stance most of the time during a season a while back but can't stick to it.

[@nepaleseinchina]

👍👌👌

[@_AbUser]

Ha-ha Bro.. Mby there is why i never saw You riding in "+" position in a switch stance...))) And yes.. Duck stance is harder coz You has to sit down more deeply trying to rotate your hips perpendicular to the board length... This is really bud heart.. and You Ryan is like some kind of unique..

[@shabzone]

I think the fact that he was finishing his turns going uphill helped more to control his speed... but i'm just a newb

[@RyanKnapton]

💯

[@lonbordin]

Fantastic video Ryan. James rips! Watch more of James here- youtube.com/@jamescherry6616

[@cherrycarves]

Thanks David!

[@rollingedges9469]

Duck or forward stance...are you having fun making solid carves? 🤗

[@derrickgrigg]

On the heel side turns it looks like he’s turning back up the hill a bit vs the toe side. Is that to control speed?

[@RyanKnapton]

👍

[@cherrycarves]

Indeed yes. Controlling speed by turning up hill is way funner than slowing down by displacing snow! That narrow part of the run (starting at 5:06) is very steep and falls away to the left so my heelsides are longer than toeside there.

[@teigemaddrell1769]

Never been tempted to get the ski boots on & go ‘alpine’ Ryan?

[@RyanKnapton]

I've done it about 10 times. I'm just not as proficient at it. I'll try it more here and there...

[@dskordo]

Ryan thanks for posting. What board is James riding? Is that a Donek Flux?

[@RyanKnapton]

He has a handful of custom boards, I'm pretty sure this was on one of his coilers

[@cherrycarves]

That was a brand new Coiler Contra 169 with a 12m sidecut radius and a 294mm waist. Extra stiff of course!

[@_AbUser]

Is it was filming by a drone? Looks awesome! I think Ryan should to refiml all his content that way.. )))

[@RyanKnapton]

Insta360 with the super super long pole. 😁

[@richierich4107]

The only problem I have with that posi -posi stand is always carving “with a hand to the snow”, even very experienced carvers do that.

[@uradumby25]

I'd be curious to know what board James is riding? Is he a set back directional board guy?

[@cherrycarves]

Directional absolutely but I generally ride my bindings all the way forward on my carving boards. That one is Coiler Contra 169, widest and stiffest softboot Contra made to date. There's no such thing as a quiver killer; if you buy an all mountain that's supposed to carve groomers, float in powder, and rip the park you end up with a board that's bad at everything. Directional carving specific boards for groomer days, pow specific boards for pow days and park boards for park days... In my boardroom today you would find six wide titanal softboot carving boards and two wide all mountains plus powder boards, rock boards, and a plethora of hard boots boards too. Boards are not that expensive compared to the rest of the kit, lift tickets and transportation costs, for example. One board is fine for beginners but advanced riders will want a small quiver; a directional cambered dedicated carver, a dedicated powder board, and a freestyle or back country setup at least! Different conditions and terrain call for different boards, different bindings, and different stances. IMHO.

[@uradumby25]

@@cherrycarves I appreciate your response. I'm getting back into snowboarding having ridden and skateboarded as a kid. Two seasons now on season rental boards, so I am hunting for the all mountain you mentioned above :( but it definitely sounds like a powder specific board and a park board are something I'll need to consider. There are so many options its hard to filter through everything. I do have a backcountry (splitboard) setup I purchased last season that I have been using, but still havn't pulled the trigger on a resort board

[@uradumby25]

*all around everyday resort board

[@Slopestarr]

Next year you come to Aspen with us….

[@brodiwheeler7583]

I 2nd this! 🤙🏼🏂👌🏼

[@epicbucketlist]

I am shocked to hear you found a mountain with challenging slopes, Mr. Knapton! :) Great tips from James on how to curve on steeper terrain; I wished I had known before my last trip to the West, where I encountered some interesting cliffs. I know you have tried Alpine Snowboards from your video (Re-learning how to Snowboard. (alpine equipment)). Why did you change your style?

[@franceiroca]

Just come to Europe ;-) Alps are wayyyyy Steeper 🤙🏼😉

[@epicbucketlist]

@@franceiroca Thanks for the tip. I have been to LAAX, and it was epic. Looking forward to taking another trip soon.

[@franceiroca]

@@epicbucketlist oh Laax is Nice very well known for the Open 👌🏼 Nice resort more Steep with huge off piste : Engelberg not very dar from there 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@epicbucketlist]

@@franceiroca I was there for the LAAX Open, and it was terrific. Will check Engelberg out. How are the snow conditions this year? I read that European ski resorts have a hard time due to the lack of snow.

[@elho001]

@@epicbucketlist Yeah, it's been quite warm around and after christmas. Austria was bad, did get a ton of snow last weekend, with reportedly lots of avalanches. France seems a mixed bag, had more snow earlier on, Val d'Isere/Tignes it's been way below freezing, so snow on piste isn't too bad (quite good given how the season was before) in most places, off-piste anything not firm is long blown away by strong winds. Trois Vallees, while just around the corner, I heard has worse snow in some parts.

[@JoeSmith-ru9xu]

The physics and asymmetrical body positions of heel vs toe carves really have limitations on how clean of a carve you can do on steep terrain. Has to be a super clean and open run as well. I noticed a bit of heel chatter on the looking up angle at the end of the video. That didn't look steeper than 30 degrees maybe? Specialized gear and stance for specific riding indeed.

[@cherrycarves]

Hey Joe. The steepest sections (from 5:06 forward) are about 30 degrees, and double fall line, soft snow and groomed narrow. Ok, a bit of chatter sure but I had to work really hard to keep it between the lines there. One more groomer pass and I could have made it look mellow...

[@ericperlcarves]

​@@cherrycarvesI hope there are wider trails on that mountain! Otherwise MCC won't be for me. I don't have a board that can handle such tight radius. I don't mind steep with the proper snow but I need some room... At least there aren't trees at the edge though.

[@cherrycarves]

@@ericperlcarves Turner is a steep mountain overall, but all the runs are wider than this one. It's a riot, such a great event!

[@puckoberto]

Did not like posi posi but going to try again. Tip on how to behave whit legs and body for posi posi would be nice? I

[@winterzahn]

narrow your stance for.forward.by at least 2 inches better 3. Tuck the knees together. Loosen the rear boot and bindings a bit, compared to front binding. Dont push your backleg out in turns, avoid pressing it out of the driving line, keep the back leg more passive. I ride both stances, duck and forward (forward.rarely). My Korua Cafe Racer video was done in forward.

[@NHlocal]

😲😲😲 That is some truly mind blowing stuff..... Thanks for sharing that Ryan and Qapla' ! 😃👍❤🏂

[@mennyus]

Hey Ryan, huge fan and long time follower. I just want to say I think you're being too self-effacing here. You're probably the best carver out there period; it's a completely different kettle of fish to be carving with both boots positive - you're talking about two different sports almost. Of course you know this, but I just wanted to reiterate it, because you're too humble for your own good here. I know plenty of people that rip on hard boots, or that can lay down the board with two forward facing feet, but what you're doing is completely unique. and if I may add a perhaps unpopular opinion here; euro carving and hand dragging every turn on steeps is kind of a cop-out. I know steeps and carving don't mix well (which is why snowboarding associations lean into short radius turns on steeps) but I'm not a huge fan of what James is doing here. There's plenty of chatter on that heel side too, despite what he said about duck stances.

[@lukeuseforce]

Anyone know what music this is near the end?

[@lukeuseforce]

ahhh, here it is. Thankyou Shazam kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSpZmOQd6qIY6c

[@TheBlackZionist]

🏂🏼 #ThatsMyDogg 🇦🇶

[@rewolfer]

Don't think I could ever convert to a forward angled back foot... Love me my switch

[@cherrycarves]

There is no "one stance to rule them all" Andrew. Carving stances on carving boards for groomer days, duck for pow, park and general freaking around.

[@rewolfer]

@@cherrycarves That's fair! adjust to match the conditions. I should try doing that. Although, thanks to Ryan I'm used to carving on both sides now :/

[@cherrycarves]

@@rewolfer Ha! Of course you are! Turns out anything is possible with switch carving: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6PEe2VmqpqeeJo

[@rewolfer]

@@cherrycarves So sick. Thanks for sharing! Where there's a will there's a way!

[@KarolisBlazevicius]

I did not like this (new?) angle "from above" 🤷. The (old?) "from behind" angles seem more natural. The "from below" angle was nice tho. Good tips from James, but I, myself, am duck-duck all the waaaay...! :) I wonder how the "level shoulder" tip transfers to heel side carves 🤔, those are much more difficult to master especially in steep terrain. Ryan, are you planing to make some trips to Japan, see/learn what carvers do on the other side of the Pacific?

[@KevinT3141]

On slopes that steep 'from above' is what you get when filmed from behind, lol.

[@DKR-1881]

I don’t quite understand James’ tips.

[@marcoparente1127]

🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝👋👋👋👋👍

[@T25de]

… I miss awful views… I’ve been stuck at my computer with amazing views… totally sucks!😅

[@msky9482]

To me, touching the snow with your arms is less clean looking.

[@user-py6zw4mu8e]

Get rid of that lens. Everything is too wide spectrum. Go back to normal.

[@denoki]

sorry, but alpine is so boring

[@rotorookie-4710]

So boring you had to watch the video...

[@denoki]

@@rotorookie-4710 I needed a confirmation

[@MinamiX3]

Self taught, still struggling but it's a work I'm progress! This is the bomber technique for g force style of riding right? Anyone doing the push pull/EC technique? Trying to wrap my head around the cross through edge transition I think I get it but I think I don't maybe over thinking it.. looking forward to seeing the other riders. James rips carves 🏂

[@elho001]

AIUI cross through is just a minor timing difference to cross under/down unweighted turns. One thing I know, is that the EC technique does not use the always open stance as recommended here, but open on heel side and closed/shoulders aligned with the board on the toe side. That said, I find Ryan's style of mixing "just" proper carving (exotic enough these days) with freestyle elements more interesting.