Teaching a Beginner Snowboarder to Stop Catching an Edge

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In this video I met Allen when was a beginner snowboarder and having trouble with catching his heel edge. I did a lap with him and gave him a few tips to do better beginner snowboard turns and avoid catching his heel edge.

[@Bad_Riders]

Not gonna lie, i read the title as “teaching a beginner to catch an edge” and I thought “dang, kev is a savage!” 😅

[@ellstackeradventures]

Yoo

[@SnowboardProCamp]

😂

[@naloncorona4656]

I read it like that too 😂

[@Shred1904]

LOL

[@chuck__van]

A good high speed heel edge catcher is an effective teacher though...

[@m4nu507]

One of the best tips that helped me stop catching edges was to make sure the snowboard is pointing in the direction you are moving before changing edges. Sometimes we try to change edge too early while skidding and thats a guarantees edge catch.

[@-long-]

nice tip, thank you!.

[@XYZ-nz5gm]

This. The KZbinr didn’t really explain how to avoid catching an edge

[@reverplusgrand]

Thank you for this. Makes a lot of sense. Going to try it tomorrow :)

[@markthompson1796]

Really cool to see someones progression like this. Having an encouraging teacher makes all the difference.

[@jakenewman2135]

WHAAT first day?! Dude that insane for first day. I wasn’t even touching my toe side first day lmao

[@Mystique1633]

It’s so nice to see a beginner enjoying his snowboard learning journey! Just positive vibes and improving on his snowboarding.

[@wesleylachance1555]

i like watching these to help others learn. im a pretty experienced snowboarder myself, but teaching others how is an art unto itself. great stuff. thanks!

[@ellstackeradventures]

Yeww

[@Kodlak15]

I feel the same. I’ve been trying to teach my girlfriend how to snowboard for a while. It’s hard and can be quite frustrating. I have been snowboarding for about 15 years and am very comfortable on a snowboard, but it isn’t always easy for me to articulate exactly what I’m doing as it’s something I just do naturally at this point.

[@eljomy]

tried snowboarding for the first time yesterday after watching a lot of vidoes and i did way better than expected! will definitely want to learn more! also i did not fall once on and off the lift and i did fasten my bindings standing up! so proud of myself. these vidoes have been so helpful!!

[@jakenorris3878]

Hoping this can be me in two weeks

[@mattdoa2]

I feel this from teaching new people. They move on from the basics too fast without nailing the correct technique. Then they're self-conscious and very resistant to slowing down and working on it. Literally exactly^ like this vid.

[@Chinahat242]

I'm about to go snowboarding for the first time in 20 years, and these videos really help with trying to pick up some tips

[@ralexking]

I just went just after 20 years and I fell every 20ft lmao. It was amazing though a great workout and super fun!

[@Ilahya]

Dude if this is a beginner I have so much work to do 😅 I had my second ever lesson today, second time on a board. Afterwards a couple hours to basically f around and find out. I caught my heel edge and bodyslammed the icy snow twice, was very grateful for my helmet for a good bit and there was an overwhelming sensation of not being in control. Needless to say, I spent the day on a bunny slope!

[@RenatoRoeder-zq1tr]

I feel like his boots and/or bindings maybe were not tight enough, hence why he had trouble on the toe edge. The board was just not lifting. Great stuff as always :D

[@MeepMeep88]

Lol yea.. Once he gets those tightened I'm sure he'll get even better instantly lol.

[@nelsonthekinger]

See that this guy really puts pressure on the front footand uses that to turn beautiful to see as this looks very academic. Guys that are very good it doesn't seem like they put more pressure on the front foot, even if they to. I just did my first snowboard day today. It was marvelous a new fan right here

[@steinerair71]

Great job Alan! I just shared this video to my buddy who’s getting ready for his first ‘big’ day. Nice job!

[@tidepods2004]

I like these videos You get a laugh at stuff you used to also do while learning and feel wholesome afterwards that someone gave another person a ltr session

[@wildcoolorange]

that is very sweet of u to help beginners!!

[@ryangallagher5853]

I'm just starting, haven't been on a board yet but got myself on and will be booking lessons soon, super excited

[@jhendra83]

Northstar has become my favorite mtn at Tahoe. Great green runs and the view from up there is breathtaking!!

[@lucaingenito-lumacons4you118]

@Kevin: I found you online 5 years ago while I was looking for snowboard tips… it was my 1st time trying to snowboard for my birthday and got a bad teacher on the slope but I was too fascinated by this sport… and I found some of your 1st videos for beginners and kept going. If I fell in love for snowboarding it is thanks to you and your simple but great videos full of passion… 5 years passed since then and this year I was able to go back to the mountains… but this time I found 1st a good trainer in the city where I live (Warsaw, Poland) and trained some basics on a small artificial slope in the city and went to the mountains with the mission and dream I finally achieved for my birthday… buying my 1st snowboard desk and seriously train myself 😊 Now I am preparing myself for some more serious slope here in Poland and my new goal is to be able to go for snowboarding in my country lovely mountain chains: the Italian Alps! Keep going with your great videos, I will keep following you hoping to meet you one day for a shared ride somewhere 😊

[@Shred1904]

What are your favourite places to ride in Poland?

[@lucaingenito-lumacons4you118]

@@Shred1904 at the moment, since I was and still am a beginner I started in Zakopane area cause there are small slopes to practice and gain confidence. At the beginning of March I am planning to go to Jaworzyna Krynicka that has nice and serious blue and red slopes so that I can start having some real fun! I have now 2 months to practice in Warsaw on this artificial small slope.

[@Shred1904]

@@lucaingenito-lumacons4you118 awesome! Let us know how you are progressing. It only gets more fun!

[@lucaingenito-lumacons4you118]

@@Shred1904 I will!

[@rappy90]

That's awesome of you to take time out of your trip to show someone that stuff. Something I noticed is that it looked like his high-backs were pointing straight up, not sure if its helpful for a beginner to angle those forward a tad since it almost forces them to keep their knees bent when committing to turns.

[@M78745]

I watched a bunch of your snowboarding beginner videos and I just went for my third time snowboarding and went all the way to the top and actually knew how to stop lol 😂.

[@forresttorix4747]

Dude, love the way you do your videos!

[@matthewluhrsen2509]

That’s awesome you time out of your own run to help a beginner.

[@Daniel_BDB]

3rd time coming down and he's doing great. I'm very impressed

[@J155P]

Never been on a run that long. Seems nice.

[@MarritzzaRamos]

This takes me back! Learning how to stop with my toes was the hardest for me. LMAO

[@nelsonthekinger]

What a great video! Exactly what I needed. You do great comments!! I'll take some tips from here!!

[@brettnbeckvalleyvan]

Great video thank you 🙏🏻, love, peace and good energy from south Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Craggyo]

I’m at a similar place as this guy. Just had that toe edge fall. This really helped.

[@carsonjewett3349]

I think these vids are absolutely great for the majority of viewers for sure

[@atdb209Ye]

i can tell you are a great teacher!

[@lawsononlocation4071]

He doing far better than I did on day one. Next trip and attempt coming soon

[@arsku.4498]

Had my first runs of this season today with my new setup (my first full season, started last spring) i hope i'd be able to learn a bit of freestyle this season

[@jogalong]

After 4 years skiing on skis, I finally took a snowboard. Never going flat would be my tip #1, it prevents you from unintended spins resulting in an edge catch. Slightly carving even when going straight saved my ass a ton of times.

[@SnowboardProCamp]

That’s such a common way to follow when beginning in snowboarding. Staying on an edge definitely helps!

[@gergananikolovagery5058]

Nice progress! I think his bindings were a little off tho. His calves were far from the bindings when he's on the toe edge. I think, that's also a reason why the toe edge turns were more difficult for him.

[@scratastic1]

I immediately noticed that as well, would be my first action to get those bindings tighter. But it shows his talent being still able to make turns this way.

[@scotthaskins1264]

Really nice guy. Good teacher. BZ brother

[@WaffleShortage]

man... these trails look so chill. i've been trying to board at Loveland, and the greens are sketchy compared to this lol. they are all like crazy dual incline and narrow and twisty other than right at the top in the bowls... which are quite a lot steeper than this

[@thicccatto6439]

Just to put it out there, on camera hills look waaay more mellow than they are irl, i film some clips of me and my friends snwoboarding, and when you look at the video, it's crazy how different it is than real life

[@thicccatto6439]

But i gotta agree that the trails in the vid seem real nice and chill lol

[@cameronkoblitz4248]

@@thicccatto6439 Agreed. Even riding up the lift in person the hills look way easier than when you're looking down them.

[@travissk5036]

You are a great man for that.

[@ayechapin1]

Awesome job helping that kid out

[@lucamidorikawa8629]

Dudeee Kevin you need to come to Tromsø for a snowboarding trip you’re gonna love this shit

[@katieberry2907]

I’m praying that I run into someone like you when I’m in Park City at the end of February! I can make it down the mountain but I can’t carve and have trouble on my toe edge. My boyfriend taught me almost 4 years ago at age 40 and is so mad and frustrated that I am not able to just get it. It’s honestly taking all the fun out of it for me. I get where he’s coming from I guess but it’s not like I’m not trying!

[@GurilyaWalk]

Lucky dude! Free in-person lessons! \m/

[@MrCarboxylate]

Had my second day snowboarding today, faced the same problem. I managed to make myself slow down more on the toe edge, but it still doesn't feel as natural. I'll need to polish it more on other runs.

[@laurathomas6745]

Thanks!

[@dreamlikediana]

Been practicing at Big Snow, I don't live close by but I went religiously, once a week, all of April, once in may, twice in June. Made a lot of progress, but still have problems with catching edges while on my toes. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong tbh with you. The last time I went I went when the people I know weren't working (took my dad up for Father's day so he can get some ski time in & experience it before he goes back to Poland) so I had no one to ask what did I do wrong. But I caught an edge (I'm already at the top not the beginner slope side anymore, not sure if you've been yet or not) and while I caught an edge g force & gravity knocks me back and I start tumbling backwards down the slope with my board attached. Snow went into my eyes, and I had to claw my fingers into the snow just to stop tumbling down. I really need to stop catching edges. Snowboarding is one of those things where I can watch videos all day, but unless I have someone pointing out what I did wrong and what I need to do instead, I won't learn a thing. I still watch to keep it in mind though. I bought my own board in June, so I'm still getting used to it too, I'm not riding on a rental anymore. The people who work there picked out the Burton Custom Smalls 2023 for me, and this last time was my 2nd ride on it. It was a bit of a learning curve difference compared to what I've been learning on up until now. But I really like it, I just really want to get better at S turns, and not catch anymore edges.

[@neoroxx]

he's having fun, that's the most important thing

[@ActionXander]

Kev definitely helped but nothing beats the pressure to succeed when the camera is rolling 🤣

[@everettozmun7750]

I teach snowboard lessons and holy crap! That kid caught on quick!

[@ellstackeradventures]

What a nice guy

[@felixarnalarino4954]

Hi, nice work, nice tips, I think also that he could give more angle to the hihgbacks. thanks for your videos.

[@SnowboardProCamp]

Good point!

[@puiumcristian]

You motivate me go to hit the slopes so badd

[@jeanmichel2642]

I discover the benches at the top of the slope. we don't have them in France.

[@chuck__van]

Good deed for the day.

[@AmbiguousArtist]

Damn, his 3rd run ever he looked really good. I'd say I only looked a little better than that my 3rd time going but that's because I watched a lot of your videos and it changed my life 😁

[@ellstackeradventures]

Let's gooooo

[@laprepper]

Heel side stand up more straight and lean back a bit, toe side bend the knees a touch so your knees are over your toes. Use your leg and body position to create forces on your toe and heels using the bindings. He was riding waaaay too flat in heel or toe configuration

[@steven.watson]

It took me a day and a half to link my turns like that. He was genuinely killing it.

[@bebelei245]

So good man - I wish you could give us some tips!

[@SnowboardProCamp]

What’s your home mountian?

[@bebelei245]

@@SnowboardProCamp - My man. I live in Macau so no snow here but I’m going to Sapporo soon! Where are you at? Thank you for asking!!!

[@Nikolai508]

I'm struggling to get the basic turns. I'm not too bad at toe edge to heel edge, but from heel edge to toe I keep trying to lean into toe before I'm straight and catching the edge and falling. Even though I know what I'm doing wrong for some reason it doesn't help me when I actually come to do it. I need more practice than I can afford haha

[@chriscasale6544]

I’m a new rider. Been on a mountain 2 times in 15 years. My hardest thing I’m trying to learn is not catching an edge when trying to transition from toe turn to heel turn when carving. Let’s see if this helps!

[@ghost0861]

Same here bro . I always catch the heel edge lol

[@WaterfallWhispering]

Good lord I was nervous watching him lol…but pretty solid for his 1st day!

[@kattjv9803]

Woo!

[@snowboard_clips]

You should come to Kirkwood

[@RogueyPerogey]

I started snowboarding this year and I've been having issues with my heels more then my toes and every video I've came across is that the toe edge is the hardest. I've started to think it may just be the fear of falling backwards so I've only trusted my toe edge. Any tips on how to get over that fear or do I just need to send it and keep trying until I get confident?

[@schellshocked751]

Yo samee. Toe edge feels so natural to me but heel edge damn. I dont have security when going heel edge that much especially if im switching edges. If im on my dominant leg in the front heel side is okay-ish but as soon as i go with my left foot hill down the ability to use heel edge just leaves. Have you figured it out? Is it just the fear holding me back to fully put weight on my heels?

[@EvilSt0ner]

Just look at the angle between the board and the snow of the guy learning and then look at the guy teaching. To small of an angle you catch an edge, to big of an angle the board slips out from underneath you. If you want to use the skiing pizza model. You should be able to fit a pizza slice vertically between your board and the ground. Hope this helps.

[@AmyStoneYT]

7:07 THIS! Dang! I wish I saw this video last week. Maybe I would not have caught my heel edge and busted my wrist.

[@OTOWNGOLF]

Great lesson! I’m 50 years old and literally dying to snowboard. I can skateboard and also have a onewheel, you think I’d catch on pretty quick? Thanks and love the channel. Rich Z

[@robpalmer3919]

yes lots of cross over eso when basics covered

[@FatCrashTestDummy]

Same young age as me. I have been snowboarding for 5 years now. Everyone I know with skateboarding experience had no problem with snowboard. You‘ll be ripping it up in no time 🤙🤙

[@444number8]

hes shoes and straps ok ? its looking so lose, hes bending legs but no movement in board

[@jakebeau2790]

Is Tahoe home base now for you? I hope I see you at Northstar!

[@gregoryh4601]

Sir is Snowboarding a little like Slalom Skiing? Thanks

[@vinnyg5722]

Really helpfull video. Whenever I'm stopping or turinging on my heel edge, I always end up accidentally switching to my non dominant foot. Are there any really helpfull tips to stop it?

[@Poleeze1]

I’m no pro or anything myself, still learning. But it seems like you’re catching the breaks on the dominant foot during your turn and releasing the breaks for too long on the non dominant foot.

[@MisterBlondie]

Yo is this Sunrise Ski Resort in az?

[@turdgleybirdd5804]

WOW ALLEN! Wow Kev too 🤭🤭🤭 soups awesome vid yo. Wow allen is mad lucky no cap. He went from level 100 sus to level 1000 Rizz 😅 Wow Kev, as if I had you as a teacher! 😩😩😩🧐🧐😛😘😘

[@wastemylife259]

I’m a beginner and can really only ride on my toe edge it’s the opposite for me eney tips getting comfortable on the heel ?

[@bryanmai5139]

It took me several days to even go on toe side but he was doing great

[@BoarderMike]

Still (faceplant101)😢

[@BoarderMike]

Should have it down in less than 1hr. Use a different technique.

[@jimmy77clark]

Hi Kevin, where are you in this run?

[@meganalmeida6446]

Where are u located ? And do u do private lessons ? I’m from Vancouver bc & tried snowboarding for the first time yesterday and fell every 10 ft; I don’t have any friends or family that do winter sports and am trying my best but having a hard time

[@bobyplayzyt]

I am having the same problem like him just on heelside instead of toeside

[@ellismosquera9128]

I applied this when I went to keystone my second time going and it helped so much. What resort is this btw?

[@inmotion_snow]

this is northstar

[@shimmyshimmyyay235]

this looks a lot easier when i dont have my brother yelling "LEAN ON YOUR TOESSSSSSS 👺👺"

[@its.me_angie]

Are you still in Northstar. We will probably be there tomorrow.

[@alkitriaw]

I caught my heel edge so badly today, I sprained my arm, arm muscles and am in a lot of pain currently. I feel really down and disheartened. It's only my second season so I should still be patient with myself but I just feel like no matter how hard I try, I can't get the heel edge right ):

[@ukukohkoh3300]

veri goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

[@AguilarTangFamily]

Do you teach at Northstar?

[@rachellai7952]

Are you always at Northstar in Tahoe??

[@Ana-qo7rc]

Hi, where is this?

[@VinnytotheK]

This is basically me riding switch 😬

[@marianoalberto3358]

Hey Kevin, have you felt any pressure points on your ankle snowboarding with the Hi Standard Pros? I am thinking of getting a pair but almost all the Vans boots I have looked at have reviews that say they experience pain on the inner ankle, so I was wondering how that was for you

[@Advrsty]

Where is this? I need to go

[@SnowboardProCamp]

This is at Northstar Tahoe

[@JacobCox-en3nt]

It’s my 7 th day and I still can’t do toe side very well I’m a pro on my heal side tho

[@THUNDER52]

This topic is my worst nightmare AND how I broke my arm the 2nd time (wasn’t user error ironically).

[@firehead1221]

I think he'd do better toe side if his bindings were adjusted properly. There's a huge gap between his calf and binding which may be the biggest reason to why he keeps catching his edge.

[@SnowboardProCamp]

His boots were getting pretty loose toward the end

[@42laar]

Could you ask people to submit videos of themselves riding and then you make videos commenting on their snowboarding skills and giving suggestions on improvements? I would totally submit videos!!

[@reginag3326]

This dude is definitely not a beginner snowboarder.... I AM.... >.

[@joshyboy04]

my brother taught me how to snowboard by sending me down a black diamond

[@jeffeyx]

I went snowboarding yesterday and I was able to control heal side but not toe side. I was told not to use my front foot for the heal side. Is that true?

[@bukchoiii]

Probably too much weight back foot. It's now most beginners ride. Aim for 60% front foot. And keep shoulders over board, don't counter rotate to turn. Look up snowboard Addiction riding postures.

[@RichardMBugay]

Your front foot should initiate your turns whether you are going from heel edge to toe edge or vice versa. It should be a lead follow relationship between your feet. Your front foot goes first and your back foot follows. Happy shredding!!

[@jeffeyx]

Okay. It seems like when going toe side to turn I always catch an edge. I watched multiple videos and still don’t get it. I’m flat going straight

[@benjaminandre9897]

My lesson for everyone- go out there you nerds.

[@jinyuanfeng5230]

which mountain is this?

[@inmotion_snow]

northstar california

[@JDawgBuilds]

I'm no expert, but by seeing this I would have him go down straight then completely stop heel. Then go down straight and completely stop toe. Until he understands that, then after he'll know how to scrub speed controlled enough to do the 1,2,3 turn 1,2,3, turn.

[@mattdoa2]

This is exactly what Kev was instructing old mate to do but he kept resisting or ignoring the instruction like "no, but I've got that and I'm doing it. You saw those sick turns right".

[@evanshinn337]

His binding straps need to be tightened, I noticed the tongues were fed all the way through the buckles

[@LLawlietKris8]

where is this?

[@inmotion_snow]

northstar california

[@Masteur043]

backfoot binding does not seem to be tight enough, I can see his hiback might need to be pushed forward some.