Snowboarding is an exhilarating sport enjoyed by millions worldwide (myself included). However, when you’re first starting out, you’ll come across a bunch of confusing terms. One question you might already have is what is freestyle snowboarding?
Freestyle snowboarding is a type of snowboarding that involves performing tricks and maneuvers. These includes spins, inverts, grabs and buttering. Freestyle snowboarders usually perform these in the terrain park, halfpipe or on natural features.
Continue reading for a more detailed breakdown. Is freestyle snowboarding the right choice for you? Let’s find out!
What Is Freestyle Snowboarding?
Now that we know what freestyle snowboarding is, let’s take a look at Mark McMorris and Seb Toots throwing down in the freestyle park.
This is some VERY advanced snowboarding, but it gives you an idea of freestyle at it’s finest!
Freestyle vs All-Mountain Snowboarding
A very common question – the simple answer is that a pure freestyle snowboarder is focused only on tricks and the terrain park.
An all-mountain snowboarder may love freestyle, but he’s just as likely to rip up the groomers or venture off-piste.
This distinction is made because freestyle snowboards tend to be quite soft flexing. This can make it difficult to hold an edge on icy runs. It’s also harder to keep the nose afloat in powder.
All-mountain boards get around this by being stiffer or having the bindings set further back on the board.
If you’re interested, I wrote a separate article on all-mountain snowboarding.
Should Beginner's Start Freestyle Snowboarding?
There are many different snowboarding riding styles to master. Each has varying difficulty levels and poses different degrees of risk.
As such, it’s vital that you don’t attempt a type of snowboarding beyond your skill level. So should beginners start out with freestyle snowboarding?
Beginners should not start with freestyle snowboarding initially. Freestyle snowboarding involves precise twists, turns, tricks and jumps. To attempt this, you should first be able to ride competently, balance well, and maneuver your snowboard effectively.
Most beginners should choose a soft to medium all-mountain board. These boards are versatile and easier to control initially.
Once you get the hang of snowboarding, you can move on to a freestyle board – and learning freestyle snowboarding.
What Type Of Board Is Best for Freestyle Snowboarding?
Now that we know what freestyle snowboard is, let’s figure out what gear you need.
A freestyle snowboard is best for freestyle snowboarding. Freestyle snowboards are specifically designed for easy maneuverability and performing tricks. These boards are smaller and more flexible, allowing riders to turn and move quickly.
The three most common types of snowboard are:
- Freeride boards
- Freestyle boards
- All-mountain boards
Each of these boards is tailored for different abilities and riding styles. For instance, freeride boards are designed for carving, while all-mountain boards are adaptable for most purposes.
You will also find a number of snowboards that are combinations of the three main varieties. As a result, you should easily find a snowboard that suits your frame and skillset. If you’re unsure on sizing, use our snowboarding size calculator.
Remember, as discussed in “how dangerous is snowboarding?” – some snowboards are too tricky for a beginner to control. Avoid these at all costs!
Some Of The Best Freestyle Boards
The Best Freestyle Snowboards Have:
- Twin tips
- A softer flex
- A super durable base
- Lots of pop!
Evo has some really great options.
Take a look and let me know if you have any questions.
Best Snowboarding Resorts For Freestyle Snowboarding?
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably now desperate to start freestyle snowboarding.
I wanted to jump on a snowboard before I even knew how to turn!
That said, to get started, you need to find a suitable resort. So, where are the best freestyle snowboarding resorts in the world?
Here are some of the best snowboarding resorts in the world for freestyle snowboarding:
- Chamonix, France
- Avoriaz
- Breckenridge
See below for some more information on these exceptional snowboarding resorts.
For much more information, check out the 13 Best Snowboard Resorts In The World
1. Chamonix, France
Chamonix is a legendary freestyle snowboarding resort. There are multiple big air jumps and a bunch of facilities for performing tricks. As a result, Chamonix was listed among the top snowboarding resorts on earth. Chamonix also offers runs of all abilities from beginners to professionals.
2. Avoriaz
Avoriaz is also based in France. The snowboard resort is often referred to as the snowboarding capital of Europe. Avoriaz is a great place to earn your snowboarding stripes. This resort has a reputation for transforming newbies into experts in just a short period of time.
3. Breckenridge
Breckenridge in Colorado is the venue of the first-ever freestyle snowboarding world championships. To this day, Breckenridge is home to some of the best freestyle snowboarding facilities in North America. The snowboarding resort also boasts a family-friendly atmosphere.
Read more about Breckenridge, Colorado here.
What Are The First Freestyle Snowboard Tricks I Should Learn?
This video is a handy guide to some of the first tricks you should learn.
Essentially, you need to master control of the snowboard, including presses and ollies. This is the gateway to the rest of the snowboard freestyle world!
Final Thoughts
So, what is freestyle snowboarding?
Freestyle snowboarding is any variety of snowboarding that involves tricks. Freestyle snowboarders fly through the air on pipes and perform huge jumps. This requires fast, controlled movements and precise adjustments.
As a result, freestyle riders use specialized snowboards adapted to turn effortlessly and reduce swing weight.
If you’re keen to start freestyle snowboarding, make sure you know how to work out if it’s frontside or backside and understand the concepts of rotation and counter-Rotation.
Happy riding!
2 comments
How many weeks of riding should i have done before starting freestyle?
hey Rory,
there’s no hard and fast rule
once you feel confident turning in each direction – you can experiment with surface spins, ollies and then small jumps.
There’s no rush, it’ll start to come naturally over time
Thanks,
Fraser