Level 5 – Safely going downhill
Level 5 focuses on evaluating your ability to control your speed and maneuver around people and obstacles, both toeside and heelside. Learn to control and balance. Also, learn and experience that by changing the snowboard’s direction, you can perform traverses and pendulums. Switch sides while snowboarding down the slope to reduce fatigue. The most important skill to master is to descend the slope with the utmost safety.
Side Slip – Stop
(Toeside / Heelside) Gentle slope
Learn to control your speed and stop as intended on both left and right sides.
Maintain the slip state and slide down the slope by distributing your weight between your left and right feet and adjusting the amount of lift on each foot. Practice to snowboard downhill at a safe speed and be able to stop at your own will. Develop both toeside and heelside control.
Snowboard Run Gentle slope
Safely descend the slope, avoiding people and obstacles.
You will be evaluated on your ability to control your speed, move in your desired direction, and stop safely using a traverse or pendulum based on the slip. You may start from either side, but you must switch sides at least once during the run. You can perform any method to switch sides.
Level 4 – Handling fall lines
In snowboarding, the fundamental technique is to utilize the fall line for momentum and force. Learn how to control your speed through changing the direction of your snowboard. On the contrary, also learn to go from the sideway state into the direction of the fall line. Being able to turn the snowboard towards the fall line and alternate toeside and heelside is the most versatile technique. Do not rush through the series of movements to switch sides.
Straight run – Stop
(toeside/heelside) Gentle slope
Demonstrate that you are able to stop at the intend spot on both directions.
Glide straight along the fall line and moving the snowboard to stop. From the straight run, you may stop either by turning right or left, but you will be evaluated on whether you can execute an intentional stop. You can start in with a method of your choice. Both toeside and heelside are acceptable.
Snowboard Run Gentle slope
Demonstrate that you are able to execute consecutive turns on both sides.
You will be evaluated on your ability to execute toeside and heelside turns consecutively. Make a series of turns to the desired spot, and stop. Variation in the size and rhythm of the turns is acceptable. We will evaluate your ability to switch sides, control the speed, and stop safely.
Level 3 – Controlling your rhythm
Turn at your intended timing. If you can control your movements on your snowboard, you can enjoy a safer and smoother ride. It is important to get your timing right and grasp the rhythm of your turns. In order visualize how far you will travel with every turn and where you will change sides, you should visualize the fall distance and width of every turn which make up the turn space.
Slip to Slip Gentle slope
Maintain a constant, fast rhythm, alternating sides with a controlled fall.
You will mainly be evaluated on you ability to control your rhythm. Perform a series of side changes in the same rhythm. Move the tail and lead the snowboard from the side slip to the fall line, then switch sides and go to the side slip again. In order to maintain a steady speed and rhythm, you need to pay attention to the rhythm of your runs. The timing of the movement, continuously adjusting positions to achieve this, and balancing the snowboard as it accelerates and decelerates should be well-timed in order to move the snowboard rhythmically. Do not move too far to the left or right in relation to the fall line, try to keep a compact turn space, glide in the same rhythm to the desired position, and stop safely.
Middle Turn Gentle slope
Maintain a steady rhythm and execute slide turns with an appropriate fall distance and width.
Adjust the toe/heelside fall distance and width and maintain a constant rhythm throughout your slide turns. If the timing of your movements is off, you may lose your balance during your slide turns. The goal in this skill is to keep the turn space constant. Visualize the series of movements, and count the rhythm of the movements and the time it takes for each turn in your head. Deploy turn spaces symmetrically from the starting point to the end point, and glide down to the end point with stable and fast slide turns, and stop safely.
Snowboard Run Gentle slope
Perform runs with intentional changes in rhythm.
You will be tested on your ability to deliberately change the rhythm of your run. It is important to use a gliding technique that allows others to see that you are changing the rhythm of your run intentionally. Distinctly demonstrate control of your rhythm and speed, and stop safely at the end point.
Level 2 – Learn to control your snowboard〜
Learn to control your snowboard in your desired direction and distance. In order to snowboard freely, you must learn to control your snowboard more precisely. Turns in Level 2 require a smooth turn arc, with no sudden changes in snowboard direction between changing sides. Points will be deducted for side slips that occur when you take too much slide range during the turn. Aim for harmony between the snowboard’s rotation and orbital rotation during the turn.
Slide turns Gentle to medium slope
Maintain a constant rhythm and perform a smooth slide turn with a consistent fall difference and width.
Maintain a consistent rhythm and execute a smooth turn arc. It is important to control the timing, direction and amount of movement of the snowboard. Sudden changes in the direction of the snowboard will affect the turn shape. Move your snowboard smoothly within the turn space you envision. The speed of the turn does not matter, but if the slide range is too large and the snowboard stops spinning during the turn, points will be deducted. The direction of the snowboard should change with the arc of the turn, aiming for harmony between rotation and revolution.
Short turns Gentle to medium slope
Maintain a steady rhythm and execute short turns with a smooth arc with an appropriate fall difference and width.
Like in the slide turn, perform a smooth turn arc. In a short turn, you must continue to move your snowboard within a small turn space. If you move your snowboard quickly, the change in direction will be very abrupt and the fall difference will not match the width. Execute the moves in a position that allows you to move your snowboard in a small turn space, glide in a steady and consistent rhythm, and stop safely.
Snowboard Run Gentle to medium slope
Free run with tricks and rhythm changes that do not disrupt the flow of the run.
You will be evaluated on your ability to move and control your snowboard. Perform tricks and control the rhythm while not interfering with the flow of the run, and perform at a stable speed and smooth running skills.
Level 1 – Techniques to utilize the material’s qualities
In order to enjoy snowboarding at a higher level, it is necessary to know the characteristics of each material and to have the skills to make the most of them. A snowboard has the ability to turn on its own, but it is important to know the shape of the equipment, its flexibility and repulsion, and its strength to get the most out of it.
Slide Turn Medium slope
Maintain a constant rhythm, and perform a middle turn with a smooth turn arc that has a well-defined drop and width, and a low deceleration factor.
Maintain a steady rhythm and control a series of smooth turns at high speed. The snowboard turns due to the friction created when the edges of the board cuts into the snow, and also allows for deceleration. It is necessary to be able to reduce the slide range in order to reduce the ability to decelerate while still generating the force to turn. Glide through the slide turn with a small slide range, smooth and evenly distributed turn space on both sides, and stop safely.
Short turns Medium slope
Maintain a constant rhythm, and execute short turns with a smooth arc of appropriate fall difference and width, with minimal deceleration.
To execute consecutive turns with minimal deceleration in a small turn space, it is important to be able to appropriately distribute between slide and hold within a single turn. If you are too focused on lifting the snowboard, it will be difficult to turn and you will end up losing control. Be aware of the slope conditions and aim to execute turns with as little deceleration as possible.
Snowboard Run Medium Slope
On any given slope, demonstrate your overall riding technique by utilizing the qualities of the equipment.
A snowboard has the ability to turn on its own. However, this alone is not enough to get the most out of a snowboard. It is important to understand the performance of the equipment and use it to its full potential. In the Level 1 free run, you will be judged on how well you utilize the features of the equipment and how well you ride the snowboard.