Guide to Freestyle Skiing & Snowboarding

So you can cruise red runs and shred black runs in your sleep? Take it to the next level with on-piste pops and blink-and-you'll-miss-it jumps. It's the best way to prepare to get some air.

Freestyle is the essence of modern skiing and snowboarding. Getting air, pulling tricks and generally pushing the boundaries of sliding downhill is what has brought a new synergy to the two squabbling snowsports. Fun is the name of the game, whether on one plank or two, so let's play with gravity and learn to fly.

I wasn't even aware I was doing my very first jump until I was in the air. There I was riding gently over some bumpy terrain, when suddenly I was catapulted what felt like metres in the air. In fact, it was more like a couple of centimetres, but when you're in the air it doesn't matter how high you are, as long as you're in it.

The chances are your first jump will be off something similar - hitting a bump, building your own ramp, even hopping ollies on the flats - it's all legitimate jumping and perfect practice to get you going.

Once you've played about by skiing or riding over simple jumps like this, you can move on to the bigger stuff (yep, the stuff that will probably get you noticed).

Find something with a two to four foot drop and a clean landing. It should have a nice, steep landing and a clear, obstacle free run-out zone.

On a snowboard, finish your turns so that you hit the jump straight with barely enough speed to catch some air. Begin low and compressed with your weight centred over your board, your head up and your arms out in front of you for balance. Just before you take-off, flatten the board. Now you can either ride straight over it or, for a bit more fl air, pull both knees up to level out the board once you clear the lip.

Look at the landing to stop you wobbling and reach for it with your legs. Don't wait for the ground to come to you - extend your legs and go to it. This will give you more time to absorb the landing with your knees.

Absorb the impact by bending deep at your knees and touch down quietly. Build up to larger jumps by springing higher in the air off the small stuff (stay really compressed before the jump, then pop upwards as you leave the lip).

On skis, the idea is much the same. The key is to keep perfect balance, making sure you're not too far forwards or backwards. Approach the jump straight on and compressed. As you reach the lip, push up off your legs and totally stretch out. Again, land by absorbing the impact and compressing low again.

In a spin

Ready to add a few style tricks? OK, skiers try the twist - keeping your head in the same direction, rotate your skis 90°. When you can do it in one direction, try the other side. Then progress to doing a twist to the left and the right in the same jump - the twister.

Boarders, try a tuck or sidekick. To do a sidekick, pretend you are kicking yourself in the backside with your board when you jump. For a tuck, do the opposite and pull your knees towards your chest. Once you get the hang of them, add a grab - just reach down and grab your board with your hand in the air. The closer you pull your board towards you, the easier it is.

Knowing how to jump can give your overall riding technique a huge boost. Air awareness gives you the confidence to charge down hills, cut across bumps and launch off lips. If a bump catches you out, think like a cat and always land on your feet.


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