Soaring to New Heights: A Guide to Building and Nailing Your Snowboard Jump 

For snowboarders, there's nothing quite like the feeling of catching air and executing a perfect jump. Whether you're a beginner looking to conquer your first kicker or an experienced rider aiming to add style to your tricks, building and mastering a snowboard jump is an exhilarating progression in your snowboarding journey. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps of constructing a jump, understanding the mechanics of flight, and landing with finesse.

Choose a Suitable Location

Before you build your jump, it’s essential to select the right location. Look for a gentle slope with adequate snow coverage. Make sure the area is free of obstacles and hazards. Dedicated freestyle terrain parks are ideal for training, but a mellow backcountry area can also work well as long as it’s safe and has a smooth slope.

It’s important to ensure that the snow is firm enough for good takeoff but not too hard to cause injury. It may be best to either build your own kicker or use existing features in a park that are already set up. The right terrain guarantees a smooth launch and safe landing, reducing the risks of accidents.

Avoriaz - Portes du Soleil, France

Avoriaz, located in the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, is renowned for its top-tier freestyle terrain parks. The "La Chapelle Park" in Avoriaz is particularly popular, featuring a variety of jumps, rails, and boxes suitable for all skill levels. Freestyle riders flock to Avoriaz for its creative park design and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Mayrhofen - Zillertal Arena, Austria

Mayrhofen in the Austrian Alps is not only known for its picturesque village and diverse skiing terrain but also for its impressive Vans Penken Park. This terrain park caters to all skill levels and includes a superpipe, various kickers, and a wide range of jibs and rails. Mayrhofen’s commitment to freestyle culture makes it a favorite destination for snowboarders and skiers looking to hone their skills in a fun and dynamic environment.

Navigating the Jump

Approach with Confidence

One of the most important aspects of successfully executing a jump is your approach. As you get closer to the kicker, make sure your stance is balanced. Keep your knees slightly bent and distribute your weight evenly across both feet. A stable, relaxed posture will help you anticipate the movements needed to take off smoothly.

As you approach the jump, try to avoid leaning too far forward or backward. A rigid or unbalanced stance can throw off your trajectory and make landing much harder. Your gaze should be fixed ahead, toward the landing zone, so you can better assess the jump and prepare for a controlled takeoff.

Generate Pop

“Pop” refers to the force that propels you into the air when you reach the lip of the jump. To generate this pop, use your legs to “push” off as you hit the edge of the jump. Once you’re at the lip, extend your legs sharply to create the force that will lift you off the takeoff ramp.

It’s also important to engage your core during this movement. This helps maintain control of your board as you leave the kicker and ensures that your body stays centered while you're airborne.

Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Once you're in the air, keeping your eyes focused on the landing zone is crucial. It helps you maintain balance and gives you the ability to anticipate the trajectory of your jump. Looking down or to the sides while airborne can throw off your stability and make landing more difficult. Keeping your gaze on the landing area will help you adjust your body position and make for a smoother descent.

Landing with Style

Prepare for Landing

As you descend from the jump, start preparing for landing. Bring your knees up slightly, and keep your body aligned with your snowboard. Aligning your body with your board helps ensure that you land cleanly without losing balance.

Landing too stiff or in an incorrect position can cause the impact to be much harder. By preparing your body to land correctly, you reduce the risk of injuries and increase your chances of landing with style.

Bend Your Knees Upon Landing

When you land, absorb the impact by bending your knees. This helps to cushion the landing and maintain stability. A rigid landing without bending your knees can result in a bounce or loss of control, leading to potential falls or injuries.

Absorbing the shock through your knees reduces strain on your joints and keeps your body aligned with the board. This guarantees a smoother and more controlled landing, ensuring a seamless transition as you continue riding.

Building and Nailing a Snowboard Jump

Building and mastering a snowboard jump is a thrilling experience that adds a whole new dimension to your snowboarding repertoire. Whether you’re constructing your own kicker or utilizing those in a terrain park, the key is to approach each jump with patience, practice, and a commitment to safety.

Take the time to learn the mechanics of takeoff and landing, and focus on improving your technique. Most importantly, practice regularly. With dedication, you’ll add increasingly stylish jumps to your repertoire and be able to execute tricks smoothly and with full control.

So, grab your snowboard, find a good spot, and start soaring to new heights— the world of snowboard jumps is waiting for you!