Keeping Mad Skills Sharp If you’re like me you tend to stay clear of terrain parks, rails, boxes, up downs, table tops, counter tops, desk tops, and the like. And, if you’re like me, you don’t know what half those things are but you appreciate and are amazed by what others can do on them. I mostly stay away because I don’t know what to do with them, could be because I haven’t been to Woodward at Copper.
Woodward at Copper is not your basic ski school…guests participating must already have an intermediate to advanced level of skiing or riding under their belt to participate in most of the programs. Woodward at Copper is for the intermediate to advanced (and higher) skiers or riders. If you are reading this and thinking “I don’t think Woodward at Copper is for me,” you are 100% wrong. The coaches at Woodward at Copper can help you progress at the speed that each person requires. The biggest thing is that Woodward at Copper is a blast – everyone will more than likely have a great time!
The other unique thing about Woodward, is they offer summer camps for all sorts of disciplines; snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, and cheerleading. (Maybe well see Cheerleading X someday?)
Earlier this winter we tapped one of the coaches from Woodward at Copper, Phoebe Mills, to give us some basic Woodward advice for on terrain park curriculum that you might be able to tap into this summer. So without further adieu, Id like to introduce Woodward at Copper coach, Phoebe Mills.
Riding the half-pipe on a snowboard
It is a good idea to warm up before riding the Half Pipe. Take some free runs to warm up your legs and to get used to the snow conditions.
Dropping In:
Dropping in is a crucial first step in successful Half Pipe riding.
* Pick a side to drop in from. Most people like to drop in to their front side wall from their backside wall. Goofy footers (from right wall to left wall) Regular footers (from left wall to right wall).
* Call your drop so that others know that you are entering the pipe. Call out Dropping!
* Ride down the drop in ramp parallel to the pipe wall and roll over the lip approaching the opposite wall at roughly a 45 degree angle.
* Go slow. Pump the walls to generate speed.
Riding the Walls:
* Ride up the wall, unweight your edge, hop or ollie 180 degrees.
* The release of your edge at the apex of the turn is crucial. This will lead to some drift down the pipe. This is a good way to generate speed.
* When you feel more confident allow more speed and higher ollies or airs.
* Grab your board when you are above the lip of the pipe. This helps to stay on balance in while in the air.
Pull a grab off a kicker:
Make sure that you are comfortable with the jump. You should be clearing the jump (landing in the landing transition not in the flats or on the knuckle), and you should feel on balance in the air.
* Approach the jump with enough speed to clear it.
* Your board or skis should be mostly flat on the snow (some edge pressure for balance is ok).
* Approach the lip of the Jump and pop off your tail or ollie.
* Bring your knees up and compress you upper body (hands/shoulders) down to achieve a nice balanced position in the air.
* Your hands should be relatively close to your board or skis. Reach down and grab the board or skis.
* Add a little tweak. Extend one leg while holding the grab.
* Release the grab and extend your legs for landing
* Ride away and look for bigger jumps to clear.
Some Grabs:
* Mute: Front hand grabs Toe Edge of Board
* Front Side: Back hand grabs Toe Edge of Board (Called Indy on Backside walls or spins)
* Method: Front hand grabs Heel Edge of Board
* Stale Fish: Back hand grabs Heel Edge of Board
* Tail Grab: Back hand grabs Tail of Board
* Nose Grab: Front hand grabs Nose of Board
* Japan: Like a mute grab, but tweaked by bending your front leg and tucking knee
Ride a rail (on skis):
It is a good idea to warm up before skiing in the Park. Take some free runs to warm up your legs and to get used to the snow conditions.
* Approach the Rail or Box directly in the center of the on ramp parallel with the feature.
* Let your skis run straight at the feature. Last minute turns or checks lead to trouble.
* Pop or Hop off the lip and turn your skis 90degrees.
* Widen your stance to slightly wider than shoulder width and set your skis down on the feature.
* Make sure that your skis are flat on the feature and you are balanced directly on top of them.
* Bend your knees to lower your center of gravity. This will help you to balance on the feature.
* As you reach the end of the feature prepare your self to hop off, turn 90 degrees (back to facing down hill), land, and ride away.
Ride a rail (on snowboard):
It is a good idea to warm up before skiing in the Park. Take some free runs to warm up your legs and to get used to the snow conditions.
* Approach the Rail or Box directly in the center of the on ramp parallel with the feature.
* Let your snowboard run straight at the feature. Last minute turns or checks lead to trouble.
* Pop or Hop off the lip and either ride straight onto the feature (50-50) or turn your board 90 degrees (boardslide).
* Make sure that your snowboard is flat on the feature and you are balanced directly on top of it.
* Bend your knees to lower your center of gravity. This will help you to balance on the feature.
* As you reach the end of the feature prepare your self to hop off, and either ride straight off from a 50-50 or if youre doing a boardslide turn 90 degrees (back to facing down hill), land, and ride away.
