Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or enthusiastic newbie, knowing the basic snowboarding rules is key.
Naturally, every resort or competition will have its own rules to familiarize yourself with before getting started, but the basics overlap from place to place.
To help, I’ve put together a guide to snowboarding rules. This’llensure you’re compliant every time you get shreddin’.
So strap into your board, and let’s get into it!
The Snowboarding Commandments
There are certain shared rules we must abide by in order to shred in peace…
1. Thou Shalt Respect the Mountain
The mountain is both your playground and your challenger. Approach it with humility and gratitude, recognizing its power and beauty.
2. Honor Thy Fellow Snowboarders (and Skiers)
The slopes are a shared space. Extend courtesy, offer assistance, and celebrate each other’s achievements, whether big or small.
3. Thou Shalt Not Covet Another’s Line
Everyone has their own path down the slope. Don’t cut off or snake someone else’s line, especially in the powder.
4. Keep Thy Gear Holy
Your equipment is your partner on the mountain. Treat it well: maintain it, clean it, and understand its intricacies. An unwaxed snowboard is sacrilege.
5. Thou Shalt Have No Friends On A Powder Day
While camaraderie is key on most days, when the mountain is blessed by fresh powder, it’s every rider for themselves!
6. Dress Righteously
Your attire is both about expression and protection. Dress for the conditions, and always wear safety gear, especially a helmet.
Incidentally, these art thy best snowboard clothing brands.
7. Honor the Signs and Warnings
Safety signs and markers are there for a reason. Respect trail boundaries, understand difficulty ratings, and stay alert.
8. Thou Shalt Not Venture Beyond Thy Skill Level
While pushing limits is encouraged, recklessness is not. Know your skill level, and gradually build up to more challenging runs.
9. Thou Shalt Educate Thyself
Whether it’s understanding snow conditions, learning about avalanche safety, or mastering a new trick, always be eager to learn and grow.
10. Thou Shalt Spread the Stoke
Be an ambassador for the sport. Encourage beginners, share your stories, and always remember the shared love for the thrill of the ride.
The Basic Snowboarding Rules
Okay okay, I’ll talk normally now!
Obviously the above was slightly tongue in cheek, but there genuinely are some pointers to consider when hitting the slopes.
Whether you’re competing at a professional or amateur level or simply hitting the slopes at your nearby resort or snowboarding area, you’ll need to keep these rules in mind to ensure you’re playing fair.
Respect The Signs
We know, we know, there’s intrigue to that ‘do not enter’ sign. But the chances are, it’s there for a reason, and that reason might be that the area beyond the sign is incredibly dangerous.
Likewise, if there’s a sign advising you to slow down on the slopes, do so for the sake of you and your fellow shredders. While you might feel cool ridin’ down the slopes at top speed in a slow zone, everyone else will think you’re an idiot!
Passing etiquette
While everybody on the slopes should be considerate of one another, it’s the responsibility of the person trying to pass to get past other snowboarders safely. This means that sometimes, you might have to slow down to find a better place to cross the person below you.
Bear in mind that you can see them, but they can’t see you, so it’s your job to prevent a collision.
Likewise, if you’re the person below, make sure you don’t stop suddenly right in front of other people. Doing so is a surefire way to a collision.
Instead, check that there’s nobody directly behind you before you stop, and avoid stopping on a blind corner or on the other side of a jump or lip where those behind you will struggle to see you.
No Stopping in the Middle of a Slope!
It can be tempting to stop to catch your breath or admire the view. However, stopping in the middle of a trail, especially in a blind spot like just after a bend, can be dangerous. If you need to stop, move to the side of the run!
Terrain Park Snowboarding Rules
Terrain parks come with their own etiquette and safety standards. Principally, respect both the constructed features and your fellow riders.
Always take a moment to familiarize yourself with the park layout and each feature.
Queue politely, wait your turn, and promptly clear the landing zones to prevent collisions and misunderstandings.
And while ambition is admirable, always respect the signs; they guide your progression, ensuring you tackle obstacles that align with your skill level.
Equipment Rules
Every competition will have its own set of rules, but equipment usually consists of bindings, boots, goggles, and helmets. In general, all riders must wear a helmet, but the use of goggles isn’t mandated.
Likewise, the characteristics of the snowboard you use may be mandated by thecompetition, so search for details before accidentally turning up with the wrong style of board!
A Note On Snowboard Leashes
A snowboard leash, though often overlooked, is a safety device favored by a couple of particularly old-fashioned resorts. Basically, snowboard leashes are designed to prevent runaway boards.
Most snowboarders manage perfectly well without one, but if you’re a beginner or are particularly accident prone – it might be a worthy investment.
>> Learn more about snowboard leashes.
Stop Within Your Limits
Get your stopping abilities down before you start riding too fast. Unlike skateboarding, you can’t simply take your foot off the board when you’re ready to stop, so going too fast before you’ve mastered stopping can result in a collision.
If you’re riding slowly and need to stop, a crash stop should be safe, but ride too fast, and you’ll leave yourself unable to perform one.
Olympic Snowboarding Rules
Whether you’re planning on competing or simply enjoying the competition from home, understanding Olympic snowboarding rules can be massively helpful.
These were the rules and regulations for snowboard halfpipe, parallel giant slalom, slopestyle, and snowboard cross at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, so we can expect to see similar rules next time.
1. Events and Categories
First things first, Olympic snowboarding isn’t just about speed. The event has various categories:
- Halfpipe: Riders perform tricks while going from one side to the other on a semi-circular ramp.
- Slopestyle: Athletes perform on a course featuring a variety of obstacles including rails, jumps, and other features.
- Parallel Giant Slalom: Two riders race down parallel courses set with a series of gates.
- Snowboard Cross: Multiple riders race down a winding course with jumps, drops, and other obstacles.
- Big Air: Competitors ride off a highly pitched ramp, performing tricks in mid-air, aiming for height and style
The Winter Olympics even released a short video guide so you can get a better understanding of how this rad sport looks on the Olympic slopes. It’s pretty cheesy, but covers the basics.
2. Scoring System
Unlike your casual snowboarding line, Olympic events are judged meticulously:
- Technical skill: In events like Halfpipe and Slopestyle, the complexity and execution of tricks play a big role in the score.
- Amplitude: How high the athlete goes, especially in the Halfpipe, can score major points.
- Variety: Judges love to see a mix of different tricks and turns.
- Execution: It’s not just about doing the trick but how seamlessly and stylishly it’s executed.
3. Equipment Checks
Every athlete’s equipment undergoes rigorous checks to ensure it meets Olympic standards. This means correct sizing, no illegal modifications, and meeting safety standards.
4. Fair Play
Ah, the spirit of the Olympics. Fair play is the heart of the Games. No unsportsmanlike conduct is tolerated, be it against fellow competitors, judges, or even the crowd.
5. Uniforms
While I admire personal style (those neon snowsuits? Iconic!), in the Olympics, athletes are required to wear approved uniforms representing their country.
6. Anti-Doping
The Olympics has had its share of controversies over the years when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs. Strict anti-doping rules are enforced, and athletes are regularly tested.
7. Qualification Process
Not every snowboarder can just rock up to the Olympics. Athletes have to qualify through a series of events recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Only the crème de la crème make it.
8. The Course/Runs
In events like the Halfpipe and Slopestyle, athletes generally get multiple runs. Their best score is the one that counts. This gives them a chance to push boundaries, knowing they have a fallback.
9. Age Restrictions
Yes, age is more than just a number here! Competitors must be at least 15 years old by December 31 of the year preceding the Olympics. While snowboarding often showcases young talent, the Olympics ensures a certain maturity level.
Discipline-Specific Olympic Snowboarding Rules
Halfpipe rules
If a competitor stops in the halfpipe for more than 10 seconds, the competitor is scored from up until that point, and the run will be terminated. The competitor must then exit the course immediately.
Parallel Giant Slalom Rules
During this section of the competition, athletes can be disqualified for one of the following infractions:
- Disturbing an opponent
- Passing through an incorrect gate
- A false start (common)
- Failing to execute a turn on the outside of a gate
- Not finishing the run with at least one foot strapped into the board (i.e. you can’t run!).
Snowboard Cross Rules
Competitors will be automatically disqualified if they come into intentional contact with another competitor, causing them to slow down, fall, or exit the course. Unavoidable contact may be deemed acceptable, at the judges discretion.
The race leader has the right to choose their line through the course but cannot intentionally block an opponent from passing. Any such obstructions are penalized. You can read more about the snowboard cross
Conclusion
And there you have it!
I’ve had a blast dishing out the need-to-knows. From Olympic rules to how not to look like a tool on your board, we’ve covered some major ground (or should we say, major snow?).
Remember: it’s all about balance, not just on your board, but between fun and safety.
So slap on your gear, respect the signs, and let’s make the mountain a better place, one carve at a time.
See you on the slopes!
