How to Spin Frontside on a Snowboard

You've mastered the basics of snowboarding and want to try some tricks. You're having big visions of impressing that sexy blonde in the audience of your local freestyle championship, when you realize that you can't even drop a 180 yet. It's time to learn. The frontside 180 is a great place to start, as it's the easiest spin that you'll do. Unlike a backside 180, the frontside 180 allows you to easily see your landing the entire time, as your eyes are on the outside of the turn. For those that aren't sure, a frontside spin is one in which your toe edge is on the outside of the rotation (goofy equals clockwise, regular equals counterclockwise). The frontside 180 is the perfect building block for more difficult frontside spins.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Approach the jump in your usual snowboard stance--knees bent, shoulders aligned with the board and weight slightly back. As you begin to head up the jump, apply a little toe-side edge. This will give you something to jump off to get momentum for your spin.

Step 2

Spring off the toe edge with your knees at the top of the jump. As you begin to travel into the air, rotate your front shoulder, hip and knee outward. Keep your shoulders aligned with the board, and spin through 180 degrees.

Step 3

Keep your eye on the landing. Bend your knees a bit to absorb the impact, and land so that you're pointed straight down the slope. Keep your weight centered, allow your knees to suck in the impact, and ride it out.

Tips & Warnings

If you're having trouble spinning frontside off the toeside edge, try using the heelside edge instead, as it might allow you to open up more quickly and easily. You should be comfortable with switch-foot riding before attempting the 180 because you'll need to do it on the landing. A lot of what makes or breaks you on any frontside spin is timing.

If you're having trouble spinning frontside off the toeside edge, try using the heelside edge instead, as it might allow you to open up more quickly and easily.

You should be comfortable with switch-foot riding before attempting the 180 because you'll need to do it on the landing.

A lot of what makes or breaks you on any frontside spin is timing.

Snowboarding is a dangerous sport, and spinning frontside off of jumps certainly doesn't make it less dangerous. Ride within your ability and wear a helmet for protection.

Snowboarding is a dangerous sport, and spinning frontside off of jumps certainly doesn't make it less dangerous.

Ride within your ability and wear a helmet for protection.

Article Written By Joe Fletcher

Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.

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