Snowboard Club UK
Technique - Dry Slopes
Dinalli - Jul 05, 2008 - 08:34 PM
Post subject: Dry Slopes
A couple of weeks back i went to halifax to ride, and found it almost impossible to do so.
Ive ridden alot at cas and abroad, but this was tough. I kept washing out when i was turning it was like learning from scratch again.
So does anyone have any tips for riding dry slopes etc
ace_mcgraw - Jul 05, 2008 - 09:22 PM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
is fax dendex or snowflex? I learnt on Dendex at norwich, but then since they've put the kicker and extra slope in made of snowflex, I've always struggled. I have no probs riding on the dendex still, but just find it really difficult on the snowflex - especially after landing the kicker and therefore having a little extra speed!
Dinalli - Jul 06, 2008 - 08:53 AM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
fax is snowflex
i think a lot of the problems are down to my technique and maybe putting too much preasure on the edges to try and turn the board.
Branny - Jul 06, 2008 - 09:00 AM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
you have to ride more aggressive on snowflex, commit to each turn and work through it, the amount of friction on dryslope and the varying degree of difficulty to catch a good edge makes it much more of a challenge.
keep the weight on the front foot and use the body and the feet to change your angle, a usual bad habit that is useful is the kick round with the back foot...not always the most stylish but very effective.
it's worth the perseverance though, snowflex is relatively cheap to ride on and your on snow skills will really improve. Just look at the likes of Jamie Nichols who spends 3-4 nights a week riding snowflex.
If your still struggling have a word with the locals, Wayne at AKA skate (the guy behind the snowflx tour) and his team are all solid riders who'll be able to help you out if you ask nicely..(or spend money in the shop LOL!!)
good luck
Ashers - Aug 19, 2008 - 04:13 PM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
Sometimes dry snowflex is horrible to ride on, going on a wet day may help, I don't know if they have sprinklers in halifax
Tiberius - Aug 19, 2008 - 04:42 PM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
We've all been through it, first few times on snowflex u wonder if you've forgotton to how to ride. As Branny says, you need to be a little more agressive, carry just a little more speed than you would on snow. You can't turn at zero speed like you can on snow, there's no 'swishing' your back leg round, you can only turn 'properly', that's all that works.
Keep it up, after a few goes you'll wonder what the problem was...same as when you first learned on snow really.
ROBster - Aug 19, 2008 - 04:51 PM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
andy you need to get your ass down there more often when me and The Chaos massive are there, if the weekend weather is set to rain we'll be heading there on sunday!!
adam_2005 - Aug 19, 2008 - 11:53 PM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
The Halifax snowflex is particulally difficult because the needles that make up the surface are shorter than other snowflex slopes, which means that not only is it easy to catch an edge, it's a lot easier to wash out too.
Take ass pads. And take vodka (introveniously).
charliebuoy - Aug 20, 2008 - 12:44 AM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
Practice mate, that's all it is. You should have seen Prive trying it for the first time it was most amusing, especially since he was wearing a wifebeater 
Tomahawk - Aug 20, 2008 - 12:53 AM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
gonna be giving it a go soon i think. gonna be an embarrassment.
howlingtongues - Oct 05, 2008 - 12:29 AM
Post subject: RE: Dry Slopes
a big bottle of cheap washing up liquid works wonders. especially if its wet and/or there are sprinklers. just get it all over the bottom of your board at the top of the run...
03tilinfinty - Oct 05, 2008 - 08:14 AM
Post subject: Re: RE: Dry Slopes
adam_2005 wrote:
The Halifax snowflex is particulally difficult because the needles that make up the surface are shorter than other snowflex slopes, which means that not only is it easy to catch an edge, it's a lot easier to wash out too.
Sheffield is pretty difficult, seeing as much of it was (and still might be) bald!
I had the same issue as you dinalli when I started riding it. The difficult thing was that you can't just jam it on edge to turn or stop or you just use lose your edge. Slowing down and initiating a turn is a controlled measure of pressure and like everyone else has said, it really helps at speed due to the friction as you pass through your flat base changing edges or going straight. Like Robster says, when it wet it is much more manageable due to reduced friction.
like slush in a straight line and ice on your edge. can't say i will miss SSV having traded it for Banff this coming season 