How far does the McNab's book go? Is it a very good beginners' guide or does it go as far as more advanced technique. Looks interesting.

Correct me if im wrong but what it sounds like you are doing to start the turn off is pulling the toes of your back foot up and not doing anything with your front to make the turn start. Try dropping the toes on your front foot to start the turn and see how that feels. This is of course for heelside to toeside.

So essentially this is how I would perform a heelside to toeside turn if I was coming accross the mountain on my heels:
1)Stop all pressure on my heels on both feet.
2)Apply slight pressure to my front foot toes
3)Once the board is pointing downhill apply equal pressure to both feet on the toe edge?

Thanks

1 - 1st thing... knees bent, squatting in the "snowboard stance" (no straight legs) - on heel edge you can think of yourself as hovering over a minging portaloo at a festival. Arms by your side and no twisting/spinning or arm-flailing (make guns with your hands and point them at nose and tail of board - keep them pointed there at all times, no moving. If you're really struggling to keep your arms still then grab the hem of your jacket at each side - don't put hands in pockets as you want to be able to move them if you fall)