The park is one of the best parts of snowboarding and skiing. It is also one of the easiest places to get yourself hurt or to piss people off if you do not know what you are doing.
I have taught plenty of riders who wanted to “just send it” on their first lap and it never ends well.
The park has its own rhythm and culture. Respect it, and you will fit in. Ignore it, and you will be that person everyone remembers for the wrong reasons.
Know the Rules Before You Drop In
Every park posts them at the entrance. Most follow the Park Smart code. Start small. Make a plan. Always look. Respect. Take it easy.
These aren’t just for show. If you blow through without checking, you can ruin someone’s run or worse, end up with a trip to ski patrol.
Ride the Park That Matches Your Ability
Do not head straight for the XL jump line because you saw someone on Instagram do it. Those features are built for experienced riders carrying serious speed. Start on the XS or S park. That is where you learn. Progression matters. You cannot skip the steps, no matter how much you want to.
Watch Before You Hit
Every feature has a right way to ride it. Spend a few minutes watching how people approach. Where do they drop from? How much speed do they carry? How do they line up their body? I learned more just standing at the side of a rail watching than I ever did by guessing.
Check the Feature First
Do a dry run. Ride next to it. Look at the takeoff, the landing, and how steep it is. Parks change daily with weather and grooming. What rode perfectly yesterday could be sketchy today.
Never Cut Across
One of the fastest ways to cause an accident is to cruise across a jump takeoff or a landing zone. I have seen beginners slice right across a lip while someone was already dropping. That is a nightmare for both riders. Stay out of the way.
Call Your Drop
When you are at the top of a feature, wait your turn. When it is clear and you are ready, call “dropping.” Do not snake people. Give the rider ahead of you time to finish their run before you start yours. This is basic respect.
Clear the Landing Fast
If you crash, get out of the landing as quick as you can. Do not sit there trying to fix your gloves while other riders are coming in hot. If you see someone else crash and they are down, wave your arms in an X so no one else hits them.
Do Not Be Afraid to Ask
If you are not sure how to hit something, ask. The park community is usually friendly and most riders will happily give you tips. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one. What they do expect is that you respect the flow and do not put others at risk.
My Honest Take
The park is not about looking cool. Everyone falls. Everyone slams. I have had students ride straight into a rail sideways because they panicked, and I have had to chase down kids who thought it was fine to hike back up through a landing zone. You will mess up too. That is normal. What matters is that you learn the etiquette early, because it makes the park safer and way more fun for everyone.
Bottom Line
Terrain parks are about creativity and flow. Ride within your limits, follow the etiquette, and respect the people around you. Do that, and you will not just survive your first lap — you will actually start to enjoy the progression. That is when the park really clicks.
