About the Author
This article was written by June, an experienced snowboarder and AASI-certified instructor. She has years of experience riding off-piste and in deep powder, helping riders progress beyond groomed runs. Her advice is based on first-hand riding and teaching experience.
I’ve heard from quite a few riders who enjoy watching my off-piste powder videos and want to try it for themselves. But riding powder isn’t simply about going fast or looking stylish. It’s a different experience from riding groomed runs, and even confident snowboarders can struggle when they first try it.
This guide is for two types of riders who are new to powder snowboarding:
Riders with a solid on-piste foundation who can comfortably link turns and carve on intermediate runs.
Confident intermediate or advanced riders who have spent most of their time on groomed slopes, but have little or no experience in powder. Maybe you’re curious to try it, or perhaps your friends have convinced you to come along.
Either way, here are some of the things I recommend focusing on when you’re getting started.
Start With the Right Terrain
Choosing the right terrain is one of the most important parts of your first powder sessions.
I’d recommend avoiding tree runs at first. They leave much less room to react, and the risk of hitting an obstacle is higher.
Instead, start with open, obstacle-free slopes with enough pitch to maintain your momentum. Ideally, look for areas with existing tracks, close to groomed runs, within controlled resort terrain where powder riding is permitted.
Why stick to tracked snow?
New powder riders fall frequently. In untouched powder, getting back up and finding your way back to the piste can be surprisingly difficult. Existing tracks can make recovery easier and give you a clearer route back.
One thing I’d point out is that you shouldn’t automatically choose the flattest slope just because you’re a beginner.
Flat powder can actually be less forgiving. You’ll sink more easily and struggle to maintain momentum, especially in deeper snow. Riding low-angle powder often requires more experience than people expect.
On the other hand, confident riders who are used to steep groomed runs can become overconfident when they first venture into powder.
An important safety distinction: I’m talking about learning on suitable, avalanche-managed resort terrain. Uncontrolled off-piste terrain is a different matter. Avalanche-prone slopes commonly fall within the 30–45-degree range, but avalanches can also occur on lower-angle slopes, particularly below steeper terrain. Existing tracks, nearby pistes and a slope angle below 30 degrees do not guarantee safety.
If you’re interested in riding outside controlled terrain, get appropriate avalanche training and local guidance before heading out.
Falling and Getting Back Up in Powder
Learning how to fall and recover is just as important as improving your technique during your first powder days.
My first piece of advice is simple: don’t panic or start flailing around. You’ll only waste energy.
Try to keep your snowboard attached unless you genuinely need to remove it. Taking your board off in deep snow can make things more difficult, and an unsecured board can be dangerous on a slope.
Getting Up on Your Toe Edge
Getting up on your toe edge is usually much easier than trying to stand up on your heel edge.
Many powder boards have shorter tails, which can help you plant the tail deeper into the snow.
If you’ve fallen onto your back, try rolling over so you’re facing uphill with your toe edge underneath you.
Don’t immediately try to stand up. First, pack the snow firmly in front of you to create a more stable surface. Then use your hands to push yourself upright.
Getting Up on Your Heel Edge
If you’d rather not roll over, you can still get up on your heel edge.
Pack the snow firmly to one side, brace yourself with your arm and push upwards.
This works too, although it usually takes more effort, especially in deep, soft powder.
Why You Struggle to Turn in Powder
One of the most common problems I see with new powder riders, including experienced carvers, is struggling to complete their turns.
Your usual carving technique doesn’t translate directly to powder.
On groomed snow, the surface is firm and smooth, providing solid support for your edges. Powder is much softer, and your board moves through the snow rather than simply gripping the surface.
If you try to apply the same edge pressure and angles you use on groomers, you’ll often lose your balance.
My advice is to reduce your edge angle and look in the direction you want to turn.
Be patient with your movements. Powder responds differently from hardpack, and forcing your turns can make things worse.
Give your board time to respond, allow it to move smoothly through the snow and avoid making sudden, aggressive edge changes.
It might feel strange at first, particularly if you’re used to carving hard on groomed slopes, but once you get the feeling, turning in powder becomes much more natural.
One Stance Tip: Stay Slightly Open
Another adjustment I recommend is adopting a slightly open stance.
Rotate your hips and shoulders a little towards your front foot, in the direction of the nose of your snowboard.
You don’t need to exaggerate this movement. Just a small adjustment can make turning in powder feel more natural.
It also allows you to maintain good knee flexion, helping you absorb bumps and changes in the snow.
The aim is to stay relaxed, balanced and ready to react rather than holding a rigid position.
Weight Distribution in Powder
When people first start riding powder, their friends often tell them to lean back to keep the nose of the snowboard above the snow.
And to some extent, that advice can help.
Keeping a little more weight towards your back foot can stop the nose diving, which is one of the most common problems beginners face.
But I see this as a temporary adjustment, not something you should do throughout the entire run.
Riding with your weight fully back has several disadvantages.
First, your back leg will tire very quickly. If you’ve ever spent a whole powder run leaning back, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Second, keeping the tail buried can make your turns feel sluggish and difficult to control.
And finally, you may find yourself building more speed than intended because you’re struggling to turn and manage your speed effectively.
How to Adjust Your Weight
There are two important factors that help your snowboard float in powder: the surface area of the board and your forward speed.
When you’re starting from a standstill, or riding through particularly heavy, wet or deep snow, lifting the nose slightly and putting more weight towards the tail can help you overcome the resistance.
This allows you to build enough momentum for the board to start floating.
Once you’re moving and have established that flotation, you can gradually bring your weight forward again.
By forward, I mean returning to a neutral, balanced stance. I’m not suggesting you lean over the nose of your snowboard.
Modern powder boards often have a rockered nose and a setback stance, which are designed to help the board float without requiring you to lean excessively backwards.
As you return to a more balanced position, more of the board can work through the snow, giving you better control and making your turns feel smoother.
And here’s something else worth remembering.
If the powder isn’t particularly deep and you can build speed easily without the nose diving, you might not need to shift your weight back at all.
Every powder day is different. The important thing is learning to adjust your weight to suit the snow conditions rather than forcing yourself into one position.
Important Off-Piste Safety Tips
Before heading out, there are a few safety points I always want riders to remember.
- Never ride powder alone. Ride with a partner and keep each other in sight. Deep snow can make even a simple fall difficult to recover from, particularly around trees and terrain traps.
- Know the terrain you’re entering. Resort boundaries, avalanche control and off-piste access rules vary considerably. Don’t assume an area is safe simply because it’s close to a groomed run or has existing tracks.
- Check local conditions and avalanche forecasts. If you’re riding outside controlled terrain, you need appropriate avalanche education, a properly equipped and trained group, and essential rescue equipment, including a transceiver, shovel and probe. Carrying equipment alone isn’t enough.
- Keep your speed under control. Don’t ride faster than you can comfortably turn or stop, particularly when visibility is poor or there are obstacles nearby.
- Be especially cautious around trees. Tree wells and deep snow immersion are serious hazards. Ride with a partner, maintain visual contact and avoid tree runs until you have the necessary skills and experience.
One final technique reminder: don’t fix your gaze on trees or rocks.
Look towards the clear line you want to follow. You tend to ride where you’re looking, and focusing on obstacles can make avoiding them more difficult.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips make your transition from groomed runs to powder a little easier.
Your first few attempts might involve plenty of falling, getting stuck and wondering why your usual turns suddenly don’t work. That’s completely normal.
Start with suitable terrain, take your time and focus on getting comfortable with how your snowboard moves through softer snow.
You won’t become a powder expert overnight, but once you begin to understand the feeling of flotation and how to control your turns, you’ll have a much better foundation to build on.
Oh and make sure you have the correct snowboard size. Tiny little freestyle boards will severely struggle in powder!
Hope that helps.
