If you’ve ever caught an edge on a box, you already know why this matters. Detuning isn’t just for park riders, it’s for anyone who wants a board that feels smoother and less grabby.
But go too far and your board washes out during turns. The trick is knowing where to stop.
What Detuning Actually Does
Your edges come razor sharp from the factory. Great for carving. Not so great for rails, boxes or quick spins. Detuning dulls the contact points slightly so the board releases more easily.
You’re not sanding the whole edge. You’re just softening the first few centimeters of the nose and tail – the part that tends to catch first.
Who Should Detune
- Park riders: You should definitely consider it. Sharp edges grab metal and wooden features.
- Freestyle riders: A light detune gives a smoother, looser feel. Optional.
- All-mountain riders: Probably not. If your board feels catchy on turns, a small detune can help.
- Carvers and freeriders: No. You want full edge hold at speed.
- Powder Hounds: Do whatever you like, you’re not using the edges anyway!
How to Detune (Safely)
All you need is a gummy stone or fine diamond stone. You’ll get one in most decent snowboard wax kits. Hold it at about a 45-degree angle and make a few smooth passes around each contact point.
You’re aiming for rounded, not dull. You should still feel bite under your feet.
If you’re unsure, err on the side of less. You can always take off more later.
When Not to Detune
If you ride hardpack, steeps, or icy resorts, keep those edges sharp. You need every bit of grip you can get. Detuning too far can make it hard to hold a carve or stop confidently.
A park board and a freeride board shouldn’t have the same edge feel.
I’d also steer clear if you’re a complete beginner. As long as you’re on an appropriate snowboard, edge catching is more likely to be a skill issue (sorry). Messing with your board isn’t a good idea until you know what you’re doing.
Quick Tips
Never detune the entire board edge. Always leave the edges between your feet sharp for grip. The only exceptions are old jib boards that are made for trashing, but even then I’d be cautious.
If you ride both park and big-mountain on one board, it’s probably safer not to detune. Even better – start a quiver and grab a dedicated park board. Don’t blame me for your spiralling gear addiction though!
If your board feels dead or won’t hold an edge, it’s probably not detuning that’s the issue. It’s time for a proper edge tune or wax.
Final Thoughts
Detuning isn’t a magic fix, but it can make your board feel smoother and more natural.
Do it once, ride a few runs and see how it feels. The best edge tune is the one that matches how you actually ride, not what the factory sends you.
