Ollie
The ollie is your gateway into tricks. Shift your weight to the tail, spring off the back of the board, and level it out in the air by bringing your front knee up. You can ollie on flat ground, over small features, or onto boxes.
The motion happens fast but has three parts. First you load: crouch and shift weight onto the tail, compressing the back of the board so it flexes. Then you pop: extend your back leg explosively, pushing the tail into the snow. The flex you just built up snaps back and launches you into the air. Finally you level: while airborne, pull your front knee up toward your chest so the nose doesn't stay pointed at the sky when you land.
A good way to feel the pop is to practice on totally flat ground with the board strapped in. Do a few just standing still, no speed needed. Most beginners over-rotate by jumping straight up instead of using the tail's spring. Once the ollie clicks, you'll feel the board throw you upward rather than you jumping off of it.
Key tips
- Press the tail down first by shifting weight to your back foot
- Pop by extending your back leg, then pull your front knee up
- Level the board out at the peak. Don't leave the nose pointing up
- Start small and build height gradually
- Practice on flat ground before trying it on slopes
- Commit fully. Half-hearted ollies are where you catch an edge
- Count the timing: load, pop, level. Rushing collapses the whole motion