| Hey crew - Clint Allan here - Planet Altitude team rider.
Resorts all over the world are getting more and more switched on when it comes
to parks and jump building but there are always a few that let you down,
are too crowded or simply don't exist. There's only one solution - and
thats to check out the local terrain, grab a shovel and start digging!
Steps:
1. Scout out the best location. Most resorts aren't stoked on people
digging up their nice groomed runs so get outside the boundaries and find
a good spot.
2. Some people make do with using their board or hands but I say bring
a snow shovel. Chances are you'll be moving a fair bit of snow and
its much easier with the right gear.
3. Choose somewhere with a nice steep, long landing. I find
that the steeper the hill - the less digging you usually have to do because
a:
you
can get more speed up to hit it and b: the greater angle means you don't
need to shift as much snow to get a decent launch pad happening.
4. Heap together a decent pile of snow. Don't go nuts though. A
lot of people get into the habit of building their kickers too wide. This
just means more shovelling. At the end of the day it really doesn't need
to be much wider than your board but a good rule of thumb is to go about
3 board widths across.
5. Pack the snow down with your shovel or board as the pile grows larger.
6. Make the run-up to the jump smooth with bumps or holes. Its a
good idea to run your board up and down the up ramp by hand to smooth it
out and check for bumbs.
7. Trim snow off the back and sides of the jump so that a distinctive
block of snow emerges. The jump will resemble a wedge or triangle on the
hill. This helps stop the top edge collapsing on you as you're about to get
airborn.
8. Pack down the top of the jump with shovels, snowboards or skis.
9. Hit your kicker! Always hit it easy the first
couple of times to get a feel for the take-off and landing. Once you get
the hang of it - go nuts and do some tricks!
Tips:
Take your time when building a kicker. You can just slap one together,
but they look better and last longer when carefully molded.
... and remember the golden rule - no dig - no hit!
Warnings:
Snowboarding is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious
injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before
attempting this
activity.
|
