snowboard trick names

Essential Snowboard Trick Names - Easy to Learn

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6 min

Time to Learn! Snowboard Trick Names

Wouldn't you love to ride like the people that make it look easy? It's no secret the best feeling out there is stomping a clean trick, or getting some good air. 


In this blog, we’ll dive into the essential snowboard trick names you need to know. These are going to build the fundamentals you absolutely need to put together the lines you desire, and eventually move on to bigger tricks. Once you learn these, you'll be amazed at how quickly your skills progress.


Starting with the…

💡 Did you know

Many snowboard trick names are adapted directly from skateboarding, like the ollie, kickflip, and rail slide, retaining their original names.

Surfing has also influenced trick names, with terms like "carving" and "slashing" making their way into snowboarding.

OLLIE - Your First Snowboard Trick

First and oldest trick in the book. Yes, just like a skateboard ollie, except easier.


This is one of the essential snowboard trick names you’ll become familiar with, and it will be your most frequently used trick, serving as your best fundamental skill. When we talk about “pop,” we’re referring to the power and height you generate from an ollie. 


Here’s how to master it:


Shift your weight or pressure to your back foot, then jump upwards by pulling your front foot up first and exploding off your back foot second, bringing it to a level position with your front foot in the air. The better you become at this, the more pop you will have for your other tricks.

Snowboard Ollie - How to ollie in snowboard

💡Did you know
The snowboard ollie, one of the most essential snowboard trick names, is inspired by skateboarding? It was adapted from the skateboard ollie invented by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in the 1970s. Mastering this trick boosts your balance and control, letting you pop off any terrain feature with ease!

NOLLIE - Adding Style to Your Runs

The nollie is, as you might have guessed, the opposite of an ollie—one of the essential snowboard trick names. 


Here's how to execute it:

You create the same pop only this time starting by putting pressure on your front foot, then jumping upwards by pulling your back foot up. Then of course, leveling it out in the air by bringing up your front foot.

NOLLIE - Adding Style to Your Runs

FRONTSIDE 180 - Time to Rotating

Here's where the style points start to rack up. 


It’s time to start rotating with one of the classic snowboard trick names: the frontside 180. In this trick, you'll spin toward your front side, meaning your chest will face down the mountain during the first part of your spin. 


FRONTSIDE 180 - snowboard trick names

Step-by-Step Guide to the Frontside 180


  • Prepare Your Body: Begin by loading your arms and waist, getting them ready to spin in the direction you’re aiming for.
  • Initiate the Spin : As you start bringing your arms around, prepare to initiate your pop (similar to an ollie).

  • Pop and Spin : Pop off the snow using an ollie technique. As you leave the ground, your body and arms should already be spinning in the direction you want to go.

  • Rotate in the Air : Allow your body to rotate 180 degrees while airborne. Keep your eyes focused on where you want to land.

  • Land Smoothly : Once you’ve completed the 180-degree spin, put your feet down and bend your knees to absorb the landing. Make sure your board is flat and parallel to the slope for a smooth touchdown.

  • Ride Away Clean : After landing, continue riding smoothly and confidently, enjoying the added style and flair the frontside 180 brings to your run.

BACKSIDE 180

The same principals of a frontside 180. Only during the first part of your rotation your back side (back) will be facing down the mountain.

Backside 180 - snowboard trick names

50-50 - A Fun and Simple Rail Trick

The 50-50 grind is one of the most straightforward and enjoyable snowboard trick names you'll encounter.


Ollie or ride straight onto a rail, being sure to keep your weight evenly balanced and board completely flat on the rail. Then focus on riding all the way off the end of the rail.


By mastering the 50-50 grind, you'll add a fun and stylish trick to your snowboarding repertoire, giving you the confidence to tackle more advanced rail tricks in the future.


50-50 snowboard trick names

BOARDSLIDE

The boardslide is an extremely fun rail trick that shows high levels of skill. 


As you approach the rail, rotate 90 degrees as you ollie on, aiming to land with the rail in between your feet, and the board completely flat on the rail. This grind you will be facing forward down the mountain with both feet hanging off the sides of the rail.

BOARDSLIDE snowboard trick names

MELON GRAB -Grab the Back

One of the classic snowboard trick names you’ll want to add to your arsenal is the melon grab. Here’s how to execute it with style:

  • Start with a solid jump, either from an ollie or off a jump, to get good height.
  • While in the air, reach down with your leading hand (the hand closest to the nose of your board).
  • Grab the heel edge of your board, between your bindings, with your leading hand. This grab is called a melon grab because it's similar to how you might hold a melon.
  • Pull the board slightly towards your body while grabbing, bending your knees, and arching your back for extra style.
MELON GRAB snowboard trick names

INDY GRAB - Grab the Front

While in the air, reach down with your back hand and grab the toe side of your board.

INDY GRAB snowboard trick names

TAIL PRESS

First try the tail press on an easy flat run where you feel comfortable.


With a little speed, shift your weight back and lean on your back leg. While doing this pull your front foot up bending the board so that it feels like you’re doing a wheelie.


By practicing the tail press, you'll add a stylish and fun trick to your repertoire of snowboard trick names, improving your balance and board control.


Tail Press snowboard trick names

NOSE PRESS

Just like the tail press but on your nose. 


Shift your weight to the front and let your back leg float. This one’s gonna feel a little more intimidating so the biggest part is overcoming the mental fear.

Nose press snowboard trick names

FRONTSIDE 360

Time to commit to a full rotation with one of the exciting snowboard trick names: the frontside 360. Remember, frontside means your chest will face forward first. Here’s how to master it:


Off a jump or from an ollie, you want to load your arms and core (pulling them back and throwing them in the direction of the rotation). 


So that when you leave the ground your momentum is going in the direction of the spin. So pop, rotate, and look hard in the direction you’re spinning. 


When you get around and can spot the landing, it’s time to put your feet down and absorb the landing.

Frontside 360 snowboard trick names

BACKSIDE 360

With your back facing down the mountain first, do the same motion it takes to do a 360, spot your landing, and stomp the trick.

💡Tutorials for snowboarding skills improvement and get to learn more snowboard trick names: 


  • Snowboard AddictionOffers tutorials on a wide range of snowboard trick names and skills, from beginner to advanced, with clear instructions and helpful tips.
  • Stomp It Tutorials: Focuses on breaking down tricks into simple steps, making them easy to understand and practice. They cover everything from basic turns to complex aerial tricks.
  • Tommy B (Snowboard Pro Camp): Run by snowboarder TJ, this channel offers trick tips, gear reviews, and travel vlogs, providing a well-rounded view of snowboarding.

  • Angry Snowboarder: Known for honest gear reviews, this channel also features tips and tutorials on snowboard name tricks and techniques.


Mastering snowboard trick names like the ollie, nollie, melon grab, and tail press is key to elevating your skills on the slopes. 


Each trick, from the foundational ollie to the stylish melon grab, adds to your versatility and style, making your snowboarding experience more dynamic and enjoyable. By practicing and perfecting these essential tricks, you'll not only boost your confidence but also impress fellow riders with your growing arsenal of moves. 


So get out there, keep pushing your limits, and have fun perfecting these classic snowboard tricks!

Mastering snowboard trick names like the ollie, nollie, melon grab, and tail press is key to elevating your skills on the slopes. 

Each trick, from the foundational ollie to the stylish melon grab, adds to your versatility and style, making your snowboarding experience more dynamic and enjoyable. 

By practicing and perfecting these essential tricks, you'll not only boost your confidence but also impress fellow riders with your growing arsenal of moves.