Some of my most miserable snowboarding moments were the cat tracks at Vail. So long and so crowded! I felt like I was getting locked onto 1 edge and riding until my legs felt like they were going numb. I'll have to try out this technique. Thanks Malcolm!
OMG- This is exactly why I searched "snowboards and cat tracks". We love Vail and the back bowls except for that awful cat track where my shins are on fire. 😣
As a beginner who just started the smallest hill at the local park I always did pretty well at the slopes but would completely eat it at the bottom flat area. This video is really helpful
Good tips. As a snowboarder for the last 27 years I actually like chillaxing down the flats and enjoying the scenery. Usually overtake the skiers. Main thing is to go straight and soften your waist. Standing tall is important as you said, so you can do minimal balance shifts to go from one edge to the other. Thanks for showing the Sarenne, I used to love skiing down that but not done it since 1994.
As a snowboard beginner I found that it’s really difficult to control my board when I’m riding flat base. Last weekend I caught my edge when I was riding flat on a flat ground with low speed and I broke my rib. Good to watch this video during my break and hope it’ll never happen to me again.
Your videos talking about “reading the slope” and the “fall line” helped me 100% on flats ..don’t fear them anymore because I took some hard falls on them previous seasons.. this video is a great refresher before heading out
I really learned how to ride flats when I worked at a resort. Staying on an edge is key, along with choosing when to just point it when a flat section is coming up so you can keep speed
I had a bad fall riding a flat last year which blew the wind out of me and what felt like a minor concussion. That fall still haunts me to this day even though I haven't had the chance to snowboard yet this year. Thanks for the the tips Malcolm, really useful, especially the one on not sitting low too much.
One thing I read recently that definitely helps my thinking process - Pick and edge, or your board will pick one for you. Definitely rings true from experience!
Flats are annoying, but more commonly for me because I end up losing speed and stopping rather than catching an edge (though that has happened a few times!) But worse for me is super narrow bits (flat or otherwise), when you have dozens of skiers whizzing past either side of you, and the kids waving their poles around trying to hit you in the face.
Yep u hit it again Malcolm I find speed is your friend on flats keep rolling from edge to edge it’s like a perfect dance with a beautiful woman and strong legs as pump can really get into the quads if not moving to much
Thanks man, you saved me from breaking my wrists like I did when I was 12. At the end of my first day attempting to snowboard again after 30 years, I thought I was done and realized with horror that I had to take a long, mandatory cat track to get to the base. I stopped to watch your video, and it took me 30 minutes to get down but the moment that it clicked and I could rock from an edge to another was exhilarating. What helped was a small section of slush, I knew that it was the right time to try rolling edges and it worked instantly. Thank you, thank you. I also like that you’re not talking about lifting or pressing toes - I find this kind of advice from other instructors unhelpful, plus this leads to tension and cramps. Thanks to you, I focused on shifting my center of mass and the rest followed
That's awesome to hear, and yes the lifting the toes is more of what I would call a quick fix that ends up actually leading to other problems, I actually made another video on that subject after hearing lots of other instructors talking about it! Anyway, glad to have helped, and appreciate the tip, many thanks!
My first trip away was Montgenevre, there was a very long narrow cat track at the bottom on which I went down (caught an edge) so many times. Eventually learned how to do this after many faceplants! 🤦🏼♂️It wasn’t the slope, but other peoples carve marks in it. I miss the mountains so much it’s actually hard to watch these videos! 😳 So thanks for that Malcolm 😁
Thank you for this. Road flats today and caught an edge several times as I kept going to 45s when I got uncomfortable with speed. 2nd season rider and this was super helpful!
Speed is your friend within reason. It is difficult to make the edge to edge transitions at very low speeds. Practices as shown but on a shallow wide slope. Speed does not have to be fast, but practice from a stopped position, jump or point the board down the fall line on a flat base as described, this will build speed the quickest way. It is not about going fast but getting to a speed that allows a natural movement across the board for edge to edge transitions. If you can make the transitions at this controlled speed on an easy piste you will know you can do it on a narrow flat path. The movement is subtle and the timing on each edge should be very similar and short else you will start to make a turn across the slope. Be confident, stand tall and relax. If you tense or get defensive by kicking the back of the board out you will run into trouble.
Christmas present for my daughter (10 year old) and we had great success! Great for a beginner and get the feel of snowboarding. It gave her the confidence she needed to hit the big slopes.
Thank you so much ! You’re the first one that i see explaining this ! Love your video it’s nice, clear and friendly. I had a 2 years break of boarding because i broke my wrist but i wanna try again ! I hope I won’t catch edges thanks to your advices ;)
Malcolm, I just found you (thanks YT algorithm). I had a nasty fall on flats, going fast enough to clear them but without the techniques (and safety gear) to navigate them safely. Suffice to say i am now dead ass scared of flats and I really lost my confidence that day. Watching this is giving me that itch. Thanks so much - your thought process and teaching style is absolutely perfect. I am a physics nerd, so if things dont make sense in terms of the forces I know are acting on me and the board I just cant get it. Spot on.
While you can still shift from one way to the other, then there is no issue. It's just when you are barely moving forward that things get interesting. Another tip: lean backward as much as you can to make sure to catch every bit of speed you can! Oh, and the sarenne is lovely! Did it again last year while there was barely any snow in the area. The sarenne doesn't end where you stopped.. you can do another flat section after that lift...
This video was exactly what I needed. Particularly the point that having your board face directly down the slope is actually safer because it is harder to catch an edge.
@@malcolmmoore but when pointing the board down, how do you control speed - by pushing it into the edge w your legs? Still scared for those flat narrow paths...
Last year when I started my relevant snowboarding journey (so, not counting my years as a kid where I was not well instructed or trying very hard) my friends treated me to a day at a resort that was new to me. At the end of our very first run of the day on the flat I caught my edge (I was very new to using my toe edge at the time) and actually ended up separating my left shoulder in the impact 😅Ten months later I finally got back on the slopes, and marking 11 months from the injury I went back to that resort and did a whole day injury free, including my first couple black runs! Yet I am still terrified of those flat sections. I guess I shouldn't be afraid separating that shoulder again since I didn't have it reattached but the learned fears are the most difficult to overcome. Once I learn some more edge control and correct my iffy posture like you point out in this video I'm sure I'll be able to hit 'em with confidence.
Thanks for this one Malcolm - Hoping to hit Arc in March (all being well) and only having dry Slopes and Indoor snow does not lend itself to practising these cat runs so really helpful to bear your techniques in mind. Love the content and hope restrictions end soon for you mate. Cheers, Sam 🇬🇧
Malcom Moore! This video also helped a lot! I am very grateful to you that I can learn to snowboard with your videos! I am extremely grateful to you! Thank you very much!!!
Thank you Malcolm for all the videos and tips. It really helped me improve my riding, taking turns, etc. and riding flat and narrow pistes, not fearing to catch an edge.
Super helpful video! Absolutely hate cat-tracks especially when it's crowded and full of slower people skiing side by side... I also just want to mention to always be predictable on flat cat-tracks.
I really dont know how you do it Malcom. I broke my clavicle last year catching an edge whilst going down a flat. The pain was excruciating, thinking about it puts me in a state of anxiety. My vacation was instantly over, 2 weeks (around €2500) down the drain. The fear is real, I see tons of other people commenting in here with the same thing so im not the only one. I do wonder what we are doing differently to what you are doing in this vid. Maybe your subconscious feels those micro movements better that are necessary, through your experience. Im not risking anything anymore on flats/cattracks, maybe if I had an expert coach with me like you to guide me through.
This is exactly how I broke my scaphoid this weekend going from one run to the next on a steep to flat cat track, I picked up a whole bunch of speed and then on the flats, caught an edge, toe side and folded my wrist over.
I'm just amazed that this was a 2.8 miles non-stop cruise.... the best I had in Australia (Perisher) was done in several hundred metres, maybe a 1km.... Super jealous.
I've been boarding for 20+ years and this has always been my weakness. I was so happy to see you just made this video!! I've always hated being "that guy" on the narrow flats that's taking up the full width by carving edge to edge to keep from wiping out. I also hate to suddenly have to twist 90* to skid real quick when I'm riding flat and exceeding a comfortable/safe speed. This is one benefit I give to ski's over boarding ( I do both).
I used to hate pistes like that when I was a beginner but I actually enjoy riding them now. I struggle with the icy path of death (ipod) after riding Col Granier or the Foglietta at Sainte Foy. It’s like a flat icy mogal field but no more than 6 feet wide. Maybe it would be easier on a twin tip board but I use a Jones Mind Expander, which is amazing in the powder. The Foglietta is an amazing run with almost 1000m drop in height but I dread the ipod at the end!
Hey Malcolm. Thanks for the video, can’t wait to try this out this weekend! Do you have any advice on staying closer in parallel with the fall line while on an edge? My board seems to be turning itself perpendicular to the fall line whenever I’m trying to go straight on these flat parts.
This is actually the second video I've watched on this channel. The first was "omg how the hell this guy rides with insane speed almost flat straight downhill and not catching an edge". So I'm right on time.
Hey Malcom, any tips for when the flat is carved/grooved parallel with the run? I had trouble this past week on a narrow flat that was grooved pretty hard to the point it was difficult to choose an edge and ended up catching a toe edge on my final run. Psyched myself out by telling myself I was going to catch one, and did lol. Thanks for these informative videos you put out!
Hmmm not entirely sure what you mean, but when the piste is really bad, icy in the middle, or bumpy or whatever, sometimes it does just suck! You are still best on your edge but you just have to practice and soon it'll become natural!
Simple fix to save you from falls: Grooves are most likely to grab your board and drop you when going slow and you are on a flat base. always be on an edge, especially at slower speeds, rocking back and forth, that means you are always turning and the grooves typically won’t overtake you.
@@simonwoo5450 Yeah i agree specifically also if your in the shadow areas.. for me anyway shaded areas for me can be a bitch going from sun to shade i hate it. Sometime i just lose the feeling. its like i cant see the piste features and get caught out...
I’m really struggling to hold a small amount of heel-side edge. I always end oversteering and across the fall line. Any tips on how to get this under control? Thanks for the excellent videos, they’ve been so helpful!
Thanks for the great tips as always Malcom! Any chance you can put the GPS data on more videos in the future? I'm trying to get a bit more comfortable with speed after catching an edge a few times at higher speeds, and seeing how fast you're actually going during this seems like it'd be a nice data point to have.
Useful video. Have being riding for years but have never really considered a strategy for flat sections, other than traversing on mostly one edge then occasionally rocking to switch to take the strain off the thigh muscles as you are on the opposite edge, however my way relies on a double falline. This looks so much easier and relaxed, and swapping edges means way less strain. Sorry to hear about your bookings falling off a cliff.
In the end it's almost all muscle memory with teeny tiny adjustments made to your legs while gliding along. It's difficult to explain and you'll only learn after catching a lot of edge.
Great vid. That long straight of the Sarenne almost killed me a few years ago, on my first boarding holiday. I caught lots and lots of edges, lots of falls, almost bit through my tongue, and they had to hold the final chair lift of the day because we'd gone in the afternoon. Not a fun day. Hopefully will get back there one day to give it another go Gutted about you losing custom. My trip to Les Arcs is booked for March, got all my fingers crossed the border will be open again by then
Thanks for this, Malcolm. Saving this to re-watch when I hopefully go on the 17th of Jan. Sucks to hear you lost around 90% of your bookings dude! Dropping a tip to help lessen the blow!
How do you control your speed on these flat sections? Does rocking between edges slow you down a bit? I find I'm constantly pulling the board around to slow down as it feels as though I am out of control, I don't want to stack it on these icy paths and I definitely don't want to hit anyone!
Really nice demo at 8:03 the selfie stick angle really helps. Btw we all missing the alps, can you ride into a mountain cafe and order a traditional dish and expensive beer next time! We'll sponsor your lunch!
Thanks Malcolm. That’s my favorite kind of slope to ride. You’re a joy to listen to and your instructions are always spot on. Wish I could get a couple of days learning from you in person.
"Reasonably high".... you got me there mate ahahhahaha me loughing my .ss of 😂🤣 love ur videos btw, you have a great skill of explaining, thank you for making life for us beginer riders easier!
Can I ask how you deal with speed checks on the flats and narrows? When I feel the board is going faster than I can emergency stop, I put the brakes on, but find it hard to unwind out because of the lack of room to the sides. Hope my question makes sense.
So yeah as Jimmy said ideally try and control it with the rocking edge to edge but if you need to put in a speed check do so so my counter rotating the upper and lower body to quickly push the board into a skid, then use that counter rotation to unwind and bring it back 👍
As a long time coach and instructor I surprised to see that there is no talk about where your weight should be on your board. With proper technique you don't need to turn your upper body and bring it back to slow yourself down. That is ACTUALLY one of the main reasons why people catch an edge. In general if you got proper riding technique you will not catch an edge ever. Basically you left out the most important and crucial thing about riding flats which makes this whole video extremely sketchy.
Thanks a lot for the video. I'm having a lot of issues with flats at the moment; the board starts going fast, and any little deviation makes the board change direction and I fall. I don't feel as much stability as when I'm doing normal s turns. I'll try working on my position; maybe that's why I'm feeling so much instability
Hahah I love that most people here are afraid of a flat...while here I am dead scared of anything steeper. I used to ski and I'm 250 pounds/120kg and 2m(what is that..6,2ft?) tall and the acceleration I'd get there with almost no control is horrible. I'm learning to snowboard now, wonder how it's gonna be on those steep runs.
Another Quality Video... I know that run your on there and its so Scenic.. and yet can be like running the gauntlet lol sorry to hear about losing the business...hoping were going to be able to drive up in January and looking forward to having our lesson with you.. And meeting Indy.... we do get to meet Indy... right ??
I’ve recently moved to Switzerland, which has given me the chance to pick up snowboarding and your videos have been an absolute lifesaver! Anyway, I’m finding it difficult when trying to do long S shaped turns, especially on the flat bits of Couloirs. Think it’s getting my hips over when I’m already quite straight on my board? Any tips?
Yesterday I went on flat areas like that but I gain some speed I'm really scared because I know that if a catch an edge the impact can't hurt alot. The problem is that those area are so tight and there were alot of skiers passing so close to me at high speeds, so there's the possibility to make a real mess if I try to slow down , because I can cut the road of people behind me, so it was a real struggle and I felt some times 🥲
Try and get it back! I mean hopefully most flat slopes don't get that bumpy as people aren't really turning on then, but if it is bumpy just try and absorb the bumps one leg at a time keeping your upper body smooth over the top!
OMG this trail is heaven! Im watching your videos to hopefully help teach a few friends of mine..loving the content. What mtn and trail is this?! Going on my ever expanding bucketlist of places to board hahah
Beginer boarder here, so far only been riding 2 days following your beginer videos, but idk how to rock my board from toe to heal just only attempt to turn in S shapes which turn out to be more like really streached out S. Or i get scared and pretty much completely stop then have to force a turn, I only go on beginer hill/green slopes.
I feel like the most mistake that beginners make, (And that i made) is to try and turn the board, while riding flatboard. Thats when you fall. If you resist the fall line when riding flat. You just have to go with the fallline.
You make it look easy, and not like the tiring death trap it is.
😇
Some of my most miserable snowboarding moments were the cat tracks at Vail. So long and so crowded! I felt like I was getting locked onto 1 edge and riding until my legs felt like they were going numb. I'll have to try out this technique. Thanks Malcolm!
OMG- This is exactly why I searched "snowboards and cat tracks". We love Vail and the back bowls except for that awful cat track where my shins are on fire. 😣
Having horrific flashbacks after reading this. Lol
@@KGB0217 rocking edge to edge really does help!
Once went flat and got sent into the shadow realm..
😂
I caught an edge while going flat once; I woke up in Australia after…
Same! Was given a second chance and still didn’t learn my lesson. 😂
I caught my heel edge traversing flats once…I was convinced I broke my ass.
@@ironcladpc8064🤣🤣🤣
As a beginner who just started the smallest hill at the local park I always did pretty well at the slopes but would completely eat it at the bottom flat area. This video is really helpful
Good tips. As a snowboarder for the last 27 years I actually like chillaxing down the flats and enjoying the scenery. Usually overtake the skiers. Main thing is to go straight and soften your waist. Standing tall is important as you said, so you can do minimal balance shifts to go from one edge to the other. Thanks for showing the Sarenne, I used to love skiing down that but not done it since 1994.
As a snowboard beginner I found that it’s really difficult to control my board when I’m riding flat base. Last weekend I caught my edge when I was riding flat on a flat ground with low speed and I broke my rib. Good to watch this video during my break and hope it’ll never happen to me again.
Your videos talking about “reading the slope” and the “fall line” helped me 100% on flats ..don’t fear them anymore because I took some hard falls on them previous seasons.. this video is a great refresher before heading out
Cool enjoy your trip!
I really learned how to ride flats when I worked at a resort. Staying on an edge is key, along with choosing when to just point it when a flat section is coming up so you can keep speed
I had a bad fall riding a flat last year which blew the wind out of me and what felt like a minor concussion. That fall still haunts me to this day even though I haven't had the chance to snowboard yet this year. Thanks for the the tips Malcolm, really useful, especially the one on not sitting low too much.
That sucks, hopefully it'll be your last fall!
@@malcolmmoore Hopefully! haha
One thing I read recently that definitely helps my thinking process - Pick and edge, or your board will pick one for you. Definitely rings true from experience!
Flats are annoying, but more commonly for me because I end up losing speed and stopping rather than catching an edge (though that has happened a few times!) But worse for me is super narrow bits (flat or otherwise), when you have dozens of skiers whizzing past either side of you, and the kids waving their poles around trying to hit you in the face.
Yep u hit it again Malcolm I find speed is your friend on flats keep rolling from edge to edge it’s like a perfect dance with a beautiful woman and strong legs as pump can really get into the quads if not moving to much
I love this. Speed is your friend. Just go faster!
Thanks man, you saved me from breaking my wrists like I did when I was 12. At the end of my first day attempting to snowboard again after 30 years, I thought I was done and realized with horror that I had to take a long, mandatory cat track to get to the base.
I stopped to watch your video, and it took me 30 minutes to get down but the moment that it clicked and I could rock from an edge to another was exhilarating. What helped was a small section of slush, I knew that it was the right time to try rolling edges and it worked instantly.
Thank you, thank you. I also like that you’re not talking about lifting or pressing toes - I find this kind of advice from other instructors unhelpful, plus this leads to tension and cramps. Thanks to you, I focused on shifting my center of mass and the rest followed
That's awesome to hear, and yes the lifting the toes is more of what I would call a quick fix that ends up actually leading to other problems, I actually made another video on that subject after hearing lots of other instructors talking about it! Anyway, glad to have helped, and appreciate the tip, many thanks!
Loved this video. This is by far my worst nightmare & where my most accidents have happened. Great tips. Thank you 😊
Cheers Katherine 🤩
My first trip away was Montgenevre, there was a very long narrow cat track at the bottom on which I went down (caught an edge) so many times. Eventually learned how to do this after many faceplants! 🤦🏼♂️It wasn’t the slope, but other peoples carve marks in it. I miss the mountains so much it’s actually hard to watch these videos! 😳 So thanks for that Malcolm 😁
I love montgenèvre, it's pretty close to here!
Super helpful as always! Please don't stop making these videos, thank you very much!
Your videos are great and what I like most of all is that you speak slowly, very important for us french people/ non english speakers :D cheers
Merci!
Thank you for this. Road flats today and caught an edge several times as I kept going to 45s when I got uncomfortable with speed. 2nd season rider and this was super helpful!
Awesome, glad it helped!
Speed is your friend within reason. It is difficult to make the edge to edge transitions at very low speeds. Practices as shown but on a shallow wide slope. Speed does not have to be fast, but practice from a stopped position, jump or point the board down the fall line on a flat base as described, this will build speed the quickest way. It is not about going fast but getting to a speed that allows a natural movement across the board for edge to edge transitions. If you can make the transitions at this controlled speed on an easy piste you will know you can do it on a narrow flat path. The movement is subtle and the timing on each edge should be very similar and short else you will start to make a turn across the slope. Be confident, stand tall and relax. If you tense or get defensive by kicking the back of the board out you will run into trouble.
Christmas present for my daughter (10 year old) and we had great success! Great for a beginner and get the feel of snowboarding. It gave her the confidence she needed to hit the big slopes.
You explained so well, very clear, and with good demonstrations instead of just talking most of the time!
Thank you so much ! You’re the first one that i see explaining this ! Love your video it’s nice, clear and friendly.
I had a 2 years break of boarding because i broke my wrist but i wanna try again ! I hope I won’t catch edges thanks to your advices ;)
Malcolm, I just found you (thanks YT algorithm). I had a nasty fall on flats, going fast enough to clear them but without the techniques (and safety gear) to navigate them safely. Suffice to say i am now dead ass scared of flats and I really lost my confidence that day. Watching this is giving me that itch. Thanks so much - your thought process and teaching style is absolutely perfect. I am a physics nerd, so if things dont make sense in terms of the forces I know are acting on me and the board I just cant get it. Spot on.
Thanks Matthew, I hope the videos help you, and good luck with the flats!
@@malcolmmoore Cheers dude. Im still watching your vids. Kinda binging them lol
I used to hate flats. And cat tracks. Then I learned to carve. Now I love them! ❤️
Yesss 🙌🙌
While you can still shift from one way to the other, then there is no issue. It's just when you are barely moving forward that things get interesting.
Another tip: lean backward as much as you can to make sure to catch every bit of speed you can!
Oh, and the sarenne is lovely! Did it again last year while there was barely any snow in the area. The sarenne doesn't end where you stopped.. you can do another flat section after that lift...
Omg that route looks amazing I can’t imagine
Thanks for all the videos man, you really helped me learn 👍
No problem!
This video was exactly what I needed. Particularly the point that having your board face directly down the slope is actually safer because it is harder to catch an edge.
Hope it helps 🙏
@@malcolmmoore but when pointing the board down, how do you control speed - by pushing it into the edge w your legs? Still scared for those flat narrow paths...
Last year when I started my relevant snowboarding journey (so, not counting my years as a kid where I was not well instructed or trying very hard) my friends treated me to a day at a resort that was new to me. At the end of our very first run of the day on the flat I caught my edge (I was very new to using my toe edge at the time) and actually ended up separating my left shoulder in the impact 😅Ten months later I finally got back on the slopes, and marking 11 months from the injury I went back to that resort and did a whole day injury free, including my first couple black runs! Yet I am still terrified of those flat sections. I guess I shouldn't be afraid separating that shoulder again since I didn't have it reattached but the learned fears are the most difficult to overcome. Once I learn some more edge control and correct my iffy posture like you point out in this video I'm sure I'll be able to hit 'em with confidence.
Man i messed up my AC joint a couple years back catching an edge on flats. Still hurts a bit to this day. Pay attention to this man's videos folks!!!!
Cheers man 🙌
Thanks for this one Malcolm - Hoping to hit Arc in March (all being well) and only having dry Slopes and Indoor snow does not lend itself to practising these cat runs so really helpful to bear your techniques in mind. Love the content and hope restrictions end soon for you mate. Cheers, Sam 🇬🇧
Cheers Sam 🙌
Malcom Moore! This video also helped a lot! I am very grateful to you that I can learn to snowboard with your videos! I am extremely grateful to you! Thank you very much!!!
Thanks so much!! Happy it helps 😊🫶✌️
I'm just amazed at how much down slope time you have!! I live in Minnesota and here our hills are straight down and that's it. No flats...
I mean I searched out a flat here, it's not all like this!
Thanks for making the video even though you’re uncomfortable talking around others. I learned a lot.
Glad I could help, thanks for watching a few 👍
It's the most relaxing video i've ever seen.
Nice tutorial, a good refresher - got to be honest I was mostly watching for the scenic run as I'm missing the snow! 😄
Thanks, hopefully you'll get to some snow soon!
Thank you Malcolm for all the videos and tips. It really helped me improve my riding, taking turns, etc. and riding flat and narrow pistes, not fearing to catch an edge.
Thanks Matthieu!
I was Bending my Knees to much and not having as straight of posture!! THANK YOU BUD
My pleasure 👍
damn this cat track seemed endless.. thought it would end at Arc de Triomph Paris
😂👌
I can do this but it's not much fun or very relaxing. On skis I find these runs so relaxing it's almost meditative.
It gets easy on a board, just keep working on it
Thank you for confirming what's been a fear the last 20 years.
Haha 😄
Flying out tomorrow morning for a weeks boarding! Can’t wait.. getting all the tips I can in before heading 😅
Enjoy!!!
7:53 - funny chuckle 😂
A good tip to help relax.
😄😄😄
Caught an edge couple weeks ago on this run in the shade. Fell right in my nuts going pretty fast. Why did I look back 😂
Ouch, hope those nuts didn't crack!
Great video, just one take. Thank you, very informative and valuable.
Thanks 🙏🙏
Super helpful video! Absolutely hate cat-tracks especially when it's crowded and full of slower people skiing side by side... I also just want to mention to always be predictable on flat cat-tracks.
Thanks Tony 😊
I really dont know how you do it Malcom. I broke my clavicle last year catching an edge whilst going down a flat. The pain was excruciating, thinking about it puts me in a state of anxiety. My vacation was instantly over, 2 weeks (around €2500) down the drain. The fear is real, I see tons of other people commenting in here with the same thing so im not the only one. I do wonder what we are doing differently to what you are doing in this vid. Maybe your subconscious feels those micro movements better that are necessary, through your experience. Im not risking anything anymore on flats/cattracks, maybe if I had an expert coach with me like you to guide me through.
Best snowboarding tutorials on northern hemisphere, thank you Mr. Moore, would add, wax regular to ride flats ;)
True, and thanks! 👌
This is exactly how I broke my scaphoid this weekend going from one run to the next on a steep to flat cat track, I picked up a whole bunch of speed and then on the flats, caught an edge, toe side and folded my wrist over.
Sorry to hear you’ve lost most of your bookings over these restrictions. Keep up the good work on CZcams .
I'm just amazed that this was a 2.8 miles non-stop cruise.... the best I had in Australia (Perisher) was done in several hundred metres, maybe a 1km.... Super jealous.
I've been boarding for 20+ years and this has always been my weakness. I was so happy to see you just made this video!! I've always hated being "that guy" on the narrow flats that's taking up the full width by carving edge to edge to keep from wiping out. I also hate to suddenly have to twist 90* to skid real quick when I'm riding flat and exceeding a comfortable/safe speed. This is one benefit I give to ski's over boarding ( I do both).
Happy to help 😄
couldn't have picked a better run for this tutorial! was awsm! thanks!
Cheers 🤙
my only fear of flats is losing all speed and having to skate the rest of the way lol
That's a nice fear to have haha.
Finally got to kick it to grouse today, thanks for your videos
Ah grouse, I went there about 11 years ago!
I used to hate pistes like that when I was a beginner but I actually enjoy riding them now. I struggle with the icy path of death (ipod) after riding Col Granier or the Foglietta at Sainte Foy. It’s like a flat icy mogal field but no more than 6 feet wide. Maybe it would be easier on a twin tip board but I use a Jones Mind Expander, which is amazing in the powder. The Foglietta is an amazing run with almost 1000m drop in height but I dread the ipod at the end!
I will test this in March, i hope i will do better then last time when i was on la sarenne. Can't wait to be there :D
Good luck 👍
Loved that glide sooo much did it over and over again. Loved over taking the skiers. Top video
Thanks Andy! 🙌
Hey Malcolm. Thanks for the video, can’t wait to try this out this weekend! Do you have any advice on staying closer in parallel with the fall line while on an edge? My board seems to be turning itself perpendicular to the fall line whenever I’m trying to go straight on these flat parts.
Same!! Or I get scared and pump the brakes until I’m facing uphill going 0 mph
This is actually the second video I've watched on this channel. The first was "omg how the hell this guy rides with insane speed almost flat straight downhill and not catching an edge". So I'm right on time.
Haha, welcome to the channel! 👋
Hey Malcom, any tips for when the flat is carved/grooved parallel with the run? I had trouble this past week on a narrow flat that was grooved pretty hard to the point it was difficult to choose an edge and ended up catching a toe edge on my final run. Psyched myself out by telling myself I was going to catch one, and did lol. Thanks for these informative videos you put out!
Hmmm not entirely sure what you mean, but when the piste is really bad, icy in the middle, or bumpy or whatever, sometimes it does just suck! You are still best on your edge but you just have to practice and soon it'll become natural!
@@malcolmmoore haha it’s hard to explain what I meant, but you’re right, practice makes progress. That’s why I watch your videos! Lol thanks
Simple fix to save you from falls: Grooves are most likely to grab your board and drop you when going slow and you are on a flat base. always be on an edge, especially at slower speeds, rocking back and forth, that means you are always turning and the grooves typically won’t overtake you.
@@simonwoo5450 Yeah i agree specifically also if your in the shadow areas.. for me anyway shaded areas for me can be a bitch going from sun to shade i hate it. Sometime i just lose the feeling. its like i cant see the piste features and get caught out...
I’m really struggling to hold a small amount of heel-side edge. I always end oversteering and across the fall line. Any tips on how to get this under control?
Thanks for the excellent videos, they’ve been so helpful!
Without seeing what you are doing it is hard to diagnose but my gut is you have too much weight on your front foot in those moments.
Thanks for the great tips as always Malcom! Any chance you can put the GPS data on more videos in the future? I'm trying to get a bit more comfortable with speed after catching an edge a few times at higher speeds, and seeing how fast you're actually going during this seems like it'd be a nice data point to have.
Yeah I'll be hoping to bring it into some more vids soon, it took me a while to figure out how to get it working but I seem to have it dialled now!
Useful video. Have being riding for years but have never really considered a strategy for flat sections, other than traversing on mostly one edge then occasionally rocking to switch to take the strain off the thigh muscles as you are on the opposite edge, however my way relies on a double falline. This looks so much easier and relaxed, and swapping edges means way less strain. Sorry to hear about your bookings falling off a cliff.
In the end it's almost all muscle memory with teeny tiny adjustments made to your legs while gliding along. It's difficult to explain and you'll only learn after catching a lot of edge.
Haha, yeah I kind of agree, but hopefully a little bit of info beforehand can help with that!
great tips, brilliant video
Thanks!
Don't forget to wax your board to overcome these flat sections even faster.
Great vid. That long straight of the Sarenne almost killed me a few years ago, on my first boarding holiday. I caught lots and lots of edges, lots of falls, almost bit through my tongue, and they had to hold the final chair lift of the day because we'd gone in the afternoon. Not a fun day. Hopefully will get back there one day to give it another go
Gutted about you losing custom. My trip to Les Arcs is booked for March, got all my fingers crossed the border will be open again by then
Les Arcs is great and barely has any flats. For me it's a prime snowboarding resort.
Yeah fingers crossed for you 🤞
Thanks for this, Malcolm. Saving this to re-watch when I hopefully go on the 17th of Jan.
Sucks to hear you lost around 90% of your bookings dude! Dropping a tip to help lessen the blow!
Thanks Kyle, very kind, I appreciate it 🙌
@@malcolmmoore You're welcome bud, keep up the great content!
7:53 close one😅 Great video!
How do you control your speed on these flat sections? Does rocking between edges slow you down a bit?
I find I'm constantly pulling the board around to slow down as it feels as though I am out of control, I don't want to stack it on these icy paths and I definitely don't want to hit anyone!
Me too 😯 I'm afraid of picking up too much speed & then the whizzing skiers & boarders past me make me want to slow up too 😵💫
Really nice demo at 8:03 the selfie stick angle really helps.
Btw we all missing the alps, can you ride into a mountain cafe and order a traditional dish and expensive beer next time! We'll sponsor your lunch!
Haha sure thing! 😆
Thanks Malcolm. That’s my favorite kind of slope to ride. You’re a joy to listen to and your instructions are always spot on. Wish I could get a couple of days learning from you in person.
Thanks André, well if you are ever in alpe d'huez hit me up!
MM, brilliantly constructed tutorial. 👍
Also having a perfectly waxed board helps continue the speed across the flat sections.
Very true, and thanks!
"Reasonably high".... you got me there mate ahahhahaha me loughing my .ss of 😂🤣 love ur videos btw, you have a great skill of explaining, thank you for making life for us beginer riders easier!
😂👌
Can I ask how you deal with speed checks on the flats and narrows? When I feel the board is going faster than I can emergency stop, I put the brakes on, but find it hard to unwind out because of the lack of room to the sides.
Hope my question makes sense.
Carve more often to keep that speed in control it’s gotta be a carve and not a skid back and forth subtle carves work the best
So yeah as Jimmy said ideally try and control it with the rocking edge to edge but if you need to put in a speed check do so so my counter rotating the upper and lower body to quickly push the board into a skid, then use that counter rotation to unwind and bring it back 👍
As a long time coach and instructor I surprised to see that there is no talk about where your weight should be on your board. With proper technique you don't need to turn your upper body and bring it back to slow yourself down. That is ACTUALLY one of the main reasons why people catch an edge.
In general if you got proper riding technique you will not catch an edge ever.
Basically you left out the most important and crucial thing about riding flats which makes this whole video extremely sketchy.
@@jonthevon you clearly didnt watch the full video since he talked about the weight needing to be centered at 8:13 and how important that is...
@@jonthevon Well don't leave us hanging. Where should your weight be and how do you slow yourself down?
Hi Malcom nice vid, hope you get some new bookings during the holidays!
Thanks franck 👍
Thanks a lot for the video. I'm having a lot of issues with flats at the moment; the board starts going fast, and any little deviation makes the board change direction and I fall. I don't feel as much stability as when I'm doing normal s turns. I'll try working on my position; maybe that's why I'm feeling so much instability
Thanks Malcom for another great tutorial, shame about Covid causing issues yet again. Stay safe, and of course looking forward to more videos.
Thanks man 🙌
Super long flat run 👌
7:54
Hi from Colorado
Hahah I love that most people here are afraid of a flat...while here I am dead scared of anything steeper. I used to ski and I'm 250 pounds/120kg and 2m(what is that..6,2ft?) tall and the acceleration I'd get there with almost no control is horrible. I'm learning to snowboard now, wonder how it's gonna be on those steep runs.
Good luck 🙌
@@malcolmmoore Thank you very much! And great video!
Another Quality Video... I know that run your on there and its so Scenic.. and yet can be like running the gauntlet lol sorry to hear about losing the business...hoping were going to be able to drive up in January and looking forward to having our lesson with you.. And meeting Indy.... we do get to meet Indy... right ??
Haha, of course! We can take the run to Huez with him!
I Just crouch down on flats and squat, Just chill in that position and being tilted because of my forward lean :)
I love this speed, elevation and distance tracking! (also, how can I do this while riding D: )
Any tips on riding moguls on 40+ degree terrain where the moguls are 2-3 feet deep?
Your cat track is more than twice the longest run I have at my mountain 🤣
I hate where I live 😔
I’ve recently moved to Switzerland, which has given me the chance to pick up snowboarding and your videos have been an absolute lifesaver! Anyway, I’m finding it difficult when trying to do long S shaped turns, especially on the flat bits of Couloirs. Think it’s getting my hips over when I’m already quite straight on my board? Any tips?
You the man!!!
🙌
Broke my wrist on a flat yesterday, 1st day of my trip.. Heel to toe felt slow and I knew i was going to catch a toe edge soon and then it hit me..
Ouchhhh that's gutting, hope you're ok
I'll be fine! It is what it is, there's always next season. Love your videos tho!
Keep it coming. I dig it!
Wow unbelievable
🙌
Yesterday I went on flat areas like that but I gain some speed I'm really scared because I know that if a catch an edge the impact can't hurt alot.
The problem is that those area are so tight and there were alot of skiers passing so close to me at high speeds, so there's the possibility to make a real mess if I try to slow down , because I can cut the road of people behind me, so it was a real struggle and I felt some times 🥲
Great video, as always.
Thanks 👍
Thanks for this amazing video Malcolm. What do u suggest to do if u loose ur balance because of bumps?
Try and get it back! I mean hopefully most flat slopes don't get that bumpy as people aren't really turning on then, but if it is bumpy just try and absorb the bumps one leg at a time keeping your upper body smooth over the top!
Quality instruction as per mate. 🤙
Cheers Nathan 🙌
OMG this trail is heaven! Im watching your videos to hopefully help teach a few friends of mine..loving the content.
What mtn and trail is this?! Going on my ever expanding bucketlist of places to board hahah
Alpe d'Huez in France, the Sarenne piste 👍
Beginer boarder here, so far only been riding 2 days following your beginer videos, but idk how to rock my board from toe to heal just only attempt to turn in S shapes which turn out to be more like really streached out S. Or i get scared and pretty much completely stop then have to force a turn, I only go on beginer hill/green slopes.
Your snowboarding skills are top class, you should be an instructor 😅
Yeah I should give that a go... 🤔
Do a how to get up in powder/soft snow
Not sure I want to take time off riding pow to get stuck in it, haha, maybe though!
I feel like the most mistake that beginners make, (And that i made) is to try and turn the board, while riding flatboard. Thats when you fall. If you resist the fall line when riding flat. You just have to go with the fallline.
True, thanks for sharing 👍