How Do You Train For Snowboardcross?

By Cody Brown, SSWSC Head SBX Coach

Riding up the lift with various individuals, engaging in light conversation in one way or another leads to my occupation as the Snowboardcross coach for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. After explaining a little more about the sport and our team one of the most common questions people ask is "how do you TRAIN for boardercross?" This article will give an overview-answer to the training methods and techniques used by many to prepare for the snowboard discipline requiring all aspects of snowboarding -speed, carving, air awareness, and advanced technical skills all while riding head to head with 3-5 other racers. 

Our first race in Mt. Tremblant is approaching quickly and over the past two months we have been preparing diligently. During the off season our athletes are on strict dryland training programs to ensure when the snow falls their strength, stamina, and balance are where they need to be. Our first couple weeks on snow consists primarily of the boring, tedious, yet necessary drills to refresh and strengthen our athletes' snowboard foundation. These drills focus on body position/alignment, vertical movements, turn types, turn shapes, edge angle, and body awareness. We revisit these various drills throughout the season to remind and reinforce. About the same time daily drills stop being fun we transition our training to more SBX specific skills. We are searching the mountain for rollers to pump, moguls to double, and transitions to match. We set GS gates on a regular basis to work on proper turning techniques and join forces with other teams to run snowboard downhill/Super G races. Often faced with intimidating features on new boardercross courses it is essential to look fear in the eye and conquer. We run top to bottom without turning to gain confidence and comfort at high speeds (hopefully staying away from beginners and ski patrol). We find the biggest jumps we can, we hit them faster and push comfort levels. Grabbing, spinning, and absorbing to build more air awareness. We race six at a time down mogul fields and follow the leader through trees. We are fortunate to have the support of the club to build boardercross features that otherwise would only be available at events. We spend several days per week training technical features such as Wu-Tangs, Waterfalls, Rollers, and Berms. We practice starts with start gates. Prepare for poor weather and snow conditions by riding with feel and closed eyes.  We hold tuck for miles, and hold hands for proximity. Drafting, passing, and mental game are always at the forefront of our riding. Most importantly we freeride with intention and intensity, simply enough freeriding is some of the best training you can do for SBX.

When we are tired we train a little more then we review video and go through different Toko waxing techniques and products.  

In other words...train everything and wax with Toko often. 

- Cody