Do you butter? If you snowboard or ski, you are likely familiar with buttering.
The basic butter is a snowboard maneuver or trick that involves spinning and leveraging weight on the end of your board.
This can be achieved by learning to manipulate weight to lift one end of the board off the ground, either the tail or tip, and the spin is typically 180-degrees — the result should appear exceptionally smooth, like butter!
Want to learn more about mastering the basic butter on your snowboard? Keep reading!
How to Butter Snowboard
Butter your snowboard by maneuvering your weight on one end of the board, either the tip or tail, lifting the other end up in the air. While the end is elevated, spin the board 180-degrees. This maneuver is easy but impressive, and it helps to learn on a flat surface before moving to slopes or inclines.
Butter Snowboarding
Ready to learn to butter on your snowboard? Practice someplace safe and flat to get a grasp on the spin before encountering other people or objects that could get in the way and cause you to fall.
Make sure that you are on a flat surface, but that it is covered with enough snow to facilitate your spin.
First, get the nose of the snowboard off the ground. Twist your midriff and turn your arms in circles — in whichever direction feels most comfortable.
Spin on the tail of your board to start — later, you can practice spinning on the nose.
Okay, have you mastered that move on flat ground yet? Keep practicing but move on to a slight incline or small slope, if possible.
Avoid crowds to help keep everyone safe when practicing. Try a 180-degree spin on the tail next, and then spin in the opposite direction back to the position where you began.
Keep practicing, but this time, try elevating the tail instead so that you are spinning on the tip of your board’s base.
Keep buttering, tip and tail, until you can increase the incline and smoothness of your buttering.
How to Butter Better
Buttering is not difficult but requires practice to make it look smooth and effortless. When you master buttering on the tail of your board, try switching things up and buttering on the nose.
A nose butter can be intimidating and a bit scary for a novice, but it is not hard to learn. Keep practicing your form to get the seamless spin that makes buttering so special and so dramatic.
Now that you know how to butter, learn to butter better with these snowboarding tips!
- When you butter, make sure to be cognizant of your edges at all times. The edges of your snowboard- or ski for that matter — can fetch or catch and cause you to fall.
- Start out on a flat surface initially, and then gradually work up to a slight incline. The time it will take to graduate to steeper slopes depends on many factors, including your own distinct snowboarding skills, the snowboard, and the terrain.
- Make sure nothing’s blocking your way when doing your buttering. Even though this is an easy trick, it is still possible to get hurt- or hurt someone else.
- Be wary when landing and try to keep your knees bent. Try to facilitate a soft landing for yourself; don’t come down too hard when spinning and buttering.
- Try keeping your weight distributed evenly on both legs. This helps prevent a fall, flip, or nasty injury.
- The board will follow the direction that your upper body takes; remember this during spins and move your torso according to where you want to go.
- Buttering can be done on features like jumps and halfpipes, which make them even cooler. Again, when you are still learning, make sure that you avoid crowds to prevent injuries to everyone. Wait to show off at the skate park when you have mastered your butter!
Wearing protective gear is always crucial when riding your snowboard. This is even more important when practicing new moves and tricks, even easier ones like buttering.
This is a simple yet effective way to stay safe on the slopes.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Butter Snowboard
What is buttering a snowboard?
Buttering is a snowboarding trick that looks a lot more difficult than it is! This trick involves lifting one end of the board up in the air to spin- the move is smooth, like ‘butter.’ While a basic move, it requires some practice to perfect.
Why do people butter a snowboard?
Buttering a snowboard looks cool and appears difficult, so many snowboarders want to add this maneuver to their repertoire. Many use this move in conjunction with other tricks on a half-pipe or ski slope.
What’s the best tip in learning how to butter a snowboard?
Start on flat ground and gradually work towards an incline. Since this trick involves adding weight to the tail to raise the tip of the board, the rider can then spin. Practicing weight distribution on your board is a great way to get started, but steer clear of crowds and property to prevent accidents and injuries.
Conclusion
Do you snowboard? Impress your friends and expand your skills by learning to butter.
Buttering is not difficult though it requires practice to perfect. Use these tips to butter your board!