Crust & crud

When it comes to snowboarding there are two important types of snow to consider. The first things that come to mind for many people are powder and non powder. While these are apt descriptions of perhaps ideal snowboarding conditions, they do not describe the type of snow that the majority of us will find each day.

Most of us will find a type of snow that falls in to two categories, crust and crud. Each type of snow is very different from the other and requires different riding considerations. Lets begin by looking at the type of snow called crud.

Crud snow is a condition that is caused by extensive use on a powdery surface and is usually earmarked by patches of slippery compact snow inter-spaced with ever changing peaks and bumps. Crud is formed when many people ride over powdery snow. The actions of many people tend to compact the surface with lumps and bumps of snow while leaving patches of ice in between.

Riding on crud surfaces can be very challenging since the lay out of the terrain is constantly changing. Every time a peak in the crud snow is compacted the snow that used to be there is either compacted in to an ice patch or moved to build another peak elsewhere. The key to riding this type of surface is to use an approach similar to riding Mongols. Keep your body evenly weighted, your knees bent and ready to absorb the shocks of going over peaks and keep your eyes focussed upon your goal. Looking at where you are going, as opposed to what you are riding over, will help you maintain you balance in the event of a sudden peak or catching an edge.

The other type of snow that you will encounter is known as crust. Crust snow is what happens when the surface of powder snow melts and then re-freezes. This action leaves a layer of ice on top of the snow that can make navigating much more challenging than normal. Ice is not a surface for beginning snowboarders, as it requires finer movements than any other surface and the results of not being delicate enough are painful bails.

The key to riding crust snow is getting through to the workable layer under neither the surface ice. The best way to do this is with a more forceful riding style than you are used to. Be sure to ride with more of your edge than you normally would. When turning, use a jump turn to help force your snowboard through the top layer of ice and in to the workable lower layer.

Knowing your riding conditions will enable you to get the most out of your day of riding. Just as the environment around you is constantly changing, so should your riding style. By being aware of your surrounding you are sure to get the most out of each run regardless of the exact conditions.

Latest snowboarding articles

» 360 airs a killer move with vast possibilities
Because of the vast number of possible variations of 360 airs it is reasonable to call a 360 air the most important and noticeable trick for snowboarding.

» Bonking - The snowboarders "high five"
Bonking is on of those strange little things that people do for the fun of it or to make a person jump.

» Variations to add to aerial movements
Two common last minute movements to add to your routine are Late Spins and Reverts.

» How to wheelie like a pro on a snowboard
Wheelies are an old trick that goes back at least as far as roller skating does and most likely much further.

» Layback slides and slashes
Layback slides and slashes are an extreme maneuver that originated with surfing. When surfing, a surfer would literally lay back on a wave and ride it before rising to stand again.

» Nose & tail rolls
How do you switch from riding Fakie to riding regular? Many times when landing we end up riding Fakie and you may wish to revert back to riding regular.

» Snowboarding at night
Nighttime snowboarding is another aspect of snowboarding that is unlike any other that you may have tried so far.

» Skidded turns and beyond
For many beginners, learning to turn on a snowboard can be rather challenging and unnerving.

» The key to stopping is sideslipping
Sideslipping is one of the most important skills that you can learn while on the slopes.

» Lift lines: The bane of snowboarding and all other activities
As is true with almost everything else that we do on a daily basis, a line must be entered and waited out. Of course the lifts on a hill are no different.

» Snowboarding helmets
We all know that not everyone uses their head as much as they should but this is no reason to not protect it.

» Snowboarding jackets
Winter jackets have changed a lot over the years as technology has improved. The best solution used to be those big, puffy, down filled jackets.

» Snowboarding boots
The boots that you wear when snowboarding will make a huge difference with your ability to control your snowboard and your comfort on the hill.

» The base trick for all other tricks, snowboards flex
The flex of a snowboard is a non-quantifiable factor that determines the performance of your snowboard.

» The sexy shape of a snowboard
Everyone knows that an hourglass figure turns heads. Not as many people know that the same figure is also behind the design of modern snowboards.

» The costs of snowboarding
As with any other recreational activity there is always a startup cost and it is the startup cost that is the killer.

» Alpine snowboarding
Alpine snowboarding is for those of you who are a little more extreme about speed than most.

» Freeriding
If you are a skier, enjoy the peace of the outdoors, enjoy powder snow, enjoy a little trick riding or just like to enjoy the slopes then this is the style for you.