… and How to Nail Them Every Time!
Are you heading to Chamonix this winter? Feeling confident on your board, cruising the pistes, maybe even eyeing up the park? Whether you’ve already dipped your toes into freestyle or you’re ready to try your very first tricks, this guide is all about helping you level up your riding — safely, simply, and with plenty of fun.
To bring you the best beginner-friendly tips, we teamed up with experienced riders who know exactly what it takes to progress from solid basics to stylish confidence. Their advice focuses on easy starter tricks that build skill, balance, and board control — perfect to practise on this year’s Chamonix winter break.
From small-but-satisfying spins to playful presses, these are the tricks every new freestyler should try… and exactly how to get them right.
Beginner snowboard tricks
Snowboarding can be as easy or as challenging as you decide to make it. Sure, there are days when it feels frustrating (and yes, occasionally painful), but once you embrace the process, you’ll discover just how fun, empowering and welcoming the sport really is. And nothing boosts your confidence faster than learning a few new skills.
Broadening your repertoire is one of the best ways to progress and feel like you’re getting the most out of your Chamonix winter break. No matter your level, there’s always something new to try — but if you’re still relatively new to the sport and itching to expand your horizons, these beginner-friendly tricks are a perfect place to start.
Simple, stylish and seriously satisfying, they’ll help take your riding from safe… to smooth as peanut butter. Ready to give them a go? Let’s dive in.
1. The Ollie
The ollie is one of the most essential skills in snowboarding — the foundation of almost every jump, trick and piece of freestyle progression you’ll ever learn. It helps you lift over small obstacles, adds style to your flatland riding, and builds the balance you’ll need for park jumps later on. Master this, and your whole riding feels instantly more confident.
To practise on flat ground, start by slowing to a comfortable, controlled speed. Keep your stance relaxed and centred. Shift your weight slightly onto your front foot, then lift the nose of your board by gently pulling your front foot upward. As soon as the nose starts to rise, pop off your back foot, pressing down through your tail to launch the board into the air. Think: weight forward → lift the nose → pop from the tail → land centred.
When you take this skill to small jumps or rollers, the motion becomes smoother and more fluid. As your front foot reaches the lip of the kicker, lift it to bring the nose up while transferring pressure to your back foot. Pop as you leave the edge, then aim to land with your weight centred and knees soft to absorb the impact.
It’s simple, super useful, and once you get the timing right, incredibly satisfying. You’ve got this — and once you do, the park suddenly feels a whole lot more inviting.
2. The Method Grab
The method is one of the most iconic grabs in snowboarding — stylish, simple, and a favourite for riders of every level. It’s a variation of the classic melon grab, where you use your front hand to grab the heel edge of your board between your bindings (or just in front of the front binding). But the method adds a bit more flair: a slight twist of the board and a clean, stretched-out shape that always looks good in the air.
For many riders, the method becomes a “panic grab” — the instinctive move you reach for the moment you leave the ground. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, it just sticks. Rollers, side hits, tiny bumps at the edge of the piste… they all become opportunities to throw a quick method and add some style to your run.
It’s also a great trick when you’re learning to jump off-piste or on natural terrain. Because it’s quick and controlled, the method helps you stay compact in the air and gives your body something to do when you’re unsure of the landing. A second or two is all you need — grab, tweak, release, land.
Simple, stylish, confidence-boosting. No wonder it’s a classic.
3. The Indy Grab
The Indy grab (or Indy air) is another freestyle staple — simple to learn, super satisfying, and a perfect next step once you’ve mastered the method. For this grab, use your back hand to reach down and grab the toe edge of your board between your bindings. Same board, different hand, completely different feel.
The main challenge when learning the Indy is getting your back hand to move first. In the air, your front arm naturally wants to take the lead, so training your back hand to reach down while keeping your body calm and centred is a great way to build coordination and control. Keep your knees soft, lift the board slightly toward you, and hold the grab for as long as you comfortably can before landing.
The Indy looks clean, controlled and effortlessly cool — which is why it’s loved by everyone from total beginners to park pros. Even better, once you start learning spins and rotations, the Indy becomes the perfect grab to add style and stability while you turn.
A simple trick with big progression potential. Get this dialled and your freestyle journey opens right up.
Practice makes perfect
Here are a few final tips to help you keep progressing and make the most of your Chamonix winter break:
Make it a project — whether you’re here for a season or just a week, try practising one trick a day. Small, consistent steps make the biggest difference.
Build confidence at your own pace — don’t rush it. The more relaxed you are, the cleaner your tricks will feel.
Enjoy the process — that first moment when everything clicks is pure magic.
Capture the moments — you’ll end up with plenty of videos and clips to share with friends back home.
Share the stoke — spread the Chamonix vibes with #welovechamonix.
You’ll be progressing faster than you think — and once you’re feeling comfortable, it’s time to explore the snow parks around the Chamonix valley, all included on your ski pass.
Le Tour: one of the biggest snowparks in Europe, built to competition standards but still beginner-friendly, with blue routes and a relaxed Cool Zone to watch the pros.
Les Grands Montets: two boardercross tracks with banked turns, whoops and jumps, plus video recording and timing.
Le Brévent: small freestyle features, including an airbag and some rails for safe progression.
La Flégère & Les Houches: fun kids’ boardercross areas ideal for younger riders or anyone building confidence.
To make the most of your trip, you can pre-order your ski passes via our Chamonix Resort Shop for convenient delivery directly to your accommodation and the best available rates.
Good luck — and most importantly, have fun. The more you practise, the more addictive it becomes!
Safety first
Before you try any new tricks, remember that safety always comes first. Only give these a go if you feel confident, stay within your limits, and always wear a helmet — nothing ends a Chamonix winter break faster than an avoidable accident.
Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy pushing your riding — the mountains are always more enjoyable when you feel confident on your board.
