björn snowsport
Snowboard training with style
Japanese Snowsurfing Intro:
A couple of Tips and Tricks selected by Björn alias Swissy
Allow me to share what I've learned about Japanese snowsurfing, including some great YouTube videos I discovered. I'll highlight the unique stances and techniques, gear recommendations, and everything else you'll want to know to dive into this flowy riding style.
Snowsurfing Stance Guide
Binding Angles:
Stance is crucial for snowsurfing, especially if you're transitioning from a duck stance. If you prefer staying with your duck stance, that's completely fine—some Japanese riders successfully ride duck as well.
Posi-Posi / Forward Stance
As the names imply, this stance has both bindings angled forward.
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Front Foot: +15° to +30°
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Back Foot: +6° to +21°
The angle difference between the front and back foot typically shouldn't exceed 15°, with most riders comfortable around 9° to 12°.
Width Adjustment: Approximately 2cm to 4cm narrower than your typical duck stance.
Personal Preference: +24° (front) and +12° (back) at 52cm width.
Freeride Stance (Neutral or Slight Duck)
This stance blends versatility and comfort, suitable for powder, carving, everyday riding, and teaching.
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Front Foot: +15° to +24°
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Back Foot: 0° to -9°
Angle differences between front and back bindings typically remain within 30°.
Personal Preference:
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Powder/Carving: +21° (front) and -9° (back)
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Everyday Riding/Teaching: +18° (front) and -12° (back)
Width: 54cm
Edge Change in a Forward Stance:
With a forward stance, edge changes feel slightly different. Instead of rolling laterally from the balls of your feet to your heels, you'll feel more diagonal pressure: from the big toes of your front foot and little toes of your back foot shifting to the outside of your front heel and inside of your back heel. It still remains a lateral movement but feels more diagonal compared to the duck stance.
Body Positioning and Steering
Just like other snowboarding styles, snowsurfing uses various stances—active and performance stances. Since snowsurfing is typically for intermediate to advanced riders, basic stance isn't often emphasized. The active stance is more dynamic, flexed, and sporty. The performance stance further opens your upper body, aligning it with your front foot's angle and lowering your center of mass (COM) even more.
Ready for the fun part?
Achieving that smooth, flowing steering involves revisiting snowboarding’s roots. Ever heard of the plus and minus concept for steering? Don't worry if you haven't. During a heelside turn, open your shoulders and arms slightly (creating a "plus"), and during a toeside turn, close them slightly (creating a "minus"). Rather than full upper-body steering, think of it as gentle guiding. This subtle movement helps achieve powerful, smooth steering without excessive skidding, allowing the board's shape, sidecut, and flex to naturally carve and flow efficiently.
Snowsurf-Specific Snowboard Brands
🇯🇵 Japanese Pioneers & Brands
Gentemstick
Founded by Taro Tamai in Niseko, Gentemstick is a cornerstone of the snowsurf movement. Their boards, like the Chaser and Rocket Fish, are designed for deep powder and draw heavy inspiration from surfboard shapes.
🔗 gentemstick.com
Moss Snowstick
Established in 1971, Moss Snowstick is one of the earliest snowsurf brands. Their designs, such as the Jellyfish and Wing Swallow, focus on a surf-like experience in powder conditions.
🔗 mosssnowboards.co.jp
Island Snowboards
Based in Kutchan, Hokkaido, Island Snowboards handcrafts each snowboard using 100% Hokkaido wood cores, focusing on creating boards that perform exceptionally in deep powder and varied terrain.
🔗 island-snowboards.com
Adrable Snow
Adrable Snow is a local snowboard brand originating from Gunma Prefecture. They offer a range of boards suitable for carving, snowsurfing, freestyle, and park riding.
🔗 adrablesnow.com
🌍 International Snowsurf Innovators
Korua Shapes (Germany)
Known for their minimalist aesthetics and carving prowess, Korua Shapes offers models like the Café Racer and Pencil, emphasizing edge control and surf-inspired turns.
🔗 koruashapes.com
Jones Snowboards (USA)
Collaborating with surfboard shaper Chris Christenson, Jones has developed the Surf Series, including the Storm Chaser and Mind Expander, blending surfboard dynamics with snowboard technology.
🔗 jonessnowboards.com
Nidecker (Switzerland)
With their Snow.Surf series, Nidecker integrates surfboard design principles into snowboards. Models like the Mellow and Beta APX cater to riders seeking a surfy feel on snow.
🔗 nidecker.com
Amplid (Germany)
Amplid's Singular series has been recognized for its versatility and surf-inspired ride, suitable for various conditions while maintaining a snowsurf essence.
🔗 amplid.com
Weston (USA)
The Japow model by Weston is designed specifically for deep powder, drawing inspiration from Japanese snowsurfing culture and terrain.
🔗 westonbackcountry.com
Soul Snowboards (Austria)
Soul Snowboards focuses on handcrafted boards with unique shapes, aiming to provide a soulful and surf-like experience on snow.
🔗 soul-snowboards.com
Fjell Snowboards (Norway)
Fjell Snowboards, based in Norway, draws inspiration from the alpine landscapes and a passion for the mountain spirit. Their boards are crafted to offer stability and performance in deep snow and backcountry conditions.
🔗 fjellsnowboards.com
Grassroots Powdersurfing (USA)
Grassroots Powdersurfing offers a pure, binding-free powder-riding experience. Drawing inspiration from surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, they develop boards that pay tribute to the heart and soul of snowboarding.
🔗 powsurf.com
Notable Snowsurf-Inspired Boards & Lines
Spring Break Snowboards (by CAPiTA, USA)
Created by Corey Smith, Spring Break boards feature radical shapes inspired by surfboards, made for powder surfing. Standouts include the Slush Slasher, Powder Racer, and Ultralight Powder Displacement Snowcraft.
Rossignol Sushi (France)
A cult favorite. The Sushi blends a fishtail shape and wide nose for effortless powder float and smooth, surf-like turns.
Burton Family Tree Series (USA)
Burton’s Family Tree line focuses on surfy freeride and powder shapes like the Pencil, Pow Wrench, and Leader Board, all offering a snowsurf-style experience.
Lib Tech
Lib Tech, an American snowboard manufacturer, is known for innovative snowboard designs and construction. Their boards often feature unique shapes and technologies aimed at enhancing the surfy feel on snow.
Never Summer Industries
Based in Colorado, Never Summer is a snowboard and apparel manufacturer known for its handcrafted boards. Their designs often focus on versatility and performance, catering to riders seeking a surf-inspired experience.
YES 420 & 420 PowderHull (International)
The YES 420 was one of the first short, wide powder boards to gain a loyal following. The PowderHull takes it further with a 3D base for ultra-surfy turns.
K2 Cool Bean & Simple Pleasures (USA)
The Cool Bean became a pioneer for short, stubby powder boards in the mainstream market. The Simple Pleasures blends that feel with versatility for varied terrain.
Arbor Terrapin (USA)
The Terrapin features an ultra-wide nose and swallowtail, designed for soulful powder riding and drawing clean, flowing lines.
Ride Warpig (USA)
While more all-mountain, the Warpig’s surf-inspired short, wide profile made it a favorite for riders seeking surfy turns beyond just powder days.
Salomon Hillside Project (France/Global)
Collaborations with notable freeriders to create directional, surf-inspired powder boards like the HPS Taka, Wolle Nyvelt, and others.
The Flow: Summary
At its heart, snowsurfing—and snowboarding in general—is about reading the terrain, the snow, and understanding how everything links together. Like surfers searching for the perfect wave or skateboarders eyeing the perfect pool, snowsurfers look at the mountain as a playground of endless possibilities.
Drawing inspiration from surfing, skateboarding, mountain biking, BMX, or even parkour, the goal is to blend creativity with natural features. Snow surfing is about finding clean lines and understanding how your board’s shape interacts with the mountain’s banks, gullies, drops, and trees. Every bump becomes a ramp or a banked turn, each run a creative journey.
It’s not just about heel-to-toe turns. It’s about expressing your style and harmonizing with the terrain. Japanese riders have perfected this elegant, flowing approach, which resonates with riders worldwide—including my own Swiss roots.
Next time you ride, think about embracing a relaxed, playful mindset. Treat the mountain like a canvas, build your own style, and most importantly—enjoy the ride.
If you'd like to explore this style with personalized coaching, feel free to book a private session and let's see where the journey takes us.
And remember: the snowsurfing mentality can be applied to any snowboard or stance. It’s all about how you ride.