How to Fall Safely — The Skill Nobody Teaches

Snowboarders fall. Hundreds of times in the first season. Skiers fall too, but not on the same surfaces. Toeside falls go onto the knees and hands. Heelside falls go onto the tailbone and head. Learning to fall properly saves hours of pain and prevents the wrist fractures that put a third of beginners off the sport forever.

The Heelside Fall — Tailbone Down

1. Don't reach back with your hands. This is the single biggest cause of broken wrists.
2. Tuck the chin to the chest. Stops the head from snapping back.
3. Land on the meaty part of the butt, not the tailbone. Tilt slightly to one cheek.
4. Cross your arms across the chest. Removes the temptation to brace with hands.

The Toeside Fall — Knees and Hands

1. Drop to the knees first. Then forward to forearms.
2. Slide on the forearms, not the open palm. Wrist guards make this safe; without them, knuckles down, palms up.
3. Don't lock the elbows. Bent arms absorb the impact, straight arms break collarbones.

Practice It

On day 1, do five deliberate heelside falls and five deliberate toeside falls on the bunny slope. Yes, on purpose. The body learns the safe form before adrenaline takes over. By day 3, your unconscious fall reflexes are correct.