Pivot Frontside 180

The pivot frontside 180 is a 180° rotation done almost without leaving the ground, using the tail as a pivot. It’s one of the most fun tricks to learn because it combines balance, timing, and a feel for rotation, all without getting airborne.

How to Do It

1. Come in at moderate speed, riding your normal way (not fakie).
2. Shift almost all your weight onto your back foot (over the tail), lifting the nose slightly.
3. Start rotating your upper body frontside: open your shoulders toward the nose side, that is, downhill.
4. Let the board follow your shoulders: the nose swings around the tail, which stays glued to the snow.
5. When you complete the 180°, you’re in fakie. Bend your knees to steady yourself and keep riding down.

Common Mistakes

• Too much weight on the nose: if you don’t shift enough weight onto the tail, the board won’t rotate smoothly and tends to get stuck.
• Rotating with your hips, not your shoulders: your shoulders lead everything; your hips and the board follow. Don’t try to force it with your legs.
• Getting lost after the 180°: ending up fakie catches a lot of riders off guard. Practice riding fakie before you try this trick.

Progression

When the pivot frontside 180 feels smooth, try the Pivot Backside 180 to round out your ground spins, then take your spins into the air with the Frontside 180 on a small jump.