Nose Press

The nose press is a press on the nose of the board: you put all your weight on your front foot until the tail lifts, and slide a few meters balanced on the tip. It’s a key trick if you want to move on to butters and rails, and it’s great training for weight control and body awareness.

How to Do It

1. Come in at a moderate, steady speed on flat or gently sloping terrain.
2. Gradually shift your weight onto your front foot, bending your front knee.
3. Keep shifting until the tail lifts off the snow: the board should stay balanced on the nose.
4. Keep your upper body centered and your arms out for balance. Don’t arch your back.
5. Hold it for a few seconds, then shift your weight back to return to your normal stance.

Common Mistakes

• Weight not far enough forward: if you’re scared of loading the nose too much, the tail won’t lift and the press won’t happen. Trust it: you can go further forward than you think.
• Arms and upper body rotating: resisting the rotation is essential. Keep your shoulders parallel to your direction of travel.
• Not enough speed: without a bit of speed the board stops right away. A little momentum helps keep the press smooth.

Progression

When you can hold the nose press for several meters, you’re ready for the Nose Butter, a more dynamic, spinning version of the same idea. You can also take the nose press onto rails for a more technical variation.