The Ultimate List of Snowboard Tricks: From Beginner Buttering to Pro Jumps (2025 Guide)

There is a defining moment in every snowboarder’s life. It’s that split second after you leave the lip of a jump or press your nose into the snow, where gravity seems to pause, and you realize: I’m actually doing it.

Snowboarding is more than just turning left and right. It is a canvas for creativity. Whether you want to master smooth flatland butters or boost huge airs in the park, learning tricks is why snowboarding is fun. But the progression ladder can be intimidating. Where do you start? What is a “Melon” grab? How do you spin without catching an edge?

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the essential list of snowboard tricks, categorized by difficulty. We’ll cover the mechanics, the common mistakes, and the gear—like helmets and wrist guards—that keeps you safe while you learn.

1. The Fundamentals (Green Circle Tricks) Beginner

Before you hit the big line in the park, you need to master board control. These tricks can be done on green runs or even flat areas. They teach you balance, flex, and edge control.

The Ollie

This is the foundation of almost every other trick. An Ollie isn’t just a hop; it’s a snap. You use the tail of your board as a spring. For a deep dive into the mechanics, check out this guide from Red Bull on how to Ollie.

• Load: Shift hips back to the tail.
• Snap: Jump off the back foot while lifting the front leg.
• Level: Suck knees up to level the board in the air.

The Nollie

The inverse of an Ollie. Instead of springing off the tail, you spring off the nose. It requires more commitment because you have to lean forward, which feels scary at first. Nollies are essential for initiating spins and pressing onto rails.

Tail Press (Wheelie)

Often called a “butter,” this involves shifting your weight entirely over your back foot while keeping the board straight. Your front leg should be straight, and the nose of the board should be off the snow.

Pro Tip: Don’t just lean back; shift your hips laterally over the binding. If you are experiencing heel lift, tighten your boots, as loose boots make pressing impossible.

Switch Riding

While not technically a “trick,” riding opposite to your natural stance is a prerequisite for 180s and landing jumps. If you don’t know if you are Goofy or Regular, figure that out, and then practice riding the other way.

2. Intermediate Flatland & Jibbing (Blue Square Tricks) Intermediate

Once you are comfortable with your edges, it’s time to add rotation and obstacles. These tricks require confidence and often benefit from a softer, “freestyle” board (check our camber vs rocker guide).

The Tripod

A stylish butter trick where you look like a camera tripod.

• Setup: Ride at medium speed.
• Lean: Crouch down and reach back with both hands to touch the snow near the tail.
• Balance: Shift weight to the tail and your hands, lifting the nose high into the air.

Frontside 180 (Flatground)

Spinning 180 degrees so you land in switch stance. “Frontside” means your chest faces forward (downhill) during the first 90 degrees of the spin. It is generally easier than backside for beginners because you can see your landing.

50-50 (Box or Rail)

The first jib trick you will learn. It involves riding straight over a box with your board parallel to the feature.

• Approach: Ride straight at the box, knees bent.
• Ollie: Pop slightly to get onto the feature.
• Slide: Keep your base flat! Do not use your edges, or you will slip out.
• Exit: Pop off the end and land flat.

Backside Boardslide

You slide with your board perpendicular (90 degrees) to the rail. “Backside” means you approach the rail with it behind your heels. Ironically, a Backside Boardslide faces you forward down the hill, making it less scary than a Frontside Boardslide.

3. Air & Grabs (Black Diamond Tricks) Advanced

Taking it to the jumps requires speed and commitment. Safety is paramount here—ensure you have impact shorts for those inevitable heavy landings.

Indy Grab

The classic. You grab the toe edge of your board, between the bindings, with your rear hand. It is stable and stylish. Avoid the “Tindy” (grabbing near the tail binding), which is considered bad style.

Method Air

The most iconic trick in snowboarding. It is essentially a backside air where you grab the heel edge with your front hand and tweak the board up behind your back.

360 (Frontside/Backside)

A full rotation.

• Wind Up: Rotate your shoulders opposite to the spin direction as you approach the lip.
• Release: Snap your shoulders into the spin as you leave the lip.
• Spot: Look for your landing early.

Tamedog / Wildcat

These are cartwheel-style flips. A Tamedog is a front flip (cartwheeling over the nose), and a Wildcat is a backflip (cartwheeling over the tail). Unlike a traditional backflip, you keep your alignment with the board’s direction of travel.

Safety First: Don’t Break Yourself

Top Gear to Fast-Track Your Progression

You can’t learn everything on the snow. Training at home or having the right safety gear can double your learning speed. Here are the top tools available on Amazon.

Conclusion: The Path to Progression

Mastering this list of snowboard tricks won’t happen overnight. It takes seasons of dedication, plenty of falls, and a lot of patience. But the feeling of landing your first clean 360 or locking into a solid press makes every bruise worth it.

Remember to check your gear—ensure your boot laces are tight, your edges are tuned (learn how to remove rust), and your body is protected. Start small, visualize the movement, and most importantly, keep riding.