What is Buttering in Snowboarding?

Buttering in snowboarding is an on-snow trick that involves leaning into the tail or nose of your board. When you lean far enough in either direction, the other end of your board will lift off the snow. Buttering is when you ride like this for a few seconds or longer. 

I’ve been on a snowboard since I was a kid, and I’ve learned a lot of fun tricks along the way. I’m decent at buttering, and I know what’s involved with this common trick. 

This post will explain what buttering in snowboarding is. I’ll tell you the different styles of the trick and give you some tips on learning to butter. 

Let’s dig in. 

Buttering

Buttering is one of those great snowboarding tricks that look awesome and isn’t that difficult to perform. A butter is an excellent trick for beginner or intermediate riders to learn because you don’t need to catch air to do it, which means you don’t need to be an advanced rider. 

Buttering in snowboarding is simply riding with only one end of your snowboard on the snow. It’s kind of like popping a wheelie on a dirtbike. You need to lean way back or forward to perform a butter, but it’s not that challenging to do. 

There are two different types of butters – a nose butter and a tail butter. 

A nose butter is when you lean forward onto your downhill leg and lift the uphill end of your board off the snow. You will be riding only on the nose of your board, and that’s why it’s called a nose butter. 

A tail butter is just the opposite. You lean back into your uphill leg until the nose of your board comes off the snow, and you are just riding on your tail. 

No matter what type of butter you do, it can take some time to get used to riding with less edge contact. 

Also Read: Best Snowboards for Buttering

How to Butter

If you are trying to learn how to butter, all you really need to do is practice until you can pull it off. 

Start on a less steep slope and get enough momentum to ride at a comfortable pace. 

Then begin to lean either forward or back to perform a nose or tail butter. I think a tail butter is an easier starting point, but every rider is different. 

You might not be able to lift the end of your board that far off the snow at first. Just take your time until you get a feel for leaning way back or way forward. 

You can also take a lesson with a snowboarding instructor if you struggle with getting the hang of buttering on your own. 

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions relating to buttering on a snowboard. 

How do you start buttering on a snowboard? 

The best way to start buttering on a snowboard is to give it a try! You can take a lesson from a snowboard instructor, but buttering isn’t that complicated of a maneuver, and you can probably figure it out on your own.

How do I get better at snowboarding buttering? 

Practice makes perfect. The more you get out on the snow and practice, the better you will become at buttering. You can also take a lesson with a good snowboarding instructor or ask one of your skilled friends to help you out. 

How do you tail butter a snowboard? 

To tail butter a snowboard, you need to lean way back into your uphill leg until the nose of the board comes off the snow, and you are only riding on the tail. This can take some time to get used to the feel and balance of it. 

What is snowboarding jibbing? 

Snowboarding jibbing is basically any trick or maneuver you perform on something that isn’t snow. So grinding rails, stumps or logs is jibbing. But many riders also refer to buttering as part of jibbing as well. 

Conclusion

Buttering in snowboarding is when you either ride on the tail or nose of your board with the other end up off the snow. It’s a great trick to learn because it’s not that dangerous or complicated. Just make sure to take your time until you get the hang of it.

About Lorraine
I'm a certified snowboard instructor. My first experience with snowboarding occurred at an indoor resort. One run had me hooked, and it has turned into a lifelong passion ever since then. I'm here to share with you some of the tips and advice I have learned along the way.

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