Backcountry Entry.

1. Before you even step into the entry, check the terrain, the slope's aspect, avalanche risk, and the weather, then put on your beacon, probe, and shovel and agree with your group on the riding order and a meeting point.

   This comes before any technique, and skipping it can cost you everything.

2. Enter at a slow, just-don't-stall pace.

   Unlike a groomed run, deep snow drags on the board as it sinks, and too much speed pitches you forward on the first turn, so start a notch slower than you would on the piste.

3. The instant the board moves from groomed to ungroomed snow, shift your weight from front-foot biased (roughly 6:4 front-to-back) to back-foot biased (around 4:6).

   Sink your weight onto the heel side of your back foot and think about lifting the nose slightly. This keeps the nose from knifing into the snow and stopping you dead.

4. Bend both knees deeply and stay soft through ankles, knees, and hips so you can absorb shocks.

   Keep your hips stacked over the board. Deep snow sinks without warning, so leave room for your legs to move up and down like suspension.

5. Look several meters ahead in the direction you're going, not at the tip of the board.

   Staring at your feet tips your upper body forward and buries the nose, so turn your face where you want to go and carry your weight that way.

6. Keep the first two or three turns small and shallow, reading through your feet whether the snow is light powder, a hard surface crust, or wind-packed.

   Once you can read the snow, gradually build up turn size and speed.

You can pin your own clip to the tricks you've landed (My Video).