Stance for freeriding

[david]

The SWOARD stance recommendation is to be centered on the contact length. I was wondering whether it is better for turning technique to ride centered on the contact length of a freeride board (with soft boots), rather than backset.

[fivat]

With a freeride board and soft boots, I use a backset (2-3 cm) when I ride off piste in deep powder...
Since I'm lazy, I don't change the setting when I ride on piste, and it still works well.
(Note that I use mainly hard boots and a SOWARD to ride on the slopes, exept when I teach snowboarding to students who have soft boots...)

If you have "high" angles on your freeride board (I have 30°/15°), a backset is actually not so important. Indeed, when you bend your knees, your weigth is naturally placed more on the back of the board. This would not happen with angles like 0°/0°!

-Patrice Fivat

[Rob Stevens]

Only use setback if you want the board to rise in powder. Otherwise stay centered. It will be easier to start your turns if you have pressure closer to the nose.
Moral of the story? Carry a screwdriver if you want it all with one board.