7 Best Stretches for Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a graceful but demanding sport that requires strength, agility, and endurance. Flexibility is part of that equation, and you can maintain the range of motion needed for hitting the slopes.

Here are seven simple stretches you can do to improve the flexibility of not only your hips and lower body but your upper body, as well. You can perform these outdoors, if you like, and repeat the sequence several times if needed. 

Woman stretching

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

Keep these stretched dynamic, not static when performing them before snowboarding. Dynamic stretches are controlled movements that can help prepare the body for more intense activity. Move your body in and out of these positions several times, maintaining good form and engaging the muscles.

Hip Flexor Stretch

Standing Lunge

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

The hip flexors are some of the most important muscles used for snowboarding. They are responsible for bringing your legs and trunk together, whether by raising your leg towards your chest or bending your chest toward your leg. Use standing lunges to stretch the hip flexors.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Stand with your legs parallel.
  • Bend your knees and step your right leg back as far as it can go, resting on the ball of your foot.
  • Balance yourself by holding your left knee.
  • Straighten your back leg, but do not lock the knee.
  • Increase the stretch without overextending.
  • Repeat on the opposite leg.

Standing Calf Stretch

Standing Calf Stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

The gastrocnemius muscle at the back of your calf helps you point your toes and make explosive movements in jumping. The standing calf stretch is a simple and effective way to warm up this muscle.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Face a wall or tree, standing 12 inches back.
  2. Extend the right leg behind you, keeping both feet flat on the floor and your rear knee straight.
  3. Lean toward the wall or tree until you feel tension in the right calf.
  4. Repeat with the opposite leg.

Hip and Lower Back Stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

This is an important stretch for snowboarding as it opens the hips while stretching the muscles of the hips, groin, and lower back. It also targets the hip flexors and psoas.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Begin in a forward lunge position with your right leg forward.
  • Drop your left knee to the ground.
  • Place your right elbow on the inside of your right knee.
  • As you press your right elbow into your right knee, twist to the left.
  • Now reach your left arm behind you until you feel a gentle stretch.
  • Repeat with the opposite leg.

Standing Quad Stretch

Standing Quad Stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

The quadriceps (quads) do the majority of the work while snowboarding. These are the muscles at the front of the thigh which extend your leg while straightening the knee. Here is a simple yet effective quad stretch you can do while standing.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Stand squarely on the ground holding a wall or tree for support.
  • Bend your right knee and bring the heel behind you.
  • Reach behind with your right hand and grab the right ankle
  • Stand up straight and gently pull the right heel toward the buttocks, being careful not to overextend.
  • Repeat with the opposite leg.

Seated Hamstring Stretch

Seated Hamstring Stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

This stretch can help maintain length in the hamstrings and lower back. The hamstrings are located at the back of the thigh and extend from your knee to your buttocks. They often work in opposition to the quads.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Find a place to sit on the ground with both of your legs out straight.
  • Reach forward with both arms by bending at the waist.
  • Now gently extend forward, keeping your knees straight.

Standing Shoulder Stretch

Standing Shoulder Stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

This basic shoulder stretch can help open the chest and upper body and keep you from rounding forward. Be sure to keep your head up and resist the urge to bend your neck forward.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Place your right hand behind your head.
  • Keeping your elbow pointed skyward, reach your right hand as far down your back as possible.
  • Grab the right elbow with the left hand.
  • Gently pull the elbow toward the head.
  • Repeat with the opposite arm.

IT Band Stretch

woman doing standing IT band stretch

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

The iliotibial (IT) band is a set of tough fibers that run along the outside of your thigh that help stabilize the knee joint. Boarders need to keep the IT band limber.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Stand upright.
  • Cross your right leg behind the left leg.
  • Lean toward the left leg, reaching up and over your head with your left arm.
  • Now extend the left arm even further until you feel a stretch of the IT band.
  • Repeat with the opposite leg.

By Elizabeth Quinn, MS
Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics.