| What it is | Skiing/riding backward |
| Snowboard | Non-dominant foot forward |
| Ski | Skiing backward (needs twin-tips) |
| Key in | Freestyle tricks (spins, landings) |
Switch means riding or skiing backward — leading with what is normally your trailing end. For snowboarders it means riding with the non-dominant foot forward; for skiers it means skiing backward, enabled by twin-tip skis. Switch riding is fundamental to freestyle, where tricks involve taking off, spinning, and landing both regular and switch.
Backward by design
Enabled by twin-tip skis and central to freestyle skiing and snowboarding in the terrain park.
Frequently asked questions
What does switch mean in skiing and snowboarding?
Switch means traveling backward relative to your normal stance. A snowboarder riding switch leads with their non-dominant foot (the opposite of their usual stance); a skier skiing switch is skiing backward. It requires balance and, for skiers, twin-tip skis that curve up at both ends.
Why is riding switch important?
It's essential for freestyle, where many tricks involve spinning to or from a backward direction and landing switch. Being comfortable riding switch effectively doubles your options in the park and pipe and is a mark of well-rounded freestyle ability.
Is switch the same as fakie?
They're closely related and often used interchangeably. 'Fakie' generally means riding backward in your normal stance (rolling backward), while 'switch' emphasizes deliberately leading with your non-dominant foot/end. In everyday use among skiers and riders, both describe traveling backward.
Sources
- Freestyle terms — PSIA-AASI
- Park riding — The Mountaineers