How to Build a Backyard Terrain Park for Snowboarding
A backyard terrain park is the perfect option for snowboarders who want to keep their skills dialed all season, without having to leave home. There are never any lift lines, no one will tell you to slow down, and you can kick your boots off and warm up in your favorite chair whenever you please. But if you’ve never built any park features and are looking for some guidance on how to get started, you’re in the right place. Bring the mountain home with Burton’s comprehensive guide on how to create a backyard terrain park.
This guide covers some different types of features you can build with everyday household materials, how to progress your skills, and how to ride a backyard terrain park safely.
No backyard? No problem. Many of the tips in this guide can be used to create and ride features at a public sledding hill, park, or golf course. Just remember to remove any features you build from shared spaces at the end of the day.
Pro tip: Be a good neighbor. Always ask property owners for permission before constructing any features or dropping in.
Backyard Terrain Park Features
For first-time terrain park builders, we generally recommend a three-step approach to constructing a backyard park. And fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to have fun snowboarding right in your own backyard.
- Start simple with a few basic features
- Build out a few bigger features
- Invest in legitimate features
1: The Basic Setup
For The Basic Setup backyard park, focus on keeping things simple with a few everyday household items. For this setup, we will use some lumber and tools, a snow shovel, a recycling bin, a tree branch, and a car tire to build a few primary features.
Drop-in Ramp
The purpose of a drop-in ramp is to give you the speed you need to hit features (this is especially helpful if you have a flat backyard). A tall steep ramp will provide lots of speed while a short mellow ramp will provide less speed and more control. To start, we recommend building a ramp that is short and mellow.
How to Build a Drop-in Ramp
To build a drop-in ramp for a backyard terrain park, use simple items from your local hardware store to create a flat deck on top (this is where you stand and strap in before dropping in) and an angled ramp that you will ride down to generate speed. The exact materials you need will depend on your specifications, but in general you will need some tools and lumber.
Stuff You’ll Need
- Drill
- Wood screws
- Saw
- Tape measure
- 2x4s
- Plywood
Step 1: Create the frame. Measure and cut your four 2x4 corner posts to length, based on how tall you want your drop in ramp to be. Measure and cut the 2x4 cross-braces and supports (a good width for a drop in ramp is 24 in, or about 60 cm). Screw the braces and supports to the posts to create a standing frame (make sure it is sturdy and stable enough to support your weight). Measure and cut a piece of plywood to cover the top and screw it in place.
Step 2: Create the ramp. Measure and cut two pieces of 2x4 to the desired length of the ramp. Remember that if the ramp is too short, the angle of the transition between the ramp and the ground will be too abrupt and cause you to lose speed. If the ramp is too long, you won’t generate enough speed. Measure and cut a piece of plywood to cover the top and screw it in place.
Step 3: Connect the ramp to the frame.
Step 4: Cover with snow and smooth out the transition from the ramp to the ground.
Pro tip: You can also create a drop-in ramp by shoveling and shaping a large pile of snow or covering the stairs from the deck to the yard with snow.
Recycling Bin Jump
Pull your recycling bin over from behind the garage and set up a jump feature. These plastic bins are great for snowboarding on because they are sturdy and durable.
How to Build a Recycling Bin Jump
Position the recycling bin directly in front of your drop-in ramp and tip it onto its side. Next, shovel snow against either side of the bin, this is called the transition. When building your transition, keep in mind that a larger transition creates a gentler compression zone (the area between flat and vertical), and a smaller transition will create a more aggressive compression zone.
Create your feature to match your riding style and progress once you get comfortable. This is a great feature to practice basic tricks like an ollie.
Log Roller
A simple and fun feature is the log roller. For this feature, all you need is a medium-diameter section of a branch from a tree (only use branches that are already down and please don’t harm any living trees).
How to Build a Log Roller
For this feature we are going to keep the log exposed and build up snow on either side, keeping in mind the compression zone. With the log exposed you can practice things like stalling on the top of the roller or sliding on it.
Tire Jib
A tire is an item that many people have lying around and can be used for a bunch of fun things in your backyard terrain park, so it’s time to get creative.
How to Build a Tire Jib
Pile snow around your tire and ride up onto it to practice stalling. If you have multiple tires, stack them up and move them around to create unique jibbing features.
Snow Features
All you really need for a backyard terrain park is snow and a shovel. Just push some snow around, build your transitions based on your skill level, and you are good to go.
Pro tip: If you live in an area without consistent snowfall (or you just want to ride during warmer months), consider incorporating dry slope materials into your backyard terrain park. Available in several different materials, colors, and prices, dry slope material is more accessible than ever.
The Ramped Up Setup
Once you have mastered The Basic Setup, it’s time to take things up a notch by increasing your speed and building some bigger features. For The Ramped Up Setup, consider a few of the following options:
- Build a bigger drop-in ramp so you can generate more speed for your features.
- Purchase a drainage culvert from your local hardware store and (carefully) cut it in half lengthwise to create a feature to slide, jib, or jump over.
- Stand your recycling bin straight up and build snow around it for a more aggressive jib feature.
- Use multiple tires to create an obstacle course. Consider placing a small piece of plywood in the middle of each tire to give yourself a flat surface to balance on.
The Ultimate Setup
To really make your backyard terrain park The Ultimate Setup, purchase professionally manufactured park features (from a company like Coastal Jibs). But beware, once you have a pro-level terrain park in your backyard you may never leave your house again.
Want to take these recommendations on-the-go? Download the complete (printer-friendly) Home Backyard Terrain Park PDF guide.
Backyard Terrain Park Safety
A backyard park is the perfect place to practice park safety and etiquette that will translate to resort riding later on. Whenever you drop in (at home or at a resort) it is important that you abide by the SMART framework from terrainparksafety.org.
Start Small: Work your way up. Build your skills.
Make a Plan: Every feature. Every time.
Always Look: Before you drop.
Respect: The features and other users.
Take it Easy: Know your limits. Land on your feet.
Pro tip: Burton always recommends wearing a properly fitted helmet when snowboarding, even at home.
Also, it’s a good idea to understand the ATML zones of each feature. When paired with SMART, ATML is a great way to safely progress your skills.
Approach: The approach zone is for setting your speed and stance
Take-off: The take-off zone is for making moves that start your trick
Maneuver: The maneuver zone is for controlling your style
Landing: The Landing Zone is for getting straight and riding away clean.
A Final Word on Backyard Snowboarding
Have as much fun as possible riding your backyard terrain park, but remember that the professional park crew at your local mountain spends all season working to build original, creative features that push the boundaries of snowboarding. And it's always a good idea to drop in and support the park scene at your home resort. So, focus on honing your skills at home and then take them on the road to shred with the community and spread the stoke.
Did you build a rad backyard terrain park at your house? Share the inspiration by posting to Instagram and tagging @Burton.
