Steps: Cliff Drops  Cliff Drops  Elementary Air  By Kurt Hoy
Break into the world of big drops by picking out a bite-sized
(around head high) boulder with a soft landing. The
steepness/deepness of the landing has to be relative to the size
of the drop for a safe, soft touchdown.  Exposed granite can be
a visual deterrent, but the stable nature of rocks makes them a
safe choice to start with; riding on and around cornices takes
particular backcountry knowledge.  Gauge the speed of your
approach by where you want to land– either closer to or farther
away from the rock. As you reach the lip, extend your legs and
push off the snow to keep the board level rather than just
rolling off the edge into a nosedive.  Once you’re bird-like,
bring the board up to your body by bending your knees and use
your hands to stay balanced. Extend again as if reaching for the
snow and then compress upon impact. Don’t be a full Gumby, there
should be a certain amount of resistance in your legs to stomp
the landing.  If conditions ar