Toe-turns !!!

Question
I've been riding for a couple years now, however I still call myself a beginner.
I can do heel turns very well and stop with a heel turn easily. I can not do a
toe turn  for the life of me. I ride goofy. I look like an idiot on the mountain
because I can only do a heel turn and turn right. Because of this I do not go
very fast on the mountain and stop many times on the trail. Any tips on how
to actually carve and do a toe turn would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer
Hi Shannon.  Let me reiterate something you probably already know - if you tilt the edge of the board, it will turn.  Since the board is concave.  So knowing that for certain, the heel and toe side turns both work on exactly the same principle.  OK, that said - let me mention that you also need to have a good stance... your body 50/50 weight over both feet and you body stacked directly over the board.  Toe-side turn is then simply a gradual movement.  Push your toes down and your knees out.  That's it.  You just slowly move your knees out while applying pressure down with your toes.

That said - if you find that it still isn't working - the most common cause is that you really aren't keeping your weight over both feet but in fact are moving your hips more over your back foot.  One way to prove this is to place your hands on your hips and make sure they don't move while initiating a toe-side turn.  Having your weight in the back will negate toe or heel side turns... and it is completely common to have one or the other that you are unsure of and so as a defensive step - you shift weight to the back to protect yourself.

So... weight centered and stays there.  Gradually press down with toes while pushing knees out.  Do it on the bunny slope first to ensure you can get it... and it will work!

All the best Shannon!  -Mike