Ramps (or jumps) are a great way to learn new tricks. If their made properly with a good run way and landing, they can be sweet.

      Before you build a ramp, you want to ask yourself if you are going to do tricks that you know well, and maybe some you don't know to well. Or, if you are going to try new tricks that are really hard and you are scared off hurting yourself.

      If you are going to make a jump where you will be trying new tricks, that are very difficult, you should follow this plan. Things you want to look for in finding a spot for a ramp is a big area with no trees, rocks or anything that could hurt you. Next, walk around in the landing area and if you sink is like and foot or two then it's a great landing. If you walk over the landing and you only sink half a foot then it could hurt if you fall badly. Other things you want to look for is if there is anything under the snow, if everything is in power look for dumb in the snow, that means that there is something under the snow, and it could be dangerous. After you decide if the landing is acceptable then look for where to put the run way. If the landing is bad, just go and find another one. Good things to look for in a run way are hard packed snow. This is good because you can reach high speeds with hard packed snow.

       And now for the ramp. To make a ramp it is really important that it is really well made. You want it to be hard, wide, and the perfect amount of kick. To get snow in the area of the jump quickly you can do a couple of things. First, you can make a big snowball. This is a great way because the snow will already be packed down, and there's a lot of it. The only disadvantage is that it can get really hard to push after a while, but other then that then is really good. You can also just get a shovel and make it by shoveling snow. This works well too, and they take about the same time to do. Make sure the jump is pack really hard so you don't go through it or take a big chunk of if you catch your edge on it.

       For the design of the jump you want the board to be on the snow at all times. You do not want the middle of the board to be off the ground. It's ok if you put the board on the jump and there's a small gap, because the board will bend around, but if the middle of the board is 3 inches (7.5 cm) off the snow or more its not good. If you have a gap like that then just put snow there and make it smaller.

      If you have problems, or you are not clear with this then email me.