One of the first things every snowboarder learns is whether they ridegoofy orregular. Your stance—whether you ride with your left foot or right foot forward—affects everything from balance to turning mechanics. Understanding the difference between these stances and setting up your gear correctly can make a huge difference in your comfort and control on the mountain.

What’s the Difference Between Goofy and Regular Stance?

Your snowboard stance refers to which foot leads while riding:

• Regular stance means you ride with your left foot forward and your right foot at the back.

• Goofy stance means you ride with your right foot forward and your left foot at the back.

Neither stance is better than the other—it all depends on what feels natural to you.

How to Determine If You’re Goofy or Regular

If you’re unsure which stance suits you best, here are a few simple tests to figure it out:

1.The Push Test

Stand with your feet together and have a friend gently push you from behind. The foot you instinctively step forward with is likely your lead foot for snowboarding.

2.The Slide Test

Imagine you’re sliding across a slick floor in socks. Which foot naturally goes forward? That’s probably your lead foot on a snowboard.

3.The Kick Test

Think about which foot you’d use to kick a soccer ball. Typically, your opposite foot will be your front foot in snowboarding. If you kick with your right foot, you might be a regular rider, and if you kick with your left foot, you might be goofy.

Stance and Gear Setup for Goofy vs. Regular Riders

Once you determine your stance, you need to set up your snowboard properly to match. This includes adjusting your bindings, stance width, and angles for optimal comfort and control.

1. Snowboard Binding Setup

• Your front binding should align with your lead foot.

• Your back binding should be positioned behind your rear foot at an angle that matches your riding style.

• Most beginners start with aduck stance (both feet angled outward) for balance and versatility.

2. Stance Width and Angles

• Ashoulder-width stance provides stability and control.

• A common beginner setup is+15° for the front foot and -6° for the back foot.

• Freestyle riders might opt for amirror duck stance (e.g., +12° front and -12° back) for easier switch riding.

3. Snowboard Shape Considerations

Your stance doesn’t change which snowboard you need, but some boards are designed to accommodate different riding styles:

• Directional Boards: Great for all-mountain riders who stick to a dominant stance.

• Twin-Tip Boards: Perfect for freestyle riders who ride both regular and switch equally.

Adapting to Your Stance on the Mountain

If you’re just starting out, spend time getting comfortable with your stance by practicing basic turns and balance exercises. Many snowboarders eventually learn to rideswitch (opposite stance), but your natural stance will always feel more comfortable.

No matter whether you’re goofy or regular, the key is proper setup and practice. Once you dial in your stance and gear, you’ll be set for a smooth ride down any slope.