Discover the secrets to DIY snowboard sharpening

Sharpening your snowboard from home used to require a lot of skill, but improvements in filing technology have made sharpening a much easier process.

Having a sharp edge on your snowboard is important because it can help you ride and carve through snow with ease. All riders and boards are different, and some will require sharpening more frequently.

If you’re a hard rider, you’ll need to sharpen your edges more frequently than softer riders. As a general rule, you should check your edges after every few sessions, but if you've just bought your board, it has very likely already been sharpened and you should be ready to go.

If your edges are dull, or you've noticed that you aren't carving as well through the snow, it’s probably ready for a sharpening. Most riders sharpen their edges every eight to 10 sessions and your local sports equipment store can do it for a small fee.

If you want to save time and money, pick up a snowboard angle file and do it yourself in 10 to 20 minutes. Your file will have the angles preset so you won't risk blunting your edges like you would with a traditional file.

Before you get started with the sharpening tool, it’s a good idea to mark the edges with magic marker. This will let you know when you’re almost done each part of the edge and help you know where to start your next stroke.

• Now, you’re ready to start using the tool. Make all of your strokes in the same direction, tip to tail, but be careful not to strain your arm with long strokes. Make smaller strokes and overlap them as you go. If you feel like your file isn’t sharpening well, you may need to clean it off with a wire brush before you continue.
• After you've gotten your edge nice and sharp, it’s a good idea to go over it with a fine diamond stone, or a piece of fine grit sandpaper. If you’re a moderate snowboarder, chances are you’ll only have to do this once per season. But once you have the angle file tool, preparing for another season at the slopes will be a breeze and it will save you a trip to the local shop.

Remember to be very careful when snowboard sharpening and handling your board. The edges will be sharp and they can cut you. Always carry your board in protective case to avoid cutting yourself or those around you.