From Delivery to the First Run

Take the time to get to know your Snowlord: an exceptional product, designed just for you

1. Package contents

Upon delivery, you will find in your package:

• Your board prepared, waxed, and sharpened
• A pair of PHK Highlanders Snowlord Edition bindings
• An assembly instruction sheet

2. Goofy or Regular

There are many techniques online to determine if you’re goofy or regular. Our advice is simpler: close your eyes and imagine yourself riding your Snowlord, gracefully shifting from one edge to the other. Which foot is in front?
In any case, the PHK bindings allow you to set the correct angle, especially on the rear foot. If you’re goofy, the foot angle (front or rear) should face left; if you’re regular, it should face right.

3. Binding adjustments

The Snowlord is all about sensation. You may feel the need to adjust your bindings after your first sessions. However, most Snowlord riders use similar settings, described below:

1. Wedges: Your Snowlord comes pre-assembled with wedges that raise the front of the front foot and the back of the rear foot. This setup provides better comfort. The stiffness and precision of the PHK bindings ensure no loss of control in this configuration, so we recommend keeping it for your first ride.
   During your first sessions, if you feel that the front of your Snowlord “floats” or that on straight lines your board tends to pull to the right (for regular) or left (for goofy) despite keeping your rear knee close to your front knee, try removing the front wedge. The setup with only the rear wedge is preferred by about one-third of Snowlord riders.
   The grooves on the wedges interlock with those on your PHKs to ensure nothing moves.
   
   
2. Front angle: A topic that keeps snowboard and skwal forums lively — but in reality, it’s quite simple. The Snowlord was designed so that the rear is easy to skid while still being able to carve. Adding front foot angle (if you prefer) can make skidding to a stop feel easier. Thanks to the tail, the Snowlord has very little friction surface when skidding, making it easy to brake. The vast majority of Snowlord riders use a front angle of 0°. Straight down the slope!
   
   
3. Rear angle: This angle is important for comfort. It has little impact on performance as long as your shoulders face downhill. The angle should face right for regular and left for goofy, typically between 0° and 5°. We recommend starting with 3°. If you feel discomfort in your rear knee, reduce the angle; if you feel it in your hip, increase it.
   
   
4. Forward or backward position: The six inserts per binding, combined with the fine adjustment range of the PHK system, give you great freedom to position your bindings further forward or backward. If you ordered the pack, your bindings are pre-set based on our experience and rider feedback. Once you’re carving turns confidently (usually after 6–8 hours of practice), you may feel the need to adjust. If the front “floats,” move them forward. If you often catch an edge or lack rebound at the end of a turn, move them backward.
   
   
5. Stance width: Keep in mind that you can’t strap in the rear foot after the front foot — it won’t fit. A Snowlord rider always keeps the rear foot attached and straps/unstraps the front foot. Therefore, the back of the front foot and the front of the rear foot should be very close. Depending on your boot size, you may need to adjust the stance, but remember: the closer, the more comfortable.
   
   
6. Bring a screwdriver (preferably retractable) for your first outings. This will allow you to test several configurations.
   

4. Adjustments for your boot size

1. Place your boots in the bindings.
2. Loosen the screws slightly (without removing them) to adjust the front or rear insert, then retighten the screws.
3. Test strapping in and out before your first ride. The boot should not move side to side inside the insert, but you should be able to strap/unstrap without forcing (especially the front foot).

Good adjustments guarantee comfort, responsiveness, and performance from your very first runs.

5. Safety: the leash

We strongly recommend using a leash connecting your board to your leg. In case of a fall, it prevents the board from sliding down the slope and ensures your safety and that of others. Attach it to the rear binding — it’s the one you rarely unstrap.

Some ski resorts now make leashes mandatory for mono boards.

❄️ Your board is ready. Enjoy your first tracks with Snow Lord. ❄️

First Runs on the Snowlord – Step-by-Step Guide

Goal: confidently ride on a green or blue slope, find your balance, control your speed, and link your first turns on the Snowlord. Expect half a day to a full day depending on your ease.

0. Before you start: gear & posture

• Bicycle analogy: Don’t worry about the initial feeling of imbalance when standing still. Snowlord riding is like cycling — even the best riders aren’t stable when stationary. There’s some strange story about force vectors, sine, and cosine that makes a cyclist stable on 1 cm-wide tires at 10 km/h, but not at rest. Snowlord riding is the same — just without the wheels.
• Poles: Use both poles during your first outings. They help with stability, starting, and confidence on flat areas. Depending on your comfort, it takes between 1 h and 3 h before you can set them aside. Don’t keep them too long — they can lead to bad habits and, frankly, they’re not very elegant. Think of them like training wheels on a bike — funny, but not stylish.
• Front weight: Keep about 60–70% of your weight on the front of the board. The Snowlord is steered with an engaged front foot, not a backseat position. Practice this at a standstill before heading off.
• Shoulders: Always keep your shoulders facing downhill. They guide your line and ensure control. This is the main beginner’s mistake — keeping shoulders like on a snowboard. At first, it takes effort, but it’s essential that your shoulders face the slope.
• Alignment: Gradually bring your rear knee toward your front knee to stay aligned and stable. If you struggle to go straight, move your rear knee closer to the front one. Try this on flat terrain before starting — you’ll feel the board flatten out and stabilize.
  

1. First snow contact (flat or gentle slope)

1. Straight starts: On nearly flat ground, glide a few meters while keeping your gaze far ahead and shoulders facing downhill.
2. Gentle braking: To slow down, make the rear of the board skid by using your rear foot and hips. Gently push to make the tail slide. The motion starts with the foot and continues through the hips.
3. Controlled stop: Repeat until you can stop smoothly without straining your legs.

Tip: The front foot stays stable — the rear foot controls the glide.

2. Learning to skid the tail (priority #1)

On a gentle slope (top of a green run):

• Glide straight for a few meters, then use your rear foot to make the tail slide sideways.
• Keep your upper body facing downhill and stable. The goal isn’t to stop.
• Return to center and repeat. This helps you manage speed without losing balance.
• Try both sides — one will feel harder, but it’s important.

Secret: the rear foot controls drift, the front foot steers.

3. Progressively getting on edge

Once skidding feels natural, move to edge engagement:

1. Front weight: Load your front foot and lean into the slope. The Snowlord requires clear body commitment.
2. Shoulders always facing downhill: They steer your direction and prevent the board from “locking.”
3. Edge angle: Let the board tilt onto its edge naturally — don’t force it. The turn happens through pressure on the front foot.
4. Rebound: For small turns, this comes naturally, but when you start making larger ones (not full carving yet), pushing from one side to the other generates board rebound. That rebound gives the energy to switch edges. This is where the Snowlord’s stiffness — especially from the titanal layer — shines. The rebound sensation is magical. Once you master it, you’ll be able to dance on the snow, carve, or alternate both, feeling the exact moment your board gives energy back.
5. Don’t fight your board — feel its reactions. Don’t fear the edge. At first, you’ll fall a few times, but that’s how you’ll learn to sense your Snowlord’s rebound at different speeds.

Think “I lead with the front” — the more you load the front, the smoother the board follows.

4. Linking your first turns

• Look ahead — always in the direction of the turn.
• Shoulders facing downhill at all times, even exiting the turn.
• Initiation: Weight on the front, rear knee closing toward the front knee to stay aligned.
• Rhythm: Alternate tail skids to control speed, then edge engagement to turn.

6. Chairlifts & drag lifts

Chairlift (unstrap front foot)

• At loading, unstrap your front foot and keep it free to glide onto the seat.
• At unloading, the free front foot lets you push and clear the zone before strapping in again.
• It’s much easier to push on a Snowlord than on a snowboard — you’re naturally aligned.

Drag lift (keep both feet strapped in)

• Stay with both feet strapped, board aligned straight.
• Grab the pole gently, keeping your weight forward.

7. Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

• Too far back: the board becomes unstable. → Move your hips forward, load the front.
• Rear knee drifting out: you lose alignment. → Pull it back toward the front knee.
• Shoulders facing uphill: loss of control. → Stay facing downhill.
• Leaning from the hips: common error. → Movement starts from the feet, not the hips.

❄️ The joy of the Snowlord begins when balance becomes natural. Take your time, stay flexible, and always lead from the front. ❄️

Caring for Your Snow Lord Board

Owning a Snow Lord board means taking care of a precision-crafted piece. Proper maintenance not only ensures longevity, but also preserves glide quality and on-snow safety. Here are the essential habits to maintain your board’s performance and elegance season after season.

1. After each day on the slopes

• Carefully wipe the board with a soft, dry cloth, paying particular attention to the edges to prevent rust.
• Never leave the board in a damp bag or sealed car trunk: condensation can damage edges and bindings.

💡 Tip: simply wiping the board thoroughly can extend the lifespan of your edges by several seasons.

2. Regular checks

• Check the binding screws every 2 to 3 sessions. Vibrations may slightly loosen them.
• Inspect the base: if there are scratches or deep marks, a light grind and fresh waxing are recommended.
• Check the edges: they should remain clean, continuous, and free of burrs. A light 88° sharpening restores full Snow Lord precision.

3. Waxing

Your Snow Lord board is delivered already waxed and ready to ride. However, regular waxing is essential to maintain performance and protect the base.

• For regular use: wax every 5 to 8 sessions, depending on snow type and temperature.
• On artificial or hard-packed snow, waxing more frequently helps prevent base drying.
• Use a universal wax for simple and effective care.

💡 A well-nourished base improves glide and extends the lifespan of your skwal.

4. Off-season storage

• Clean and dry the board thoroughly before storage.
• Apply a thin layer of protective wax without scraping: it acts as a barrier against moisture.
• Loosen the binding screws slightly to relieve structural tension.
• Store the board flat or hanging, in a dry, cool place (avoid damp basements or uninsulated garages).

💡 Proper storage ensures your board is ready to perform from the first snow.

6. Recommended professional servicing

To maintain the full performance and elegance of Snow Lord:

• A full workshop wax at the beginning and end of the season ensures a nourished, even base.
• An annual professional sharpening preserves the skwal’s characteristic precision and edge hold.

❄️ Maintaining your board means extending the perfection of your glide. Snow Lord performance is earned — and preserved in every detail. ❄️