The Choiee learning path: from your first fitness test to linked turns on snow
Most people from Vietnam first stand on a board in Japan or Korea, with a lift pass already paid for and only a few days to spend, most of it falling and getting up. Choiee does it the other way round: we prepare your body and core skills right here in Ho Chi Minh City, so by the time you meet real snow you can already stop, turn and fall safely.
8
fitness and strength tests
6
skill sessions on the simulator
12
conditioning sessions when needed, included in the fee
1. Eight tests: know where your body is starting from
Before your first ride you take eight short tests. They are not there to rule anyone out; they show which weaknesses to work on before you step on a board.
| # | Test | What it checks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single-leg balance, eyes closed | Balance without relying on your eyes, as in flat light or on uneven snow. |
| 2 | Knee-to-wall ankle flexion at 10 cm | Ankle mobility, which decides whether you can hold a bent-knee stance inside stiff boots. |
| 3 | Single-leg squat to 60 degrees | Strength and control in each leg. |
| 4 | Single-leg hop | Stability when landing on one leg. |
| 5 | Wall sit | Thigh endurance for long runs in a held stance. |
| 6 | Side plank | Core strength to keep the upper body quiet while the legs steer. |
| 7 | 20-inch box jump | The coach watches your knees on landing; knees caving inward is a warning sign for ligament injury. |
| 8 | Squat on a Bosu | Leg strength on an unstable surface, close to the feel of standing on a board. |
In our first test round, almost everyone had at least one test to work on. Your results are recorded and tracked for the whole course, and they guide which conditioning sessions you take.
2. Six skill sessions on the simulator
Choiee's technical curriculum is built from international instruction systems: PSIA-AASI (USA), CSIA and CASI (Canada) and BASI (UK). They use different names but the same order: balance, rotation, edging, pressure control, then combining them. The six sessions follow that order.
Session 1. Stance and falling safely
Find your front foot (regular or goofy), stance width and a bent-knee athletic stance. Practise falling forward and backward, and getting up with the least effort.
Session 2. Moving on one foot
Skating with one foot, straight glides and turning on the spot. A rehearsal for getting on and off a chairlift.
Session 3. Side slipping and traversing
Use the heel and toe edges to brake and hold your speed, then link it into a falling-leaf zigzag.
Session 4. First turns
Steer the nose with your front foot and knee, then a J-turn: ride down, turn and come to a full stop.
Session 5. C-turns and emergency stops
Turn from heel edge to toe edge and back with a quiet upper body and no shoulder swing. Hockey stop for emergency braking.
Session 6. Linking turns
Change edges continuously into an S-line and control speed with the shape of the turn. Your coach assesses you against an end-of-course checklist.
What the simulator can and cannot teach
The simulator lets you repeat a movement hundreds of times at an adjustable speed and pitch, with a coach correcting you on the spot. It cannot reproduce ice, powder, cold or steep terrain. So Choiee builds the foundations here; carving and harder terrain are finished on real snow.
There are two tracks, snowboard and ski. Both share the tests, the conditioning and the mountain safety module.
3. Up to 12 conditioning sessions when you need them
Nobody starts with the same body. If your tests show weak legs or shaky balance, or you just want to be better prepared for your trip, you can take up to 12 extra conditioning sessions. They are included in the course fee at no extra cost.
Pick the format that suits you:
- In the Choiee gym, with balance boards and half-dome pads.
- Outdoors.
- Following the online programme at home.
The work targets what riding actually demands: squats, lunges, Bulgarian split squats, deadlifts; single-leg balance; lateral hops; planks and side planks. Aim for 2 to 3 sessions a week, starting 4 to 6 weeks before your trip.
4. On the mountain: safety first, technique second
Before your trip you learn the shared slope rules used in the US, Europe and Japan: stay in control of your speed, the person below you has priority, stop where people above can see you, and look uphill before you set off. Plus one habit that lowers the risk of knee injury: keep your hips above your knees and your hands in front, and when you are about to fall, bring your legs together and go with it rather than fighting to stay up.
Helmet, goggles and gloves are mandatory. On the simulator, wear long sleeves and long trousers.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I still join if I don't pass a test?
- Yes. The tests are not there to rule anyone out; they show what to work on. If a test isn't passed yet, your coach suggests the right conditioning sessions.
- Do the 12 conditioning sessions cost extra?
- No. They are included in the course fee. You take them as needed, up to 12.
- Should I learn snowboarding or skiing?
- Both tracks go through the same eight tests and the same conditioning and safety work. If you're unsure, ask your coach at your first test session.
- What can I do after the 6 sessions?
- The goal is that you can stop, turn and link turns on a gentle slope on your own. Carving and harder terrain need real snow.
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