Carving Problems

Is it better control the amount of edging with my back foot or front foot?

As with skidded and other turns on a snowboard, you almost always want to initiate the carve with the front foot, control the bulk of the carve with both feet, and finish using the back foot.  Once you get the hang of it, it really helps!

Other times I do get the carve, but I catch an edge while evening out between the toe and heelside turns and l fall.  Do you have any advice for controlling that?

The above will help you with this.  This especially applies when on steeper runs like blues and blacks.  When completing the carve (or skidded carve or skidded turn for that matter) the back foot will have more weight and angle sending you into a “pure carve” for a moment.  This is necessary.  From this you have a

Is it better control the amount of edging with my back foot or front foot?

As with skidded and other turns on a snowboard, you almost always want to initiate the carve with the front foot, control the bulk of the carve with both feet, and finish using the back foot.  Once you get the hang of it, it really helps!

Other times I do get the carve, but I catch an edge while evening out between the toe and heelside turns and l fall.  Do you have any advice for controlling that?

The above will help you with this.  This especially applies when on steeper runs like blues and blacks.  When completing the carve (or skidded carve or skidded turn for that matter) the back foot will have more weight and angle sending you into a “pure carve” for a moment.  This is necessary.  From this you have a solid platform from which you slightly shift your weight downhill and over the front foot and subsequently initiating the next turn.  Yes, you can even develop a rhythm to help rock it from top to bottom!

Also, this may seem like a stupid question but I've been wondering…when does the snowboarding season formally end? I know it probably depends on the amount of snow on any given year, but do the resorts announce it each year or do they have a set date every year when it ends?

It's a lot like golf.  It all depends on where you are and the conditions for that season.  Ski/board areas will advertise their “typical” season to help people plan their activities.  For example, I was at Hoodoo, OR today and saw they advertised their season extends from Mid-November to Easter.  That's a pretty darn long season.  Resorts in the south and east will not have a season that long.  Some in Colorado and the Northwest will have lifts open through May (sometimes weekends olny though).  Some have contracts with the National Forest and are not allowed to stay open even if there is still snow left 🙁  Just call the mountain to make for sure.Hope this helps you and let us know how it goes on your next trip.