The tools you'll need for tuning your board are a Base Edge Tool, Side Cut Tool, and Honing Stone. You can score these items at most reputable snowboard/ski shops.

The first step in tuning your board will be to debur the edge. To do this, apply even pressure, while dragging the honing stone down the edge of your board from tip to tail. Repeat this on both edges until all the burrs are filed smooth. Be sure to go in the same direction; you want to avoid rubbing the edge in a back and forth sanding motion.

Next, your going to tune your base edge with the base edge tool. The idea here is to smooth the base edge to a uniform surface. Ensure when filing that the teeth of your tool face the direction you're filing. Pay close attention to avoid filing the base of the board.

After filing the base edge, you can tune your side edges. Use your side cut tool at the angle that you desire your edge to be. When it comes to tuning your edges you have a some options depending on what type of edge you want.

• Base edge angle is 0, side edge angle is 90 degrees. Most boards come from the manufacturer with these standard angles.
   

• Base edge angle is 0, side edge angle is less than 90 degrees. This cut will give you a sharper side edge which will increase your grip while turning and works well in icy conditions.

We recommend you stick to these simple tuning setups unless you're a really sick rider who can benefit and feel the difference of having and advanced tuning setup. Chances are, if you're reading this, you're not, and standard tuning will work just fine for you.

If you're into advanced tuning, these edge cut techniques include cutting your base edge angle at greater than 0 degrees, and your side edge angle cut at 90 degrees. This dulls your side edge which decreases your boards bite, but will allow you to execute turns easier.

With a base edge angle cut at greater than 0 degrees and side edge angle less than 90 degrees it will result in tuning that results that maintain the 90 degree in your edge, but at a different position along the edge. Some riders find that they gain more speed and have the board turn easier.