What happens if a snowboard cross rider misses a gate?
I · Intermediate · Snowboard cross and ski cross · 4 of 6A gate is passed when both feet are in the bindings and the whole board crosses the gate line outside the turning pole. A rider who misses a gate gets a DNF and must not go through any further gates. Losing the board, leaving the course or stopping without carrying on also ends the run, and outside help brings a sanction.
How it works
- Gate passage: both feet bound in, whole board outside the turning pole.
- Knocked pole: the rider must still pass the original dye mark.
- Missed gate: DNF; no climbing back; no further gates.
- Lost board: DNF.
- Out of bounds: DNF.
- Full stop: DNF if the rider does not carry on at once.
- Outside help: the slightest help brings a sanction.
- Section judges: mark faults and give the benefit of the doubt to the rider.
The glossary has the gate passage (cross), the RAL, DNF and DNS, the heat (cross), the snowboard cross and ski cross, the cross sanctions and the board.
Tricky cases
A rider falls and a spectator helps them up. What happens?
Any outside help can bring a sanction.
A rider knocks a pole flat before passing it. Is that a fault?
Not if the board and feet still pass the original gate line.
Who records a missed gate?
The section judge, with the bib, an F and a sketch of the fault.
Can a rider be interfered with and get a re-run?
In timed qualification runs, yes, if the jury grants one; in heats, interference is handled by sanctions.
Why the rule exists
Gates fix the course so everyone races the same line. Banning a climb back stops a rider who erred from rejoining and blocking others.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Snowboard cross | Board outside the turning pole | ICR 5401 |
| Ski cross | Gates under its own rule | ICR 7401 |
| Timed runs | Re-run for interference possible | ICR 5403.3.4.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book VI: Snowboard / Freestyle / Freeski / Ski Cross (edition June 2026), rules 5401 to 5403. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the FIS ICR and the FIS judges' handbooks, updated each season.