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New to the slopes? Don’t assume you need to take up skiing. If you’ve ever wakeboarded,
skateboarded or surfed, consider taking up snowboarding, a sport more similar to those
summer pastimes than skiing. Like wakeboarding, skateboarding and surfing, on a
snowboard both feet rest on the stick and you lean and use the edges to carve turns—not
unlike how you turn on the road or waves.
Unlike surf and skateboards but just like a wakeboard, on a snowboard both feet are
attached to the board in a fixed position, which will take some getting used to. But
skateboarders and surfers usually get the hang of it pretty quickly.
To help you get started here’s some basic information on the equipment needed.
Snowboards
There are snowboards available designed for all types of uses and all types of people,
including models for kids. Prices range from $150 to $500 with most boards falling in
the $200 to $400 range. It’s best to purchase a board at a reputable dealer who can
look at you, discuss how you’ll board and select a proper model and type for you and
the snow you’ll be on.
You select a board initially according to your weight, and most boards come with a
label listing the recommended user weight range. Another important consideration is
getting a board that works for your foot size because if your heels or toes overlap
the edges, it’ll cause handling problems. To get an idea which model board to buy
check snowboard web sites, some of which sport nifty board finder engines such as
you’ll find at http://www.nitrousa.com
and http://www.angelfire.com/mo/boarderworld/
and http://www.seisports.com/cgi-bin/sei/shop/940530654-216103209135-817/html/snowboard/index.html.
Plug in your personal details and the engine tells you what length and type board is
suited to you.
The only way to know if a board you’re thinking of buying will work for you is to give
it a try. And the best way to do this is to visit a shop that offers a demo program.
Usually, you pay a deposit on the board(s) you want to try, and you hit the hill for a
while to see how the boards you’re interested in feel. Once on the snow, you’ll be
able to tell if you can handle the board and if it works the way you want. If you
don’t like the samples, you can return to the shop and try some others. When you find
one you want to buy, the money you paid for the demo goes toward the price of the board.
Don’t demo boards however, unless you’ve had some basic lessons on snowboarding because
you won’t have the needed skills to judge the boards.
The Three Basic Types of Snowboards:
- Free Ride or All round (also known as “All Mountain”):
Most snowboarders today start with this type of board and it’s likely if you’re a
beginner, you need look no further. As the name implies, these sticks are made to do
a lot of things well in most snow conditions from freestyle riding, to boarding in
powder to carving. They’re directional boards meaning they’re primarily meant to go
in one direction. Free Ride boards aren’t so stiff that a beginner can’t flex them
for control. Both ends are upturned but not equally; the front tip is higher than the
rear.
- Free Style:
Made for technical tricks like spinning and jumping. If you spend a lot of time in
the air, you’ll like this type. It’s also a flexible, maneuverable board that works
well for beginners because they can control it. Like on Free Ride boards, both ends
are curved up, but on Free Style boards it’s symmetrical. These features make it
easier to lead with either foot, one of the reasons these snowboards are ideal for
trick riding.
- Alpine (also known as Racing):
Racing boards are designed mostly for speed and fast turning. These resemble skis in
that they have a flat tail, are built stiff, have a narrower body, and feature
sidecuts for carving. This board type is more suited to the intermediate or advanced
user.
Boots
The two categories are soft boots and hard boots. Most people use soft boots. Hard
boots are preferred for racing. Soft boots come in designs for Free Ride and Free
Style boarding and both offer sufficient flexibility (leather uppers) for applying
body English during tricks and aerial maneuvers and even walking or driving in when
you’re grounded. These boots run about $90 to $250 depending on features.
The differences in design are based on the boot’s use. Free Riders need foot and
ankle support but not as much as Free Stylers. Free Style boots sometimes include a
bladder (a boot inside the boot) for additional support and improved fit.
Racing boots resemble alpine ski boots with stiffer construction (plastic uppers),
buckle closures, and internal liners. But they’re designed for the demands of boarding
at speed and carving turns fast (alpine ski boots don’t work as well). What’s needed
for speed are stiff boots that provide the control needed. Alpine boots are more
expensive than soft boots and can run $450.
Remember to try on boots with the socks you’ll board in. Make sure to get good socks
that wick moisture away from your feet and are comfortable (you don’t want blisters).
Bindings
Bindings (about $100 to $225) are selected to suit the board and boot type. Soft
bindings (also called strap bindings) are most common. With these, the boots are held
via a harness-like device with a high-back that captures and supports the back of the
boot and holds it in place with straps across the boot bottoms and sometimes ankles.
If you’re using an alpine board, you’ll use hard boots, and for these the correct
binding is a plate binding that grabs the bottom of the boot.
On soft and plate bindings, there’s no provision for easily getting in and out of the
bindings. Usually, you sit down to connect your boots to your board and free it.
Lately, new systems called step-in bindings are gaining popularity that provide easier
entry and exit via a step-in engagement and quick release (once you’ve reached down
and tripped the binding). There are about a half dozen companies offering these
systems today. In order to use one you must match the binding with a shoe designed to
accept it or sometimes a shoe from the company that makes the binding. This adds cost
to the system ($350 to $600). But, the ease of use, particularly the ability to get in
and out in a hurry, is making step-ins grow rapidly in popularity. Something that’s
adding impetus is that skiers who try snowboarding are already familiar with these
types of binding systems (skis use something similar) so they’re pre sold.
Clothing
Dress in layers to keep sweat away from your skin and to make it easy to shed or don
clothing to adjust for the conditions. You’ll want waterproof pants because you’ll
spend time kneeling and sitting in the snow (all that carving burns energy, tiring you
out. Plus, at times you’ll want to chill and watch others board). Snowboarding is very
hard on clothing due to the time spent on snow, too. So get reinforced and even padded
duds (knees, butt). It’ll protect you and make your boardin’ baggies last longer.
Check out some company links to find technical clothing for snowboarding and you’ll
find pants and other gear that’ll do the trick nicely.
Get a helmet, too. They’re lightweight, include adjustable venting, and look great.
Injuries when snowboarding are about equal to downhill skiing. A helmet will pretty
much guarantee you don’t miss any days boarding due to a concussion or more serious
head injury.
Other Stuff to Bring
- You probably got a leash with your snowboarding package that’s used to keep the
board attached to your body so you won’t lose control of it when you come off. If you
decide not to use it, at least keep it handy in case the ski area has a leash law.
- Wrist, knee, and butt pads (check at hockey stores for pads and padded clothing)
can save wear and tear on the body when you butt or face plant.
- Warm and tough waterproof gloves.
- Hydration system (you’ve gotta stay hydrated when exercising at elevation and it
sure beats paying $2.50 a pop at the lodge for bottles of H2O).
- Tuck a no. 2 and no. 3 screwdriver in your hydration pack and you’ll be ready to
deal with any screws that loosen on your board, bindings, and straps.
- Sunblock
- Eyewear/goggles
- Hat
- Pack
- Video with phat snowboard action to get you shredding and jigging in style.
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