Discover Snowboarding: The Equipment
Nothing replaces walking into a snowboard shop on the mountain and getting first-hand professional advisement. We recommend that you demo multiple brands and styles of snowboard equipment while taking lessons from the local staff. Have an idea of what style you want to ride; freestyle, freeride or carving? Your style will determine the correct boot and snowboard flex/cut/length you will want to use. Try them all, Their all good. The shop staff can help you choose the right snowboard equipment for the conditions and the instructors can assist in defining you style. With that being said; there are a few items that you will want to own before you hit the snow like snowboard clothing, gloves, goggles and pads. Once you have narrowed down you favorite brands, shop around. You can find great deals on the hill and around the internet. Check out Snowboard Specials.com for some incredible bargains.
The Snowboard.
It is good to know a little bit about the equipment before you walk into the shop. Here is a diagram of the snowboard and some of the key terminology.
Snowboarding Essentials:
The stomp pad is a grippy surface that helps keep you on your feet.
Snowboard Bindings vary in design, some are made to take you from the park to tree line and beyond. Others are more suited for niche snowboarding like carving, competition or backcountry.
Features of the snowboard boot are the liners and footbed for comfort, the outsole and the tongue which is a key flex zone.
The Snowboard Leash keeps the board under your control.
Stomp Pad > Binding > Boot > Leash
The Snowboard Shopping List:
Here's a list of snowboard gear that we recommend you put together before the trip or purchase before hitting the slopes. Check out the Amazon Slideshow below for a visual.
- The Pads - these will make the difference between sitting and standing at the Apres.
- Wrist Guards - the first parts of the body to hit the ground when learning.
- Helmet - save the cranium, go big and look for a audio friendly lid while shopping.
- Underware & Fleece - layer, layer and layer. Stay cool when it's sunny and warm just in case.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen or zinc, sun or clouds.
- Gloves - splurge for powder proof, just in case.
- Goggles - fit is key here, purchase after or with helmet for fit.
- Beanie - fashion and functio rule, squash the hat head.
- Audio - plug in, nothing like a some tunes to motivate.
- Sunglasses - a nice transition for the eyes after taking off the goggles.
- Hydration - a nice 70 oz. should do the trick.
- Pants and Jacket - truely define your character.
Check out the YouTube.com Video
The guys and girls at REI line out some tips and advice on choosing your board. Search REI for great Deals on Snowboarding Equipment.
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Also search great Merchants like Altrec and ProBoardShop for quality Gear...