| When choosing a snowboard you need to know | | | | tremendous variety of boards available. Name brands |
| what to look for. Why does one brand work better | | | | such as Burton, Abbigliamento, DC, Dragon, Gnu, K2, |
| than another. Why do prices differ from one board | | | | Roxy, Salomon and dozens of others fill the walls. If |
| shop than another? Should I let price matter? What if | | | | you question the clerks and ask for their opinion of |
| I buy and not like the board? | | | | the different boards you will get the impression that |
| Unless you have money to burn your best bet is to | | | | they must spend all of their time testing every board |
| find a shop that will rent you a board with the | | | | out on the hills. If truth be known, they will probably |
| understanding that if you don't like it you can walk | | | | have one board they use personally. The rest of the |
| without obligation, but if you do like it then the shop | | | | information they will pick up from brochures and |
| will deduct the rental fee from the retail price. | | | | advertising material. |
| Do not be in a hurry. Rent a few different boards. | | | | Choosing a snowboard is a matter of elimination. |
| Try to get the feel of each one. Make a real effort | | | | By trying a board you will either like it or love it. |
| to resist buying and do not get caught up in the | | | | Compare the stiffness of one against the other. |
| hype. Every board manufacturer will tell you their | | | | Do not skimp on the bindings. |
| boards are better. That is human nature at work. | | | | You bought a great board but fitted it with a cheap |
| Remember, graphics do not make the board better. | | | | binding. Big mistake. Advances in binding |
| The one point you really must understand is this. | | | | manufacturing have resulted in equipment that will |
| Nearly every board is made the same way. The core | | | | last for years. Nothing will wipe you out like having |
| is wood. It's covered on top with fiberglass and the | | | | that cheap binding give out, ruining a day of what |
| bottom is plastic. That is all there is to it. | | | | should have been perfect boarding. Now it is back to |
| Sure, some manufacturers spend more time sanding, | | | | the shop, buying the more expensive binding. Why |
| painting, designing and applying nice graphics. Some | | | | not do it all once. Buy the best you are able to |
| also spend a fortune on advertising material, but | | | | afford. |
| when it comes right down to it, one board is about | | | | Once you have purchased the board and those great |
| the same as the next. | | | | bindings get out there and try it out. Be sure to |
| The most important factor in the equation is how | | | | check how the board and bindings are working |
| does the board feel to you on the snow. | | | | together, sort of as a team would do. The |
| Choosing a snowboard means all of the above PLUS | | | | employees at the shop are usually very helpful. Do |
| trying it out on the slopes. Experience the feel for | | | | not hesitate to return for binding tweaking. |
| yourself. Do not believe the advertising hype because | | | | So there it is. Choosing a snowboard need not be a |
| most of it is a play on words. In the long run, you | | | | tough task. Be aware of the pitfalls of paying too |
| and you alone will decide what you want and feel. | | | | much for a fancy board. The cheap one will do just |
| When you enter a snowboard shop or an on-line | | | | as good a job for you. Place the dollars on the |
| shop the first thing you will notice will be the | | | | bindings and really enjoy your days on the trails. |