| Snowboarding is one of those sports that can get | | | | halfpipes, rails and some jumps. |
| expensive very quickly, so you want to make sure | | | | Freestyle boards have a soft boot and are |
| to choose the right gear for your style. By careful | | | | comparatively shorter. This helps the maneuverability |
| searching, you can save yourself from spending $500 | | | | for doing tricks, jumps and getting airborne. Some |
| on the wrong type of snowboard... and still enjoy the | | | | freestyle boards are designed for a speciality, such |
| riding that you like to do. | | | | as the halfpipe. If you can afford a board for every |
| A great place to find good deals on snowboards is at | | | | occasion, these specialty boards will ride extremely |
| your local snowboard shop (if you have one in your | | | | well in the condition for which they were designed -- |
| area). You can also check shops near your favorite | | | | but are not likely to perform well outside of that |
| snowboard locations. It is also good to look on the | | | | specific terrain. |
| internet to research prices and manufacturers and | | | | Freeride Style |
| ratings of the various snowboards. | | | | Of all the styles of snowboarding, Freeriding is the |
| After snow season, mainly during the spring and | | | | most general. Freeride equipment also uses a soft |
| summer, you can find good deals on snowboards | | | | boot. Boards in this category are relatively longer and |
| (since they are not being used much). Oftentimes, | | | | more directional in their shape. If you don't know |
| during the off season, rental shops ugrade their | | | | what kind of surface terrain you like, or you like |
| equipment and you can find good deals on their used | | | | everything, this would be for you. |
| stuff. Also, you might be able to find a good deal on | | | | This is where you get to experience all of the |
| a snowboard by checking the classifieds at the local | | | | mountain for yourself. You can snowboard through |
| college or university school newspaper. | | | | open terrain, hit backcountry chutes, get the fresh |
| In snowboarding, there are three main styles. | | | | powder, and manuever through trees. This is where |
| Freestyle, Freeride and Freecarve-Race. | | | | the rider and the mountain can come together, with |
| Snowboarders are fairly divided between Freestyle | | | | no one else to interrupt. |
| and Freeride, and Race boards are fewer, as you'd | | | | Freecarve - Race |
| probably already know if this is your style. The | | | | Freecarving is done on hard pack or groomed runs |
| manufacturers design these boards for an intended | | | | and focuses on hitting the ultimate carving turn. |
| style of riding, so once you know what style you | | | | Usually here, there's not much jumping. In contrast |
| like, you can narrow you choices to that style of | | | | with the other two styles, Freecarve equipment has |
| snowboard. Knowing this in advance can save you a | | | | a hard boot and the boards are narrow, long and |
| lot of money. | | | | stiff. This style can have competitions that are similar |
| One of the things to do is to try different styles by | | | | to skiing events, with the snowboarders going around |
| renting the various equipment for a day and try | | | | poles. |
| riding. See what you like... and if you want to invest in | | | | So what type of snowboard should you get? In |
| your own equipment... go for it! | | | | making a choice for the right equipment for you, if |
| Here's a brief description of each style. | | | | you are just starting out, get a general all-around |
| Freestyle | | | | design snowboard, setup for freeride or freestyle. |
| Freestyle riding is whatever you feel free to do at | | | | Try renting some equipment that is not highly specific |
| the time. It focuses on tricks, jumps, rail slides, | | | | to any one style. This will give you the chance to try |
| halfpipes and switch riding. Snowboard videos usually | | | | out a variety of your skills, so you can see what you |
| show freestyle riding; since it is easier to film, it's | | | | like before spending the money on any specific board |
| entertaining to watch and gives the snowboarder the | | | | (or if you like a couple different styles, and can |
| chance to really showcase their skills. Also... the most | | | | afford it... get a couple different boards). |
| popular snowboarding events are freestyle | | | | Just be sure to understand riding styles before you |
| competitions. And... many places will have a | | | | buy, then look for equipment that meets your needs. |
| snowboard park for the freestyle riders, with | | | | |