| Buying a Snowboard for the First Time? | | | | board makes it easier to rotate, and a twin tip board |
| One of the best ways to get in shape and stay in | | | | is ideal. (Twin tip boards allow are shaped exactly |
| shape is by training for a physical activity that you | | | | symmetrical, which makes switch stance riding |
| really enjoy (like snowboarding!). It is easier to | | | | easier). |
| motivate and stay committed to your workouts | | | | Again, most first timers will want to buy an all |
| knowing that it will allow you to have more fun on | | | | mountain board, which has a relatively symmetrical |
| the slopes. I hope this post encourages you to go | | | | shape, but if you know you are going to be focused |
| out, get a snowboard setup, and start snowboarding | | | | on riding in deep powder, you may want to get a |
| each season. It is a very rewarding sport and a great | | | | more specialized board for that (which will be longer, |
| way to stay in shape during the cold months, when | | | | have have a much longer/wider nose, and much |
| 75% of weight gain occurs during the year! | | | | shorter narrower tail, which helps to sink the tail into |
| So you are ready to start snowboarding, but how do | | | | the powder and keep the nose and board afloat.) |
| you choose a snowboard if you are a beginner? The | | | | This is a pretty cool calculator for finding the right |
| first question to ask yourself is "What kind of | | | | size board. I wouldn't trust it blindly, but it will |
| snowboarding activities do you want to learn?" and | | | | definitely put you in the right ball park: |
| "Where will you be riding and what are the snow | | | | Board Options & Technology |
| conditions like usually?" | | | | There are allot of options and styles of boards with |
| Most people just want to snowboard, but keep in | | | | new technology coming out each year. Camber and |
| mind what direction you think you are most likely to | | | | Reverse Camber boards are currently the hottest |
| head in; freestyle (trick in the park/pipe),groomed | | | | new trend. These boards play with the shape of the |
| trails, deep powder, racing, or all of the above. If you | | | | board by adding rocker. Essentially, all board used to |
| are not sure, an "all mountain board" is a safe bet, | | | | be slightly convex to the ground, but now companies |
| and what most people start out with because it is | | | | are making boards that are perfectly flat or concave |
| versatile and allows you to try different things. I | | | | to the ground. Some companies are playing with |
| didn't get a more specialized set up until my second | | | | multiple kinds of camber in the same board. As a |
| time around. | | | | beginner , I wouldn't worry too much about this |
| Below are some practical guidelines to keep in mind | | | | technology unless you know you want to be a |
| while doing research. Be sure to write down any | | | | freestyle snowboarder. But let me say that I love |
| questions you may have and consult a pro at your | | | | my new board's reverse camber design; I find it |
| local shop. This is the best way to pick out a board | | | | makes flat landing slightly more forgiving, and helps |
| for the first time, as a good snowboard store | | | | me pop my ollies. |
| company should have someone knowledgeable on | | | | Goofy Versus Regular |
| hand to answer your questions. I would avoid buying | | | | If you skateboard, wakeboard, or surf, you know |
| online, unless you have already tried out your setup | | | | already what stance you like. There are 2 good tests |
| in person and are sure it is the right one. | | | | for determining whether you are goofy or regular |
| I would also check out the buyer's guide from | | | | (Left foot forward or right foot forward). One is to |
| Transworld Snowboarding Magazine, which is really | | | | run and slide against a slippery floor on your sock. |
| awesome! I buy it every year, even if I am not on | | | | Which foot do you naturally foot forward ? That is |
| the market for a new board, because I love reading | | | | your front foot. The other test is to have someone |
| about it. They do a "Good Wood" test (many boards | | | | push you while standing, which leg do you put |
| have a wood core), in which they test a bunch of | | | | backward? That is your back food. Don't think to |
| boards that have no branding elements on them so | | | | much when doing these tests, just let your body |
| the testers are unbiased. Highly recommended | | | | react. |
| reading J | | | | Take a Stance |
| One other bit of advice; many major snowboard | | | | You have the option to put your stance narrower or |
| companies will have demo days at certain ski resorts. | | | | wider, and to turn out each foot to different angles, |
| You can demo your new set up for a fee, before | | | | and on some new boards, the ability to move your |
| having to purchase. If you have the time and money, | | | | stance forward or backward (closer to one of the |
| this is the best way to be sure your new set up will | | | | edges.) A great way to determine your stance is to |
| be perfect. | | | | (once you are a little warmed up) jump up as high as |
| Feet First | | | | you can and try and land silently. Your body will |
| The first step is to stop thinking about the actual | | | | automatically put you in the position that you are |
| snowboard, and start thinking with your feet! Your | | | | most powerful in. How wide are your feet? How |
| boots are the foundation of a good snowboard | | | | turned out is each foot? This will be pretty close to |
| setup. If your boot's aren't comfortable, you will not | | | | your ideal stance, although you may want to turn |
| be able to perform well, in fact it will be hard to have | | | | your back leg inward slightly if you are not planning |
| fun at all. A little toe pain goes a long way when it | | | | on riding switch (with your opposite foot forward |
| comes to snowboarding. | | | | pointing downhill) to make you more comfortable on |
| Also, the size of the boot is going one factor in | | | | the board. |
| determining the size of the board, so boots first. | | | | Seasonal Rentals & Pricing |
| Your boots, once strapped into your binding, shouldn't | | | | One other thing to keep in mind; you may want to |
| stick out over the edge of the board, otherwise you | | | | get a seasonal rental instead of purchasing a board |
| risk TOE DRAG. | | | | your first year round. Snowboarding can be totally |
| Before trying on boots, make sure that you cut your | | | | zen, but it is equipment, money, and time intensive , |
| toe nails. Your boots should be very snug, but not | | | | and conditions vary on the weather. If it is your first |
| tight or uncomfortable. The boots will pack out a tiny | | | | season, investing in buying a board may not be the |
| bit when broken in, but not more than maybe a | | | | best decision. Many snowboard shops will have |
| ½ a size, probably less. | | | | seasonal rentals. If you think you want to buy a |
| It is recommended to try on several brands, as each | | | | setup, a good idea is to buy really comfortable boots |
| one cuts the shape of their cut differently, and uses | | | | and then get a seasonal rental for the board and |
| different technology and materials to create a certain | | | | bindings. There may be an option to buy that board |
| fit. There are different lacing systems, different | | | | at the end of the season for a discount, and if not, |
| amounts of shocking absorption materials, and even | | | | you can pick out another board at the end of the |
| different shapes depending on your style of riding. | | | | season for a major discount. (Late March and April, a |
| Some of the boots will have heat molding; you can | | | | lot of equipment will be on sale, sometime for 50% |
| take out the inner boot, heat it up, and mold it | | | | off or more!) |
| around your foot. | | | | In general, this is a great time to purchase equipment |
| Bindings Next | | | | and clothing for snowboarding, if you can make it |
| Your binding's need to fit perfectly with your boots | | | | throughout the season without needing anything too |
| to assure optimal performance and safety. Most | | | | much. I bought my boots for 30% off in April, my |
| brands of bindings in will work with most brands of | | | | gloves for 50% off in May, my jacket for off, and |
| boots, but I think it is a good idea to pick out the | | | | my pants for 30% off. Major savings !!! Of course, if |
| boots first, and then buy the same brand of bindings. | | | | you want a very popular board or boot in a popular |
| I would also pick a board from the same brand too, | | | | size, there is very little chance that it will be waiting |
| just to keep things simple, as there are certain | | | | for you at a discount, so keep that in mind. |
| brands like Burton who have some boards that are | | | | Surf the Earth |
| only compatible with their own bindings. | | | | Now you are all set, and armed with information to |
| Bindings come in different shapes, sizes, and | | | | pick out a great first setup and experience an |
| materials; in general, the lighter/stronger ones will be | | | | amazing sport. Snowboarding is total zen and one of |
| more expensive. Try finding bindings that are easy to | | | | the best ways to spend time outside in nature during |
| use and avoid using plastic parts, which often break | | | | the cold months. If you are just getting started, I |
| in the cold. You should also be able to adjust your | | | | encourage you to get in the gym and start training |
| binding easily and take them off easily. | | | | for your time on the mountain. The more conditioned |
| A quick note, I would completely avoid step-in binding | | | | you are, the more fun you will have. |
| boot systems. These basically allow you to step onto | | | | In general, there is a 3 day learning curve for |
| your board and be secured to it without having to | | | | snowboarding, and I highly recommend taking a |
| strap on the bindings. The convenience you get from | | | | lesson the first day and not trying to keep up with |
| saving 20 seconds strapping in is far less valuable | | | | your friends. You should be linking turns and |
| than the cost of performance you will endure the | | | | transitioning from your heel edge to your toe edge |
| rest of your time on the mountain. | | | | by the end of the first day, although this will vary |
| Board Sizing | | | | from person to person. (Most people will do what's |
| Picking the right size board depends on 4 main | | | | called a "falling leaf" in the beginning, which allows |
| factors; | | | | them to maintain control but prevents you from |
| * How wide is your foot? | | | | learning proper technique.) |
| * How tall are you? | | | | Ideally, your first trip should be somewhere with |
| * How much do you weigh? | | | | fresh snow (for softer falls and slower "learning" |
| * What is your riding style and ability? | | | | conditions), and should put you on the mountain for 3 |
| If you have a size 11 or larger, you will most likely | | | | days in a short period of time (as long as you are |
| need a wide board to avoid toe drag. Not all boards | | | | relatively in shape.) If you go 1 day a season, and |
| come in wide sizes. There are some boots now that | | | | wait a year to go again, that 3 day learning curve |
| are specifically designed to decrease the overall | | | | gets way longer. |
| length of the boot, so people who can almost fit on | | | | I know you will find that snowboarding is a rewarding |
| a regular width board can wear these boots and | | | | sport that will allow you to stay in shape and |
| don't have to buy a wider board. | | | | connected with nature during the cold months of the |
| For quicker turning, transitioning from heel to toe | | | | year. |
| edges, and more control (especially on groomed/hard | | | | If you have any questions or comments, please |
| pack trails), a narrower board a good sidecut is key. | | | | leave them in the comments below and I will get |
| (Sidecut is the shape of the edge of the board). For | | | | right back to you. |
| floating on powder, a a slightly wider board is great. | | | | Take care, stay fit, and shred hard! |
| For freestyle riders doing tricks in the park, a shorter | | | | |