| You can learn the basics of snowboarding within a | | | | manufactured uniquely in relation to size, shape and |
| couple of days, but there are enough challenges, | | | | materials. The best board for you is dependent on |
| techniques, and styles to keep you interested for | | | | your favored style of snowboarding, your height |
| years. | | | | (when standing on end, the board should reach |
| The main snowboarding styles are alpine, freestyle | | | | between your nose and chin), your shoe size and |
| and freeride. Freeride snowboarding involves riding | | | | your weight. |
| down the face of a mountain, whilst taking in its | | | | Snowboard boots and bindings are necessary to |
| natural bumps and curves. Freestyle focuses on | | | | connect yourself safely, securely and comfortably to |
| tricks, such as spins, jumps and grabbing the board in | | | | your snowboard. The higher the quality of the ones |
| mid-air. Snowboarding alpine style is not unlike skiing, | | | | you get, and the more they fit your personal |
| as it emphasizes building up speed and making sharp | | | | specifications, the easier it will be to control your |
| turns. For those unsure of which style is best for | | | | board. |
| them, starting withe freeride is advisable, as it is the | | | | You should dress in layers, with a three-layer system |
| easiest to pick up the basics of the sport with. | | | | generally seen as the best: an outer later, a middle |
| There are two different stances snowboarding | | | | layer, and a base layer. Warmth, weight and moisture |
| stances that can be adopted. In the regular stance, | | | | management being considered for each of those |
| which is most popular, your left foot goes first. In | | | | layers. |
| the goofy stance, the right foot goes in front of the | | | | Your head and ears can be protected from |
| left. Your instructor will show you both early on whilst | | | | extremely low temperatures with a comfortable hat |
| showing you how to snowboard and it is totally up to | | | | or beanie and, over that, wear a snowboard helmet. |
| you as to which one you make your primary stance. | | | | Wear goggles to protect your eyes from UV rays, |
| Unlike skiers, who shift their weight from side to side, | | | | snow, wind, ice, and tree branches. Opt for gloves |
| snowboarders must shift their weight between their | | | | which are waterproof, durable, and have a fleece or |
| heel and their toe. The technique is more like surfing | | | | other synthetic-based insulated lining. |
| or skateboarding than skiing. When you shift your | | | | You should borrow or rent clothing and equipment |
| weight forward, you will go downhill and pick up more | | | | prior to buying any to ensure that not only do you |
| speed. When you shift your weight backward, you | | | | like the sport, but that you also get items tailored |
| will slow down. By digging your heels down, the edge | | | | towards the style of snowboarding that you will |
| of the snowboard drags in the snow and causes you | | | | mostly be participating in. Equipment and clothing is |
| to stop. | | | | not cheap, so making the right choices first time |
| There are three different types of snowboards | | | | around is important. |
| available: freeride, freestyle, and alpine boards. Each is | | | | |