| Here are some tips to help you prepare for your | | | | advance to avoid higher prices and possible sellouts. If |
| next snowboarding vacation: | | | | you don't mind crowds and higher prices, than just |
| Packing | | | | about anytime is good. However, if you're looking for |
| Let's face it, it's not easy to pack a suitcase or duffel | | | | a deal and less crowded slopes, then consider |
| with several days or a week's worth of winter | | | | booking an early to mid week vacation in early |
| clothing. Winter clothing tends to be bulky and | | | | December or January. March and April also tend to |
| therefore takes up much more room than just | | | | have good deals and less crowded slopes due to the |
| t-shirts and shorts. You'll want to pack wisely to | | | | season beginning to come to an end in most areas. |
| avoid having to take two suitcases and to avoid | | | | Destination |
| leaving something important behind. Make sure to | | | | Choosing a good destination is another extremely |
| pack clothing that won't get wrinkled easily. Also, | | | | important consideration. Is there a resort near you? |
| instead of packing bulky sweaters, consider some | | | | There may be a perfectly good resort for |
| lighter weight options that will keep you as warm as | | | | snowboarding within just a couple hours drive from |
| a thick sweater. Long underwear, thermals and | | | | your home. This is the case for residents of Southern |
| layered clothing are better options. Don't forget to | | | | California, where there are several popular resorts in |
| pack all the accessories you will need for your | | | | the inland mountains, such as Big Bear, Snow Summit |
| snowboard, as well as any safety gear such as | | | | and Mammoth Mountain. However, if you're nowhere |
| helmets, braces and goggles. One way to maximize | | | | near the snow, you may need to take a plane or a |
| the space in your duffel bag or suitcase is to roll your | | | | make a long road trip to find good snowboarding. |
| clothing instead of laying it all flat out. Rolling will help | | | | Check Gear |
| you pack more densely. Think about whether the | | | | Don't forget to check all your gear before your head |
| resort is a casual resort or whether you will be going | | | | out the door. Each item should be in working order, |
| to a fancy event or dinner. Can you leave the little | | | | test it out first to be sure. Put on your boots and |
| black dress or suit and tie behind? | | | | bindings to make sure nothing has shrunk or broken. |
| Travel | | | | Test out your safety gear as well. You'll want to be |
| The two most important considerations when | | | | able to make any necessary repairs or additional |
| planning your snowboarding vacation are the | | | | purchases before you leave on your trip. |
| destination or resort and the date. Do you prefer less | | | | Apparel |
| crowded slopes? Then you don't want to plan your | | | | Do you have a set of snowboarding apparel that you |
| vacation around popular weekend holidays like | | | | like to wear? You'll want to check out everything |
| President's Day or around the major holidays like | | | | before you leave, checking for holes, tears and |
| Christmas and New Years. The slopes will simply be | | | | anything that may have changed. Maybe you gained |
| more crowded around these times. If the only dates | | | | or lost a few pounds since your last trip? Having |
| you will be available fall around these holidays, make | | | | apparel that fits properly is an important part of |
| sure to book your hotel and transportation well in | | | | safety on the slopes. |