| So what are the essentials for a first time | | | | lift). A cheap quick solution is a scarf although you'll |
| snowboarder? Other than a board, boots and | | | | be readjusting it all the time. |
| bindings, there are some items you should never | | | | Heat pads |
| forget. | | | | If it gets really cold, lots of people buy heat pads |
| Wrist guards | | | | from the shops for in their boots and gloves, but the |
| These are a must for beginner and intermediate | | | | ones I've tried are poor. Look for patches in the |
| snowboarders (they can do more harm than good | | | | shops designed for various aches and pains - don't |
| for advanced snowboarders who are going a lot | | | | put them directly against your skin - once they've |
| faster down the slopes). Wrist injuries are one of the | | | | heated up a bit, put them on the outside of your |
| most common injuries as a snowboarder, especially | | | | socks. Take plenty as they're disposable. |
| when it gets a bit icy. In the UK, wrist guards start | | | | Goggles and glasses or large glasses |
| at around £15 - and a £15 pair will do - | | | | If like me you absolutely hate goggles, try getting |
| you really don't need to spend any more. | | | | some substantial glasses that come right round your |
| Impact shorts (padded pants to those who know!) | | | | face. They'll double up and save you taking two |
| Coccyx injuries are really common, as beginners | | | | things. Take a hard glasses case as you might land on |
| often head for the flatter slopes and find themselves | | | | them if you're not wearing them. |
| catching the edge of their board against the ridges in | | | | A small backpack |
| the snow. They really, really hurt. The good news is, | | | | For storing sun cream, and wrist guards/gloves etc |
| a pair of impact shorts will take away almost all the | | | | when you've stopped off for a vin chaud. Make sure |
| impact - and therefore the pain. | | | | it's waterproof or you'll find all your money and phone |
| Aim to get ones that have nice big impact foam | | | | gets soggy. |
| protection, rather than plastic. In the UK, they'll set | | | | Suncream |
| you back about £40. | | | | An absolute essential (waterproof is a good idea) and |
| Thermal leggings | | | | if you're learning, you might meet more snow than |
| You'll laugh now but when the temperature drops, | | | | usual so be ready for it to wash off during the day! |
| you'll not only be wearing them on the slopes, but | | | | A helmet |
| everywhere else too! Cheap and essential for | | | | And if you refuse to wear one, look for hats with |
| keeping everything from waist down warm and cosy! | | | | head protection. They come in loads of great designs |
| Ski socks/thermal socks | | | | and cost about £55. |
| There's nothing to bring people down the mountain | | | | Kneepads |
| quicker than the cold, and your fingers and toes get | | | | Get the foam ones rather than the plastic ones as |
| hit first. Wearing two pairs of regular socks won't do | | | | they are more flexible. Again, when you're learning |
| it - it'll feel uncomfy in your boots and they just | | | | and catching the edge of the board a lot, you'll be |
| won't keep in the heat. Invest in at least a couple of | | | | falling on your knees all the time and you can feel |
| pairs of thermal socks. | | | | some real pain. |
| Wind protection | | | | Spare gloves and walking boots |
| A neck warmer or wind protectors that you just pull | | | | You'll need them for when you're not on the board. |
| up over your face keeps the biting winds from | | | | Trainers aren't really good enough, especially if it's a |
| putting you off (especially good going up on the chair | | | | little icy. |