| Snowboarding is an exhilarating, awesome | | | | undershirts (long sleeved), insulating layers, and a |
| experience, recently popularised worldwide by the | | | | waterproof, wind resistant jacket are best for the |
| winter Olympic Games in Turin, but whether you are | | | | upper half. Two pairs of long, lightweight socks that |
| new to snowboarding or an old hat at it, there are | | | | will not absorb sweat are recommended, as well as |
| five essential items you need to seriously consider | | | | insulated and waterproof gloves. For pants, "technical |
| taking on your snowboarding holiday. Snowboarding is | | | | pants" are best because they are waterproof and |
| not at all like downhill skiing - it is, in fact, to downhill | | | | heavily padded, which will definitely come in handy. |
| skiing what ice skates are to the flimsy little, | | | | Non-absorbent long underwear beneath these is also |
| key-locked skates we used to use as children (if we | | | | a good idea. |
| grew up in the eighties, anyway). | | | | You need the right protective gear as well. Wrist |
| First of all, you need all of the proper equipment. This | | | | guards will keep your wrists, a vulnerable area in |
| includes boards, boots, and bindings for them. | | | | snowboarding, from being easily injured. A helmet is |
| Naturally, of course, you need a snowboard. For | | | | recommended for obvious reasons, especially in |
| newcomers or those only recently starting out, it is | | | | situations where you know you will be going |
| better to use a free riding board, which is shorter | | | | extremely fast. Goggles are a good idea for the |
| and provides better control for boarders not quite | | | | same reason, especially if it is snowing; tinted |
| used to the different balance yet. More experienced | | | | sunglasses will also do. Sun screen and chap stick or |
| snowboarders can pretty much pick and choose | | | | lip balm are also a good idea. |
| which kind of board they fancy best. The kind of | | | | The little extras are also essential. These include but |
| boots that are the most practical for snowboarding | | | | are not limited to: money; lift pass and holder; |
| are not precisely like ski boots. They are soft and | | | | snowboard lock; neck gaiter; energy bars. |
| extremely insulated, to better fit the popular soft | | | | The last item is the most essential: bring lots of |
| bindings. These are step-in bindings, which you can | | | | water. It is easy to get dehydrated on the slopes, |
| click into place while in a standing position. | | | | not despite the cold but because of it. We notice |
| Next up, you need the proper clothing. It is essential | | | | that we are sweating far less in cold weather, and |
| to wear clothing that is both waterproof and | | | | the more sweat, the more moisture we lose. |
| breathable. Materials which absorb perspiration, such | | | | Whether you bring a backpack or a camel pack, |
| as denim and cotton, should be avoided at all costs. | | | | always make sure you have at least two litres of |
| Because they absorb sweat, you will end up getting | | | | water and that you drink it at regular intervals. Even |
| colder than you would with waterproof materials, | | | | your helmet will not help you if you become |
| which presents the risk of dehydration. Moisture-wick | | | | dehydrated. |