The Snowboarding DreamSnow. Gleaming white mountains and sheets of it laid down at a perfect angle. You could easily look at this pristine, white landscape, snap some photos and head back home. Maybe others can, but really you can't. That powder must be pressed under your waxed board...and it must be done as soon as possible.
Growing out of the skateboarding and surf culture of the Western United States, snowboarding has been scathing the sides of snow capped mountains since the late 1970's and early 1980's. Initially developed using skateboards with stripped wheels, the sport has come a long way, with boards of varying lengths, widths, and flexibilities, not to mention that many combinations of boots, bindings, and various other gear needed.
Unlike skiing, a snowboarder goes downhill "sideways", leading their body with either the left or right arm. This position allows them to swerve back and forth, cutting into the ice and snow, which in turn gives a modicum of control in a situation that is little more than hurling one's self on a split of wood down a bloody mountain.
Most non-professional riders will wear special safety gear such as a helmet, goggles, padded gloves, and special pants, because falling on your backside against ice and snow is never a joyous occasion. The rush you can get from snowboarding is something else; it's like parachuting, surfing, skiing, and wind sailing all rolled into one, yet better than all of them together. While snowboarding is not for the faint of heart, it is for any one fit enough to ski or perform any sort of aggressive or extreme sport.
Most snowboarding resorts also feature two types of area for the rider. The first is the traditional downhill course which may include moguls or jumps to perform tricks. The second course type is similar to street courses in skateboarding, featuring less incline and more trick-able areas, such as railings, scaffolds, or waxed wooden edges to show your skills on. Whichever you choose, the cold won't have any affect as you get better and better and find the joy of snowboarding.
A Bit of Reality - Snowboarding Equipment
All poetic ideals aside lets get back to reality somewhat and cover some of the basic snowboarding equipment you are going to need to indulge our previously described idea of heaven.
There are some essential items that every snowboarder should take with them whenever they hit the slopes. While you are going to want to take your snowboard, boots and bindings, you are also going to want to take a few other things along as well.
First up, a helmet, a good helmet is an essential item for, funnily enough, protecting your head, even the pro's fall over enough, so don't think for a second you won't. along with a helmet comes goggles; these will protect your eyes from the sun and your face in case of an accident.Wrist guards are a must for all but advanced snowboarders. These can save you from an injury, especially whenever it's icy. However, they don't work for advanced snowboarders because they go too fast and thus can do a lot more harm than good for them. However if you are a new to intermediate snowboarder, make sure that you wear your wrist guards, because wrist injuries are not uncommon in this sport, so better safe than sorry.
Impact shorts (padded pants/shorts) will protect you from the impact (and the pain) that will inevitably occur whenever you catch your board in the ridges of the snow. I'd reommend a pair that has foam protection instead of plastic.
Foam knee pads are flexible and will help keep you out of pain whenever you are catching the edge of your board or falling down.
Thermal leggings are an essential part of keeping warm from the waist down and thermal socks will feel better and keep you warmer than if you were to try to wear 2 pairs of socks.Heat pads will help to keep you warm. The best ones to use though are the heat patches that you put directly against your skin. If you get too hot, you can then transfer them to the outside of your socks and still stay warm. You will want to take plenty of these with you though as they are disposable.
A small, waterproof backpack is necessary for keeping your sun cream and any other small items that you need to keep with you which remind me tkae some waterproof suncream too.
So with that in mind (and we only covered the basics here) gear up and lets hit the slopes!