Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Okay so several people that I know have discussed the whole snowboarding thing with me, including friends local to me, along with some HMT people.

I kinda like the idea, I've never done it before, and I want to learn.

Back in Junior High when i was like 13 I tried snow skiing lessons and never made it off the bunny hill (about 4 lessons) before I hurt my knee. So how hard is the learning process here?

I am kinda figuring I will rent the board/boots the first few times out, but what about other gear?

Help me start a winter gear shopping list. I used to live in an area that got tons of snow but I really don't have any winter gear anymore.

So here we go, what do I need as far as gear goes? coat? hat? gloves? hmt thong? what?

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

What I wear is a thermal top, long johns on the bottom. a Snowboarding jacket and snowboarding pants. Some goggles and gloves plus a beni and your good to go. Its a little on the light side, but I never get cold. I really dont like pyling lots of clothes on.

Gear can be really expensive, my jacket alone was 250 bucks so just shop around. Renting a board and boots is around 25-30 bucks, lift tickets are anywhere from 30~55 bucks. Food at the lodge is really expensive so bring money for that.

As far how easy it is? it really depends on if your cordinated. Your first time you will mostly be riding on your ass most of the time. I wouldnt say its hard.. but I wouldnt say its easy either. It usually takes a couple trips up to get use to it. Plus it really helps when you know someone who is decent at boarding so they can teach you.

btw anyone in the NW that has weekdays (mon-wed) off that wants to go to Stevens this week? I'm down.

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

u need to wear something that wont get wet over ur pants. like trainer.. i dont know.. first time i learned i wore jeans and a shirt:P wasnt a good idea.. they got wet.. i got snow burn all over my legs... and hurt alot after that. gogles, or some good sunglasses. and gloves... a couple layers of clothing. undershirt. shirt. sweater. and a good jacket. but that depends on tempertature conditions.

as far as equipment goes. i just went down to the local thrift mart/fleamarket bought me a cheap board that "seemed right" i didnt even have snowboard shoes. just threw on some old vans :P which soaked up water and gave me frozen toes ;D

i used it till i got the hang of it. and decided it was something i wanted to pursue. and later on i went with a more expensive set up with snowboard shoes.

my friend went out the first day. bought an expensive setup from ebay. that cost him like 800 dollars. he kept falling. and wasnt patient enough. i ended up buying his set up for 200 bucks cause he had broken a binding. and the board was all beat up from only three times of use :P

all in all. you got to have fun. not worry about how many times you fall down. and it helps to not have friends that are jackasses laughing at you everytime you roll ur ass all the way down the bunny hill 8)

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

I am thinking about taking 9 days off (december 24-jan1) and i'm thinking about shooting for some snowboard time then.

Just gotta start asking for snow gear for xmas, and then of course expect to get nothing so save money to buy my own stuff.

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

you can get some pretty cheap snow pants and can use any water proof jacket, just as long as you think you will be warm is all that matters. you can always find good used board and bindings for cheap. a friend of mine just got a pretty damn new looking burton with bindings for $20 :o. crackhead prices i know (ther is a reason for that ;))
good luck and let me know when there is a HMT meet at white pass

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

If you know how to skateboard your good for the most part, if not learn how to balance....then shift your wieght to turn. Most people are retarded when they start and dig in the front edge and fall face first. I bought a used K2 board when I started taking it seriously then sold it and invested in some nice equipment.

BTW- I learned by standing up on a sled...turning was a problem but I learned.

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Snowboarding is alot easier to learn than skiing.You ever ride a skateboard?Same concept.There is usally lots of big swap meets around this time of the year just check with your local mountains as you can pick up good deals.If I were you I would head to a local small hill and start practicing before heading up to the big mountains as you can really hurt yourself if your not carefull.Have fun and if you guys ever head north for a Whistler trip let me know.

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

what do you guys think about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lamar-Electric-A...QQcmdZViewItem

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Longjohns and a windbreakers ya Im ghetto. Fine the first 2 hours or so but then you get mighty cold but I dont go but twice a year so investing in a nice jacket/pants isnt worth it to me

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

drink a 12 pack before you go...nothing helps mroe then a little liquid courage

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

UnderArmour stuff is really nice to have. I like anything Columbia if you can get it for cheap. EGay is your freind for other some things. Got my *DREAM* board from there super cheap and I LOVE it!!! I wish I could pinpoint stuff, because we have alot of nice places to get stuff around here at a decent price. Check local snowboard/ski places for the clothing and eGay for the board/bindings. Stores equipment (not clothes) is ususally dry ---- rape prices ($440 snowboard deck) that's why I say to check eGay. Good luck!!! ;) ;D


JP

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Lamars are straight, I never owned one but I did ride one. Its an alright deal. When choosing the size board you want, I usually go in reference to your chin. The board should measure almost to it.

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

the first time out, i would put some knee pads under your snow pants... some people pick it up pretty fast, i find that as long as all your weight is on the front foot, going down the hill, it is easier to slide the board side to side, it's when people get ahead of them selves, and start to lean back where the get into trouble. don't get me wrong carving with all your weight on the back is actualy how you snowboard and is hella funn, it's not how you begin.

remember weight forward, and slide back foot from side to side.

just wait till you get good. powder is like flying!

chris

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

your ass will be in pain the next day, but only slightly worse than the rest of your body. be prepared to fall, just some tips. i was self taught about 8 years ago. my ass STILL hurts. j/k its fun as ----. good luck, oh ya, you should bring your own beer too, its expensive if you buy there. :1

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Don't get sucked into the snowboarding hype. Do it, there's no doubt in that, but don't think you have to buy that 250 dollar jacket.

I've been doing it for about 5 years now, almost went to nationals in the USASA last year for pipe. It's a lot of fun, and I love it, but I just hate how everybody has to wear "Four Square" or some other brand.

As far as learning, don't do it on a bunny hill. Go to an actual mountain, that's real snowboarding. I learned in BigSky Montana, went to the top of a Blue Square and taught myself. Get a cheap board, cheap bindings and cheap boost. Don't spend a lot of money on your first setup (kinda like a turbo kit ;)). You can practice your balance and stuff without snow, balancing on each edge (including the nose and tail). Once you get out on the snow, just practice going down the hill in a diagonal fashion, getting to know the toe and heel edge of your board. Learning to stop is going to be one the hardest things, and you will fall on your ass. Be prepared for that. Once you get comfortable with that, you will be a little overconfident and you will catch your toe edge on the snow and you will fall flat on your face. Another thing to look out for O0

Yes, it can be expensive. Yes it can hurt. Once you get the basics down, you'll love it, and you'll be hooked like I am.

Oh, and we're supposed to get 2" today, can't ------- wait.

-CT

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

yea you will definteley do a couple ass plants your first time out, all in fun though wants you get the hang of it, it can be a great experience, just have fun and learn how to carve and stop and youll be straight. :y

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Yep. Riding is alot more fun if you're not wet and cold. It snows a shitload in the NW. O0 It's worth it to get good gear.

Good long underwear and good snowboarding socks are key to feeling warm and dry.
Don't wear cotton.
Get poly-pro or merino wool. Figure $15-20 each for top, bottom, socks. These are good things to ask mom for Xmas.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/...qx/product.htm
http://www.campmor.com/

Nice snowboarding jacket and pants. Waterproof breathable shells. I rock 3layer gore-tex. I'd figure on $150-250 for pants, $200-300 for jacket.
Burton, Bonfire, Mountain Hardware all make nice ----.
http://www.burton.com/gear/productChooser/results.asp

Gloves, Hat, Goggles. That's it. You can save money by bringing your lunch and beers.


leed signature deck :1
http://seattle.craigslist.org/spo/110942392.html

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

im with jeff- i hate layers. just gets hot and itchy :3

underarmor top and bottoms (you can get the type of ---- at a thrift store for like $5)
light water-proof jacket and maybe a light t-shirt underneath in case your too cold (TUCK IT INTO YOUR PANTS!!)
waterproof pants that you can get at a thrift store for another like $10
goggles that wont fog on ya (vents)
good insulated water-proof gloves
wool socks are nice, can act like padding too if your boots are gay and dig in

definately first couple days you'll be on your ass a lot. just learn the basics of heel and toe (no, not working pedals for drifting) and you can go down a easy course. when your learning, i would avoid going straight where your board is pointint, except when your on a flat part going like walking speed. if you point down the hill, you'll just pick up speed and i know when i was learning, I could get out of straight without wiping out :S

lets see, i've sprained my ankle twice, sprained a wrist, hyperextended a knee, and have bruised a few ribs. snowboarding is fun!

oh, and im a pro-helmet person. i wiped out hardcore once and hit my head (helmet) hard on the snow. gots me a concussion!

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

the thing is really to have decient equipment. I usually wear a long sleeve cotton shirt with a snowboarding jacked pref. van's or a good name brand does not have to be heavy to be warm. and just regular blue jeans with snowboarding pants. good gloves are optional I usually get the cheapest thing they have at the local board shop. as long as it has somekinda heavy duty palm. hats are a good idea. do not get heavy socks it will actually make your feet colder. just wear normal ones. thats about it. just my 2 Cents been ridig not for going on a decade.

p.s palmersnowboards are the best. lol

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

Heal and Toe pressure from the back foot to turn/stop. :-*


JP

Re: Snowboarding? Gear? Beginner?
 

I normally wear a hoodie, and my Snowboarding Jacket, Jeans with my thin boarding pany, double layer gloves(great for finiky bindings) and a hat. Often I have my back-pack for extra ---- and an mp3 or discman. Oh ya, A Flask in your pocket with some rye helps keep you real warm!!

I had never board before when I bought my first real snowboard. My board started as cheap stuff, but each year I buy something to upgrade. My board is short, I'm 6'5" and have a board probably 1ft to short for my height, but I don't weight much and don't ride deep snow really either, so I LOVE the added nimbleness of my board.

My fiance rides also. She tried skiing but with a bad knee she can't support and carve, so I got her a board one year. She kinda sucks but I won't tell her that to her face!!

I normally go riding with the same guys. About 4-5 of use go all the time, so once riding gets boring, the bar beomes fun!