Beginner Course - Your First
   Snowboarding Lesson

Once you have set up all your Snowboarding Gear and have familiarized yourself with all the aspects of your Snowboard, Snowboard Boots, and Snowboard Bindings, you are pretty much ready for your first try on the slopes.

Almost all Ski and Snow Resorts have a so-called "Bunny Hill". This is a gentle wide slope of 10 to 15 degrees with well-groomed snow and a wide long runout. Often known as "nursery slopes" in Europe, the bunny hill is specifically built for beginners so you won't have to worry about the rapid traffic of more advanced boarders and skiers. Bunny hills typically have a rope tow or T-bar lift to make it easy for you to go back to the top of the bunny hill. Once you're on the bunny hill, you can then start the exciting road of learning how to snowboard.

Before going to the Bunny Hill

It is important that you take your time to do the following at home before you hit your first slope:

• Get in Shape. It is very likely that you will take a lot of falls on your first days of Snowboarding, and perhaps even after, so do warm-up before hitting the slopes. You'll enjoy riding the slopes more if you're physically fit.
• Acquire proper Snowboard Equipment. Wearing the right gear would enable you to perform various Snowboarding Styles and Techniques better for a longer period of time. However, be sure to have your Snowboard Bindings adjusted correctly at a local snowboard shop. Also, wrist guards and knee pads are a must for first timers since they will help cushion snowboard falls.
• Dress in Layers. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. The keys to a successful layering system, in order of importance, are warmth, weight, moisture management, and packing the right number of layers. For most winter sports, the Three Layer System is applicable.
• Prepare for weather shifts. Climate in the slopes can be quite unpredictable. Thus, for any Winter Activities, it is extremely necessary to wear Snowboard Gloves or Mittens to protect your hands, and wear a Snowboard Hat or Cap (you can lose up to 40-50% of your body heat through your head).
• Protect yourself from the sun. The sun is very strong at high altitudes and against a snow-white background since it reflects off the snow. Equip yourself with sunglasses, Snowboarding Goggles and sunscreen.
• Re-check your gear considerably in every aspect. Nothing ruins a great day of fun as much as an accident that didn't have to happen had you only re-checked your gear before hitting the slopes.

Warming up & Stretching

It is very likely that you will take a lot of falls on your first days of Snowboarding, and perhaps even after. To minimize the possibility of injuring yourself on the slopes, it is always a good idea to Warm-Up and Stretch before Snowboarding. Proper warm-up will not only prevent injuries, it will also get your circulation going, prepare and loosen your stiff muscles, and lubricate your joints.

It is a good idea to do a full body warm-up. However, it is important that you concentrate on the muscles that you will be using most: your lower and upper legs, buttocks, back, and neck. Good exercises are running in small circles, Walking up and down the slope, sidestepping, and jumping. Your warm-up need not take too much of your time - just enough to get you energized. To know more about proper stretching and warm-ups, visit our section on Stretches in our ABC-of-Fitness.com website.

Carrying your Snowboard

When you're done with your gear inspection, you can now go and carry your Snowboard to the bunny hill. Although there are many ways of carrying your Snowboard, there are two common ways of carrying it. First is by simply carrying your Snowboard under one arm with your hand holding the board in the middle for balance. In this way, your Snowboard is pointing at the same direction that you are facing. Another way is to carry the board behind your back with both hands. This is less tiring than the first since you will be using both hands.

However, the first one is preferred on the slopes or other busier areas as your board is not sticking out. When using the second way, you will have to be careful not to hit other people. On the slopes, try to make sure none of your gear is sticking out.

On the Slope

Snowboarding and Skiing can be enjoyed in various ways. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, you should always be aware that there are elements of risk in Snowboarding which personal awareness and common sense can help reduce. Ultimately, safe Skiing and Snowboarding on the mountain is each person's responsibility. Following "Your Responsibility Code" that was established by National Ski Areas Association in 1966 will help all skiers and snowboarders have a safer mountain experience.

• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all Snow Resort Posted Signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Before using any lift, make sure you have the knowledge and ability to load, ride, and unload safely.

This is a partial list of the rules of the road when you are on the mountain. Bear in mind that knowing the code is your responsibility. Whether you hit the slopes with Snowboard or Skis, or use other specialized equipment, always show courtesy to others so that your paths don't cross. Be safety - conscious.

Additional Snowboarding Safety Tips

• Never snowboard alone.
• Snowboard on runs that are appropriate for your ability. (i.e. Beginning Snowboarders should take lessons and start on bunny hills or easy slopes to practice turning and stopping.)
• Stop only at the side of the pistes and kneel or stand facing up-hill in order to see oncoming traffic.
• Before you change your direction, especially on a backside turn, look behind and check your blind spot.
• Your front foot should be attached by a security leash.
• Your rear foot should be detached from the bindings when riding or boarding the chairlifts.
• Your board should be face-down on the piste with the bindings in the snow when it is not attached.
• Do not remove your Snowboard when traversing glaciers due to danger of crevasses.
• Know your limits. Rest if you are tired and go inside if you are cold.

First Board Exercises - Skating/Sliding

Move to the level run out of the bunny hill. This area should almost be completely flat. Lie your Snowboard on the snow and attach your front foot to your Snowboard (regular stance: left foot, goofy stance: right foot) either while standing up or by first sitting down. Make sure the surface is flat when you put on your front foot or your board will move possibly separating your two legs. Sitting down might be safer. Stand on your board with your front foot in the Snowboard and your backfoot beside your Snowboard at the Toe-side. For the first time in your life, you now have the feeling you will have to get used to: the feeling of having a large board attached to one of your feet. Now lift up your front foot with the board attached and move it around a bit. Try to get a feeling for the weight of the board and how easy you are able to turn the board.

Now it is time for the next step: moving around with your front foot strapped on and your backfoot free. Try making a skating motion by keeping your front foot and board in a straight line in front of you and using your back foot to move forward. This is very similar to Skating. Skating/Sliding on your Snowboard with one foot attached is something you will need to Learn and that you will use a lot in Snowboarding. Everytime you need to Enter or Exit a Lift or travel short distances on a level or uphill slope, you will need to skate. Try skating around with your backfoot at the toe-side of the board (how most people like it) and with your backfoot at the heel-side of your board. Make sure to only make small steps with your backfoot. As you improve, you will Learn How to Take Bigger Steps and really kick with your backfoot. Also, make sure to keep your front leg slightly bent with most of your weight on your front foot. It will help you keep balance. As your skills improve, you will be able to make some speed and place your backfoot on your stomp-pad, if you have one, or pressed against your back Snowboard Binding if you do not have a Snowboard Stomp-Pad. As your skills improve, try to keep both feet on the board as much as possible. Try crouching and getting up while sliding on the board. Practice makes perfect, and you will notice how soon you will feel comfortable with a board on your front foot. It's all about getting that feeling.

Moving Up the Slope

At this point, you will probably survive your first attempt at the Lift but it might be better to walk up the bunny hill for your first experiences. For short distances, you can keep your front foot strapped to your Snowboard. For longer distances, it is better to just carry your board up. Moving uphill with your front foot attached is easy as long as you make sure to keep your board across the direction the slope is heading to (the fall line). Take a step uphill with your backfoot while dragging your front foot and board behind you. Plant your board across the fall line and make another step. As long as you keep your board across the fall line, your board should not slip and you should be able to make your way up pretty smoothly. For now, it would be best to simply take off your board and walk up the bunny hill for about 30 feet.

When you get caught in Powder Snow Surface or just need to move up slope for a short distance then you could keep both your feet Strapped in their Bindings and frog hop up. Keep your board across the fall line and lean on your hands. Now jump up and plant your board and both hands up slope. It is tiring so you will only want to do this for shorter distances.

Gearing Up On Slope

Putting down your board on the Slope
Now that you are on the slope with your board in your hands, it is time for the next step: putting on your board while on the slope. You've got to be very careful when you put down your Snowboard. It could easily slip down the slope and start its way down, being both a danger to others who are on the slope and giving you the task of running down the slope to collect your board again. If you are going to put down your board on the slope, make sure to keep the Snowboard's Base (the bottom side) facing up and your board across the fall line. If you have highbacks, make sure to plant them into the Snow. This will keep your board securely in place.

Gearing up on Slope
Now the next step: strapping your feet to your Snowboard while on the slope. The safest way to do so is by facing the slope and placing the snowboard on your back foot. With the Snowboard lying securely on your backfoot, place your front foot in the front binding, either step-in or strap on your binding. Your front foot is now secured in the binding. Your next worry is not to stand on your front foot and slide down the slope. Turn and sit down with your back facing the slope with your board in front of you. Dig the heel edge of your board in the slope. You can now easily place your back foot in the back binding and Step-in or Strap on the Binding. You are now sitting Geared up On the Slope, ready to try to make your first descend with a Snowboard.

First Moves Down the Slope - Straight Gliding

This will probably be the first step where you will probably feel uncomfortable. You will need to stand up, not fall over, and try not to move. If you are having trouble standing up on the gentle slope by moving your weight to the front, you can try to use your hands by grabbing the toe-side of the board and tilting forward. Once you are up, try to keep balanced. Make sure not to tilt over, it is better to fall backwards back on your buttocks then tilt over, landing with your face in the slope. If you do fall, try to fall on your forearms instead of your hands. Your Fingers and Wrists are much Easier to get Injured when Snowboarding so always try to fall on your forearms, knees, elbows, and buttocks.

Gliding vertically down Slopes
Once you are up, try to stay straight and still for a moment. Try to find your balance. When you are able to sit down and get up without slipping or falling, you can try to make your first descend. While you are standing, you are keeping your heel-side edge dug into the snow to prevent it from slipping. Point your toes downwards and you will notice how you will start to move downwards. Give it a little try and make sure to point your toes upwards again as soon as you start going too fast. You are now able to move across the fall line of the slope by either pointing your toes down to move forward and moving your toes up (and your heel into the slope) to brake. This is actually your first real Snowboarding experience and it will Teach you one of the most important things of Snowboarding: Edge Awareness. With the edge of your Snowboard, you are now able to brake and control your descend. Try this exercise a couple of times: move up the hill, attach your board, stand up, and slowly make your way downwards across the fall line by moving your toes upwards for braking and downwards for going down. You should be able to comfortably move down the hill after a few tries.

Once you are comfortable with gliding down with your back facing the slope, it is time to Learn the same Trick the opposite way with your face facing the slope. Climb up the slope the same way you did before and sit down. Now you have to turn yourself around by turning over your left side. If you do it correctly, you should be kneeling on the slope and facing it. Make sure to carve your toe-edge into the slope so that you do not slide down on your belly. Once you are stable you can try to get up. Move your weight to the back and use your arms to push yourself off the slope. Like you did before: try to find your balance and use your feet to slide down and brake. This time it is the other way around: push your toes down to brake and push your toes up and heel down to go downhill.

Practice gliding down vertical the fall line either way and make sure you become comfortable in doing it. As you progress, try to speed up your descents and brake harder. This will Teach you more about edge awareness and will Teach you How to Brake at Higher Speeds.

Gliding Horizontally Down Slopes

Now that you are able to glide down the fall line, you can go to the next level by Learning How to Move Left and Right Aross the Fall Line. This will really get you into Snowboarding and will Teach you How to Move Down the Slopes. Moving across the fall line is not that difficult and you already did some changes while practicing how to glide down the fall line. Do the same thing you did previously, stand up on your snowboard while maintaining your balance. Now for the new part: shift your weight to front or back side of your board and bend the knee of the direction you want to travel to. In the beginning you could use your arms for extra help. Straighten your arms so that your upper body forms a "T". Now move your upper body in the direction you want to glide to. You will notice that you'll glide in the direction that you are putting your weight into.

Now practice the following: stand up straight, move your weight to the left, and bend your knees. As you progress to the left, pick up some speed. Then slow down by moving your weight back and try to end up in standing position again. Now move your weight to the right and glide to the right. Try to move down the slope by making a "Z" pattern, moving from left to right. Once you have mastered this, you have already mastered a large part of Basic Snowboarding. You are now able to move left, right, straight down, and brake.

Making Skidded Turns

As a regular stance rider, you will need to Learn that when you glide to the right, you will be facing the slope. Consequently, when you are gliding to the left, your back is facing the slope. If you have a goofy stance, this means that it is the other way around. That is, at the end of each glide you would have to turn. Up until now, you have done this by sitting down, turning around, and gliding the other way. But you now need to Learn How to Turn so you can go the other way.

The most common and easiest to Learn is the Skidded Turn. You have learned that while gliding, you are either using your toe-side edge to glide or your heel-side edge. By turning, you switch edge. There are three essential parts to making a skidded turn:

• Look in the direction that you want to turn to
• Move your weight to your front foot and sink into the board
• Tilt the board on its turning edge

During your turn, you use your feet to control the turn. Your backfoot is used to adjust the way the turn is going and to brake your descend. In the middle of both a left-sided and right-sided turn, your board will be facing straight down. At that moment, the board will accelerate. You will need to use your backfoot to make sure that the board tilts and that an edge slows you down. In the beginning, you will have a hard time getting the hang of turning, so do practice a lot. Many people find that they Learn Toe-sided Turns quicker as those turns use the more powerful calf muscles, ankles, and toes. Concentrate on learning both.

As you progress, make sure to pay attention to the sound your board is making and the tracks you are making on the slope. What you are looking for is a uniform smooth skidding sound and an even pattern. Turns are one of the most important parts of Snowboarding and they can give you a huge adrenaline rush. Practice hard on your turns!

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Off Piste - Backcountry Snowboarding

As you might have read in our Snowboarding History section, the first snowboarders were not allowed to go Snowboarding On Piste (at Resorts). So the entire sport actually started Off Piste. At present, a lot of people still prefer snowboarding Off Piste - Backcountry Snowboarding. Backcountry Snowboarding is for more advanced Snowboarders. Consequently, you will need to have a lot more knowledge and (other) skills before you leave the safe environment that Snow Resorts create. This section introduces you to Off Piste and Backcountry Snowboarding.

Advanced Skills

If you learned to Snowboard on well groomed pistes in nice snow resorts then you are in for a surprise when you go Off Piste.

• Snow & Surface Conditions
  You will need a high skill level on all kinds of surface. From the Hardest Ice to the Softest Powder Snow Surface, you need to be able to maintain total control of your board.
• Avoiding Obstacles
  In snow resorts you might have been confronted with the occasional tree along the piste. Off Piste you will have to have enough board control to avoid crashes with trees and boulders or falls off cliffs or crevasses. You will need to have enough turning power to avoid these obstacles last minute.
• Mountain & Rescue Skills
  Avalanche Awareness, First Aid in Snowboarding and basic Mountaineering skills are essential for Backcountry Snowboarding. Make sure to learn them either through books or preferably through licensed instructors.
  
  Make sure you are able assess possible dangerous situations and deal with them wisely. Hundreds of people injure themselves each year in Backcountry Snowboarding, and most of the accidents could have been avoided.

Gear & Preparations

As explained above you will need to increase your knowledge and skills before you can take off into the wild. Check the following:

• Your Snowboard
  If you are going to cruise through soft and deep powder you might want to take a larger board and adjust your stance by moving your bindings slightly to the Tail of the Snowboard. By having a larger board and putting more weight on the tail side of the board, it will be easier for you to keep your board floating above the powder instead of digging itself in. You do not want to get stuck in chest deep powder in the Backcountry! If you are a real Backcountry enthusiast then you could consider getting a special Swallowtail Backcountry Board.
• Gear & Supplies
  Pack the following basics:
• First Aid Kit - in case of accidents
• Food - for nutrition
• Hydration Packs - for easy water access
• Extra Clothing - in case of colder weather
• Detailed Map of the Snowboard or Ski Resort - for knowing your where abouts
• A compass or GPS - for coordination
• Mobile Phone - for contacting people
• Sunblock - for protection from the sun
• Snowboard Goggles - for protection from the sun, snow, ice and branches
• Snowboard Helmet - for head protection
• Emergency Whistle - for calling attention
• Avalanche Transceivers - for telling your where abouts in an avalanche
• Snow Shovels - for digging yourself out of the snow

Bring the following equipment depending on the route you are taking and the terrain you will encounter:

• Trekking Poles - for trekking difficult terrain
• Snow Shoes - for crossing deep snow
• Belays and Harnasses - for climbing
• Ropes - for crevasse rescue and rock-/ice climbing
• Crampons - for icy surfaces and ice climbing
• Ice Axes - for icy surfaces and ice climbing

Getting into it...

There is no simple way to learn Backcountry Snowboarding. You will need to push your own limits until you are confident enough to really go for it. The following list could be a good road map to set you up for Backcountry Snowboarding:

• Make sure that your standard Snowboarding techniques are well developed and you posses the skills described above.
• Once you are ready for it, give small Off Piste runs a try in your snow resort. Make runs through the trees and practice your last moment turning skills. Do not make these runs alone. Take a friend who can help you in the worst case.
• Work on your basic Mountain & Survival Skills & Knowledge as described above.
• Try the unmarked/ungroomed backcountry routes that some larger Ski Resorts offer. Make sure to plan these runs ahead and know the route you are going take. Try making them with someone who knows the area and is more experienced. Take the backcountry gear with you as described above.
• Once you are at a comfortable with backcountry routes you can really start planning your own routes. From this point on the sky is the limit! You could hike/climb up and board down, book runs with snowcat transport or head for the skies with a helicopter. At this moment Heli-Boarding is pretty much the limit when it comes to Backcountry Snowboarding...

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On Piste - Snowboarding At A Resort

It is best to have your first Skiing or Snowboarding experience On Piste in a snow resort. In this way you can learn the necessary skills to be able to Snowboard in a safe and specifically designed environment. Upon arrival, you will be confronted with many new things such as different kinds of ski lifts, pistes, lodges and of course a lot of fellow snow sporters. This section will teach you all about the different kinds of things that you will find in a snow resort and the guidelines that you will need to follow.

Although Snowboarding can be quite an individual sport, you need to remember that in most occasions you will be sharing the slopes and pistes with other enthusiasts. Thus, to avoid crashes and injuries when Snowboarding, and to increase general piste safety, it is imperative that you learn, understand and follow the Piste Etiquettes and apply them at all times. Also, keep in mind that being On Piste, especially on larger resorts, can get pretty complicated and confusing. So do avail of a Trail Map before you head out and hit the slopes.

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Skidded Turns And Beyond
 by: Jakob Jelling

For many beginners, learning to turn on a snowboard can be rather challenging and unnerving. The reason for this is that turning on a snowboard requires you to twist and turn is such a way that you feel like you are going to fall. Of course turning is absolutely essential to riding a snowboard and the feeling of loosing control goes away with time and practice.

A skidded turn and a linked skidded turn are one of the first turns that you should learn. There are several ways to make these turns on the slopes but the basics of the turns are the same. A skidded turn is a turn preformed while your snowboard is skidding across the slope. This is very useful for slopes that may have hard packed snow or ice.

First lets look at performing a basic skidded turn. Begin practicing your skidded turns on a slope that you are comfortable with. Ride down the slope with your knees bent slightly and face your shoulders in the direction that you wish to travel. As you ride down the slope pick a point where you will execute your turn. When you approach this point simply push your back leg out thus forcing your snowboard to skid along its side down the hill. Now shift your weight onto your front foot and you will begin to move in the direction that your snowboard is pointing.

While this is the basic procedure for a skidded turn, there are some finer points to keep in mind that will almost seem like another technique. When you are skidding down a hill raising one end of your snowboard to a higher angle than the other will also make it turn. The reason that this works is because the end of your snow board that has a higher angle will bite in to the snow a little harder than the other end thus causing that end to slow down and force the snowboard to rotate.

Another option that sometimes favored is the hip rotation technique. And begin by skidding down a hill. When you are ready to turn simply rotate your hips in the direction that you wish your snowboard to rotate. Rotating your hips will naturally cause your body to shift its weight to accomplish the turn and push the correct end of the snowboard in the direction that it needs to go to turn.

Which method is more correct depends upon you and what you wish to get out of snowboarding. The easiest option is the third way, to rotate your hips. The most technical way that also builds up skill for other maneuvers is the second way. The key is to know your riding style and to get out there and try each method to see what works for you.

When you are on the slopes practicing your turns you may also wish to practice a linked skidded turn. A linked skidded turn is the act of going from your skidded turn to another. One important point is to make sure that you allow a few seconds to travel before turning in the other direction. If you turn too quickly you run the risk of catching the downhill edge of your snowboard and bailing very fast.

Learning and practicing skidded turns are an essentially part of snowboarding and depending upon the style you prefer may help you with other tricks that you will soon be learning. Try each of the techniques mentioned here and learn to use each method regardless of what your favorite method is. This extra experience will make you more confident on the slopes and will round out your skills thus opening more doors later on when you are ready to try new tricks.

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Snow Types - Different Types of Snow
   from Powder to Ice

In this section we are going to look at the Different Kinds of Snow you might encounter in your Snowboarding or Skiing experiences. Below is the description of the different Types of Snow, how they will affect The Way you Ride your Snowboard, and how to handle those surfaces. But first, let's have a glance on "what snow is" in general.

What is Snow?

Most people perceive snow simply as frozen water. Delving in a little deeper, snow is actually a form of precipitation in the form of ice crystals. These ice crystals are hexagonal prisms that form when snow freezes up. Prisms are formed due to the molecular structure of water. As these ice crystals are formed, they come down in one of the following forms:

• Snow crystals -- Individual, single ice crystals, often with six-fold symmetrical shapes. These grow directly from condensing water vapor in the air, usually around a nucleus of dust or some other foreign material. Typical sizes range from microscopic to at most a few millimeters in diameter.
• Snowflakes -- Collections of snow crystals, loosely bound together into a puff-ball. These can grow to large sizes (up to about 10 cm across in some cases) when the snow is especially wet and sticky. A snowflake consists of up to 100 snow crystals clumped together.
• Rime -- Super cooled tiny water droplets (typically in a fog), that quickly freeze onto whatever they hit. An example of this is the small droplets of rime on large snow crystals.
• Graupel -- Loose collections of frozen water droplets, sometimes called "soft hail."
• Hail -- Large, solid chunks of ice.

For more information about Snow and Ice Crystals visit Snowcrystals.net

Time and again, you will find many Types of Snow on a mountain depending on the altitude, temperature, and the number of people who have tracked the snow. In Snowboarding, to become a good rider, you will need to get used to all of them. After learning some facts about what snow is, we can now proceed with knowing how surface snow forms various kinds of snowboarding and skiing surfaces.

Powder

Powder is freshly fallen, untouched, soft snow. Powder, tiny flakes and crystals form the smooth and soft surface in mountains. It forms a soft smooth surface that will give you the feeling that you are floating in a weightless environment. Powder is often packed in thick layers that form a natural pillow for any crashes.

Most snowboarders and skiers find powder the ultimate surface especially since it is the best snow to land on because it does not hurt as much as hard, compact snow. Thick powder is the best surface for trying new tricks and increasing your speed record. It is also easier to carve turns, to control your speed, and to hold your edge when the snow is like powder.

Still, powder surfaces can be an obstacle for those who are not familiar with it. When riding on this type of surface, it is important that you maintain speed. If you slow down too much, you will sink in the powder and get stuck, leaving you with the job of digging yourself out. Maintaining speed will also keep you planing on the powder surface. To avoid your Snowboard from digging into the powder, make sure to keep a slightly backward stance and your tip pointing upwards.

Due to its thick, soft layer, people tend to ride harder than they would normally do and become more reckless. Powder can however cover rocks, ice, tree stumps and even crevasses with a thin layer forming a trap. Thus, it is important that you keep your eyes wide open especially when you are off piste and do not get carried away with your ride.

Crud

Crud could be considered as the next phase from powder. As more and more people ride through the powder, the snow gets piled at certain places and packed down at others. Fresh powder snow soon becomes "tracked out" and results in an uneven surface with lumps of soft powder-like snow and slippery patches. With this, the amount of resistance that your board encounters is always changing.

Snowboarding on crud is more challenging than riding on powder, but it does not necessarily mean it is less fun. The key to traversing crud is to ride more aggressively. When riding, keep your knees bent to absorb the impact that come from riding bumps and the uneven terrain. Also, keep your eyes on where you are going and choose your lines well as you go down. Riding crud and learning its tricks will improve your overall control of your snowboard.

Crust

As the name implies, this type of snow has a harder crust on top of softer powder snow. Crust is formed when the sun's rays and the wind melt the top layer of powder, and then the cold air temperature makes it freeze into solid again. If the crust is hard, you will remain riding on top of the harder, icy surface. If the crust is soft you will most likely punch through it, thus breaking the crust with your ankles as you ride through it. Something that is less fun is an intermediate crust where you are riding on top of the crust, punch through it and then bump against a harder part again.

Similar with crud, you will need a more aggressive riding style. Keep your eyes open for better lines. In making turns, be sure to keep your snowboard out of the crust by either jump turning or at least by pulling your knees up in turns.

Slush

When the air temperature becomes warmer than the freezing point, the snow starts to melt and its water content becomes very high. With this, the delicate snow crystals change into large grains of ice and slush is formed. Slush is basically snow that is starting to melt and thus becomes further wet. People who have had slush puppies (an icy snack) have a better understanding on what the word slush means.

Wet snow is heavier to traverse on than light slow so you will notice how the turns in slush are harder than on softer snow. Similar with crust and crud, more aggressive moves are needed to perform your usual techniques. Smooth carving turns are the way to go in slush if you want to keep it easy and not wear yourself out.

Ice

Ice is hated by snowboarders with the same intensity as they love powder. This type of snow is the exact opposite of powder - hard, slippery, and most of the time considered hell. Actually, you'll never find real ice on the slopes. What you do encounter is snow that has been melted and frozen again for a number of times. This forms a solid surface of icy compact snow that is often referred to as "ice".

With ice as the surface, it will be certainly hard to keep an edge. When anticipating an icy condition, consider having the Edges of your Snowboard Sharpened. A snowboard with sharp edges will help you in turns and will improve your general grip and edge control in the snow.

The key to riding ice is to keep your movements smooth and subtle. If you brake too hard or put too much pressure on an edge you will probably slip and suffer a painful landing. Then again, finding a slope made of pure ice is rare. But if you do encounter one, try to find lines that are still covered with snow. Watch your moves as you traverse from ice into snow and visa versa. Remember, ice rides fast, snow will slow you down.

Snow conditions do not only affect the way you ride your board, it affect Injury Patterns as well. Hard pack snow generally capitulate high-speed and impact injuries. Powder and heavy snow on the other hand is associated with more twisting injuries.

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Snowboarding At Night
 by: Jakob Jelling

Nighttime snowboarding is another aspect of snowboarding that is unlike any other that you may have tried so far. Many people find snowboarding at night to be very relaxing, exciting and offer a new perspective on hills that they are constantly riding.

On of the most important aspects of nighttime snowboarding is being very familiar with the run you are about to ride. Ideally you should know your path so well that you can visualize each corner, the time it takes to get from one turn to the next and what obstacles are where on the trail when you close your eyes. This familiarity will help to offset your lack of vision.

Regardless of how well you know the run you are about to attempt, you will be in for a surprise the first time you try it at night. In the dark everything looks different and feels different. You may not have realized how much you're relied on visual cues for when and where to turn slow down or speed up. You will not longer be able to see the stump that marks the start of the moguls or other trail details and shadows will make things seem to appear or disappear.

When it comes to night riding you have three options to improve your sight. You can use your eyes and no light, ride a mildly lighted trail or use a headlamp to light your way. You will have to try each option to determine which method is best suited for you.

Regardless of which method you wish to use, you must work to improve your night vision. The first step is to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Your eyes will under go a chemical change to allow you to see better in the dark and this process takes time, usually about 30 minutes. During this time it is best to sit and wait for it to happen. While waiting, and afterwards, be very careful not to look at any man made light source. Doing so will kill your night vision and you will have to wait another 30 minutes to get it back. If you find you must look at a light, close and cover one eye so that it doesn't loose its night vision ability.

Something that most people do not realize is that their daytime activities also effect their nighttime vision. Studies conducted on pilots show that exposure to bright sunlight, especially for 10 days or more, can reduce your nighttime vision, range and clarity by 50 percent. You may wish to wear gray full spectrum sunglasses on the day or the days leading up to the night that you wish to snowboard in order to maximize your night vision.

The other option available is to use a headlamp of some kind. The first choice most people think of is a bright white light. While this does allow you to see the colors of your surroundings, it isn't the best choice for nighttime viewing. The second option that most people think of is a red bulb. This too isn't a good idea as red is the first spectrum of light to become invisible at night. The range of a red light at night is very limited and thus you will not be able to see the details that you need to see.

Perhaps the best choice for a light is a yellow-green LED light. Often you can insert a suitable LED into the socket of the regular bulb on your headlamp. Yellow-green makes a very good choice for nighttime riding as it will illuminate your surroundings and allow you to see the most detail possible.

However a blue-green LED also has its advantages. While a yellow-green light helps activate the cones in your retina to see details, a blue-green light is fairly dim and works with the rods in your retina. The rods are the parts of your eyes responsible for allowing you to see at night. If you are in a fully dark area then blue-green is a better choice since it does not hinder your night vision ability.

Nighttime snowboarding is a very fun and interesting experience that should not be missed. You will find that you will discover all kinds of things about your favorite runs and yourself while doing so. Make a point of trying it the next time you find yourself becoming bored with your favorite hill.

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Snowboarding Dictionary: Snowboard
    Language, Terms & Slang

These are the Snowboarding Terms, Snowboard Definitions, Snowboarding Slang and other Snowboard words currently stored in our database. If you know any snowboarding terms that are not mentioned in this list then go ahead and suggest a word for our Snowboarding Dictionary

There are 178 Snowboarding Terms in our Snowboarding Dictionary:

3, 5, 7, 9, 19, 12

Summaries of respectfully a 360, 540, 720, 900, 1080 or 1260 turn. Used for aerial tricks.

Airdog

A snowboarder who jumps most of the time and is most interested in aerial tricks

Artic Cougar

An old lady who goes for really young guys on the slops and in the lodge

Avalanche Activator

A person who always triggers avalanches. E.G. "Look at that Avalanche Activator ride."

Backcountry

Areas out of the ski hill boundaries; off-piste. E.G. “Let’s go shred the backcountry today.”

Bail

A term used to describe crashing or falling. e.g. "He bailed and landed on his head."; to escape out of a trick.

Barge

To go for a trick with all you've got. e.g. "Dude, you just gotta barge that jump!"

Battleship

A rail in the park that kinks up, then flattens out, then kinks back down.

Beat

A term used to describe something that is not good. e.g. "It's pretty beat that we have to shape the pipe all day."

Beef

A wipe-out; another word for biff. Ex: "Dude, I beefed that one so badly!"

Beige

Totally wack e.g. "Did you see that hoedad in the cafe? That is so beige," or "How beige is the weather on the mountain!"

Betty

A girl who can't ride (a poser who is a girl). Characteristics include: a Roxy snowboard, sideslipping through park, flirting, being loud and obnoxious, matching jacket, pants, hat, etc.

Biff

Someone who wipes out real bad. For example, "Did you see his huge biff?"

Bingo

When you pull-off 3 360s in a row

Bip

A mix between your butt and your hip.

Bizatch

What you call someone who cut you off.

Blasted a Dookie

Seeing someone fall really hard while watching from the lift. e.g. "That kid blasted a dookie."

Bleah

Insane air.

Blue Bird

A beautiful day. e.g. "Cuttin' the pow pow on a blue bird day."

Bomb

To point the nose of your board straight down the hill to accelerate. E.G. “He bombed the jump at 60 miles!”

Bonj

A person who takes a beating of everybody on and off the piste.

Bonking

Hitting an object really, really hard with your Snowboard

Bonus Life

When you smoke the competitors in a competition

Boost

A term used to describe catching air off of a jump. e.g. "He boosted ten feet out of the halfpipe."

Botwoker

A term used to describe a new boarder who can't stay upright

Brick

When someone hits a kicker and their snowboard comes out from underneath them and they land on there back. (derived from kids in the east coast)

Bunk

When something is wack. Mostly when the pipe or best run is closed EX: "Dude, the pipe is closed? That's Bunk!"

Bust

A term used the same as the verb "to do" only with more emphasis. e.g. "He busted huge air over that tree."

Butt Slide

The result of sliding out while attempting a backside boardslide.

Butter

When you lean on the nose of your board (like a nose manual) and swing the tail of your board in front. E.G. “Did you see that butter to BS 5?”

Chatter

When the snowboard vibrates unnecessarily. Usually this happens at higher speeds and through turns. Racers are always trying to reduce chatter in their boards so they can stay in control.

Chillax

It means chillout and relax.

Cmania

A person obsessed with taking C-boxes.

Corduroy

When a snowcat freshly grooms a trail it will leave a finely ridged surface. Corduroy is usual very nice for laying out clean turns.

Cornice

A sudden drop-off, usually in the backcountry. E.G. “ Wow! That was a huge cornice eh?”

Couloirs (keerah)

Slopes. e.g. "Rockin' down the badass couloirs".

Crater

A term used to describe a crash or fall. e.g. "He fell off the lift and cratered into a snow bank."

Cruiser Run

What you call making a relaxed and mellow run on a fairly smooth trail.

Doinklet

1. A word to describe someting that can't be described 2. Forign Currency. e.g. "Did you see the size of the DOINKLET'S?"

Drifter

Beginner snowboarder who 'drifts' across the hill by side-slipping back and forth.

Dropping In

Who is going next down the run, jump, or rail.

Dude

if you don't know someones name just call them dude

Eat Snow

Same as face plant.

Epic

Anything that is totally awsome. e.g. "That jump was wicked epic", "That board is epic"

'Erial

When you get some air and meditate.

Face Plant

Landing face first.

Fakie

Riding the snowboard backwards from a normal stance

Fancy Pants

Some old fart of a two-planker that's wearing snowpants from the 80s - the one that's like hunting while skiing or making a hippy statement.

Feesh

Cool foreign dude from the Andes that pulls lots of hot chick with his South American charm.

Flail

A term used to describe riding badly and out of control.

Flamboyant Weezy

What a snowboarder looks like after he has been drunk or stoned, goes off a jump, and hits a tree or pole at full speed.

Fly-Swatter

When you catch an edge and fall forward, slapping the ground very quickly and rapidly, often results in a 'whiplash' feeling.

Fraggle

Term for accident involving two snowboarders, when the boards entangle causing injury.

FS

Frontside (If you’re regular, spinning to the left. If you’re goofy, spinning to the right). E.G. “He did an FS 180.”

Gaffer

Skier or "tourist in the way with no business on the mountian". `nuff said...

Gangstar

A rider so on form that it is considered illegal to shame his fellow riders in such a fashion.

Ganjala Ride

A ride on the gondola, during which the occupants partake of some kind bud.

Gap

To fly over something without touching it. e.g." I gaped the road."

Ghetto

Something that is very gross or crusty, i.e. "I lent my board to a mate and it was all ghetto when i got it back."

Gigandoidtron

A wave or jump that resembles a large monster.

Gnarly

Wicked, awsome, cool. e.g. "That was gnarly."
According to tarn montagu, it could also mean something hard, e.g. "That's a gnarly drop."

Goofy

Riding with the right foot in front instead of the left foot which is the normal stance

Grommet (Grom)

Another name for a small, young snowboarder. Especially one who is very "in" to snowboarding.

Groomer

Another word for piste. e.g. "He cruised the groomers all day."

Handsome Pants

Some dude with spiffy snowpants that's just been stomping it all day. e.g. "Way to stomp it Handsome Pants!"

Header

Headfirst dive. E.G. “He took a header trying a flip.”

Herb

Short for Herbert, a bad snowboarder or skier. In particular a skier who cuts boarders up and can't do parelell turns. Good looking female boarders and skiers are exempt from bieng called herbs.

Hippie

Someone who boards shirtless with a peace-sign necklace.

Hit

1. Park feature. E.G. “There are 23 hits in the park.” 2. To trick off a park feature. E.G. “Let’s go hit the rail.”

Hoedad

The person you always see at the lodge or sitting in the parking lot with his board, but never hits the mountain EX: "That guy is a hoedad"

Hombre

Spanish for guy, dude, homie etc.

Hot Dog

Really quality female snowboarder who tears up the slopes

Hucker

One who throws himself/herself wildly through the air and does not land on his/her feet.

Huckfest

A gathering of snowboarders riding as hard and wild as possible

HUGE

1. A term to describe something (stunt, idea, trick, discovery etc.) that is big. 2. A term to describe something (stunt, idea, trick, discovery etc.) that is awesome, gnarly or insane.

Inverted

Upside-down. E.G. “He pulled an inverted method.”

Jib

The act of riding on something other than snow, i.e. rails, trees, garbage cans, logs.

Karahe

Someone or something that is barely tolerable. May also be used as an adjective to describe something that is barely tolerable.

Kicker

To build your own jump. "We built a sick kicker in the back country"

Killa'

A homicidal maniac who boards with a knife in one hand. Hint: don't p!ss him off.

Kink

When riding halfpipes or other jumps, one may come into contact with various abnormal and not smoothly transitional surfaces. These kinks cause problems when trying to ride over them.

KooKoo

Doing something that is a bit crazy but awesomely entertaining. e.g. a kookoo run, a kookoo move, "Did you see that man? That was kookoo!"

Krunked

Someone that gets so messed up they cant move for like 45 seconds. e.g. "That dude just got krunked on that 15-stair!"

Late

A term used to describe incorporating something into a trick just before its' completion and landing, i.e. a Method to Late 180 would mean doing a method air and at the last possible second rotating 180 degrees and landing fakie.

Le Mrcelle/ le Gary

To be an air dog who always asks the question, ou est le discotech?

Limp

Unnecessary faking of an injury.

Line

The path you take, usually backcountry, or off the reg slope lay-out. e.g. "How was that line?"

Lip

The top of the jump; the part that is usually quite steep. E.G. "That's an insane lip."

LipLayer

A person who bails at the lip of the jump. E.G. “Hey! There’s a LipLayer.”

Lottoey

Rich person, often with really, really really, really expensive stuff. E.G. "That lottoey can't ride for beans, eh?"

Manual

To ride with the nose of your board elevated from the ground; wheelie. E.G. “That guy can manual the whole flat.”

Max Air Plummet

Get max air off a jump, go horizontal in the air, forget to land and do a face plant.

Milags or Milagro

A word used to describe something that that's really cool. The polar opposite of something that is uncool or barely tolerable (see karahe).

Mofo

A ski-instructor

Monkey brains

Lingo for supper.

Monkey trail

A little off-piste trail, often through the woods. E.G. “I hit a rock taking the monkey trail.”

Muntjac

A term used to describe a boarder who disappears off on his own, becoming elusive and almost unknown to the rest of the group.

Muppet

Friendly insult, as in "Ya muppet".

No Joy

Borrowed from pilot slang, "Top Gun"- not possible/ no good/ why bother. e.g. Q-"What abot the lift?" A-"No joy- line is wicked long."

Noob

New Boarder (can also be used to insult people). e.g. "That noob over there wiped out on the bunny hill!"

Nose Manual

To ride with the tail of your board elevated from the ground; nose wheelie. E.G. “Can you pull a nose manual?”

Ol' Pops

Old people on the ski hill, generally wearing the 70's neon one piece suits. Some guys bomb kickerz and do the the splits. Kinda weird eh?

Ollie

The act of lifting the nose and tail of your board into the air at the same time. “That ollie was HUGE!”

One-footy

Riding with only one foot in your bindings. E.G. "Did you see that guy take the box one-footy."

Pack

A term used to describe a crash or fall. e.g. "He packed into that snow bank and broke his leg."

Pantbinder

A boarder who displays a cavalier attitude to their own survival.

Phat

Used to describe how exceptional something is. "Phat Air" might be a really styled out trick as well as being "large", that is, very high.

Pipe

Short for halfpipe. E.G. “Check out his style in the pipe.”

Plank

A snowboard. Referal to older snowboards.

Poach

If the Halfpipe is closed, or the powder field is roped off... and you rode it anyway... you poached it.

Poetry

Mix of odd lingo, Swiffers and wonked stoners.

Poser

One who pretends to be something one is not.

Pote

French for homie, guy, dude.

Pow

1. A punch. 2. Short for powder. E.G. "Shreddin' da pow."

Pow Pow

Fresh powder. e.g. "Cuttin the pow pow."

Powned

Normally 1337 lingo: meaning to completely waste the competition or to pull off a big trick when someone said you couldn't. e.g. "That dude said i couldnt do a 360...well i totaly powned him!"

Punch

Crashing bad. "He caught his toe edge and punched the jump."

QP

Short for quarter pipe. E.G. “Look at that QP!”

Rinse

A versatile term used when describing excellent boarding technique e.g. "Mate, check out that hot chick, she's on the rinse." or "Dude, you totally rinsed that 720."

Rocky

A person obsessed with ollieing or bonking rocks. E.G. "Hey look, it's Rocky!"

Rolling down the windows

A phrase used to describe when someone is caught off balance and they rotate their arms wildly in the air to try and recover.

Schwank (pronounced as Shu wank)

Super; cool; awesome. e.g. "That phat 9 was Schwank"

Scope

To check something out. E.G. “We scoped out the landing before we hit the jump”.

Seal boarding

Lying on your belly with the board held up like a spoiler (so you don't take off) and bombing down the slope. Works best where you know that the terrain's farily smooth.

Session

A name for a certain interval in which one snowboards. e.g. "That was a good halfpipe session, but the powder session was even better."

Shack

Lodge at a ghetto hill.

Shack booter

A kind of jump consisting of a triangular prism of snow. E.G. “Let’s air off the shack booter.”

Shmob

To wrecklessly control your vehicle or snowboard. e.g. "Let's shmob the new Caddy." or "This party sucks. Let's shmob."

Sh'mon

Can be used as a verb or a noun. Verb = to go or move or come. e.g. "Wow! You Sh'moned that one." Noun = word used if you don't know what something is called or just can't think of it at the moment. e.g. "Could you pass the Sh'mon?"

Shralp

To ride really aggressively; shred. E.G. “That guy sure shralps the park well.”

Shred

To tear up the terrain.

Shred The Gnar

To shred something gnarly (hard), like a hard run.

Sick

An expression used to describe something exceptionally good.

Sketching

The act of riding along precariously and near falling.

Slay

To pull an insane trick on a rail, or to grind or jib the whole rail. EX: I slayed that rail.

Smokin'

Make and "S" shape in the air.

Snake

A term used to describe someone who cuts in front of you in the lift line, or drops in front of you in the halfpipe.

Sno

What you ride on. Geez!

Snow Angel

That really hot chick skier that you can't stand, yet can't stop checkin out.

Snow Bum

Someone that eats,breathes,sleeps, and lives for snowboarding or skiing; lives in a shack next to the nearest resort to get on the slopes early and works in a boardshop to pay for lift tickets.

Snow Bunny

A very good looking female boarder

Snow Gump

Someone who passes themselves off as a snowboarder by submitting snowboarding terms to websites but really is just a sad, billy no mates who has dreamt his whole life of being cool.

Snow slapped

When another boarder/skier does a really big carve in the snow and you get snow on you.

Snowboardionary

The official source of intelligence, language aids, lingo, terms, definitions, slang and things that make you SMARTER. Uh huh. You bet, eh?

Snowing

It's a short way to say snowboarding. e.g. "Hey! let's go snowing!!!"

Snowslut

A girl who gets with every guy on the mountain.

SnowSniffer

Person who stops at the lip of the jump.

South Shore Birthday

A beating. e.g. "Don't make me give you a SOUTH SHORE BIRTHDAY."

Spray

The powder that flies up when you biff or land a jump.

Stack

To fall over quite badly, so badly it hurts.The word has crossed over from skating 'cos it normaly hurts more in skate parks.

Steez or Steeze

So much style. e.g. "Yo dude you had so much steez on that corked 9."

Stick

1. Another name for a snowboard. 2. A term used to describe making a good landing. e.g. "He stuck a huge Method Air off of that jump."

Sticks

Those funny looking things skiers ride on - usually look impossible to carry to the summit. i.e. "Dude, sticks are for those who can't ride with the boardin' possie."

Stoked

An alternate term for the word psyched. In other words, to be excited.

Stomp

A term used to describe making a good landing. e.g. "He stomped that McTwist."

Stumpy

A person obsessed with ollieing or bonking stumps. E.G. “Hey look, it’s Stumpy!”

Swiffer

When you pull two turns it opposite directions, and form the Swiffer "S".

Switch

To ride with the tail of your board in front; fakie. E.G. “He’s good at riding switch.”

Tabletop

A kind of jump consisting of a smaller jump, then a large tranny and then the landing. E.G. “You can get insane air of the tabletop.”

Tight

A term used to express extreme joy. "That was tight."

Tits

To empasize that something is good. EX: "That board is tits!"

Toeside Turn

Lift up front heel and press toe down, move knee over foot (back and shoulders follow), end up pressing all toes down.

Train Pack

A really wacked bunch of skiers that are kind of cool but still a bit wack.

Tranny

Little ditch or empty space to gap. E.G. “Can you ollie that tranny?”

Trick

Something cool and interesting that you can do on your board.

Tricky

One who pulls off many sweet tricks. "that kid is tricky"

Trip

When something is good e.g. "That 900 was trip!"

Tuck

Low wind resistance crouched position used to go faster

Tweaked

A term used to explain the emphasis of style in a trick. In other words, if someone "tweaked out a method" they would grab hard and create an emphasis of the maneuver such that their ankles or other joints may appear bent injury. i.e. "He tweaked his ankle." or twisted to a maximum degree.

Two-planker

Another term for skier.

Wack

Something that is not good. e.g. "It's pretty wack that my board broke in half."

Warckdard

Something weird: we don't know what IT is.

Warped

Pretty bumpy, wack or kinked surface/terrain. Very unpleasant to shralp or shred.

Wimp

Someone who is scary of everything; wussy.

Wonked

A description of someone who is stoked or stoned.

Ya smell me?

Do you understand me?

Yard Sale

Bad spill that strips you of your hat, gloves, goggles, glasses, backpack, etc.

Yuppies

Some city people that think they can rip it up, but can't.

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Snowboarding Gear - What you need to go Snowboarding

This section provides you with a list of the Basic Snowboard Gear that you will need for this winter sport. Wearing the right apparel would enable you to perform various Snowboarding Styles and Snowboard Tricks better for a longer period of time.

Generally, the Ideal Way of Clothing for any Winter Activity is to dress in layers. This is because dressing in layers allows you to adapt to sudden changes in temperature by shedding a layer, and prepares you for the times you will find yourself overheating from pushing your endurance to limits. The keys to a successful layering system, in order of importance, are warmth, weight, moisture management and packing the right number of layers. For most winter sports, the three-layer system is applicable: the base or inner layer, the middle or second layer, and the outer layer.

The first layer is the base layer which consists of underwear and socks. Also known as inner layer, these Snowboard Gears traps warmth against your body while 'wicking' moisture away from your skin. The middle layer consists of general clothing or a fleece jacket. This layer provides extra insulation and transfers moisture towards the outer layer. On the other hand, the outer layer protects your body against wind and rain and expels excess moisture.

What follows are Basic Guidelines on What Snowboard Gear to Wear and Why You Should Wear It. For a quick link to the particular snowboarding item of your choice, click the links at the bottom of each Type of Snowboard Gear:

Base Layer

This is the first layer of clothing that comes next to the skin. The Snowboard Gears for the base layer are designed to conserve body heat and keep you warm and dry. The best materials for the base layer are space age wicking materials that draw moisture away from the body as well as keep you warm. Synthetic materials like polypropylene are the most suitable for this purpose.

Although wool combinations also work well, they aren't comfortable unless you have a high itch tolerance. Keep in mind that the base layer should cover you from head to toe (i.e. comprising of a long-sleeved top, socks and full-length leggings or long johns). Also, stay away from cotton. Once cotton gets wet, its insulation capacities are lost, and thus it stays wet.

Second Layer

Also known as the second layer, the middle layer serves as the insulation layer. Snowboard Gears for this layer are made of materials designed to trap warm air next to your body as you ride, and transfer moisture towards the outer layer. Wool and fleece are the best materials to use here. Fleece is a great choice since it is lightweight and is able to 'breathe'. Consequently, it acts as an effective channel for drawing moisture towards the outer layer of clothing.

You can put the middle layer on or off depending on the temperature and the amount of activity you perform. On warmer days the Snowboard Gears for this layer can serve as your outer layer of protection as well.

Finishing the Basics

The outer layer serves as the barrier between you and the winter mountain environment. With all of your heat inside the inner two layers, the Snowboard Gears for the outer layer should allow moisture vapor out, and still maintain an effective barrier in keeping snow and water out. It is also important that this layer has the ability to 'breathe' as it should allow heat from perspiration to escape from the inner layers of clothing. Thus, for your outer layer, wear windproof and waterproof apparel that is also breathable.

One of the advantages of layers is that you can add and remove layers during the day according to the weather conditions and how you feel. However, when buying your Snowboarding apparel, be sure that you manage the following problems: sweating, controlling of body temperature, protection from elements, chaffing and blisters. Also, avoid clothes that are too large or too small, otherwise the benefits of the latest fabric technology will be diluted.

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Snowboarding History - The History of Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a very recent sport and is similar to surfing, skateboarding, and Skiing. Likewise, it is not surprising that Snowboarding's origins lie in these sports. Although it is hard to pinpoint the pioneer of Snowboarding, it has been recognized that it was initiated around the 1950s by a few surf and skate enthusiasts who used self-made boards to convey their skills to a new terrain: The Snow. At that time, due to the novelty of the Snowboards, those contraptions often resulted in many broken boards and a lot of bruises.

The first real Snowboard hit the market during the 1960's in the form of Sherman Poppen's Snurfer. It appeared like a weird crossover between a plywood sled and a skateboard deck. The rope attached to the front tip of the snurfer (board) offered the rider some control, and the steel tacks poking through the upper deck held the rider's feet in place.

During that time, Snowboarding appealed initially to a small group of surfers, skateboarders, and backcountry enthusiasts. Brave souls who rode their own Snowboard contraptions were highly frowned upon by majority of skiers. They were not even allowed to ride the regular skiing slopes. Consequently, Snowboarding started Off-Piste.

As Snowboarding became more popular in the 70's and 80's, true Snowboarding pioneers such as Dimitrije Milovich, an East Coast surfer, and Jake Burton Carpenter came up with new Snowboard Designs, Materials and machineries that had slowly developed into the Snowboard, Snowboard Bindings, and other Snowboard Equipment we know nowadays.

In 1983, less than 10 percent of United States ski areas allowed Snowboarding. But by 1997, few resorts excluded it. Today, Snowboarding is now as accepted as skiing in most Ski Resorts Worldwide and its popularity and fan base is growing at such a pace that the number of skiers in the US has declined by 25%. The number of Snowboarders has increased by 77%, making Snowboarding the fastest growing winter sport in the US. Today, more than 3.4 million people Snowboard. This number comprises about 20% of the visitors to US ski resorts. Also, the number of people who snowboard is predicted to overtake Skiing by 2015.

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Snowboarding Isn’t Just For Kids Anymore
 by: Lauren Traub Teton

Pain and injury avoidance techniques for snowboarding are invaluable but not well known. If you know how, you can avoid the two biggest mistakes that first time snowboarders make. A positive experience your first few times out will make you more likely to stick out the hard times until you learn enough to really have fun!

“There’s no reason that adults shouldn’t snowboard and have as much fun as kids” says self-proclaimed Snowboard Evangelist Lauren Traub Teton who admits to being “in her 40s”. “I have been riding a snowboard for four years, and am having the most fun of my life!”

She feels that the only thing stopping “oldsters” (in their mid-30s and up) from embracing snowboarding in a big way are the inevitable hard falls experienced during the short steep learning curve. She says “there are easy ways to avoid the pain. They are just not well known.”

The reason “snowboard pain avoidance” is not more widely discussed has to do with the history of snowboarding. To some snowboarders, pain and injury are cool. This is obvious if you the read the hundreds of war stories on snowboard websites.

This viewpoint has its roots in the fact that snowboarding is stylistically a descendant of skateboarding and embraces some of the same traditions. For example, doing a grab, where the rider reaches down and grabs the board while airborne, is more of a necessity in skating than in snowboarding, because the skateboard is not attached to the feet. But grabs have morphed into a popular trick and a way to show style in snowboarding too.

The other tradition that has carried over from skating is the tradition of pain. In skateboarding, injury from accidental impact with the hard ground is a common occurrence and gives a skater bragging rights (as well as bruises and breaks.). A lot of skaters are also snowboarders, and so the tradition of absorbing pain as part of “paying dues” remains.

Another factor keeping some adults away from snowboarding may be the reputation for wildness on the slopes that snowboarders have. That probably comes from the fact that when the equipment was first invented, it was technologically primitive, with little ability to steer or stop. That’s how snowboarding got its image as an extreme sport and snowboarders got their reputation as outlaws of the snow. Now snowboards have evolved technologically into precision devices that can turn and stop easily, when operated under control.

With older snowboarders hitting the slopes, the culture of injury and pain has outlived it’s origins. Adults don’t equate injuries with status. People who start riding as adults want to stay upright and uninjured. Some skiers switch over because it seems like more fun and less stress on the knees. Again, the goal is to stay whole!

I learned by trial, error and luck how to avoid injury. In fact, a fine young gentleman working at the guest services desk on Whistler Mountain (B.C.) offered to let me borrow his Rollerblade wrist guards and knee pads, one day when I was learning, and I was hooked on safety and comfort from that moment.

Don’t make the two biggest mistakes new snowboarders often make when you do decide to take up this wonderful sport. To be safe, comfortable, and happy, you MUST

1. Take a lesson given by a professional your first time out.

and

2. You MUST wear padding, on your knees, butt, and wrists.

Come now, why try to reinvent the wheel? If you want to learn to snowboard, then a snowboard lesson with a trained instructor will teach you IMPORTANT basic snowboarding skills that you will use every day for the rest of your riding life.

So learn them right, right from the start. Forget about teaching yourself how to get on and off a lift safely on a board. This is what teachers are for.

And the padding is a must because falling is an inevitable part of the learning process. You WILL fall at first. But if you are padded properly, you will not have to hurt yourself. And don’t chuck the padding once you have mastered the basics. You will need it when you progress to jumping and tricks!

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Snowboarding Styles - The Different Styles in Snowboarding

Snowboarding Style is very important in the world of Snowboarding. The style you select will largely determine how you snowboard, what Snowboard Equipment or Gear you will be using, and where you will be riding. Each style has its own group of fans, community, and competitions. Once you have passed the beginner stage, you're bound to enter one of the following Snowboard Riding Styles:

FreeRiding

As the name of the style explains, Freeriding is about mastering an all-round style that will allow you to ride, carve, and jump on any terrain - On Piste and Off Piste. This Snowboarding Style involves riding almost any terrain while spending most of your time on the ground rather than in the air. Although it is not as much inclined to aerial tricks as the Freestyle, Freeride does involve jumps and aerial maneuvers.

Freeriders generally love powder and will go Off Piste as soon as fresh powder hits the slopes. Freeriding is also called "All Mountain Riding" since this Snowboarding Style tries to utilize everything a mountain has to offer for this sport.

This Snowboarding Style is usually considered as the most suitable Style for first-timers and beginners. Normally, novices start out with a beginner Freeriding Snowboard. As a result, the Freeriding Snowboard has become the most popular board style, and most of the time, the boards that you will find in shops and on the slopes are Freeriding boards.

There are various designs of Snowboard for Freeriding. To be able to differentiate a Freeriding board from other variations, examine the following characteristics:

• Relatively longer boards with a narrower width, a deeper side cut, and more directional in their shape
• More often than not, the nose will be longer and the stance of the riders will be slightly positioned towards the rear of the board to make it easier to hang back when riding deep powder

Other Freeriding Equipement:

• Soft Boots
• Strap or Flow-In Bindings

FreeStyle

Freestyle focuses on adrenaline rushes and is considered by many the most spectacular and wild style of Snowboarding. It involves doing tricks both on and off the air in Snowboard parks, Halfpipes, and the natural obstacles a mountain can offer. Unlike Freeride, a lot of the tricks in Freestyle are done in the air in the form of twists, turns, grabs, and other radical Aerial Movements. On the ground, the common Freestyle tricks are performed using rails and .

The most popular Snowboarding events are the Freestyle competitions. These include halfpipe, quarterpipe, slopestyle, and big air competitions. Freestyle riders are not necessarily advanced riders. Their environment, however, is mainly snow parks, halfpipes, and natural obstacles.

Some Freestyle Snowboards are designed specifically for the halfpipe or for the perfect rail slide. Although it would be nice to have a board for every occasion, keep in mind that these Snowboards are not likely to perform well outside of that specific terrain which they have been designed for. General Freestyle Snowboards, on the other hand, are designed to handle well on jumps, spinning in the air, and riding switch. To be able to recognize a Freestyle board, check out its following characteristics:

• Shorter, lighter, fatter more maneuverable boards
• The boards have a twin tips, which means that the tail and tip are identical in shape

Other Freeriding Equipement:

• Soft boots
• Strap or Flow-In Bindings

FreeCarve or Alpine Snowboarding

Carving or Alpine Snowboarding focuses on speed and is concerned with the ultimate carving turn. It's all about expanding the full length of the mountain, and making impressive, high-speed slalom turns as you go downhill. Because of the high speed descent, the turns are often very powerful and demand a lot of strength. Consequently, the Carving Style is not as accessible to beginners as Freeriding and Freestyling.

Normally, skiers who cross over to Snowboarding prefer this style because of its similarities with Skiing. Snowboarders who practice Freecarving style usually carve powerful turns on groomed slopes and graceful curves in Powder.

A FreeCarve or Alpine Board can be recognized by the following characteristics:

• Longer, narrower and mostly stiffer boards that give stabilty and edge-holding during high-speed descents
• The boards are not be used for Freestyling tricks

Other Freeriding Equipement:

• Hard Boots
• Plate Bindings

If you're not sure which style to choose, just start with Freeriding to become accustomed to the feeling of Snowboarding. However, keep in mind that before you drop your hard-earned money on a New Snowboard, Snowboarding Boots, or Snowboard Bindings setup, you must first know what type of Snowboarder you are, or are interested in becoming. Manufacturers carefully design Snowboards for specific Types of Riding. Hence, you don't want to make the mistake of buying an expensive big mountain board if you'll be spending all day in the pipe.

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Snowboarding Technique - Getting Started

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Snowboarding Technique - Using Lifts

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The First Time: A Girls' Guide

For women stoked on learning how to ride, first off let me say, it's the only sport that has accepted women into its culture as quickly as, say, kids into skateboarding. Of course, it's unfortunate that as outdoor women we even need to be compared with a kids market, but the truth is, women don't usually have their own equipment, clothes, or respect when it comes to sports. That is, until someone "discovers" that there's actually a market out there for us. Snowboarding as an industry has discovered this.

Getting started though, isn't as difficult as skiing. First off, the boots are more comfortable and there's only two edges to deal with rather than four. Other advantages include the clothes and gloves: They're big and roomy (no stretch pants) and snowboard gloves really do keep your hands warm because of the Kevlar on the outside and the major padding on the inside. As a snowboarder, your hands touch the ground often, so manufacturers have made gloves with extra protection in mind. (Sounds like a Playtex commercial, but it's true.)

As for respect, you'll notice it right away. As a beginner female snowboarder waiting in a lift line, you'll quickly notice that people give you the thumbs up/approval nod, like, "yea, right on, you can do it" sort of thing. Even other skiers will check you out. You can practically see other women skiers' minds' thinking, "Maybe I should try that; she can do it."

And you can. But it hurts at first. My advice: Take a lesson from a professional rather than learning from a buddy or boyfriend. Learning from a friend may just ruin that friendship after you've done a few head slams because you'll blame the friend that's teaching you for teaching you the wrong way. It takes about three lessons to really discover how to link turns. But once you have it, the "feeling" never goes away--it's like never forgetting how to ride a bike. Many resorts offer women's only classes and women instructors. There are also a variety of women's snowboard camps being offered every season around the country. I think the best camp for women is the Wild Women's Snowboard Camp, launched by women's 1992 World Extreme Champ, Greta Gaines, and co-directed by Mary Seibert. It follows a philosophy by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of "Women Who Run with the Wolves," in that women need to break free; that there is a need and obligation for each woman to reach this level and let go. Snowboarding's a fluid sport that allows you to do just this. Like rock climbing, it's more about balance and grace than strength and ego. Therefore, women excel.

As for finding the right equipment, here's a strategy to follow: Don't let retailers steer you in the wrong direction. Remember what you want even if you only think you know what you want. Even as a beginner, you are your own best judge as to what fits, feels good, and works for your body and style.

HOW TO SHOP

Snowboards: Ask if the length and weight of the board fits your ability level and your own weight and size. If you can pick up the board from the tip when it's standing on end, it's probably a good weight. If you can't, shelf it. Check the pre-drilled holes for binding width and put your feet on them to determine if the board stance has the capability of going narrow enough for you. So many don't, so check this. Also while you're standing there, do your feet come close to the edge? If they go over, it's too narrow--although just the opposite is usually the case for women. My motto: FatBobs aren't for girls. (Ask K2 if you don't understand.) Women's pro-model boards aren't as rare as they use to be and if you have your choice, why wouldn't you buy one?

Boots: This gets tricky because feet are gnarly. Take a look at your own bone spurs and you'll agree. First and foremost, ask the salesperson if the boot manufacturer you're interested in made the "woman's model" from a woman's last. Many won't know; some will ask what a "last" actually is. A last is the basic mold that is formed around a foot onto which the rest of the boots are modeled and formed. Since women's calves start lower, and women have narrower heels and wider balls of their feet, a woman's-lasted boot is a must. Otherwise, you'll be buying a scaled-down version of a men's boot and we all hate scaled-down-versions, now don't we?

Bindings: Try them on in the store with your snowboard boots on. So many soft bindings are too wide and you'll have to cut the plastic, re-screw, and duct tape them into the appropriate place for your feet. Also, check the width of the binding when buckled in. For two years I had to fill up the excess width of my bindings with twigs so my foot wouldn't move around. Fortunately, my Original Sin bindings (plug) changed that.

Clothes: Of course, individual style is a big factor. But when it comes to comfort, look for pants that come-up high enough so you don't get snow down the back when you bend over to clip in your binding. Suspender pants are great--especially with ones that go up the sides of your boobs or in the middle; and look that they don't constrict movement. Practice a tail-grab in the store (even if you're a beginner) to see that they don't bind. The other key aspect for pants are drop-seats (to allow for a quick pee in the woods). As for jackets, if the zipper or buttons go up the "wrong" side, guess what, a guy probably designed the thing. Avoid Velcro up by the hood or collar--your hair will get stuck in it.

Kathleen Gasperini has worked as a writer for Powder, Snowboarder, Snowboarding, Women's Sports and Fitness, and Stick magazines. Last year she founded her own magazine titled W.I.G. (Women In General). She lives in Park City, Utah and snowboards much more than she should.

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What Is Snowboarding?

"Snowboarding" from Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service:
Winter sport that evolved from skateboarding and surfing. Three main styles of competition exist: Alpine, Freestyle, and Boardercross. Developed in the 1960s, Snowboarding was believed to have originated in the United States, where several inventors explored the idea of surfing on the snow.

It's highly unlikely that there's someone who has never seen nor heard of Snowboarding. But if you really have no idea what Snowboarding is, just imagine it as surfing or skateboarding - only On Snow. Snowboarding is a relatively new winter sport wherein you ride an epoxy-fiberglass board (resembling a large skateboard) with your feet strapped on it, and manipulate gravity to go down a ski slope or a specially constructed pipe. The principle of Snowboarding is to maintain your balance as you surf down a ski slope with both feet securely attached to the Snowboard via high-back or non - release plate bindings.

Unlike skiers, who shift their weight from one Ski to the other, Snowboarders shift their weight from heels (heelside) to toes as well as from one end of the board to the other. To stop the board's motion, they push their heels or toes down hard to dig the edge of the Snowboard into the snow. Although most people compare snowboarding to Skiing, Snowboarding Techniques are closer to skateboarding and surfing than to skiing.

What can this site teach me?

This site contains a wide range of information that you will need to start with Snowboarding - from Snowboarding Styles, Snowboarding Jumps, Spins and Aerial Tricks, Snowboarding Safety Precautions, to the different Types of Snow. Moreover, this site explains all the necessary Snowboard Equipment you will need for this sport, How and Where Snowboard Gears Can Be Purchased, and of course, How to Use the Snowboard Equipment. Whether you're Snowboarding for the first time, attempting a new trick, or trying to step up your riding to the next level, with the various articles in this site, we're certain you'll be able to find the information that will help develop, improve, and harness your Snowboarding skills.

Enjoy learning about Snowboarding!

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Why go Snowboarding? - The Benefits of Snowboarding

People usually stumble upon Snowboarding through friends or by word of mouth, decide that Snowboarding does look like a lot of fun, and resolve to give it a try. More often than not, after their first encounter with Snowboarding, they get hooked with it. In fact, you'll doubtlessly have a hard time finding someone who tried Snowboarding and was afterwards disappointed with the experience. Consequently, Snowboarding has exploded as a recreational Physical Activity over the past two decades.

One of the reasons why Snowboarding industry has been a boom is because it gives you freedom to choose between high speed adrenaline rushes, Complex Snowboarding Tricks, and taking a simple relaxing descent. Not only that, Snowboarding has so much to offer:

• Different Riding Styles to choose from and develop yourself in
• Breathtaking terrains as you Travel Across the World looking for the greatest and most exciting runs
• Amazing adrenaline rushes in performing Snowboard Aerial Tricks and High Speed Descents
• A great variety of very cool Snowboard Gear that will further improve your Snowboarding skills and make you look like a snow god
• A steep learning curve with most Snowboarding novices being able to hit their first slope after 2-3 days
• Enough challenges, techniques, and styles to keep you hooked for years
• Different kinds of Snowboarding Terrains to master ranging from well groomed ski slopes to backcountry wilderness
• Different kinds of Snow Conditions to master, ranging from fresh Powder to Ice
• International competitions and events to either visit or to compete in
• Hundred thousands of fellow Snowboarding enthusiasts that all share your passion

Imagine this. You are surfing through knee-deep Powder on a steep mountain slope in an apparently weightless state. As if you're flying, you feel the swooshing of air on your skin as you pick up speed. The sun warms your face as you carve one high speed turn after another. The mountain is yours. You have complete freedom to cruise your Snowboard wherever you want it to take you. As you slalom through the trees, you notice an excellent take off platform and decide to go for it: you bend your knees a little more as your speed increases, you lift off, make a perfect 360 turn before landing safely on both feet. Adrenaline rushes through your body as you gradually decrease your speed and take it easy to enjoy the exceptional views as you head to your favorite ski lodge for a nice cup of coffee with your buddies.

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Why Take A Snowboard Lesson?

There is no right way to snowboard. Snowboarding can be a mechanical physiological formula or a free-flowing form of personal expression. Learning to board is relatively easy. So, why take a lesson? Any semi-athletic person can get the hang of it in season or even a few weeks. How quickly they learn good, efficient, effective skills, how painful it is to learn them, and how many bad habits are picked up along he way, however, is where a lesson with a professionally trained instructor will make a difference.

It is a fact that the human body is designed to function in certain ways. An instructor has extensive experience and training in how the body and the board can function easily together. In a beginner lesson the instructor can share this information in a way that is fun and safe and will save a life time of trial and error. Through learning basic skills such as edging, how to apply appropriate pressure to the board and steering skills a solid foundation can be developed.

Taking up a new sport can be a quite liberating experience or a humbling journey through new thresholds of frustration. A trial and error process can not only be a slow road to ripping it up; it can be a painful one. A lack of understanding of how the edges of a snowboard work can result in some pretty hard slams from catching the downhill edge. Good instructors can practically give a slam free guarantee. That means faster results and less time before having the ability to ride the entire mountain.

The human mind and body is a master of adaptability. This can be a benefit in learning a new sport. It can also inhibit the learning process. There are many sports that are similar to snowboarding but only snowboarding is in fact snowboarding. Knowing which movements directly crossover from sport to sport is important in success. When threatened or in a new environment the body is also very practiced at making things up as it goes along. Reinforcing tricks created for survival on the slope out of lack of commitment or fear can become a pattern. Crossover movement patterns and survival moves can develop into bad habits. Lessons can ensure the development of positive, appropriate and efficient movements.

Working with an instructor is not just for beginners. A regular check in with lessons or workshops can speed your progress and ensure your skills are solid. Most resorts offer all day and half day class lessons for all levels and abilities. Privates and specialty workshops are also available if you want more intense individual feedback or to specialize in one aspect of the sport. To find out more about programs offered by resorts contact the ski school. To work with an experienced professional instructor request one that is PSIA certified.

Jane Mauser is a professional snowboard instructor at Snowbird, Utah. She is a member of the demo team of the Far West Professional Ski Instructors of America and is a all-around hard charging snowboarder.

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You Don't Have to Hurt Yourself to Snowboard
 by: Lauren Traub Teton

Snowboarding Gear to Keep you Safe and Comfortable as you Learn and Ride

Are you thinking of trying snowboarding, but reluctant because you've heard that you'll be bruised after the painful edge-catching falls of the first three days? Or have you tried snowboarding but thrown in the towel because it hurts too much when you fall?

Snowboarding without Injuries--

Snowboarding without injuries is actually a possibility. If you wear protective snowboard gear you will greatly reduce the odds of hurting yourself when you snowboard. You will not have to worry as much about possible pain and injury on the slopes, and you can relax and enjoy the ride. If you are lucky enough to always ride on soft deep powder, protection is not such a big issue. But hard snow happens, especially in Eastern America.

Most Websites and Magazines Do Not Discuss Snowboard Safety--

and protection for the snowboarder. In some circles, it seems there is something stoic and admirable about enduring pain. If you disagree, and want to spend quality time on the slopes instead of nursing bumps and bruises on the sidelines or sustaining slow-healing injuries that can become chronic and arthritic, read on.

Main Points of Impact with Snow and Ice--

When you ride, the main points of impact where your body will meet the snow or ice are predictable: knees, hands and wrists, buttside or tailbone, and head are the target zones. Protect these body parts and you will hurt less and have a lot more fun.

Knee Protection for Snowboarders--

Knee protection is one of the most important pieces of snowboard protective gear. Your knees are bony and vulnerable. And they are complex joints that are painful and expensive to fix.

Wear in-line Skate Knee Pads beneath your snow pants. Make sure they are soft and well-padded on the inside and hard plastic to absorb shock and protect on the outside. Good pads will also keep your knees warm and flexible, and you can relax so much more knowing that a fall forward is not going to be painful and damaging. Beginners fall on their knees often. Believe it or not, good knee pads also help to protect your wrists. Read on.

Hand/Wrist Protection for Snowboarders--

Falling forward with your weight on your hands is a good way to break a wrist. Fists should be balled up, with your thumb outside, as if you were ready to punch someone. Try to relax and fall evenly on your protected knees, and forearms. You should wear good protective knee pads so you can distribute the weight on both your knees and hands. Then you won't have to try to catch yourself with your hands.

Some experts argue that wearing skate wrist guards can increase the severity of a fracture by sending the "shock" up the arm to a larger bone. A new snowboard specific safety glove and wrist guard is now on the US Market. It was designed by a French Emergency Room physician who has worked on thousands of snowboard fractures, and it is supposed to reduce snowboard wrist injuries by up to 60%.

Butt/Tailbone Protection for Snowboarders--

People sometimes say "But I have plenty of natural padding on my butt." Forget it. You need padding that is not connected to your central nervous system.

If you're a beginner and if you don't have anything else, you can slide some bubble wrap down the back of your pants. Use plenty! You'll hear the bubbles pop when you fall and you'll be glad you wore them. And you will have saved a lot of jarring to your spine as well as wear and tear on your buttocks and tailbone.

Once you're convinced of the need to save your posterior, invest in some real padding designed for snowboarders. A hard plastic shell outside with soft padding on the inside is great. It will hardly be noticeable beneath your snow pants and it really helps.

Helmets for Snowboarders--

You might think (mistakenly) that helmets are only for people who ride in the trees, or do big tricks. But the first time you catch an edge and go CLUNK! and the back of your head hits the hard hard ground, you'll reconsider. A helmet also adds the comfort of warmth and dryness, as well as cushioning for your brain. With a helmet on, you can ride in the rain comfortably, and have the slopes almost to yourself.

You should buy a helmet in person at a shop. Correct fit is mandatory and tricky. Get expert help at the snowboard shop to be sure the helmet fits. And have your helmet checked for safety and fit next season if you fell on it a lot or grew dreds or shaved your head since you purchased it.

Hydration for Snowboarders--

Snowboarding creates heat. That means you are perspiring, even when it's cold. Stay hydrated with water, and you will be able to ride longer and better. To replace the water lost perspiring and breathing the dry winter air, use a hydration system. It is a backpack with a water bladder, and a tube to deliver the water to your mouth. Simple and efficient. Just grab the tube, bite the valve on the end, and sip. You can easily do it while sitting on the lift. You can wear it outside your coat, or even under it on freezing days.

You can do tricks and ride the pipe while wearing a small hydration backpack, no problem. You can also throw an extra clothing layer, energy bar, tool set, or whatever in the hydration backpack. The backpacks come in many different sizes and configurations.

Safety for Your Board--

It's just as important to protect your trusty ride when you get off it. Hardcore riders never let their boards out of their sight. If you do, check yours at the lodge, or lock it with a small cable lock that you carry in your backpack. Also register it online at http://www.SnowboardRegistry.com/ so if it does disappear, you at least have a chance of getting it back. And be a good citizen of the snowboard universe. Before you buy a used board, check its serial number at http://www.SnowboardRegistry.com/ to make sure it wasn't reported stolen.

Ride Happily Many a Day--

Unlike with skating and surfing, you DON'T have to endure pain to learn and ride your snowboard. Respect yourself. Dress for safety and comfort on the slopes, and you'll come back to ride happily many a day.

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