Beginner snowboarder.. need help
 

This is way O.T. and I know that I'm going out on a limb here.
I'm interested in getting into snowboarding. Yes I did go to a few shops and get tons of information. The problem with that is, I was told completely different things by every shop. This board sucks, these boots rule those suck. You need a stiff board! NO wait dude! you need a flexible board! All I wanna do is get the right info from someone who actually snowboards, everytime I go to a shop, the kid waiting on me tels me how he went snowboarding last weekend ( impossible he was working last weekend I saw him) and how this board rules.
Whatever, I need help I'm 5'10 weigh 170-180lbs. and have zero experience, and I'm 38 years old. I used to race mountain bikes and plan on getting back into that also. But I know about mountain bikes and all of the fun that goes with that.
Thanks,
Frank B

stay off them things...you'll break a leg.

but increases face and butt trauma ;)

Hey Noah thanks man,
I remember the Brushie, and I met Jeff Brushie. I was managing a bike shop here in Pennsylvania. And he came by to do an in house sale/help/clinic thing. The shop I was managing was 1/2 ski/board and half bike. The snowboard kids wre pretty much insane and I didn't pay much attention to what they were talking about most of the time. BUt one guy who moved away told me to get a particular board ( I can't remember the name, Morrow maybe? It had this neat art work on it Looked like a village, anyway he said that was the board for me, but I can't remember the height of that board or how stiff it was.
Oh well, My kids have snowboards ( girls) and they're pretty good at it. My youngest has a Lamar Diablo jr. and my 11 year old has a House board, which she picked out she said it was a good snowboard, I wouldn't know. BUt I do like to skateboard still and have been mountain biking with my old mounain bike friends, who never stopped riding or had kids like I did, those skinny bastards. Anyway, I could use more info/encouragement from you guys, keep it coming!!

Frank B

Yeah, I know this first hand! Stratton mountain has an excellent medical facility: I took a small jump, caught air, and landed on wet snow. The board stuck, and my momentum twisted me around. Left leg: both lower bones were cracked/broken pretty bad.

It took 6 months of being in a cast and a leg brace before I could walk on my own again.

The day I got out of the leg brace, my buddies who were with me on that dreaded day threw me a party. Their gift: a Burton PJ (Old school race board). The next season I went out on it, and rode faster, harder, better than before the accident. (Stiff boards rule!!!)

Actually, I think a race board is an excellent board for newbies. Since only the front has a curled lip, you won't do the "normal to fakie to normal to fakie" thing going down the hill.

That said, Frank: all you gotta do is slap on a board, any board on your feet, make sure you are comfortable with your stance, and have at it. (Note: do you feel more comfortable with your left foot forward-regular style, or right foot forward - goofy style: that does effect how your stance is setup, and possibly your board choice, if you go with an asymetrical board.

Confuse you yet? :D
-Z.

My best advice to you if you're just starting is to rent or demo different boards, before you buy. First this will let you know if you really like snowboarding or if you're not cut out for it. Second, this will let you see which style, size, type of binding and brand of board you like best. Think of it like purchasing a car, you wouldn't just walk into a dealership and purchase a car without driving it first.

Noah - I'll let ya in on a secret: they've actually got ski bindings that release now - you're actually not bolted down to the ski anymore!!! :D Actually, the risk of injury is greater in snowboarding than skiing, although both are relatively low. Most snowboard injuries occur to the upper extremeties, the head and the ankle. Frank? Do you have experience skiing? That is a big help. I was a ski instructor for 10+ years and pretty much ski everything on the mountain at age 46. I was considering snowboarding this year and a good friend who is a certified board instructor talked me out of it, for some good reasons - some involving injury, some more practical. Plus, with the new short shaped skis, skiing has been absolutely revolutionized and I have more fun now than ever.

My motto has always been: <i>"God gave ya 2 legs for a reason. So ya can balance by operating them independantly. If he wanted ya to lock them together on a snowboard, he would have given ya just one leg ...... "</i> :D

I grew up skating and surfing, and was a late entry to snow (didn't learn to ski until I was almost 30). I "got" skiing pretty quickly. Last year I decided to try snowboarding (since my 6 year old wanted to do it too). I figured my background would make it easy. Wrong. It is not the same as skating or surfing...kinda, but not really. I find skiing a lot easier for some reason, most likely due to Curt's comment about 2 independent legs.

Does anyone know about the new generation of skis (last couple of years)? They seem to be shorter and fatter with deeper side cuts than my old (purchased about 8 years ago) models.

Well Todd, that confirms it - no boarding for me! :D As for skis: the short "shaped" skis are the only thing you can buy these days. They are the equvilent of the oversized tennis raquet or the 'Fred Flintstone' style drivers in golf. I call them 'cheater skis' because they allow people with minimal skills to ski quite well. I'm 5'9" and a very aggressive skier. With conventional skis, I used to use 200-205cm slaloms, 207-210 GS and also had a pair of 217 Super G's and some 223 downhills (talk about some knee-busters!!). Now? My longest ski is a 193 (K2 Seth Morrison) but I typically ski on a 175 or 180!!!! Not only are they easier to ski, they require so much less effort (you don't need to pressure the ski to bend it in order to turn, you only need to put it on edge since it is already 'shaped') I find myself skiing right up til the lift closes rather than quitting at 2:00 with rubber legs.

Todd, you don't know what your missing. Snowboarding on powder days feels just like surfing.

I am an older fellow. A few years ago I decided to try snowboarding as an alternative to skiing. I spent 90+% of my time in the snow trying to get up. A few times that day it almost flowed and it was sweet but, given the amount of learning I needed to do, I decided that my time was better spent on skis.

JUST got back from my first time on a snowboard. i got pretty decent on skis, and decided to try the darkside. i think crashing on a snowboard is more painful. just like mountianbiking, your wrist and shoulders are in danger. very tough to resist sticking your arm out there in a crash, we are just hardwired that way.

i rented everything and got lessons. at the end of the day, i started getting the hang of it. i have no idea what kinda equipment i will need or want. save your money until you know enough to make your own decision and figure out how to filter out the crap from some salesman. i will rent for a longtime. no sense buying now when i know technology and coolfactors will go up later.

cliff.
get waterproof stuff, you will spend alot of time in the snow. I KNOW THIS AS FACT :)

yeah, the water proof factor is an important one, especially in the glute area. Went with my kids yesterday, of course I just watched and handed out dry gloves all day. But they seem to have that flow thing down. I saw quite a few guys my age and older haviung a good time. I saw as many boarders as skiers, but not as many "older" boarders as skiers. But the Crashes were pretty insane coming from the skiers. One guy did a full on Helicopter cartwheel endo super dynamic crash that left the entire lodge in awe. I didn't see any monster wipeouts by the snowboarders, some of them were going fast, but they were so smoothe, quite a few of the skiers were Flying down the hill at high rates of speed and actually were crashing into each other and more inexperienced skiers and snowboarders. The crashes that I witnessed by the snowboarders weren't bad or dangerous looking at all, most of the people were falling down because they were playing with their bindings, or they don't know how to go "slow" and not fall down, or they'd fall forward while doing the 1 foot out one foot in skateboard push and catch themselves somehow. everyone had a weta$$ except for the very experienced. It seems like snowboarders spen alot of time on their butts getting in and out of their bindings.
As far as the mountain biking goes, yeah, I've broken both of my collar bones one of them twice, and yes, you do crash. I'm just worried that I'll hurt someone else if I get out of control.

Frank,

I see this thread is a few days old, sorry about the late response.
I am a long-time skier and an occasional snowboarder and I used to teach both disciplines, so I will offer what advice I can.

Before buying a board, binding, boots you should(as was mentioned) either rent or demo different types. Just like skis, certain boards are for certain types of riding.

So, ask yourself what type of riding you will be doing, more than likely you will end up with a dual-tip board(as opposssed to a straight speed board), a dual tip(the lingo may have changed since my teaching days) will allow the board to work in either direction. I prefer a board with some flex to it, when you are staring out, a softer board is easier to carve with--save the stiff boards for later--although this is also up to personal preference. Length--as a rule of thumb, we would typically try to have new riders set up with a board that at a minmum came up to thier chin, and at maximum came up to the forehead. Longer boards=more speed, but are harder to learn on. when trying out boards--stand on it(with the snowboard boots on) in the approximate postion you will be riding--this is critical since you don't want a too-narrow board that leaves your toes or heels poking beyond the board--they will hang up when turning. That should help you with board--twin, tip, medium-soft, wide enough for your feet, and no taller than your forehead--brand of board is up to your budget.

Boots/bindings are a personal choice, I have seen people board in regular Sorrels--although snowboard-specific is the way to go.
Just find a pair that are comfortable--as with skiing, boot fit/comfort is the most important aspect. Some boots have internal alcing systems, some are conventional. However, depending on the type on binding you get--may determine the type of boot. There are alot of options for "step-in" snowboard bindings. These are very convenient--you don't sit in the snow while strapping in/out, you just step in/or release. But these bindings are a little more $$$, and you buy the boot with them, since they have the appropriate attachment hardware that makes them work as a sytem. Personally, I don't care for the step-ins as I didn't think they gave me the "feel" of support that I like when boarding that I get with the traditional strap bindings. Plus, strap bindings are cheaper, and (I think) more adjustable--the downside is weta$$ from strapping in/out, but when learning, you will be on your a$$ alot.

Don't bother having a shop install the bindings--unlike ski bindings, anybody can do it--you just screw them into the position that is most comfortable--the board will be pre-punched for various configurations.--You don't want the bindings mounted so your feet are any wider than shoulder width apart, and you want your knees slightly bent--then fine-tune your stance--will you ride goofy or regular? Which angle feels most comfortable for your feet--you can rotate bindings for virtually any postion, I have seen both feet angled downhill, to total duckfoot stances. What works for me is rear foot straight--or slightly tweaked back and front foot at about a 45-degree downhill angle. Don't forget to get a stomp pad and leash(some shops will "throw these in" if you are buying a complete set-up. Let me know if you want any pointers for starting out--I will post back a typical beginner's 45 min. lesson--all the basics to have you comfortable with the board--stopping, controlling your speed, and turns--and how to fall properly--yes this was part of the lesson. Snowboarding has a great learning curve and is a blast :)

Thank You,
Eric, Any instructional info would be appreciated, I do plan on taking lessons, as many as I feel comfortable with. I'm buying a Lamar Tripper 159. Boots and Bindings will probablly be whatever feels best in a strap set-up. I have wide feet so finding cozy boots make take a minute. I'm not going to begin Boarding until next winter because I'm rehabbing a nasty broken leg, screws/titanium rod. which is healing nicely, I'm mountain biking after 5 months. My 3 kids love skiing and snowboarding, older one skis two younger ones Board, wife skiis, Daddy's taking pictures and handing out warm/dry gloves.

Once again, thanks and anyadvice would be appreciated
Frank

wait until you get the mountian bike on the slopes during the summer months. i think it is actually funner than skiing or snowboarding.

Been doing that since 1986 when I started racing mountain bikes. We used to the cross country race in the morning, on the first day. The second day was comprised dof the downhill and The dual Slalom (remember that one?) no one was a sport specific rider in the begining.

Frank

dual slalom! yes i remember that craziness. that was back in the missy days. missy giove! i wonder what ever happened to her?

how about a pepperwagon with those ski andd track options on it?/

Dude that was Way before Missy, I once went up against Tinker at Big bear, He was half way down the mountain before I was even in my toe-clip!!
Missy is around, she rides for foes even though she's sort of retired. Met her in Durango once, I was sitting at a trail head byself one morning when she came up with another girl and she asked me if she could have a swig of my coffee, I said sure and she downed the entire cup of scalding hot coffee.. then she threw the cup into the bushes and rode away with her "friend"
She's just another crazy Sicilian like me.
Frank

before missy? wow! i guess it was the tinkers, neds, and missy that threw MB into the limelight. i jumped in during the bandwagon times. funny how missy is a litterbug, but back then it wasnt so taboo. :)

i saw a racer chuck a old chain into the bushes once.

by the way, i broke my right tib/fib in a motorbike crash. you planning on have it removed later? i did. i kept it as a good luck charm, i think mine was stainless steel. my doctor told me if i was a horse he would have to shoot me.

YOu forgot Dave weins Susan DeMattei (hottie and a half) and Hairball Greg Herbold-H-ball he was ****** crazy, Hans re was big too and Tomac, the king of all riding he basically won everything Ned Overend didn't win. Oh Sarah Ballantyne Alison Sydor.. the list is endless. Joe Sloop was huge too. Jeez, I'm having a way back moment.. I still have a couple of my Fisher racing jerseys from the 80's.. I ride an old Yeti pro fro that just screams everything... Ahh I miss the old days.

NIcE!! shoht you huh?.. He wanted to cut my leg off, I said.. umm, let's not and say we did. Since it's Ti- he initially wanted to leave it in, but since I'm healing so fast he thinks my metabolism may cause a problem, with bone overgrowth at the entrance point. so now he "may" want to remove the rod and give me a new knee also. Dunno yet..

Frank,

That board set-up sounds just about right for a person your size--just make sure it is wide enough in the center when you have your boots on--hope the rehab goes well, so you can utilize it next year. Here is a brief introductory lesson(a 50.00 value:) )

First--your a$$ will get wet--dress accordingly.

When you get to the ski area--find a nice wide FLAT spot for starters. Have a seat and strap in your front foot only--when strapping in, make sure the heel of the boot is tight against the rear of the binding--ratchet in tight, so there is minimal slop in your boot, but not so tight that it hurts. Stand up so your free foot is behind you--pick the board up with your strapped-in foot--wiggle about. Set it back down--put your free foot in front of you--pick board up--wiggle about--walk around with the board in both positions--all of this is designed to help you get used to the heft and feel of the board(and others in the lift line will appreciate you having control of your board in tight quarters). When comfortable, do some light gliding--if in a regular-foot stance, have the nose of the board pointed to your left, rotate your body, so your free foot is to the right of the board, and your shoulders are now squared with the board, and you are looking in the direction you will be going--alot of people have a hard time with this, since when they square their shoulders, the board wants to slide or flop--think skate board here.--Give a few pushes with your free foot while keeping the board nose pointed straight, when you get some momentum, put your free foot on the board either on the stomp pad or on the rear binding--even weight distribution on both feet--and just glide. Do this for a bit untill comfortable with keeping the board pointed in a straight line--now part II.

Find a spot with a slight grade that runs out into a nice flat area. Take a seat strap in your back foot. Before doing anything else--remember this--if you start to fall--DO NOT stick your arms straight out to break your fall--you can easily break a wrist--if falling backwards--try to land on your elbows/forearms--if falling forward--try to land on your forearms--okay time to stand up.
From a seated position--keep your weight evenly distrubuted between both feet,the heel edge of your board will be dug into the snow, keep some pressure on your heels and push up with your arms/stand up in one motion--when up--try to keep most of the weight on your heels, so the "heel edge" of the board digs slightly into the snow--we don't want to move anywhere yet--just stand on the board in place.--Sit back down and keep doing it untill you are comfortable getting up from a seated position. If having problems, sit like you are doing a "cannonball" with your knees to the chest, push and sit-up in one motion. repeat untill comfortable. Take another seat, now roll so you are on your chest--flop the board around too! Now rock up so you are on your knees, and the toe-edge of the board is dug slightly into the snow--push with your arms/stand up in one motion--when up evenly distributed weight bwtween both feet, pick your heels up, so your toe-edge is slightly dug in--repeat until comfortable. Now that you can stand up from the seated and kneeling postions, time to start 'boarding--yeah!

Ideal snowboarding body position for now is an athletic stance--weight evenly distributed between both feet, knees slightly bent, ankles slightly bent, waist slightly bent, arms out to the sides--for balance, head up and looking where you are going--not at the feet!--You don't want your A$$ hanging out over the heel edge of the board. Take a seat in the middle of the slight incline. Stand up so you are on your heel edge--our goal here is to edge-slip the board down the slope--your shoulders and body should be facing the bottom of the grade, your board should be parallel to the bottom of the grade,. You want to try to side-slip down the hill on your heel edge the whole time, while keeping the board straight--you don't want the nose or the tail to be downhill--just nice and straight--if going too slow,flatten the board out by pushing both feet down(like a car gas pedal)--too fast, dig the heel edge in harder--AVOID having your toe edge dig in--you will bite it. The point of this is to learn speed control. Repeat untill comfortable, then do the whole thing on your toe edge--edge-slipping down the hill while keeping the board straight--too fast press down on your toes to dig the edge in harder--too sloww flatten the board out, (most of this is done through the knees and ankles)--AVOID catching your heel edge while doing this or you will bite it.

Now, back on the grade in a seated postiton--get up on your heel edge--start edge-slipping again, but this time, let up the pressure on your heel edge, your board will flatten and the nose of the board starts to point downhill--you will gain some speed, but quickly scrub this speed off by getting on the heel edge and getting the board parallel again with your back foot/leg. repeat. Word of warning--if you start gaining speed while the nose is pointed downhill--leaning back will do nothing--keep your stance and get the board parallel on your heel edge. repeat often.

Then do the same on the toe-edge. When comfortable with maintaining and controlling your speed on both the heel and toe edge--do the same exercise, but don't scrub your speed--let the nose of the board get downhill--keep weight distributed and ride it out, this is why you want to do this an a slight slope with a FLAT run-out area. While doing this, the board should not be ridden on either edge--just nice and flat--time to do some turns!

Most people are more comfortable learning how to do a heel edge to toe edge turn, than vice-versa--so that is what this will be. Take a seat up the grade, get up on your heel edge in the side-slip position--start slipping, flatten out the board(get it off it's edge)so the nose will start to dip downhill(don't lean back, keep weight evenly distributed on both feet) when the nose of the board is pointed STRAIGHT down the hill, pick your heels up gradually, so the toe-edge of the board starts to bite--bring the back end of the board around with your back leg untill you are now on your toe edge--you should now be facing the top of the grade--dig in your toe edge/parallel the board so you stop--voila--a turn. Keep repeating the heel-to-toe turn, untill comfortable.

Then move to toe-to-heel turn a little tougher and I am sure you will bite it a couple times when your heel edge digs in unexpectedly.

Kneel on hill--get up on toe edge in side-slipping exercise, flatten your board out, by letting up on the toe-edge pressure, when nose is pointed downhill, gradually get on your heel-edge and bring the back of the board around with your back leg. You are now on the heel edge facing the bottom of hill, bring leg around untill board is parallel and you scrub off speed to a stop. repeat often untill comfortable. Time to link turns.

Start on heel edge, side-slip, flatten board, nose downhill, toe-edge, back leg around to finish turn--CONTROL SPEED, DO NOT TURN AGAIN UNTILL COMFORTABLE with your speed, because everytime you turn, you gain speed, when at right speed, flatten board, guide nose downhill, get on heel edge, bring rear of board around, finish turn, control speed. repeat.

The more you do this the easier it becomes, and you will learn the nuances of the board, how to fine tune your turns from a skidded to a carved turn, how body postioning affects the board, etc.. This is just meant to get you started, and 95% of beginners are doing linked turns by the end of the hour.

Just remember to not just jump on the lift and start at the top of a slope with your board. have fun and be safe.:)

Again,
Thanks dude. I really appreciate this tutorial. I will save this page and read it until it's memorized.

Thanks,
Frank