Any snowboarders? Need advice.

[motion]

I'd like to look into a snowboard package. I'm pretty much a beginner, but will be boarding once a week or so, and catch on pretty quickly, so will be advancing fairly quickly. Looking for advice on what type of equipment to buy. I'm not a huge fan of renting... the stuff is most likely junk and just makes the experience more difficult. I boarded today for the first time and did fine with board control and carving. (but damn I am hurting)

What's a good price point for a package? Is a $200 board from Sports Authority OK or do I need to look at upper end? Does more expensive equipment make THAT much of a difference??? OK to spend $350-$400 on a package for the first year, sell it off then upgrade, or better to spend a bit more and make it last? Lay it on me!

[the]

I'd get an all around good board, like a Burton Clash. This is a good board that retails for around $299, but you can usually find last year's models for sale for under $200. This is a good all around board. Put some Burton bindings on it, they aren't too expensive (Burton Freestyle's are around $100).

I suggest Burton because you really can't go wrong with them, it helps to narrow your search, and Burton has one of the biggest name recognition and is the quickest/easiest to sell used, if you want to do that later. I suggest something like the Clash because it is a good all-around board. If you want something more specialized later (park, etc.), you can do that later.

I'll tell ya one thing, though. The most IMPT piece of equipment you will buy is WRIST GUARDS! Seriously.

[911Rob]

Don't forget Helmut, knee pads, tailbone pad, wrist support and extra strength Ibo profin!

You and you're wife will make a good pair on the slopes. Her on skis and you on your board.
Ha, ha, ha!

Buy a snow mobile and forget that stuff that doesn't have a motor Richard?

[Tim Hancock]

Hmmm..... I just can't envision a Ferrari owner wearing baggy boarder stuff.

Stop this nonsense and get some skiis!

Boarding is for punks, skiing is the civilized way to rip up a mountain.


(flame suit on! )

[stevepaa]

Your clothes will be completely different and for good reason. And get boots that really fit your feet, spend your money on them. I would just rent boards until you find your length. Or pick up a board second hand. When you get faster than most skiers and then start jumps you can then go for better boards.


Sort of the same advice you would give someone starting to ski.

[motion]

I'm bored as hell on skis. I don't want to own 5 pairs for variety. The boards seem to allow you to have it all: freestyle, speed, stuntin, crashing. )) Plus, I kinda enjoy being the old dude on the board

Rob, I usually jump into things and go too fast too soon. I sled every winter with a Summit 800 and it is fun as hell!!!! But I don't have the storage space now for sleds. Maybe the barn/shop will come next year and I can go for it then! If I had my way (and had the storage) I would have all this crap. Good thing there are limits.

The, I checked into the Burton Clash, thanks. It seems the Burton Bullet would be for me and my size 16 feet. OK, they're only 12s. I can dream. Yes? Board looks good. Haven't heard of the wrist guards. Will have to investigate. Advil and Merlot is kicking in now

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by stevepaa

When you get faster than most skiers and then start jumps you can then go for better boards.

Faster than most skiers? That is funny

I gaurantee that I can ski more difficult terrain, ski faster, ski bumps better and jump some big stuff better than "most" snow boarders and on top of that, I don't cut lines, don't run over peoples skiis and don't scrape all of the fresh snow off the double blacks while sliding down on my @ss thus quickly ruining the slope for others.

Ooops, I guess I am peeing on Motion's thread, but I grew up on skiis and I loath "most" snowboarders I encounter on the slopes. I am sure there are some decent folkswho have made the switch these days, but my opinion of snowboarding is deeply etched in my mind for life.

[911Rob]

I used to coach high school rugby and I'd take the boys up the hill for a special "Rec" day..... man some of those guys were flippin' nuts on a board!

I've been a skier all my life; I'm good at it and I'm sticking to it.
I wakeboard a little, but its not cold, wet, freezing, etc.

I'll never forget this one time many years ago; a buddy of mine bought a snow board; we headed out to Lake Louise for the day (HUGE Mountain) and straight to the top we go. It took him all day to get down; no kidding, all day! He was wet from sweat, pissed off, broken up and it was hilarious. He's never been again and I've never tried it. Too funny.

Still, I've seen Richards wife ski; so him on a board and her on skis will be a great pair

[jorian]

As I get older I am considering getting the step-in style bindings as the straps can be a pain especially as the day goes on. When you're just learning, being able to step in quickly is very nice.

If you're going to buy a Burton board you should know that they have a proprietary 3 hole pattern so your bindings will have to be compatible. Buy your boots first and then your bindings as some bindings don't work well with all boots.

Spend $$$ on your boots just like you would skiing.

Oh, make sure you take a couple of lessons. Most people I know that have tried self-teach end up in the lodge 3 hours later, cold, wet, pissed off and vowing never to board again. It helps if you've skate/wakeboarded.

[lendaddy]

I'm with Tim on this, boarders block the good jumps with their "sit ins" on the middle of the slopes, that was really my only complaint. They look like they're having a riot and I'm sure they don't mean to screw up the mountain for everyone else...but they do.

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Faster than most skiers? That is funny

I gaurantee that I can ski more difficult terrain, ski faster, ski bumps better and jump some big stuff better than "most" snow boarders and on top of that, I don't cut lines, don't run over peoples skiis and don't scrape all of the fresh snow off the double blacks while sliding down on my @ss thus quickly ruining the slope for others.

Ooops, I guess I am peeing on Motion's thread, but I grew up on skiis and I loath "most" snowboarders I encounter on the slopes. I am sure there are some decent folkswho have made the switch these days, but my opinion of snowboarding is deeply etched in my mind for life.

Well said Tim!! Hey you're invited out here this winter when Chris Bennet and Charles P come out!!

[911Rob]

[motion]

OK, so you guys don't like boarders. I used to be one of you.... I guess it depends on where you ski. Check out the action here today. Plenty of room for everyone! Yes, I am a dork noob on the board.

[carambola]

get some gear and go to a mountain where the skiers don't need that precious top 4".
the cool ones will follow your line

[red-beard]

Motion,

Decide what you want to do with the board. All around the mountain? Cruising? Moguls? or do you want to get into the pipe with the kids? Definitely buy a board, boots and bindings.

You can get away with using ski pants IF you buy some large skateboard kneepads with plastic covers that will fit over your pants. I used a setup like this for 2-3 years. Also get a helmet.

If you have problems where an impact on your knees would be bad, snowboarding is bad. If you might have problems with twisting issues with your knees or ankles, snowboarding is better than skiing.

TAKE LESSONS. Money well spent. You will have more fun. And as you progress, there will be fewer and fewer other students. You may end up with a private/semi-private lesson, for the price of a group lesson.

The last snowboard lessons I took were specific to taking jumps with a snowboard. It made a huge difference and it translated to taking moguls a lot easier.

[Dave L]

I have snowboarded for a few years and started when sorels with ski boot liners were the hot ticket. Here is what I would suggest;

Get good boots, On a toe side turn your heal will want to lift out of the boot which is not good. Try on every boot in the shop and buy the ones that fit the best. Lean forward to ensure your heals dont lift.
Look for an all mountain board, it doesnt have to be a high end board but I would stick to known manufacturers, most manufactures make beginner/intermediate boards that will have a softer flex and make it easier to initiate a turn.
For bindings its personal preference but I really like my flow bindings which allow me to quickly get going without having to sit down and do buckles up. My wife skiis so this was a big plus.

Judging by your video you are doing relatively well, most new snowboarders cant seem to link one turn to the next. Lessons will help you progress faster but it seems like you are on the right track.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

I'm with Tim on this, boarders block the good jumps with their "sit ins" on the middle of the slopes, that was really my only complaint. They look like they're having a riot and I'm sure they don't mean to screw up the mountain for everyone else...but they do.

The 20 new skiers snowplowing from one side of a run to the other is what gets me. I too dont understand the sitting on the hill. I usually just snowboard close by them and kick out the tail to spray them as I go by.

[9dreizig]

Here's what gets me on the boarders.. the HUGE blind spots they have to their backside, many now have ipods plugged in so you can't even yell to avoid an accident,, and you KNOW they've got the best pot on the mountain!!

[Brian 162]

I have a Burton Bullett board with Flow step in bindings. My boots are from a company called Thirty Two.The boots are very light and keep my feet dry and warm. I'm 48 and love the step in bindings. I never have to sit at the top of the hill to put my boots in the bindings.

A beginner lesson would be a good idea. Helmet knee, and wrist gaurds are a must in the beginning. Falling when snowboarding is very different compared to skiing.

My friends call boarding the dark side, I haven't skiied in over 10 years and I don't miss it.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Dave L

I too dont understand the sitting on the hill.

Actually I do get it, they all take turns pulling tricks off the jumps and half the fun is an audience. The problem is that they have no "manners" for lack of a better word and they park their circle of dorks dead center in front of the jump preventing others from accessing it. I just can't relate to people with such a lack of awareness.

Coming from motocross, the only reason I skied was for the jumps so this really pissed me off (my not having access).

Skiers like to jump as well so why did these sit ins never happen before boards? That's a serious question.

Like I said though I'm sure boards are a riot and given my background they'd probably be right up my alley. Just sharing the observation.

Motion, you look pretty comfortable for the first time out and at the very least you're keeping Lily entertained