What snowboard things to invest on?

[williee_]

i have a pair of snowboard pants that i dont use if ur interested. i used it for only one day on the mountain last year and then i bought a new pair (colour that i liked). its a size L and obviously its still brand new. its been in my storage since but ill give it a wash if ur interested.

[epochxd]

i have a pair of snowboard pants that i dont use if ur interested. i used it for only one day on the mountain last year and then i bought a new pair (colour that i liked). its a size L and obviously its still brand new. its been in my storage since but ill give it a wash if ur interested.

I would love to take it off your hands but L is too big for me Willie! I'd take it if it was small!

[Two Doxies]

I've been a snowboard instructor for a few years so here's my advice from when I was a broke-ass student who wanted to ride 5 days a week.
Some of the best snowboard boots out there are 32s. They're usually the lightest on the market and if you can get them heat molded, even better. There's a boardroom outlet right beside the regular board room store on West 4th at Burrard, I'd check there for boots (hopefully you're not a size 10; that's the most common size). As for board and binding, give it a month and you'll see brand new set-ups for sale on craigslist from students who A) spent their loan on beer and pizza and now need to pay rent, or, B) rich kids who got new gear for Christmas and end up hating the sport.

Invest in decent socks. The wool socks your grandmother knitted you when you were 14 are garbage. Try the smartwool stuff. Expensive, but they last FOREVER.


Good luck!

[coyote]

I got the Boa system snowboard boots a number of years ago.
[uel=http://www.boasnowboardboots.com/]Link to latest[/url]
Best boots in my opinion. You can't find boots that fit better and they are super easy to put on and take off. No hurting your hands trying to pull on laces as hard as you can. provides even pressure across your whole foot.

 Best test for boots is to put on the boots and strap into a snowboard then lean forward and see if your heel lifts. You should get no heal lift. Problem is once you've tried on five pairs of boots your feet are swollen and you think you've found the perfect boots and then you get out in the -10C snow and your feet shrink and suddenly your heel is lifting up and you can't turn properly anymore.

[epochxd]

I've been a snowboard instructor for a few years so here's my advice from when I was a broke-ass student who wanted to ride 5 days a week.
Some of the best snowboard boots out there are 32s. They're usually the lightest on the market and if you can get them heat molded, even better. There's a boardroom outlet right beside the regular board room store on West 4th at Burrard, I'd check there for boots (hopefully you're not a size 10; that's the most common size). As for board and binding, give it a month and you'll see brand new set-ups for sale on craigslist from students who A) spent their loan on beer and pizza and now need to pay rent, or, B) rich kids who got new gear for Christmas and end up hating the sport.

Invest in decent socks. The wool socks your grandmother knitted you when you were 14 are garbage. Try the smartwool stuff. Expensive, but they last FOREVER.


Good luck!

Thanks for the advice ma'am! I'm looking through snowboard setups in CL till now. I called couple of them and I'm interested on one setup. YES snowboard with UNION bindings!

Also looked at boots in Sportscheck today and I saw couple of good ones that caught my attention! One Nike and one Burton that's on saleeeee!

[coyote]

If you can afford it Gortex is the way to go for jacket and pants. MEC gear comes with a lifetime warranty. I've had my jacket about 8 years, only problem is some wear signs under my arm from carrying my board. I cheaped out on the pants and jacket when I first started and couldn't believe how much better the gortex was. At least if you plan on going to the local mountains it's the way to go. I suppose if you only go to whistler and the interior it may not matter as much.  Doubles as rain gear.

[Two Doxies]

Coyote, you can buy water-repellent spray to make your fabric waterproof again. Or bring it to MEC for a new jacket.

[zoomerboomer]

What do you boarders recommend for gloves/mitts?  I think those are important for boarders from what I've been told.

[theurgy]

I'm rocking a pair of Dakine gloves.

What I tend to look for is a mix of comfort, dexterity, waterproofing, and thinsulation.
Also having them match the rest of my gear would be nice.

[sanmaz3_84]

Coming from someone who started in late November. Like most have stated check out those stores in guildford or langley, they do have a sale at the Langley location cause they are overstocked. 40-70% on most items. Just remember that its still pretty pricy, so do some research on all brands. Outer wear is VITAL! A wet and cold you usually translates to a poor day on the mountain. Also you might want to figure out what board is best suited to your style. So many types of boards available. I'd suggest getting into a bataleon board (twin evil series). You can use it for everyday riding and if you're inclined to, bring it to the park (jumps and boxes). You might also want to look at the Seattle premium outlets too (Columbia, Zoomies, Quicksilver...) items out there cheaper than what you would find locally. Good luck, once you get the essential gear you'll be set for at least a few season. Depending on how many times you go. It's addicting far worth the price of admission. You and the mountain!

[sanmaz3_84]

Post whoring, sorry.

Some of the best snowboard boots out there are 32s. They're usually the lightest on the market and if you can get them heat molded, even better.


Good luck!

Agreed! and epox. Learn as you go. DON'T take paid lessons. I'm sure two_d would agree if she wasn't an instructor.

PM me when you're set. I would love to join you and lend a helping hand. You can find me up at Cypress. BUT let me know what works for you. I'd be happy to tag a long.

[Two Doxies]

I completely disagree. If you don't take lessons you won't get the basics and will only end up frustrated and feeling like you failed. That said, I would only take a few lessons at the beginning until you can learn to ride without falling as you're getting off the chairlift. LOL.
Also, once you get good enough that youve mastered a slalom, I would suggest you get another lesson or two (private) to learn to ride switch or fine tune your riding style.

I had been riding with my bindings one way (duck+15/-15) for 4-6 years and it was fine for a beginner. A friend swapped my stance to +12/-3 and I felt so much more comfortable and I could still ride fakie but it made park riding so.much.easier!!! That being said, there is no end all be all stance, it's all preference. As for gloves/mittens. I always preferred mitts because your fingers stay warm. Also always bring a second pair.

Hope this info helps.

[sanmaz3_84]

^I guess it depends on the person. I was VERY frustrated my first time up Cypress. First week open and my co-workers took me down the park. I ended up falling so many times I took my board off and walked the rest of the way down. I almost signed up for lessons but it was only private basis at the time. 60 bucks an hour Then talked to a few people who've been doing it for years and they suggested just to keep going up with them and learn via trial and error. Luckily I picked it up after 4 consecutive sessions (every other day).
Epox just remember your heel and toe edges, how to skate on your board while loading and unloading. Check out youtube and "SnowProfessor." No joke. Check it out. Acting is cheesy at times but they get to the point. GOOD LUCK!

Also to figure out whether your regular of goofy footed. The foot you plant on the ground when you kick a soccer ball will be your front foot. I kick a soccer ball with my right foot and as a result my front foot is my left planted foot. OR another test is the slide on the wood floor with socks. Get a good running start and slide across a wooden surface (make sure its big enough for the maneuver) and the foot that you lead with first, will be your front foot.

EDIT: How to Snowboard: Step 1 - Introduction to Snowboarding is the first one I'd suggest watching.

GL!