3. DRESS PROPERLY

Unless you're planning on snowboarding in your birthday suit (it's been done before), you need to obtain the proper apparel. In to have a good time, it's really important that you stay warm and dry (which, you have to admit, beats the hell out of being cold and wet).

Most experts recommend a three-layer system, allowing you some flexibility to stay comfortable in the face of changing and variable weather conditions:

  • The first layer, or underlayer, should consist of long underwear and polypropylene socks. This layer functions to keep you warm while wicking away all the sweat that you're going to generate picking your butt up off of the slopes. Stay away from cotton because cotton will absorb the sweat and end up keeping you colder than desired.

  • Next comes the insulation layer, consisting of wool or fleece sweaters for the torso and glove liners for your hands. Basically, this layer provides most of the warmth and can be easily shed if pulling all of those tricks makes you too hot.

  • Last, you need an outerlayer to protect you from the elements. The key adjective for this layer, consisting of a jacket and snowboard pants, is waterproof. Nothing is more miserable than being wet while trying to navigate down a steep glacier. Also, material for this layer should be made of rugged, tough, breathable fabric and should be baggy enough to allow for movement to execute all those high flying maneuvers or to just prevent becoming lodged in between two trees. Although costly, "Gore-Tex" is currently the best outerlayer material on the market. Material like denim should be avoided at all costs.

When suiting up, dress for colder than predicted. On your hands, you will need some waterproof gloves or mitts, which should also be rugged, breathable, and tough. On your dome piece, you will want some sort of hat or headband to retain that 90% of heat that can be lost through your head. Additionally, try to wear goggles rather than sunglasses. And don't forget that SPF 15 sunblock to keep you from frying like a lobster. Some beginners also like to wear wrist guards under their gloves to keep from breaking those feeble bones.

Keep in mind that clothing also follows a seasonal market, so be prepared to shop, beg, and bargain when outfitting yourself for the winter.