Define the following words:
A - Mute grab
B - McTwist
C - Method air
Before reading this SYW, you would've answered:
A - A button on the TV remote
B - A new dessert treat at McDonald's
C - Method Man's surly younger brother
Mute grab, McTwist, and method air are all snowboarding terms (bet you didn't see that one coming). With origins dating to the early '70s, snowboarding has exploded within the last decade, even becoming an official Olympic sport. Gone are the days of snowboarding only appealing to reckless youths with purple hair; everyone and their Grandma Flo (who also, ironically enough, has purple hair) is now giving snowboarding a try. Hey, even if you don't want to go snowboarding yourself, reading this SYW is a great way to become familiar with the sport and know what everyone else is talking about.
First off: the activity of "snowboarding" is when you strap a large board to your feet and slide down a snow-covered slope. If you're still confused, look at what the goose is doing in the picture above. If you're still confused, please go away. The words in this article will be too big for you.
1. LEARN THE BASICS ABOUT THE SPORT
Before you nail a piece of wood to your shoes and charge down the slopes at perilous speeds, it might help to become acquainted with some of the major facets of snowboarding:A history
Snowboarding was pioneered during the late '60s and early '70s by guys who opted to build boards in shop class instead of birdhouses and tobacco pipes. Those first snowboards only vaguely resemble the equipment that exists today; they were small, wooden, and difficult to maneuver. Fortunately, designers such as Tom Sims, Jake Burton, and Chuck Barfoot gave up their dreams of having a cubicle job and instead devoted their time to creating better snowboards and promoting the sport. As the popularity of snowboarding increased (especially in the 1980s), media coverage and large-scale competition brought the sport to the public's attention. Fast-forward to today, where snowboarding is a multimillion-dollar industry and the fastest growing sport in America.
Snowboarding is actually more like skiing than skateboarding (or did the snow tip you off?). The main difference is that the bindings are aligned sideways on one wide board rather than forwards on two skinny planks. Also, snowboard bindings do not release, so once you're strapped in, you're in there for good. Although this might seem rather awkward, this arrangement leads to fewer knee injuries and less time searching for that ski that popped off 30 feet uphill. Moreover, unlike skiers, snowboarders do not use poles, and snowboard boots are often "soft" instead of the "hard" boots worn by skiers.
Since you are positioned on the board sideways, one foot must be in front (the "lead") while the other foot is in the back. If your left foot leads, then you are "regular" footed. If your right foot is in front, then you are "goofy" footed. Hey, we don't invent the terms. Here's are a couple ways to figure out which is your dominant (thus "lead") foot:
- The foot that stays on the ground while kicking a ball should be the leading foot.
- Try sliding across a room. Whichever way you slide across should also be the way you stand on a snowboard.
- If these don't work, have someone gently push you from behind, whatever foot you put out to brace yourself should be your leading foot.
- If all of these tests are too difficult for you, then just put your left foot in front. Hey, you're a beginner, so it's not like we're spoiling years of instruction. And most people use their left foot as the lead foot anyway.
Regardless of whether your stance is regular or goofy, there are three main styles of snowboarding:
- Freeriding: This style entails riding almost any terrain, but spending most of the time on the ground rather than in the air. If you're a first-timer, this is your style.
- Freestyle: Lots of tricks, spins, and time spent in the snowboard park. Usually, the boards associated with freestyling have twin tips (that is, identical nose and tail shapes) for riding forward and backward. Freestylers also spend a lot of time in the air. This is an advanced "trick" style, for which you'll need a trick board.
- Alpine/freecarving/racing: Unlike the other styles, alpine riding is concerned with going very fast; to this end, alpine boards are much narrower and longer than other types and use a hard boot and binding system (like skis).
If you're unsure of which style to choose, just start with freeriding and get used to the feeling of snowboarding. You'll see plenty of hot-doggers on the slopes doing all kinds of styles; see which one looks the best and tackle that style next.
2. GET THE EQUIPMENT
Now we can start talking about snowboarding equipment. All you really have to worry about are the three Bs: the board, the boots, and the bindings.Board
Snowboards are usually made of a wooden core wrapped in fiberglass and encased in a plastic or fiberglass cap with metal edges. The top of the board is known as the deck while the bottom is the base.
When getting a snowboard, the two most important considerations are its length and waist width. Measured in centimeters, the length of the board depends on the rider's weight, height, and riding style, while the width usually depends on the size of the rider's foot. Here's how to pick the right board:
- As a rule of thumb, a board standing on end should reach between the rider's shoulder and bridge of nose.
- Most adults need a board between 150 cm and 165 cm tall.
- Waist width (or the width at the board's middle) is primarily a function of foot size. The bigger your feet, the wider board you'll need. Generally, the toe and heel of the boot should be flush with the edges of the snowboard. People with size 11 feet (or bigger) usually require a wide board.
- Consider your weight. Smaller, lighter folk should get a shorter, flexible board (to give them some weight for control), while bigger, heavier people should get a longer, rigid board (to help them sail along the smooth powder).
- Beginners should consider more flexible boards, since they offer more control (albeit less speed).
- You should definitely rent a snowboard your first couple times out. That way you can experiment with different styles and feels.
- Finally, you should never hesitate to ask one of the salespeople in a store to help you out.
Boots
Most snowboarders' boots are known as "soft boots," due to their construction with soft materials such as waterproof leather and nylon. No more clunky ski boots! When picking out a pair, here's what to consider:
- The most important considerations are fit and comfort.
- Try the boots on with only one pair of socks (preferably the socks you intend to snowboard in).
- The fit should be snug, and your heel should not rise up too much when you bend your knee forward. You should not feel any pressure points or pinching.
- Make sure that your ankle feels secure.
- Again, if you're a novice, just rent the boots. Sample around until you find a pair you like, and then buy those.
- Once more, ask a salesperson for help. That's what they get the big bucks for.
Bindings
Bindings (that is, the straps) are what connect your feet to the board, so they're pretty important. When choosing a binding, keep in mind that your choice of boots will affect your choice of bindings and vice versa; they must complement each other:
- Most freestyle and freeride snowboarders use high-back bindings with two straps to secure the boot.
- Some freestylers prefer low back systems, while some freeride snowboarders prefer three straps instead of two; it's really just personal preference.
- Recently, step-in bindings have moved to the forefront. Like ski bindings, these do not rely on straps to secure the rider to the board. While these eliminate the time and hassle of "strapping in," they do require special boots and can sometimes become troublesome when snow gets jammed in them.
- When your selecting a binding in the store, bring your boots with you so that you can make sure they fit properly.
- Need we repeat, "rent first, then buy"?
When the time comes to attach the bindings to the board, consider both your stance width and stance angles:
- Stance width: The distance between the two bindings (that is, how far apart your legs are). Your stance width should measure about the same as the distance from the bottom of your heel to the middle of your knee.
- Stance angles: The way your feet point on the board. Your feet might be directly perpendicular to the board (standing purely sideways, like the goose in the picture above), or they might point slightly forward.
Renting
A note on equipment: Snowboarding can be damn expensive. So at the risk of being repetitive, we again insist that you rent your equipment first. Here's the lowdown on rentals:
- Rent equipment from a local shop instead of at the mountain to avoid time delays and incorrect gear (those mountain stores often run short in equipment on crowded days, and they may try to get you to rent ill-fitting equipment).
- Most shops rent a complete set up (board, boots, and bindings) for about $30 a day, and some will even apply all rental charges to the eventual purchase of a new board.
New boards range from $350-600; boots: $150-250; bindings: $130-200; complete set-ups: $600-1000+ (look for package deals). Although pricey, the snowboard market is seasonal, so shops often boast deep discounts during the summertime.
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.
4. MAKE THE PROPER TRIP PREPARATIONS
Once you've got the proper equipment and dressed yourself in all the latest chi-chi snowboarding fashions, you're only steps away from executing the trip. Here's how to plan a proper trip:
- Although 97% of American resorts now allow snowboarding, a few elitist (and perhaps not very financially savvy) resorts still forbid it. So don't plan your trip to one of these.
- If you're flying to the resort of your vacation, check out our internationally renowned article SYW find cheap airline tickets? If you're driving, then check out SYW drive cross-country? If you're walking, then check out SYW find a therapist?
- Make sure to call ahead and ask about the conditions, because it's damn hard to learn to snowboard (let alone drive) on sheets of ice.
- The night before you leave, you should eat lots of food, drink lots of water, and get a good night's sleep.
- Make sure that your board is well tuned and you packed everything you need, including extra cash for those unanticipated expenditures (ski lodges are really expensive). If you have your equipment at home, it's a good idea to strap on the board to try a little carpet riding. This will help build muscle memory and hopefully mitigate the ensuing damage.
- Give yourself extra time, especially if you plan on renting equipment at the mountain.
In order to find a place to go snowboarding, one can use traditional sources like the yellow pages to look up ski resorts in the area. However, since you're already on the web anyway, check out GoSki.com. These are some of the things this site offers:
- You can search by country and state in order to find the most convenient resorts.
- You get links for travel services in order to help you plan your trip.
- The "gear" section has reviews on almost all of the major snowboard companies' products.
- You can read reviews and comments by skiers about various snow resorts should help to point people searching for specific criteria in the right direction.
5. TAKE A LESSON
Yeah, yeah, we know. Lessons are for wusses. Well guess what: you're a wuss. Unless you want to see your knee hanging casually around your neck, you'll NEED a snowboarding lesson. This initial investment will prove more valuable than a Roth IRA or a good fake ID. Here are the benefits of lessons:- The first day is always the roughest, so a lesson will help lessen the inevitable aches, pains, and black and blues.
- A lesson will help you build a solid repertoire of strong techniques initially.
- A lesson will allow you to share your frustration and successes with other starters.
- One of the largest benefits to taking a lesson is that you usually get to bypass all of the lift lines and get directly on the ski lift.
You don't have to take 20 lessons; just take one and see how you feel. If your friends snicker, then lie and say you got the lesson for free, so you might as well use it. That'll save your rep. Here's what to expect in a snowboarding lesson:
- The best way to get started is to head straight for the snowboard school at the resort and sign up for a group lesson. Lessons usually consist of group sizes of 5-10 people.
- Lessons will teach the basics of stopping, turning, falling, skating (that is: getting around when only one foot is strapped into the board), and sliding on the board in different directions.
- Lessons usually start with the very basics of snowboarding such as balancing oneself on both edges (the toe and the heel) and then gradually progress to the art of making turns in each direction (again both toeside and heelside).
- Most group lessons range from 1 ½ hours to half a day. Shorter group lessons cost $18 - $30 per person, while longer lessons at the pricier resorts (such as Vail) cost $95 - $105 per person for a half day (the half-day lessons usually include the $55 lift ticket).
- Lessons are often grouped by ability level.
- Private lessons are available, but these are usually targeted towards those who already know how to snowboard and just need help refining their skills, and with prices hovering around $400-500 for a full day private lesson during the high season, most people are economically placed out of this opportunity.
And now you're all set to hit the slopes. One more thing: don't forget to stretch. Whether it's your first or fifty-first time snowboarding, stretching will help your body not revolt on you the next morning. But if it makes you feel better, we think that your body is revolting anyway. (See? Even we can adopt that smart-ass snowboarder attitude. Get used to it…)
