Snowboarding

[OFCORSA]

Had my first snowboard lesson on fri, loved it.But i was knackered I imagine it gets easier as you relax more?

Gonna have a some more lessons before I invest in the gear. Do we have many snowboarders on here?

ps: I will avoid snow suits

[anonymous-user]

used to, broke both wrists twice and numerous fingers doing silly things on dry slopes. wrist protectors would be a worthwhile investment. my advice would be to get the best gloves you can afford and enjoy yourself. I stopped about five years ago but at the time Salomon boards were very popular with beginners.

[Raify]

It gets much, much easier the better (and faster) you ride. Going slowly is hard and physically taxing.

I would imagine there's quite a few boarders on here, myself included. I've just returned to my desk after 2 weeks in the Alps

[krusty]

Didn't get to go last season but have been boarding for about 13 years now. Excellent fun... Will go back to skiing eventually but can't see that far ahead at the moment

[OFCORSA]

The plan is hopefully get good then a long weekend somewhere.

The slope we go to does a course of 4 lessons. hopefully then il be confident on the main slope.

How much is hiring when abroad (board and binding) ? Just wondering when it will be worth buying.

[robbieduncan]

I tend to go away for 3 or 4 weeks a year (yes I am a jammy sod). It gets easier as you get better (better technique as well as relaxing). You will also start going faster/turning less which makes a huge difference.

With respect to wrist protection (mentioned above) I am a big fan of Level Halfpipe gloves which have built in (but removable) wrist protectors. They are really comfortable, warm and pretty hard wearing.

[anonymous-user]

OFCORSA said:

The plan is hopefully get good then a long weekend somewhere. The slope we go to does a course of 4 lessons. hopefully then il be confident on the main slope. How much is hiring when abroad (board and binding) ? Just wondering when it will be worth buying.

you should be able to get a board and bindings for around £60 a week throughout Europe. a lot of people prefer to hire in the UK because they can see what they are hiring before they get there but i know a lot of people who do that purely for the kudos whilst walking through airports!!. Boards out there are more likely to be waxed and "edged" regularly too.

as for gear, all the sales are on now so you might pick up some bargains. try ellis brigham et al, I have no idea what the current favourite boards/bindings are but as I said, Salomon were very forgiving boards and a popular choice for beginners. As for you, base layer top and bottoms (Helly Hansen Lifa stuff is awesome and only £50 a set but the Ice Breaker stuff is merino wool so warmer but more money) a lightweight fleece and waterproof jacket and pants. make sure the pantts have braces too. they are much comfier!

Bulgaria was very cheap a few years ago, a week in Borovets was around £250

[goatboy]

I found having my own kit really helped as comfort is a major factor. I bought a really good second hand board with bindings for about £150 and a new set op boots from snow and rock fock in trhe sale for £80. In the long run buying has to work out cheaper

[blanc]

I found learning to snowboard to be 2 days of pain and then it all happens and it's easy to get up and going. You can get better and therefore find it easier at a faster rate after then.

I found buying by own comfortable boots helped.

[evil jack]

Hi, boarder here
I'm missing out on my boarding holiday this year due to a new baby's arrival...

Anyway - best advice I can give is learn how stand up, turn and STOP(very important that last one), BEFORE YOU GO AWAY TO ANY MOUNTAINS etc.

Don't spend your holiday learning, you'll have a shit time and you'll probably hurt yourself. Much easier to have lessons on the indoor slopes - the Milton Keynes one is excellent...

[Raify]

I rented boots, board + bindings for about the first 4 holidays. Got it in the UK and paid around 80-90 for 1 week of premium stuff (Burton board, Salamon boots + flow bindings).

I recommend shopping around by using rental stuff first so you can decide what suits you and buy it right first time. I'd say the most important purchase (the one I made first) is boots.

[OFCORSA]

Cheers guys....

Currently having lessons at xscape im castleford, Did Toe edge on fri, booking my next lesson for next week where we learn heel edge. I found the getting moving bit easy, The stopping seems to be a problem!!

Gonna complete these set of four lessons before i buy anygear. But thanks for the suggestions