Snowboard Equipment & Clothing

Ready to buy yourself the ultimate accessory in cool? Do your research right and buying a snowboard could be one of the best investments in fun you ever make.

OK, so it looks beautiful, it's got supercool graphics and Terje Haakonsen rides one. but don't go buying your first snowboard until you've done your research. Buy for love, not lust.

The first time I went snowboarding, I loved it immediately. Despite the tumbles, bruises and socks stuffed down my pants for extra padding, I knew I was hooked for good. But still, it took me several seasons to commit to buying my first board. Although this was down to cash flow constraints rather than design, it's actually a good idea to hold fire on buying a board straight away, no matter how irrepressible your enthusiasm for sliding sideways.

If you take the time to read some snowboard magazines and get some more time in at dry slopes, it will save you time and money in the long run because your ability changes rapidly in your first few weeks of riding. What you lusted after at the end of week one will be very different to what you lust after with a couple of weeks' experience under your belt.

LOOK FOR A BOARD THAT WILL HELP YOU PROGRESS

The learning curve from total beginner to reasonable intermediate is short, but steep. You need a forgiving board when you're learning the absolute basics, but once you're linking turns a stiffer board will help as you learn to carve.

The length and flex of the board will depend on your height and weight. Women generally need a smaller board which is quite light. If you want to progress to jumping and spending your time in the terrain park, you might need a slightly more flexible board, but for carving up the mountain, a stiff board is a better bet.

There are basically three different types of snowboards available: Freestyle, Freeride (All Mountain), and Alpine (Carving) boards. The Freeride board is the most popular and versatile, accounting for half of all snowboard sales. You can use it anywhere - on-piste, in the park, in the pipe and in powder. Freeride boards tend to have a stiff tail and a soft nose to aid fast turns in compact snow and to help you float in the soft stuff.

Freestyle boards tend to be wider (so more stable), shorter and softer. All this means they are great at handling bumps and are easier to turn. Although they are designed to be used for tricks in terrain parks and half-pipes, they are also a good bet for beginners looking for a forgiving board. But, beware if you want to ride fast and hard - Freestyle boards have limited edge grip and stability.

Carving Alpine boards are stiffer, longer and narrower to make them stable at high speeds and to allow clean, edge-holding carved turns. As with Freeride boards, they are built to ride in one direction for racers, not for jumps, airs and tricks all over the mountain.

Take advice from a good retailer and ask lots of questions about what type of rider the board would be suitable for. Most indoor slopes and some forward-thinking snowboard shops in ski resorts will let you take a board for a test ride before you commit to buying.

Buying second-hand can be a smart idea too, providing you know what to look for and the seller has looked after their equipment. Ensure that the edges of the board aren't cracked and that there is no impact damage anywhere around the board. Bindings are usually pretty sturdy and a second-hand pair shouldn't give you too many problems, with the exception of the ratchets and straps which can take some abuse. Test the ratchet to see that it still functions smoothly and holds the boot tightly. A worn strap can be simple and cheap to replace, but if the ratchets have gone, steer clear.


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