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TZ
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Post subject: How To Get Into Snowboarding As A Beginner
 Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 05:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 03, 2008
Posts: 16
Location: LDN
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[EDIT: As Of Suggestions]
OK, i've been going through heaps of snowboarding forums and seen pretty much all the beginner snowboarder advice there is (Well i think so since im starting to see the same things again just in different words). Something I've noticed though is there isn't an actually something along the lines of a step-by-step guide on what to do as a beginner getting into snowboard, instead bits and pieces such as how to buy a snowboard/bindings/boots etc...leaving the newbies to juggle the pieces 
So... ...i've decided to take all the how to's and random advice i've seen from people again and again, and turn it into a simple guide, nothing advanced.
( BTW keep in mind i'm a beginner myself so feel free to correct it or give your opinion on anything that doesn't seem right)
1st: LESSONS!
I've found that most beginners (inc. myself) find they want to get into snowboarding after having a taster session and seem ready to spill plenty of £ on snowboard stuff like it was heroin and their taster session was their first hit. However it seems that it's actually best to take/finish snowboarding lessons until your good enough to board independently and then decide if it's for you rather than spend all your £ and find that it's not all that (sounds impossible I know)
A list of the ONLY indoor slopes in the UK:
Sno!Zone, Milton Keynes - Milton Keynes
Sno!Zone, Castleford - Leeds
Sno!Zone, Breahood - Glasgow
Chill Factore, Trafford - Manchester
SnowDome, Tamworth - Straffordshire
I've listed these since they're indoor and they're snow which is easiest to learn on. Learning on dry slopes (dendix, snowflex, permasnow) can be more difficult and much more painful to learn on but do help out in the long run. Learning at the indoor slopes above you can either learn part by part during hourly sessions or get boarding by yourself in a day lesson (7-8 hours).
2nd: Snowboard Gear
Of course there's the issue of what we're snowboarding IN.
Here some typical snowboarding equipment in order of importance (RELAX know-it-alls, it's debatable...):
Waterproof trousers + Waterproof jacket are important otherwise you'll finish your slope session feeling like you've just done a water sport rather than a winter sport.
Gloves really are necessary gear for snowboarding (NOTE: you're not allowed to enter the slope in Sno!Zones, Chill Factore or the Snowdome without gloves!)
Impact shorts, wrist guards, helmet for those who feel better safe than sorry.
Goggles are more commonly used in mountains I think but are good for decreasing light that reflects off the snow and can affect the eyes...kinda like sunshades....(lol....snowshades....  )
3rd: Snowboard Boots
It also seems that in "snowboarding", a snowboard isn't even the most important thing you need as a beginner... ??...well obviously you will need a snowboard along with the rest of the gear but apparently, it would be much better goin to whatever indoor slope with your own snowboard boots that are a perfect fit and rent a near half-decent board rather than....vice versa.
When buying boots you should consider which snowboard bindings you're going to buy (Lok aok elsewhere or asround for more info on that). Your snowboard boots should be pretty much a PERFECT fit, especially as a beginner...having good boots will help you progress much faster. You should avoid buying your boots online and should actually go into a snowboard store and spending as long as it takes to find a good fit (Heard it can take hours....even for guys  )
4th: Snowboard/Bindings
It's important to consider the points below when buying your bindings and board but it's also very helpful to try and demo different snowboards at your local slope; you're more likely to find a board that suits you right, on your first buy.
Snowboard Bindings
There's quite a few on the market (strap-in, step-in....etc...) however i'm yet to hear a great difference between different bindings, and so far (apart from which you'd like e.g. strap-in) it just seems a matter of style. Also strap-in bindings seem to be the most common.
Snowboard
The snowboard....last?...in snowboarding...?....must have something to do with the saying "you gotta crawl, before you walk". Well the snowboard you get depends on several things to me it mainly seems to be style, weight/height and foot size
Styles include:
Freestyle (soft, short board - making "jibbing" easier, i.e. hitting rails and kickers etc)
Freeride (stiff, long board - for stability at high speeds)
All Mountain (best of both worlds)
Weight/height (Soft for light/stiff for heavy - Generally snowboard should reach around your chin area, but it's all a matter of personal preference)
Foot Size (Determines board width - Important to avoid catching edge)
Other things to think about really would be how much you're willing to spend and of course...snowboard graphics!
5th: Competitions
It's not mandatory as a snowboarder but it can be enjoyable and it's a way and a reason to improve and progress as a snowboarder.
MmMMmMMmMmmMmm...I don't think i've missed anything, sorry if I have but just trying to help out new Snowboarders and SCUKers (looks like suckers!?!?)
Hope this was a good guide....rememba this was written by a newbie!!
And Remember...."Join SCUK as you'll save a heap of £s on all your stuff"  |
_________________
"One way to really make em mad...make love to a skier then tell her your a snowboarder lol"
-Winterfunman
-Judean Riderz' Front-
Last edited by TZ on Aug 25, 2008 - 08:37 PM; edited 8 times in total
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trendkiller
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Post subject: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...if i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 06:34 PM
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Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 244
Status: Offline
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yeah I mean you kinda got the basic there. But there are a few misconceptions that you've seemed to included in your guide.
I can't be bothered to get into the finer details but somethings like "soft for light/stiff for heavy" are kinda right but not if you know what I mean. People generally buy soft board for jibbin (pi55ing about on a piste or dome!!) and stiffer boards are more stable at higher speeds so fit in well with cruising on pistes.
Snowboard sizing doesn't really go on the "if it reaches your chin" rule, Its a mixture of what you want your board for (smaller sizes for jibbin & larger sized boards for stability at speed),your weight and your height.
it's a good start anyways!
good luck |
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GinaG
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Post subject: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...if i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 08:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 9690
Location: The Big G
Status: Offline
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I'd personally say number 6 should be number 3, unless you're going to snowboard in jeans and a hoodie!! Bindings and a snowboard usually come in par as it's not worth having bindings without a board.
Not a bad guide though. There are more options than that for learning though - you need to mention that dryslopes are harder to learn on but can be more beneficial. Also learn in a day or hourly lessons! |
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She knows nuffin
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TZ
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Post subject: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...if i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 08:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 03, 2008
Posts: 16
Location: LDN
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Gina_Schmugle101 wrote:
I'd personally say number 6 should be number 3, unless you're going to snowboard in jeans and a hoodie!!...
LOL! That's exactly what I did on my first lesson! Didn't get too wet though... |
_________________
"One way to really make em mad...make love to a skier then tell her your a snowboarder lol"
-Winterfunman
-Judean Riderz' Front-
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GinaG
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 08:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 9690
Location: The Big G
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If you don't want to get laughed at can i recommend you don't try that one again haha.
Get yourself down to Chiswick and pop into Boardwise before the season starts to look at their bargains - at least for trousers! |
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She knows nuffin
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PiefaceUK
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 09:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 03, 2008
Posts: 66
Location: Wirral
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| Well, Ill just say, as a little update (I mean Little) That gloves are mandatory in Chill Factore |
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GinaG
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 09:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 9690
Location: The Big G
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Oops sorry i didn't read it properly! Snowboard gear number 2 not number 3! Really equipment isn't as important as clothing - you don't want to have to keep paying to rent it.
Gloves are mandatory at all the slopes i think. Long sleeves also! |
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She knows nuffin
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charliebuoy
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 06, 2008 - 11:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Posts: 6634
Location: York
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Naa, you don't have to have long sleeves on a number of dryslopes. If you want to risk loosing all your skin then it's up to you though  |
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There is one rule in snowboarding: Have fun.
Photography
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yellowlala
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 10:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Posts: 1396
Status: Offline
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| Tam doesn't have the long sleeves thing either. |
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GinaG
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 10:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 04, 2004
Posts: 9690
Location: The Big G
Status: Offline
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| Ahhh they were at Hemel for that reason i think. |
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She knows nuffin
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Branny
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 10:17 AM
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Joined: Oct 11, 2004
Posts: 3456
Location: Drinking Hatorade on the Beaches of Africa
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couple of points..dendix (not dendex) is not the only dryslope material, Snowflex (halifax, Warmwell, Sheffield etc) is a good newbie material and Permasnow (any John Nike Centres) is.....special!!!
and the only other point is try before you buy, there are so many "best" board, Boots Binding threads on suck that it sometimes gets more confusing, try and get to a demo night at a local slope, try as many different products as possible, respect your abilities but don't be overly restricted to them, be realistic about where your going to ride...a 167 in a dome is probably pointless unless your 8ft tall and 20 stone...
don't believe the hype...a shop that carries one board brand is going to tell you his is best..theres a whole world out there..we're all individual so make your own judgement..but take advice and warnings from others that can back it up rather than sprout cr@p on forums when they've never ridden/seen the product
good work though..maybe a mod could make it a sticky |
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hopalong
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 03:19 PM
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Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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grr....Permasnow 
special indeed...especially when they lay it wrong, making it easy to turn one way, and rather tricky the other |
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PiefaceUK
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 03:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 03, 2008
Posts: 66
Location: Wirral
Status: Offline
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| Can I just ask, what is Permasnow? Ive see a few slopes advertise as they have it, but is it just like a powder put down a slope? Just because I saw Llandudno having it, so when I pass my test thinking off driving there, when i'm a more competent snowboarder. |
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dunx
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (...i
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 - 03:42 PM
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Joined: Oct 07, 2004
Posts: 6883
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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hopalong
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Post subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: How to get into snowboarding as a beginner (
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 - 01:35 AM
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Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 37
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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PiefaceUK wrote:
Can I just ask, what is Permasnow? Ive see a few slopes advertise as they have it, but is it just like a powder put down a slope? Just because I saw Llandudno having it, so when I pass my test thinking off driving there, when i'm a more competent snowboarder.
erm, not quite
its more like a carpet of stiff fibres, not really sure what to compare it to, but it reminded me of the 'scratchy' side of a piece of velcro.
www.perma-snow.com/mainadvantages.php wrote:
Advantages for the user
Skiers and snowboarders alike experience a new 'like snow' sensation with the advantage of being safer than traditional dry ski slope materials. The feel, look, and noise of PERMA-SNOW™ makes it a surface that users want to use again and again.
For the varying ski slope
PERMA-SNOW™ comes in different pile densities and heights that can be used on different parts of the same slope. As the shape and angle of the slope change the surface characteristics of the slope can be designed to react differently - just like real snow.
...i wouldnt really describe it as anything like snow, but at least you can ride on it, and its good for developing your technique, as its a bit more tricky.
word of advice- wear long sleeves/ gloves- falling on it at speed isnt much fun! :p |
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