Snowboard Madness!!!!!
Ok so I've spent a good part of the evening trying to find out what kind of snowboard I should get - what length? make? (given I don't want to spend a fortune and basically just have fun around here when the snow comes)- any suggestions anyone?
posted by Fiona @ 9:22 pm
2 comments
2 Comments:
ok... msn not working, so here goes some info...
First off, you need to work out your weight in kg's. Use the snowboard manufacturers website to look up info on some boards.
First off, decide if you want to ride the park (freestyle), or a general all-purpose board (freeride). Some manufacturers also make 'all-mountain boards' which are supposed to be stiffer so that they cope with high speed better, and run over the off-piste bumps better. But basically, freeride is the normal choice of board. Freestyle boards are supposed to run regular and fakie more easily, turn quicker. Freeride boards are designed to run quicker and float over the bumps etc. Don't even think of an alpine board. These are for racers, and you need to wear hard ski-type boots.
Then pick a board that you like the look of, then read the specs. The crucial figure is the weight range. If riding in powder, pick a board where your weight is in the middle of the range. If riding pistes, then you can go to the max range of the board. Also some boards (mostly mens) come in 'wide' versions, so that your toes (size 10+ for men) don't dig in the snow too much.
This will still leave loads of choice so look at your price range and see what's left.
After that, there are beginner boards (for real beginners), intermediate boards for erm... etc etc. Generally, the more beginner the board, the more flexible the board, and the easier it is to turn. Effectively beginner snowboards are freestyle type boards.
The next options, are the bindings. Here there are regular, clip and ratchet styles (slow to put on, but at least you sit in the snow regular to put them on), Step-in bindings need special (matched boots). These tend to be stiffer boots. They are quick to put on, but suffer from snow under foot preventing the board from clipping in (like skis). Flow bindings which are put on standing up, or on your knees. These are quicker than both the above generally, but don't grip so tight, so aren't so good when riding paths or in the snowpark where fine control of the board is required.
Try here for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowboard
Also check out the manufacturers websites (burton, flow, ride, duotone, k2, salamon, quicksilver, etc, etc). I think the snowboard asylum also have a board selector too. If you need the links, give send me an email.
Thanks :) - erm now anyone fancy shopping with me just to make sure lol?
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