JT! Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) As some of you may know, for the last two winters I have been living a 10 min drive from the base of this: I also live in 2nd coldest city (annual average temp) in the whole of the USA (inc f**king cities in Alaska!) so there's snow on the ground from about now-ish until the end of March. So I'm looking into trying to get into snowboarding this winter. I'm hoping I can pick up some basic 2nd hand gear, but I really have no clue what I'm doing / need to be looking into buying etc. Any advice, tips or links to good info? Thanks! Edited November 2, 2010 by JT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Dunstan Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Join a ski forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Join a ski forum? But I don't want to ski? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Dunstan Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 But I don't want to ski? Then look for the snowboarding section. Like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Reading the beginners sticky, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris4stars Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 with regards to getting boots and bindings...try and get as good as you can afford (model wise). for boots though, if you have an eye on a pair, go to the shop and try on the same brands equivalent model...they can vary a fair amount in stiffness/shape/comfort etc for the bindings, though its not a must...it is handy to get the same brand as the boot for obvious reasons for the board...its a tad strange, you should really go for a board that is gauged to your ability rather than as good as you can afford. if you feel like you could pick it up relatively quickly then a mid range board will be ideal and give you plenty of scope to improve. though you could in theory ride a high end board, it is far less forgiving and will not be as enjoyable to ride as something lower down im a pretty big burton fan, after riding k2, salomon and ride boards...depends on your buget really. ebay is one of the best places to pick up packages (as oppose to online forums) with regualr folk buying it all...trying it and finding its not for them. also, i bought this for my now ex gf/bf advert seems to pop up quite abit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 First of all, I hate you for living so close to a winter resort, I hate you even more because I assume in the there is a load of mountain biking there (do the lifts open in the summer?). Maybe look into doing some taster lessons or beginner courses with all the gear supplied before going out and buy your own gear? There is no point in buying gear if you don't enjoy it! Even if you do enjoy it, get more lessons! If you do decide to buy your own gear I would personally avoid 2nd hand boots. Last year was my first trip and I used hire boots, I spent most of the week in pain because of poorly fitting boots! Go out and try as many pairs of boots as you can and buy what fits you best! I am in the process of buying my own boots for this years holiday (That might even be holidays if I can find a cheap deal to do a second week this year!). I am not even looking at what I could get 2nd hand because its unlikely I will find anything that will fit properly and the chances are the boot will have already moulded to the other persons foot! Be prepared to fall over loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Thanks guys. As far as I'm aware the lifts don't run in the summer, but there is some good XC trails round here. Awesome trials riding too so I really can't be complaining. I am a total beginner, I went skiing once when I was about 14 for a week in France. I did plan on going out and buying the stuff second hand. I feel I have to learn to love it as I need to be doing something over the winter because they're so long (it's either that or skiing which is another option) and looking at basic prices the gear doesn't seem that expensive so if I really do hate it I won't be that much out of pocket. Maybe I'll try get new boots and a second hand board? I definitely cannot afford lessons though but I'll youtube the crap out of it before I try anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 I would agree with most that boots with a great fit are the most important to get. With regards lessons, I never did and picked it up pretty quick. My top tip is your body goes where your head points, you can use your arms to exaggerate this by pointing both where you want to go. (probably not a great explanation). The other reason to not get lessons - with a snowboard you can get down pretty much any slope on the mountain by just side slipping, so you can go out and have a fun day, travel about with friends etc without having a great deal of skill. Finally - you are a lucky git !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 with a snowboard you can get down pretty much any slope on the mountain by just side slipping, so you can go out and have a fun day, travel about with friends etc without having a great deal of skill. This fills me with hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OD404 Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Another vote here for buying the boots new. I bought my first pair new and then got the board and bindings off ebay. You can find some real bargins out there, I got an unused board and bindings for £170 posted, when the board alone was worth about £300 new. I've since changed all my gear, but only because I'm at a stage where I know what equipment suits me. When you start out, in theory you could learn to ride anything, but the fact remains that poorly fitting boots will hurt. Good luck with learning, having somewhere close you can keep going to will be a huge help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) Get new boots, get an old board and bindings (if you live so close they will be everywhere, newspapers, billboards, shops etc), go out and get a taster lesson if you want to (usually better) or just go with someone that already has a good knowledge of the basics. Keep going and going and going, the first couple of times are going to hurt, you will fall over alot and theres naff all you can do about it, I promise you the first time you link up both turns will feel out of this world and you will constantly be in pursuit of that first time of it all coming together. Hit pretty much anything you want to on a snowboard, but don't be stupid and respect that although you can go "everywhere" on piste, you will be doing the harder stuff alot slower than the guys that have been doing it for years, don't make them wait every time (pick an easier route). Talk to the locals, go with friends and ask around for help/advice etc, I've got free lessons and equipment for just talking to people so make sure you do, its by far the best resource for everything on the mountain... Cant think of anything else that a noob would need so go beg/borrow/steal your gear and get out there! Edited November 2, 2010 by Willy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich J Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Yet another get good boots. It really matters, especially learning because you need to be as comfortable as possible. Being around there will give you a chance to chat to riders, shops, instructors etc see what they say too, usually a good way to pick up a deal. Theres nothing wrong with old seasons kit, if its cheap and does the job, its worth it, you wont need all these new board technology fancy stuffs so dont get dragged into that. Theres also nothing wrong with second hand kit, most of the time its for sale because either someone didnt like it (so hardly used), or someones upgrading and this means they generally know what they are doing, so it should all be serviced. Carefull though because you could end up on a damaged board which when learning will be such a hinderance. As for lessons, all down to you, some people pick it up, some need guidance but its all practice either way, watch people, even try and steal off other lessons going on. Buy/ rent a helmet, might seem silly but snows hard, especially learning and falling, maybe impact shorts if you like your bum but tis up to you. So yeah basically echoing what everyone else has said good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 The other reason to not get lessons - with a snowboard you can get down pretty much any slope on the mountain by just side slipping, so you can go out and have a fun day, travel about with friends etc without having a great deal of skill.I don't totally agree with that. It really depends on the slope and the resort. Yes you can just slide down steeper stuff on your heel edge and get to the bottom (it isn't exactly fun just sliding down on one edge though!) but there are some runs you simply will not get down without being able to link turns and carry your speed. It isn't much fun having to take a foot out of the binding to push yourself along to the next part of the slope because it has flattened out and you have stopped dead... Last year I had an introductory lesson on a dry slope and then taught myself to link turns on dry slope before going away and hitting real snow for 1 week. To be honest I was pretty useless and it was frustrating so I got a 3 hour lesson after a few days which really helped! I am going away again in January and have made the decisions to get some more lessons. Like Rich has already said, some people can just 'get it' but I guess I am not one of those people haha Another vote for get a helmet, I didn't have one last year but am buying one before going this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haydon_peter Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 How are you getting on JT? I managed to get myself some new Vans boots and Rome bindings for £180. They are previous years models so the shop gave a good discount, also having small feet was an advantage because they had a fairly good selection of small sized boots that they needed to get rid of I now have my own set-up to use with a hire board unless I find a really good deal and decide to buy my own board... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Nothing as of yet, we're waiting for some back payments for the last 5 months so won't have any money till then. Also, no snow yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boswell Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 (edited) Haha! Only the Americans would call it spirit mountain! Just out of interest how much is a lift pass for the season for you? Edited November 8, 2010 by Boswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted November 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Just out of interest how much is a lift pass for the season for you? No clue haven't looked into that yet, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Well I took all your advice and just bought these today for next to nothing! Came with boots too! Edited December 3, 2011 by JT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish-Finger-er Posted December 3, 2011 Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Well I took all your advice and just bought these today for next to nothing! Jt, i hope they where next to nothing, as in sub $20, any more and you where robbed, they are literally worthless. there straight skis, wont be able to learn much on them that would pass over to better skis, I tried a pair on for laughs last time we had snow round here, and I could barely do anything on them, and im a fairly competent ski'er on modern ski's, ideally you want shaped skis, with around a 170cm length at a guess(im guessing your around 13ish stone) for sub $100 posted to duluth, ive just found some salomon X scream 700's with bindings, or some k2 omni sports with bindings. both of which would be a way better starting point for a few more dollars. Edited December 3, 2011 by Fish-Finger-er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) They came with boots and only cost me $20. Also fishy I think you're missing something, I'll let you figure it out on your own. Edited December 3, 2011 by JT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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