Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
love me some bbq
Over the last few months, I've done a lot of research on many different types of grills. Many of them are good, lots of them aren't. But what I found is that there is one brand of barbecue grills, both charcoal and gas, that stands far above the rest. Weber, a name that everybody knows and respects. Why? Because their products have stood the test of time, decade after decade.
I can remember as a kid the Fourth of July cookouts at my Grandparents' house with a huge hunk of beef on the Weber grill. The sound of the rotisserie will stay with me always. My Weber Performer is the same basic grill my Grandfather used back then. It just shows you the quality of their grills holds true still today. That is why I highly recommend Weber products.
I've listed five of the top selling Weber Grills that I recommend:
Smokey Joe Grill
The Smokey Joe Grill is a great grill for apartment dwellers who have limited storage space. This table-top model features a 14 inch grate for 147 square inches of cooking capacity. Its great to take on you next picnic too. You can count on the quality and dependability that you've come to expect from Weber products.
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill is a great starter grill that will last you many years. It's the classic Weber Kettle Grill design. The great feature of the Gold Series is the convenient Ash Catcher. It makes it very easy when it comes time to empty the spent ashes. You can choose between the 18.5 inch model for a cooking capacity of 240 square inches, or the 22.5 inch model for a capacity of 363 square inches. Again, the Weber quality is always present. A great grill for the price.
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill is the next step up in charcoal grills. Its massive 26.75 inch grate provides 508 square inches of cooking capacity. Plenty of space for any size brisket you have. This model features a built-in thermometer, as well as the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher. Many other feature abound. This grill is for the serious barbecuer.
The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
This is the ultimate in charcoal grilling. The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill features the classic Weber Kettle Grill design built into a cart format. The unique Touch-N-Go gas ignition system lights your charcoal with a small LP gas burner. No more lighter fluid!! It also features the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher as well as a dual purpose thermometer and weather protected charcoal storage container.
I've personally used the Performer Grill for the last 9 years and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't do without it.
Well, there you have it... I sincerely hope that these recommendations will help you in your grilling quests.
I can remember as a kid the Fourth of July cookouts at my Grandparents' house with a huge hunk of beef on the Weber grill. The sound of the rotisserie will stay with me always. My Weber Performer is the same basic grill my Grandfather used back then. It just shows you the quality of their grills holds true still today. That is why I highly recommend Weber products.
I've listed five of the top selling Weber Grills that I recommend:
Smokey Joe Grill
The Smokey Joe Grill is a great grill for apartment dwellers who have limited storage space. This table-top model features a 14 inch grate for 147 square inches of cooking capacity. Its great to take on you next picnic too. You can count on the quality and dependability that you've come to expect from Weber products.
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill is a great starter grill that will last you many years. It's the classic Weber Kettle Grill design. The great feature of the Gold Series is the convenient Ash Catcher. It makes it very easy when it comes time to empty the spent ashes. You can choose between the 18.5 inch model for a cooking capacity of 240 square inches, or the 22.5 inch model for a capacity of 363 square inches. Again, the Weber quality is always present. A great grill for the price.
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill is the next step up in charcoal grills. Its massive 26.75 inch grate provides 508 square inches of cooking capacity. Plenty of space for any size brisket you have. This model features a built-in thermometer, as well as the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher. Many other feature abound. This grill is for the serious barbecuer.
The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
This is the ultimate in charcoal grilling. The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill features the classic Weber Kettle Grill design built into a cart format. The unique Touch-N-Go gas ignition system lights your charcoal with a small LP gas burner. No more lighter fluid!! It also features the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher as well as a dual purpose thermometer and weather protected charcoal storage container.
I've personally used the Performer Grill for the last 9 years and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't do without it.
Well, there you have it... I sincerely hope that these recommendations will help you in your grilling quests.
tips for learning
Both skiing and snowboarding are incredibly fun activities and recreational sports. If you have never done skiing or snowboarding before but now you want to try them out, then you must first of all get yourself ready for some initial struggles, even if you are the most gifted athlete. You may fall many times in the beginning of your lessons and may even hurt yourself slightly with some injuries and bruises, but with your mistakes, you need to learn how to fall without getting hurt.
Do not give on the very first day of your learning. Instead of spending your entire vacation in a whirlpool tub, you should give it some more tries and you will surely become comfortable with the ski or snowboard soon.
One of the most important tips is to take lessons from professional instructor right on the mountain. No matter how great your spouse or your friends are, it will be less frustrating for them if you choose to learn the skills from a professional instructor.
Secondly, you will also need the right equipments. Because you are just starting out and you do not know how successful you will be at learning the sports and how often will you ski or snowboard, it is better to rent the gear instead of purchasing one. It would be better to tell the equipments store people that you are a beginner at the sport so that they can give the right kind of equipments to you.
Learn the skills slowly and gradually. You have to build your foundation first, no matter there are too many 8 year olds around you on the slope. Once your foundation has been built, you will be successful at tackling bigger slopes with confidence and ease. First of all, you have to spend some time on your behind and after that, learn to balance your body properly. However you may take some time to become perfect at this, you will be rewarded with delightful experiences once you have learned it.
In the end of the day spent in the chilly snow, nothing will be better than a shower or bath. The frozen fingers of your hands and toes will thaw out and the sore muscles of your body will love to be in the warm water. Even though it will be hard to get yourself motivated to go there again to continue your snowboard lessons, you will definitely be rewarded in the end.
Do not give on the very first day of your learning. Instead of spending your entire vacation in a whirlpool tub, you should give it some more tries and you will surely become comfortable with the ski or snowboard soon.
One of the most important tips is to take lessons from professional instructor right on the mountain. No matter how great your spouse or your friends are, it will be less frustrating for them if you choose to learn the skills from a professional instructor.
Secondly, you will also need the right equipments. Because you are just starting out and you do not know how successful you will be at learning the sports and how often will you ski or snowboard, it is better to rent the gear instead of purchasing one. It would be better to tell the equipments store people that you are a beginner at the sport so that they can give the right kind of equipments to you.
Learn the skills slowly and gradually. You have to build your foundation first, no matter there are too many 8 year olds around you on the slope. Once your foundation has been built, you will be successful at tackling bigger slopes with confidence and ease. First of all, you have to spend some time on your behind and after that, learn to balance your body properly. However you may take some time to become perfect at this, you will be rewarded with delightful experiences once you have learned it.
In the end of the day spent in the chilly snow, nothing will be better than a shower or bath. The frozen fingers of your hands and toes will thaw out and the sore muscles of your body will love to be in the warm water. Even though it will be hard to get yourself motivated to go there again to continue your snowboard lessons, you will definitely be rewarded in the end.
google goggles
Whether you are a skier or a snowboarder, you have to ensure that your eyes are kept well protected for which, you have to buy some good quality goggles. Without goggles, you will be put at risk of several harmful consequences including ice particles, twigs, snow and debris flying towards your face at high speed. You also need to protect your eyes against UV rays that become more powerful when get reflected back from the snow.
Fogging is also a major problem related to snowboarding and skiing goggles, especially if you are a beginner as you breathe heavier and fall more. Goggles with multiple lenses are helpful in avoiding fogging as they allow fresh air to get circulated inside the goggles because of which they remain well-vented. Other options that you can opt for may be chemical treatment done during the manufacturing of the goggles and anti-fogging sprays or wipes that are easily available at the equipment stores.
Most of the branded goggles provide 100% UV protection, but if you are not able to afford these, you should choose the goggles that have at least 95% UV protection.
Other things that you need to keep in mind while purchasing ski or snowboarding goggles are that they should have a fine peripheral vision, they should be comfortable to wear and should snug fit over your facial contours. The straps and inside of your goggles should be padded which will prevent serious injuries in case you land badly. By peripheral vision, we mean that while you are traveling down the slope at high speed, you should be able to recognize the hazards quickly such as rocks, trees, uneven terrain and other people on the snow fields.
If you have to wear prescription glasses, then you can get your customized prescription goggles or purchase a pair that securely fits over your glasses. While deciding about the color of your lenses, you must remember that yellow or clear lenses are suitable for darker skiing or snowboarding conditions; rosy tint is suitable for medium to low light conditions and yellow, amber or gold are suitable for moderate light conditions. Now-a-days, goggles are available that have inter-changeable lenses, allowing you to choose the correct color of your lenses for current skiing or snowboarding conditions.
Although most of the branded ski and snowboarding goggles are fine, they should also work well with the helmet you wear. It is important to choose your goggles wisely so that you can enjoy your sport in a safe manner.
Fogging is also a major problem related to snowboarding and skiing goggles, especially if you are a beginner as you breathe heavier and fall more. Goggles with multiple lenses are helpful in avoiding fogging as they allow fresh air to get circulated inside the goggles because of which they remain well-vented. Other options that you can opt for may be chemical treatment done during the manufacturing of the goggles and anti-fogging sprays or wipes that are easily available at the equipment stores.
Most of the branded goggles provide 100% UV protection, but if you are not able to afford these, you should choose the goggles that have at least 95% UV protection.
Other things that you need to keep in mind while purchasing ski or snowboarding goggles are that they should have a fine peripheral vision, they should be comfortable to wear and should snug fit over your facial contours. The straps and inside of your goggles should be padded which will prevent serious injuries in case you land badly. By peripheral vision, we mean that while you are traveling down the slope at high speed, you should be able to recognize the hazards quickly such as rocks, trees, uneven terrain and other people on the snow fields.
If you have to wear prescription glasses, then you can get your customized prescription goggles or purchase a pair that securely fits over your glasses. While deciding about the color of your lenses, you must remember that yellow or clear lenses are suitable for darker skiing or snowboarding conditions; rosy tint is suitable for medium to low light conditions and yellow, amber or gold are suitable for moderate light conditions. Now-a-days, goggles are available that have inter-changeable lenses, allowing you to choose the correct color of your lenses for current skiing or snowboarding conditions.
Although most of the branded ski and snowboarding goggles are fine, they should also work well with the helmet you wear. It is important to choose your goggles wisely so that you can enjoy your sport in a safe manner.
all about bindings
Snowboard binding is the lifeline between you and the snowboard. It is essentially important to ensure that you have the correct specification. You have to be sure of the type of snowboard that fits your needs best and the kind of straps that will match the use that you have for it. If you are a less than frequent user, you may take a weaker material but if you are a pro, then you cannot take such risks.
Traditional snowboard strap bindings come in two shapes, one that holds the ankle and the other that holds the toes. The advantage of this type of traditional two strap binding is that it is common and therefore it is more available. Besides being more available, it also has a variety to choose from. You can also easily locate and repair the bindings when need arises. The challenge in using this two strap method is that it often exerts pressure on points of strapping.
The other type of snowboard binding is the rear-entry type, in which the user's feet is slotted from the rear end and then snaps into place. The advantage of using this type is that getting in and out of the bindings is easy and fast. Pressure is spread across the whole foot and is the best for children. The challenge is that there are few choices to choose from and is more difficult to find replacements.
Whatever type of snowboard binding you choose to go with there are certain consideration that you need to make:
Check your size of foot: The bindings come in small, medium and large. You have to choose the closest in size. This will make sure that the pressure is spread all across the feet and you do not need to deal with the pressure points after having your fun.
Choice of high backs and hard boots: These depend on how seasoned you are. If you need greater controls, then you are advised to take on the high backs and tighten them. This is relevant to aggressive riders. With addition of hard boots, the control is even tighter and allows for rough snowboard skating.
Safety: This is the most important feature of all when making the decision on which snowboard binding to buy. It is often dependent on the grip that you want the snowboard to hold on your. You want to be sure that want to have adequate control so that you are safe. The secret to this is to buy just what is adequate. If it is too tight it can cause pressure points and leave wounds.
Affordability: This is one of the important factors because no matter how much you may like a particular snowboard feature, yet you if cannot afford it, it becomes meaningless to admire it. The choice of an affordable snowboard binding may depend on the material used. The softer materials through cheaper would not be of interest to the professional skater. Choose what can serve you best without having to compromise on quality.
Traditional snowboard strap bindings come in two shapes, one that holds the ankle and the other that holds the toes. The advantage of this type of traditional two strap binding is that it is common and therefore it is more available. Besides being more available, it also has a variety to choose from. You can also easily locate and repair the bindings when need arises. The challenge in using this two strap method is that it often exerts pressure on points of strapping.
The other type of snowboard binding is the rear-entry type, in which the user's feet is slotted from the rear end and then snaps into place. The advantage of using this type is that getting in and out of the bindings is easy and fast. Pressure is spread across the whole foot and is the best for children. The challenge is that there are few choices to choose from and is more difficult to find replacements.
Whatever type of snowboard binding you choose to go with there are certain consideration that you need to make:
Check your size of foot: The bindings come in small, medium and large. You have to choose the closest in size. This will make sure that the pressure is spread all across the feet and you do not need to deal with the pressure points after having your fun.
Choice of high backs and hard boots: These depend on how seasoned you are. If you need greater controls, then you are advised to take on the high backs and tighten them. This is relevant to aggressive riders. With addition of hard boots, the control is even tighter and allows for rough snowboard skating.
Safety: This is the most important feature of all when making the decision on which snowboard binding to buy. It is often dependent on the grip that you want the snowboard to hold on your. You want to be sure that want to have adequate control so that you are safe. The secret to this is to buy just what is adequate. If it is too tight it can cause pressure points and leave wounds.
Affordability: This is one of the important factors because no matter how much you may like a particular snowboard feature, yet you if cannot afford it, it becomes meaningless to admire it. The choice of an affordable snowboard binding may depend on the material used. The softer materials through cheaper would not be of interest to the professional skater. Choose what can serve you best without having to compromise on quality.
easy snowboard turns
Learning to make snowboard turns is one of the most important things to understand when first starting out in snowboarding. One really simple and effective method is called the Freestyle Triangle and if you can apply this one tip while riding you will fast track your progress. The Freestyle Triangle is formed by pointing your hands out over either tip of your snowboard and trying to keep them there as much as possible. By doing this you are stabilizing your core and you can use your hands to help you turn.
How does the freestyle triangle help you make snowboard turns?
Doing this helps you to make snowboard turns because you use your hands to point in the direction of where you want to turn. If you are riding downhill with your left foot forward, known as regular stance, your left hand is over your front tip. If you want to turn to the right, your simply rotate your torso and point your hand to the right of the tip. Your snowboard will naturally follow where you are pointing.
Make Snowboard Turns easy with Loose Knees.
Bending your knees is another key thing that will help you progress quickly. It is necessary to ensure that your knees are bent enough so that your body is not stiff. There is nothing harder than trying to make snowboard turns when your body is stiff and jerky. You want to be as fluid and loose as possible and keeping your knees bent really helps with this. If you are stiff you are much more prone to injury and falling.
So remember that when trying to make snowboard turns, two key things to remember are the freestyle triangle (your hands over the tips of your board) and loose knees. By applying these two lessons you make it drastically easier on your body to make turns and absorb the little bumps on the hill.
How does the freestyle triangle help you make snowboard turns?
Doing this helps you to make snowboard turns because you use your hands to point in the direction of where you want to turn. If you are riding downhill with your left foot forward, known as regular stance, your left hand is over your front tip. If you want to turn to the right, your simply rotate your torso and point your hand to the right of the tip. Your snowboard will naturally follow where you are pointing.
Make Snowboard Turns easy with Loose Knees.
Bending your knees is another key thing that will help you progress quickly. It is necessary to ensure that your knees are bent enough so that your body is not stiff. There is nothing harder than trying to make snowboard turns when your body is stiff and jerky. You want to be as fluid and loose as possible and keeping your knees bent really helps with this. If you are stiff you are much more prone to injury and falling.
So remember that when trying to make snowboard turns, two key things to remember are the freestyle triangle (your hands over the tips of your board) and loose knees. By applying these two lessons you make it drastically easier on your body to make turns and absorb the little bumps on the hill.
buying womens snowboard boots
Because snowboarding is practice in snow, you can be exposure to freezing temperatures; hence, you must make certain you decide on the correct snowboarding boot. Feeling cold feet may be a bad situation and no one is snug in that situation. You must have warm feet to feel comfortable whereas riding and ensures you keep comfortable. Another major aspect of the boot must be that maintain your feet dry.If your boots get water inside and makes your feet wet there is little doubt you may feel cold once again. Getting the perfect snowboarding boot that will definitely facilitate to keep your feet dry is terribly significant.
Check these important components to think about when shopping for a snowboarding boot. For example What type of boarding can you be doing? Your riding will depend the proper boot. Boots return in soft to hard flex choices and knowing what you wish whereas you are boarding, will facilitate to slim down your options immediately. For instance, if you plan on doing a ton of tricks, stunts, rails and pipes you will need a try of softer boots.
Another facet of board boots that you will want to take into thought is that the type of lacing system that you may want. How do you would like your boots to fasten? Do you want laces? Do you want the BOA system that is currently on the market available? Several firms supply their own variations on the lacing systems, so the choice is completely up to you.
Snowboarding boots can have an effect on your performance. They may not be the correct boot for the board, the bindings or for you. Making certain that each one of these things work along and work along during a approach that will not hinder your performance will be of great importance to you.Make positive that the boots work you properly. You don not wish the boots to be too tight or too loose. If the boots are tight your feet can hurt and will hinder your performance. If your boots are too loose, your feet can slide around and this can also hinder your performance. You will undoubtedly need to attempt the boots on before you get them. Finding the right fit in your board boots will be necessary so that your feet don't suffer right along together with your performance level.
When truly searching for your snowboard boots, first consider your value range. What are you willing to purchase a group of shoes? This can help eliminate many options and cut the sector down to assist you from obtaining distracted.For a high finish snowboard boot, expect to pay a few hundred greenbacks and more. They can contain all of the bells and whistles that you'd want in a very boot. They are higher made; supply a stiffer structure which allows the rider to have better customization in their performance. These boots are just better all the way around, and the simplest possibility for the long term.
Buying a proper combine of snowboard boots doesn't must be an awesome decision. You simply would like to understand what you are wanting for and what your wants are. Once you educate yourself about the various selections, you'll notice that buying a sensible pair of shoes will be straightforward and a ton of fun.
Check these important components to think about when shopping for a snowboarding boot. For example What type of boarding can you be doing? Your riding will depend the proper boot. Boots return in soft to hard flex choices and knowing what you wish whereas you are boarding, will facilitate to slim down your options immediately. For instance, if you plan on doing a ton of tricks, stunts, rails and pipes you will need a try of softer boots.
Another facet of board boots that you will want to take into thought is that the type of lacing system that you may want. How do you would like your boots to fasten? Do you want laces? Do you want the BOA system that is currently on the market available? Several firms supply their own variations on the lacing systems, so the choice is completely up to you.
Snowboarding boots can have an effect on your performance. They may not be the correct boot for the board, the bindings or for you. Making certain that each one of these things work along and work along during a approach that will not hinder your performance will be of great importance to you.Make positive that the boots work you properly. You don not wish the boots to be too tight or too loose. If the boots are tight your feet can hurt and will hinder your performance. If your boots are too loose, your feet can slide around and this can also hinder your performance. You will undoubtedly need to attempt the boots on before you get them. Finding the right fit in your board boots will be necessary so that your feet don't suffer right along together with your performance level.
When truly searching for your snowboard boots, first consider your value range. What are you willing to purchase a group of shoes? This can help eliminate many options and cut the sector down to assist you from obtaining distracted.For a high finish snowboard boot, expect to pay a few hundred greenbacks and more. They can contain all of the bells and whistles that you'd want in a very boot. They are higher made; supply a stiffer structure which allows the rider to have better customization in their performance. These boots are just better all the way around, and the simplest possibility for the long term.
Buying a proper combine of snowboard boots doesn't must be an awesome decision. You simply would like to understand what you are wanting for and what your wants are. Once you educate yourself about the various selections, you'll notice that buying a sensible pair of shoes will be straightforward and a ton of fun.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
winterpark
Winter Park Resort is great for snowboarders and skiers alike. Fantastic trees, the most snow of all destination resorts in Colorado, a cool new Village and the most convenient location of all major ski resorts in Colorado.
Trees, trees, trees - besides powder isn't that the reason to snowboard? Well Winter Park Resort has some pretty amazing trees. The new Panoramic Express, the highest six pack ski lift in North America, takes you to the top of Parsenn Bowl to experience the finest gladed and ungladed (natural) trees in Colorado. Head to the top of Mary Jane and you can experience the winter solace of 'topher's trees. Truly perfect tree skiing can be had at the Resort.
Powder, powder and more powder - if it isn't trees it's has to be the snow, and lots of it , that makes snowboarding so fun. Well here in the Grandest of all Grand Counties Winter Park Resort averages over 350 inches of the fluffy white stuff every year. Last year the total was almost 30 inches over the average topping out at 378 inches of snow. You can not find better, more consistent snowfall in Colorado.
Winterpark just opened a cool new base village last ski season that now has three new restaurants and a couple of new stores. Lime is a great place to get a margarita and a burrito after a hard day on the slopes. At the Cheeky Monk you can get the finest Belgium beers and some of the best fries and mussels around. At Goody's make it crepes and some ice cream for the kids.
And lastly what makes Winter Park Resort best for snowboarders is how close and convenient the resort is to Denver International Airport. From the airport you can be on the slopes in 2.5 hours. It is a 67 mile trip from Denver to Winterpark. and you do not have to deal with Eisenhower Tunnel traffic.
Trees, trees, trees - besides powder isn't that the reason to snowboard? Well Winter Park Resort has some pretty amazing trees. The new Panoramic Express, the highest six pack ski lift in North America, takes you to the top of Parsenn Bowl to experience the finest gladed and ungladed (natural) trees in Colorado. Head to the top of Mary Jane and you can experience the winter solace of 'topher's trees. Truly perfect tree skiing can be had at the Resort.
Powder, powder and more powder - if it isn't trees it's has to be the snow, and lots of it , that makes snowboarding so fun. Well here in the Grandest of all Grand Counties Winter Park Resort averages over 350 inches of the fluffy white stuff every year. Last year the total was almost 30 inches over the average topping out at 378 inches of snow. You can not find better, more consistent snowfall in Colorado.
Winterpark just opened a cool new base village last ski season that now has three new restaurants and a couple of new stores. Lime is a great place to get a margarita and a burrito after a hard day on the slopes. At the Cheeky Monk you can get the finest Belgium beers and some of the best fries and mussels around. At Goody's make it crepes and some ice cream for the kids.
And lastly what makes Winter Park Resort best for snowboarders is how close and convenient the resort is to Denver International Airport. From the airport you can be on the slopes in 2.5 hours. It is a 67 mile trip from Denver to Winterpark. and you do not have to deal with Eisenhower Tunnel traffic.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
I love it when the forecast looks like this!
Veterans Day: Snow showers. High near 27. West southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 20. West northwest wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 17 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind between 14 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Breezy, with a west wind between 20 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Sunday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.
Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Monday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.
Monday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 20. West northwest wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 17 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind between 14 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Breezy, with a west wind between 20 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Sunday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.
Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Monday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.
Monday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Mt Bachelor!
http://www.mtbachelor.com/@@/cams/wvskycam.jpg
Keep an eye on it, only one more week til opening and the snow is flying!
Keep an eye on it, only one more week til opening and the snow is flying!
history lesson
To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible because people have always loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into "snow boards" to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through snow have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.
There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the "Snurfer" (a word play on 'snow' and 'surfer') was developed as a child's toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 "Snurfers" were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.
The "Flying Yellow Banana" was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as "The Suicide Six." The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere survival.
Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.
From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today, snowboarders have carried a "bad boy" image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.
Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.
There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the "Snurfer" (a word play on 'snow' and 'surfer') was developed as a child's toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 "Snurfers" were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.
The "Flying Yellow Banana" was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as "The Suicide Six." The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere survival.
Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.
From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today, snowboarders have carried a "bad boy" image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.
Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.
pay for lessons?
Snowboarding lessons can be quite beneficial to a snowboarder just starting out. And learning a new sport is both challenging and rewarding. But what about the financial aspect of it? Sometimes this can hamper a new riders chances of developing their skills. If you are just starting out the you will have several options; do you go for snowboarding lessons? If so do you go private or group? Or do you go the self taught method (like yours truly here)? Or maybe you are lucky enough to have a buddy who rides and will spend a day with you. No matter what you choose, read on to find out the pros and cons of each choice.
Snowboarding Lessons-Private or group lessons?
Snowboarding lessons are an integral part of learning to snowboard, even if you only take a few, they will give you the start of good foundations to work with. And you have many options when it comes to choosing lessons. You can do private lessons, group lessons, or even download video and audio tutorial lessons online. It all depends how much you are willing to spend and what you are after.
If you can afford it and think that you can learn the basics quickly then maybe private lessons are for you. Private snowboarding lessons these days, depending what mountain you go to, run from $200-$600 per day. So while that can be pretty steep, you get the benefit of one on one instruction and you get the full attention of the instructor.
Group snowboarding lessons are a great way to get some instruction while not paying an arm and a leg for it. You generally get put in a class of about 5-8 people and it will cost anywhere from $60-$150 per day, again depending on what mountain you are riding. Group lessons are a great way to meet people and if you feel like y ou might want 3 or 4 lessons then this is a more economical way to go.
Downloadable Lessons
Lastly there is the downloadable snowboarding lessons. Downloadable snowboarding lessons are a great option because you can study them at home, and then take them on the hill with you. If you have an ipod you can watch the tutorial videos on your ipod or simply listen to the audio instructions on any mp3 player. It is kind of like having your own private teacher there with you. The only draw back to these is that there is no interaction with someone who might be able to help you in a different way. Having said that though, most downloadable snowboarding programs run for between $30-$75 and considering what comes with them that is a pretty great deal.
Snowboarding Lessons-Private or group lessons?
Snowboarding lessons are an integral part of learning to snowboard, even if you only take a few, they will give you the start of good foundations to work with. And you have many options when it comes to choosing lessons. You can do private lessons, group lessons, or even download video and audio tutorial lessons online. It all depends how much you are willing to spend and what you are after.
If you can afford it and think that you can learn the basics quickly then maybe private lessons are for you. Private snowboarding lessons these days, depending what mountain you go to, run from $200-$600 per day. So while that can be pretty steep, you get the benefit of one on one instruction and you get the full attention of the instructor.
Group snowboarding lessons are a great way to get some instruction while not paying an arm and a leg for it. You generally get put in a class of about 5-8 people and it will cost anywhere from $60-$150 per day, again depending on what mountain you are riding. Group lessons are a great way to meet people and if you feel like y ou might want 3 or 4 lessons then this is a more economical way to go.
Downloadable Lessons
Lastly there is the downloadable snowboarding lessons. Downloadable snowboarding lessons are a great option because you can study them at home, and then take them on the hill with you. If you have an ipod you can watch the tutorial videos on your ipod or simply listen to the audio instructions on any mp3 player. It is kind of like having your own private teacher there with you. The only draw back to these is that there is no interaction with someone who might be able to help you in a different way. Having said that though, most downloadable snowboarding programs run for between $30-$75 and considering what comes with them that is a pretty great deal.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
risks of skiing and snowboarding
Many people have already known that snowboarding and skiing are the great things they always want to do all the time. Recently, you can prove the fact that the snowboarders and skiers are increasing in number. In fact, such thing is followed by the increase of the number of injuries. Definitely, the high awareness is needed to make sure that people finally can do snowboard and ski safety.
Perhaps, you have already known about the fact that snowboarding and skiing have brought many victims every year. As a note, during the course of a year about 11 million skiers and 4 million snowboarders in the U.S. alone are on the slopes at least once. In this case, the average number of visits to the slopes is around 60 million. For every 1000 skier visits, there are around 2.5 serious medical injuries.
But, the death rate of snowboarders is 40 percent lower than alpine skiers; they are more likely to be hit by skiers gone out of control than the other way around. And then, the falling skiers will possibly cause them to be 3 to 4 times more likely to crash into something or someone. Please remember that a snowboard acts more like a seat anchor, preventing sliding. The death is usually caused from hitting something.
One of the great recommended solutions to reduce the risks of both snowboarding and skiing is that you have to take some lessons from a qualified instructor. The main important thing is to get the proper equipment. The final conclusion you will see is that you are responsible for your own safety. The best anticipation will be great to help you enjoying the great time without risks.
Perhaps, you have already known about the fact that snowboarding and skiing have brought many victims every year. As a note, during the course of a year about 11 million skiers and 4 million snowboarders in the U.S. alone are on the slopes at least once. In this case, the average number of visits to the slopes is around 60 million. For every 1000 skier visits, there are around 2.5 serious medical injuries.
But, the death rate of snowboarders is 40 percent lower than alpine skiers; they are more likely to be hit by skiers gone out of control than the other way around. And then, the falling skiers will possibly cause them to be 3 to 4 times more likely to crash into something or someone. Please remember that a snowboard acts more like a seat anchor, preventing sliding. The death is usually caused from hitting something.
One of the great recommended solutions to reduce the risks of both snowboarding and skiing is that you have to take some lessons from a qualified instructor. The main important thing is to get the proper equipment. The final conclusion you will see is that you are responsible for your own safety. The best anticipation will be great to help you enjoying the great time without risks.
Friday, November 6, 2009
poor skiers...i almost feel sorry for them
Skiing season training
Ski season is almost here! Hence, the following list of Exercises to get you prepared:
16. Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for a half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.
15. Soak your gloves and store them in the freezer after every use.
14. Fasten a small, wide rubber band around the top half of your head before you go to bed each night.
13. If you wear glasses, begin wearing them with glue smeared on the lenses.
12. Throw away a hundred dollar bill-now.
11. Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car. Sporadically drop things.
10. Place a small but angular pebble in your shoes, line them with crushed ice, and then tighten a C-clamp around your toes.
9. Buy a new pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.
8. Secure one of your ankles to a bed post and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.
7. Go to McDonald's and insist on paying $8.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.
6. Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make the ticket lacerate your face.
5. Drive slowly for five hours - anywhere - as long as it's in a snowstorm and you're following an 18 wheeler.
4. Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. Leave the ice on your face until it melts. Let it drip into your clothes.
3. Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.
2. Slam your thumb in a car door. Don't go see a doctor.
1. Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until it's time for the real thing!
Ski season is almost here! Hence, the following list of Exercises to get you prepared:
16. Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for a half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.
15. Soak your gloves and store them in the freezer after every use.
14. Fasten a small, wide rubber band around the top half of your head before you go to bed each night.
13. If you wear glasses, begin wearing them with glue smeared on the lenses.
12. Throw away a hundred dollar bill-now.
11. Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car. Sporadically drop things.
10. Place a small but angular pebble in your shoes, line them with crushed ice, and then tighten a C-clamp around your toes.
9. Buy a new pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.
8. Secure one of your ankles to a bed post and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.
7. Go to McDonald's and insist on paying $8.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.
6. Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make the ticket lacerate your face.
5. Drive slowly for five hours - anywhere - as long as it's in a snowstorm and you're following an 18 wheeler.
4. Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. Leave the ice on your face until it melts. Let it drip into your clothes.
3. Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.
2. Slam your thumb in a car door. Don't go see a doctor.
1. Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until it's time for the real thing!
know the code
It wasn't that long ago that the little orange ovals posted over snowboard parks worldwide did not exist. When freestyle snowboarding starting to move further and further mainstream the resorts and the snowboarders decided to create a method for approaching the features in a park and they called it Smart Style. But what does it mean? I know that the orange oval means there's going to be some fun stuff to hit, but what is this 'snowboarder's code' all about?
There are four parts to Smart Style:
Make a Plan
Pretty much common sense, this section is about knowing what you want hit in the terrain park before you drop. This means not only knowing what features you are going for and where they are, but also the trick you want to do and the mechanics (speed, approach, take off, execution, and landing) involved. This must be why they call it Smart 'Style', because if you took that approach to your runs I don't think you would ever fall.
This implies a reserved style of riding, a 'stick to what you know' mentality. On the weekends or when snowboarding a packed run this would be a pretty good approach to avoid hitting or being hit by others.
But what about progression?
Look Before You Leap
Ties right in with the last point, just know everything about what you hit before you are hitting it. Also pay attention to conditions. If it gets cloudy then the temperature can drop drastically, colder snow moves faster so never assume that the feature will be the same.
Another really important idea brought up is the spotter. Especially for bigger kickers, you don't want to be mid 1080 looking down at the skier that climbing up the landing for his pole. Every snowboarder throwing down at the park probably has someone spotting him. They not only make sure the only thing you have to worry about is doing your trick, but they make sure that the new kid behind you doesn't just assume you landed and then land on you.
Snowboarding is inherently dangerous, it is definitely worth it to take the time to check off all the things within your control that could go wrong so you only have to worry about landing... right? Well said Smart Style.
Easy Style It
This is where they talk about progression. The first rule is to know your limits, which is of course necessary if you want to push them. It's all about working way up, taking tricks from flat, to small jump, to the kickers. Don't assume that just because you've got one trick then you have the others... make sure you really know the tricks.
People spend hours a day doing hundreds of laps, lifting thousands of reps and snowboarding is a lot like that... except you are going to need to do hundreds of backside 360s to know you can do a backside 360. That's the essence of being good at any sport, repetition and easy yet constant progression.
Did you know that inverted aerials (rodeos, backflips, etc.) were not even allowed for a while? If you did one you would be greeted by ski patrol at the bottom of the run. Crazy! Things finally changed and parks use the term 'not recommended'. Inverted aerials put you in a position where you may not land on your feet, so you need to know exactly what you are doing in the air. Get a trampoline first and work your way from there. Don't just try a backflip on the first medium kicker of the day.
Respect Gets Respect
Like being in kindergarten all over again. Just understand that terrain parks are risky business regardless of skill. Also note that other people are around you and anything can happen (like being cut off on the freeway you know?).
Calling your start is just a really awesome way of letting everyone know who's next. Ever been caught up at the pipe and you drop but then another guy drops and everything just gets screwed up? Always call you start on a busy feature to ensure that you and only you are going for it. If you fall and you aren't hurt get the heck out of the way spotter or not. You'll have plenty of time to laugh about it later. I have seen people blow right past the spotter (who at this point is screaming and flailing his arms) only to land on the guy who already is having hard time, what with the fall and everything.
So now that I've been through it again I think Smart Style is a pretty good approach to snowboarding in general, not just freestyle terrain. The good thing is that after reviewing it I can say that for the most part we all follow it, whether we knew it existed or not. We are all snowboarders and snowboarders abide by the snowboarder's code: Know the code! Smart Style!
There are four parts to Smart Style:
Make a Plan
Pretty much common sense, this section is about knowing what you want hit in the terrain park before you drop. This means not only knowing what features you are going for and where they are, but also the trick you want to do and the mechanics (speed, approach, take off, execution, and landing) involved. This must be why they call it Smart 'Style', because if you took that approach to your runs I don't think you would ever fall.
This implies a reserved style of riding, a 'stick to what you know' mentality. On the weekends or when snowboarding a packed run this would be a pretty good approach to avoid hitting or being hit by others.
But what about progression?
Look Before You Leap
Ties right in with the last point, just know everything about what you hit before you are hitting it. Also pay attention to conditions. If it gets cloudy then the temperature can drop drastically, colder snow moves faster so never assume that the feature will be the same.
Another really important idea brought up is the spotter. Especially for bigger kickers, you don't want to be mid 1080 looking down at the skier that climbing up the landing for his pole. Every snowboarder throwing down at the park probably has someone spotting him. They not only make sure the only thing you have to worry about is doing your trick, but they make sure that the new kid behind you doesn't just assume you landed and then land on you.
Snowboarding is inherently dangerous, it is definitely worth it to take the time to check off all the things within your control that could go wrong so you only have to worry about landing... right? Well said Smart Style.
Easy Style It
This is where they talk about progression. The first rule is to know your limits, which is of course necessary if you want to push them. It's all about working way up, taking tricks from flat, to small jump, to the kickers. Don't assume that just because you've got one trick then you have the others... make sure you really know the tricks.
People spend hours a day doing hundreds of laps, lifting thousands of reps and snowboarding is a lot like that... except you are going to need to do hundreds of backside 360s to know you can do a backside 360. That's the essence of being good at any sport, repetition and easy yet constant progression.
Did you know that inverted aerials (rodeos, backflips, etc.) were not even allowed for a while? If you did one you would be greeted by ski patrol at the bottom of the run. Crazy! Things finally changed and parks use the term 'not recommended'. Inverted aerials put you in a position where you may not land on your feet, so you need to know exactly what you are doing in the air. Get a trampoline first and work your way from there. Don't just try a backflip on the first medium kicker of the day.
Respect Gets Respect
Like being in kindergarten all over again. Just understand that terrain parks are risky business regardless of skill. Also note that other people are around you and anything can happen (like being cut off on the freeway you know?).
Calling your start is just a really awesome way of letting everyone know who's next. Ever been caught up at the pipe and you drop but then another guy drops and everything just gets screwed up? Always call you start on a busy feature to ensure that you and only you are going for it. If you fall and you aren't hurt get the heck out of the way spotter or not. You'll have plenty of time to laugh about it later. I have seen people blow right past the spotter (who at this point is screaming and flailing his arms) only to land on the guy who already is having hard time, what with the fall and everything.
So now that I've been through it again I think Smart Style is a pretty good approach to snowboarding in general, not just freestyle terrain. The good thing is that after reviewing it I can say that for the most part we all follow it, whether we knew it existed or not. We are all snowboarders and snowboarders abide by the snowboarder's code: Know the code! Smart Style!
Bigfoot?
Hey, Bigfoot! Yeah, I'm talking to you! Toe drag got you down? I hear you, bro. There's nothing worse than botching some sweet, buttery moves by sticking your digits where they don't belong. I wear a size 12 myself. Not as large as some of you rippers out there but large enough to cause problems. I've gone back and forth on the issue, trying new boards to see what works and what doesn't.
The bad news is, despite how progressive a wide board may be designed it will always be heavier and less agile than a standard board. After all, most wide boards are the exact same as the standard size model from the same manufacturer; there's just more of it. The good news is, it doesn't take long to get used to one and, once you do, you'll be glad you made the switch.
In my opinion, the main disadvantage to a wide board is not the weight. That's easy to get used to. In fact, I've always been able to get away with a slightly shorter length in a wide board than a standard board, making the weight difference negligible. The disadvantage is in your heel-toe turn linking. The additional width can make a big difference in the feel of your turns. Initially, your board may feel a little sluggish coming around; but if you give it a day or two, you'll be right as rain (frozen rain, in the form of flakes). After that, you'll never have to worry about your little piggies causing you trouble again and you'll be floating like a raft on powder days.
Since I always seem to find myself jumping or jibbing whether I'm in the park or in the trees, most of the boards I've ridden have been freestyle. Here's a quick review of a few of the boards I've rocked. Hopefully, it will help narrow your decision when shopping for a new board.
Unity Origin - 160 wide
The Origin is a true twin board. It has a lot of flex, which is great for hitting rails but can be a little too soft for some jumps and turns. It seems to get even softer a lot quicker than most. It also has a thinner edge than a lot of the other boards available these days. A good park board, to be sure, but there is better board tech available for the money.
Burton Dominant - 159
The Dominant is a technical freestyle board. It's slightly directional, which is great if you ride it during powder days. The flex is quite a bit stiffer than a lot of other "park" boards, making rails slightly more interesting but also making turns very responsive. A great choice for making the entire mountain your playground.
Rome Slash
Admittedly, I have not ridden the Slash. I have ridden the Agent, which is the Slash's little brother. The Agent had a great overall feel to it, with a slightly less stiff flex pattern than the Dominant. Slightly directional and super responsive, this board can do it all. Plus, the edge is extra thick and can take a beating that most other boards can't.
Ride Dose - 159
The Dose is my current ride (pun intended) and my favorite. It has the softest flex next to the Origin but, because of the carbon fiber stringers, has plenty of pop. The Slimewalls (urethane: made from the same stuff as your skateboard wheels) softens impacts and dampens board chatter. A true twin, this board rips everywhere you go.
There you have it! Hopefully, I've given you some food for thought the next time you're in the market for a new stick. Your agility shouldn't have to suffer just because you're a little bigger "down below."
Until next time, keep shreddin the gnar!
The bad news is, despite how progressive a wide board may be designed it will always be heavier and less agile than a standard board. After all, most wide boards are the exact same as the standard size model from the same manufacturer; there's just more of it. The good news is, it doesn't take long to get used to one and, once you do, you'll be glad you made the switch.
In my opinion, the main disadvantage to a wide board is not the weight. That's easy to get used to. In fact, I've always been able to get away with a slightly shorter length in a wide board than a standard board, making the weight difference negligible. The disadvantage is in your heel-toe turn linking. The additional width can make a big difference in the feel of your turns. Initially, your board may feel a little sluggish coming around; but if you give it a day or two, you'll be right as rain (frozen rain, in the form of flakes). After that, you'll never have to worry about your little piggies causing you trouble again and you'll be floating like a raft on powder days.
Since I always seem to find myself jumping or jibbing whether I'm in the park or in the trees, most of the boards I've ridden have been freestyle. Here's a quick review of a few of the boards I've rocked. Hopefully, it will help narrow your decision when shopping for a new board.
Unity Origin - 160 wide
The Origin is a true twin board. It has a lot of flex, which is great for hitting rails but can be a little too soft for some jumps and turns. It seems to get even softer a lot quicker than most. It also has a thinner edge than a lot of the other boards available these days. A good park board, to be sure, but there is better board tech available for the money.
Burton Dominant - 159
The Dominant is a technical freestyle board. It's slightly directional, which is great if you ride it during powder days. The flex is quite a bit stiffer than a lot of other "park" boards, making rails slightly more interesting but also making turns very responsive. A great choice for making the entire mountain your playground.
Rome Slash
Admittedly, I have not ridden the Slash. I have ridden the Agent, which is the Slash's little brother. The Agent had a great overall feel to it, with a slightly less stiff flex pattern than the Dominant. Slightly directional and super responsive, this board can do it all. Plus, the edge is extra thick and can take a beating that most other boards can't.
Ride Dose - 159
The Dose is my current ride (pun intended) and my favorite. It has the softest flex next to the Origin but, because of the carbon fiber stringers, has plenty of pop. The Slimewalls (urethane: made from the same stuff as your skateboard wheels) softens impacts and dampens board chatter. A true twin, this board rips everywhere you go.
There you have it! Hopefully, I've given you some food for thought the next time you're in the market for a new stick. Your agility shouldn't have to suffer just because you're a little bigger "down below."
Until next time, keep shreddin the gnar!
rails
Railslide or 50/50 Grind -
1. Ride towards the "rail" with enough momentum to keep you moving while sliding, ollie soon enough to be able to get onto or above the rail.
2. Land with your board sideways across the rail for a railslide or parallel to it for a 50/50 grind. Do not force landing on the rail as you may catch an edge and wipe out. Instead just let gravity do it's job and bring you down gently carrying your momentum through the rail.
3. Just so you know, your speed will change when you land on the object so be ready to keep your balance! Metal is slicker than snow and wood is stickier meaning: metal=faster and wood=slower.
4. Check your landing, be ready to hop off the rail and proceed to ride away or setup for the next feature in the park.
Backside Lipslide -
1. Approach the rail from the left if goofy foot and right if you are regular. You want to be straight into the feature with not too much angle.
2. After ollieing onto the rail, turn your board 90 degrees and be in the frontside position. Keeping your base flat, put weight on front leg while straightening back leg. Drop lead shoulder and look over it during the slide.
3. When you are at the end of the feature, start to square up your shoulders so you can pop off and ride away regular.
4. Once you feel comfortable on a rail or flat box, try the backlip on a C-box. These will need some practice.
Boardslide into Switch Frontboard -
1. Ride straight at the rail with a little more speed than for just a boardslide.
2. Ollie onto the box and start your boardslide. Stay flat and keep knees bent ready to pop to switch frontboard. Keep box centered between bindings.
3. Half way through the slide, pop up and rotate 180 degrees. Look over your now leading shoulder, keeping knees bent and putting weight on foot that is locked into the switch frontboard.
4. After reaching the end, ollie off and ride away switch stance.
Start off practicing these railslides and once you have them mastered, move on to spins or more difficult rails.
1. Ride towards the "rail" with enough momentum to keep you moving while sliding, ollie soon enough to be able to get onto or above the rail.
2. Land with your board sideways across the rail for a railslide or parallel to it for a 50/50 grind. Do not force landing on the rail as you may catch an edge and wipe out. Instead just let gravity do it's job and bring you down gently carrying your momentum through the rail.
3. Just so you know, your speed will change when you land on the object so be ready to keep your balance! Metal is slicker than snow and wood is stickier meaning: metal=faster and wood=slower.
4. Check your landing, be ready to hop off the rail and proceed to ride away or setup for the next feature in the park.
Backside Lipslide -
1. Approach the rail from the left if goofy foot and right if you are regular. You want to be straight into the feature with not too much angle.
2. After ollieing onto the rail, turn your board 90 degrees and be in the frontside position. Keeping your base flat, put weight on front leg while straightening back leg. Drop lead shoulder and look over it during the slide.
3. When you are at the end of the feature, start to square up your shoulders so you can pop off and ride away regular.
4. Once you feel comfortable on a rail or flat box, try the backlip on a C-box. These will need some practice.
Boardslide into Switch Frontboard -
1. Ride straight at the rail with a little more speed than for just a boardslide.
2. Ollie onto the box and start your boardslide. Stay flat and keep knees bent ready to pop to switch frontboard. Keep box centered between bindings.
3. Half way through the slide, pop up and rotate 180 degrees. Look over your now leading shoulder, keeping knees bent and putting weight on foot that is locked into the switch frontboard.
4. After reaching the end, ollie off and ride away switch stance.
Start off practicing these railslides and once you have them mastered, move on to spins or more difficult rails.
buying used?
Buying a used snowboard is a great way to save money, but make sure to keep a couple things in mind before picking your second hand snowboard.
First, make sure you pick the right length and width for your height, weight, feet size, riding style, and ability.
Once you've chosen the right size snowboard, check the snowboard for any visible damage, especially the top deck. De lamination of the top sheet can be repaired, but you should stay clear of any snowboards that show visible marks. Damaged snowboards are less stable and will have will not be as durable.
Next, be sure to remove the bindings from the snowboard to see if there are any cracks or dings hiding under the bindings. Do the same things with stickers and stomp pads. Inspect the binding holes and test the screws to make sure they have not been threaded or damaged. There is nothing worse than buying a board and then realizing your bindings cannot be attached because of damage to the screw fittings.
Also make sure the metal edges around the snowboard is in good condition. If there are any rounding or burrings, that can easily be fixed, but gouges cannot and you should avoid snowboards with gouges.
When inspecting the base of the board, look out for cracks or deep cuts which are difficult to repair. Don't worry too much about scratches or scrapes since they are cosmetic and won't effect the snowboard's performance. Lastly, make sure to place the snowboard on a flat surface and make sure the board's noise and tail make contact, while the middle of the board has ground clearance.
Buying a used snowboard will have imperfections so don't expect to find a board in perfect condition.
First, make sure you pick the right length and width for your height, weight, feet size, riding style, and ability.
Once you've chosen the right size snowboard, check the snowboard for any visible damage, especially the top deck. De lamination of the top sheet can be repaired, but you should stay clear of any snowboards that show visible marks. Damaged snowboards are less stable and will have will not be as durable.
Next, be sure to remove the bindings from the snowboard to see if there are any cracks or dings hiding under the bindings. Do the same things with stickers and stomp pads. Inspect the binding holes and test the screws to make sure they have not been threaded or damaged. There is nothing worse than buying a board and then realizing your bindings cannot be attached because of damage to the screw fittings.
Also make sure the metal edges around the snowboard is in good condition. If there are any rounding or burrings, that can easily be fixed, but gouges cannot and you should avoid snowboards with gouges.
When inspecting the base of the board, look out for cracks or deep cuts which are difficult to repair. Don't worry too much about scratches or scrapes since they are cosmetic and won't effect the snowboard's performance. Lastly, make sure to place the snowboard on a flat surface and make sure the board's noise and tail make contact, while the middle of the board has ground clearance.
Buying a used snowboard will have imperfections so don't expect to find a board in perfect condition.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
listen while you ride?
Music, who would have thought that just some simple notes for instruments and creative lyrics could help to alter people's mind sets or mood. Music has been in existence since the beginning of time and continually gets better and more definitive for every generation. Singers and songwriters can use it to help tell stories or help to set a certain tone for example in movies. As the audience, we respond differently depending on the genre of music we listen to or the atmosphere being listened in. Using your mp3 player while snowboarding is no different. It can help you relax so you can perform tricks easier or just help you concentrate in the competition you are about to compete in.
If you do not agree with this, just look how many professional athletes carry their portable music devices everywhere they go whether training or on a long flight or bus ride. Next time you walk down the street, notice how many people are listening the their "playlists" whether on their Ipod of from their cell phone. Music is everywhere, so why not use it while snowboarding to help calm you while carving the pipe or shredding the powder in the trees?
Everyone's taste in music is personally their own. I suggest the night before you go riding, load your mp3 player with various genres of music and see what your mind and body respond to the best while on the mountain. Different things help different people, so just because your friends are listening to hard rock doesn't mean that you can't listen to classical for example. This is why music players have ear phones, so they are personal listening experiences. I can almost guarantee that once you try snowboarding with music, you will never leave your player behind again.
However, as with many electronic devices, the batteries are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Make sure your unit is fully charged before you go out, and try to keep it in the warmest area of your clothing. This will help ensure longer battery life, but also protect the player if you happen to wipe out. Many newer snowboarding jackets have built in pockets specifically designed for mp3 players. These pockets are easily accessible whether you have your gloves on or not, and the majority have head phone cord holders to keep your cord out of the way.
If you do not agree with this, just look how many professional athletes carry their portable music devices everywhere they go whether training or on a long flight or bus ride. Next time you walk down the street, notice how many people are listening the their "playlists" whether on their Ipod of from their cell phone. Music is everywhere, so why not use it while snowboarding to help calm you while carving the pipe or shredding the powder in the trees?
Everyone's taste in music is personally their own. I suggest the night before you go riding, load your mp3 player with various genres of music and see what your mind and body respond to the best while on the mountain. Different things help different people, so just because your friends are listening to hard rock doesn't mean that you can't listen to classical for example. This is why music players have ear phones, so they are personal listening experiences. I can almost guarantee that once you try snowboarding with music, you will never leave your player behind again.
However, as with many electronic devices, the batteries are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Make sure your unit is fully charged before you go out, and try to keep it in the warmest area of your clothing. This will help ensure longer battery life, but also protect the player if you happen to wipe out. Many newer snowboarding jackets have built in pockets specifically designed for mp3 players. These pockets are easily accessible whether you have your gloves on or not, and the majority have head phone cord holders to keep your cord out of the way.
debateable
Snowboarding trips are ever increasing in popularity and it is ten years since strapping a plank of wood to your feet and looking cooler than a skier became an official winter sport. So if you're planning on hitting the slopes this winter, before sorting out the travel insurance and packing your sun screen, here are the top five snowboarding destinations.
5: Tignes. Situated in Eastern France near Val D'Isare, this resort was heavily developed in the 1960s and the buildings certainly reflect that. Tignes is home to the Grande Motte glacier which has receded at a rate of more than 25 metres since 1982 but is still open for skiers and boarders alike for most of the year.
4: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. At the foot of Mont Blanc lies Chamonix. The popular resort is also home to the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, which rises 1035 metres to 3842 metres up the impressive Aiguille du Midi. The area has been a tourist destination since the 19th century but still draws the crowds because of its diversity of runs including the Vallee Blanche glacier, Les Planards and the off-piste run The Pas du Chevre.
3: Sankt Anton am Arlberg. St Anton is a village in Western Austria on the Rosanna River and was the host of the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 2001. The resort boasts an amazing 260km of pistes and many bars and pubs to relax in between runs. The area has a long history in winter sports, and there have been skiing teachers resident even since before the First World War.
2: Banff. There are three resorts to choose from in Alberta's Banff region, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay. Famous for its Champagne Powder snow, Sunshine Village encompasses three mountains and is about 15 minutes drive from Banff town. A little further - about an hour - is Lake Louise, a more quiet and romantic setting and suitable for all level of riders. Mount Norquay is considered more challenging and has been skied upon since 1926.
1: Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler and Blackcomb used to be two respective resorts but became fully integrated in 2003. This means that the area is now the biggest resort in North America with 8,171 hectares of terrain and more than 200 trails. The 2010 alpine events of the Winter Olympics are due to be held in the area and the area is well developed with 7 hotels and has been ranked No. 1 ski resort in North America by SKIING Magazine for 12 years in a row.
5: Tignes. Situated in Eastern France near Val D'Isare, this resort was heavily developed in the 1960s and the buildings certainly reflect that. Tignes is home to the Grande Motte glacier which has receded at a rate of more than 25 metres since 1982 but is still open for skiers and boarders alike for most of the year.
4: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. At the foot of Mont Blanc lies Chamonix. The popular resort is also home to the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world, which rises 1035 metres to 3842 metres up the impressive Aiguille du Midi. The area has been a tourist destination since the 19th century but still draws the crowds because of its diversity of runs including the Vallee Blanche glacier, Les Planards and the off-piste run The Pas du Chevre.
3: Sankt Anton am Arlberg. St Anton is a village in Western Austria on the Rosanna River and was the host of the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 2001. The resort boasts an amazing 260km of pistes and many bars and pubs to relax in between runs. The area has a long history in winter sports, and there have been skiing teachers resident even since before the First World War.
2: Banff. There are three resorts to choose from in Alberta's Banff region, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Mount Norquay. Famous for its Champagne Powder snow, Sunshine Village encompasses three mountains and is about 15 minutes drive from Banff town. A little further - about an hour - is Lake Louise, a more quiet and romantic setting and suitable for all level of riders. Mount Norquay is considered more challenging and has been skied upon since 1926.
1: Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler and Blackcomb used to be two respective resorts but became fully integrated in 2003. This means that the area is now the biggest resort in North America with 8,171 hectares of terrain and more than 200 trails. The 2010 alpine events of the Winter Olympics are due to be held in the area and the area is well developed with 7 hotels and has been ranked No. 1 ski resort in North America by SKIING Magazine for 12 years in a row.
unusual strategy
The sun was shinning and I was feeling great rolling through the iPark on Mt Bachelor. Soaring through the air with style and confidence landing my tricks all over the place. I was feeling good because I was doing things right, following my own techniques for improving my riding. Over the years I've heard all sorts of advice from the guys who really kill it in the park most of it was poor advice but now I'm beginning to understand what they meant. Here are 3 unusual strategies you can use to improve your park riding.
1. "Don't think about; it just do it"
This is an odd statement to make and I do not encourage people to go breaking themselves trying difficult tricks. However more than enough extremely talented riders have told me in the past that they don't really think about how to do their tricks they just decide what they are going to do and then do it! The lesson here isn't in just hucking your meat all around the park the silver lining is CONFIDENCE and COMMITMENT. These riders all know they have the skill and truly believe they are going to land their tricks. This is a common belief among good riders while average riders believe many tricks to be too difficult and fail to learn because of fear of injury and failure. Stay within and just beyond your ability when trying tricks with full commitment and confidence, then just DO IT!
2. "Think About it"
Clearly the opposite of unusual tip #1 but what almost every good rider does consciously and unconsciously to become great is think about their tricks and when I say THINK I mean VISUALIZE. See yourself do the trick in your minds eye perfectly then visualize the trick once more focusing on how completing the trick will feel every step of the way from drop in to landing. This will literally begin to hard wire the tricks into your brain and body, give it a shot!
3. "Use the Force"
Whenever your shredding do your absolute best to consciously create confidence in your riding. You know those days you just kill it and everything goes right? Think about those days and deliberately attempt to put yourself into that type of mindset. Once you are experiencing that mindset completely you'll have tapped into your own mental force and tricks will come easily and naturally.
BONUS TIP
"Stretch"
Stretching helps a great deal (increase balance on rails, decrease chances of injury, jump easier, feel better the next day, generally good for health)
1. "Don't think about; it just do it"
This is an odd statement to make and I do not encourage people to go breaking themselves trying difficult tricks. However more than enough extremely talented riders have told me in the past that they don't really think about how to do their tricks they just decide what they are going to do and then do it! The lesson here isn't in just hucking your meat all around the park the silver lining is CONFIDENCE and COMMITMENT. These riders all know they have the skill and truly believe they are going to land their tricks. This is a common belief among good riders while average riders believe many tricks to be too difficult and fail to learn because of fear of injury and failure. Stay within and just beyond your ability when trying tricks with full commitment and confidence, then just DO IT!
2. "Think About it"
Clearly the opposite of unusual tip #1 but what almost every good rider does consciously and unconsciously to become great is think about their tricks and when I say THINK I mean VISUALIZE. See yourself do the trick in your minds eye perfectly then visualize the trick once more focusing on how completing the trick will feel every step of the way from drop in to landing. This will literally begin to hard wire the tricks into your brain and body, give it a shot!
3. "Use the Force"
Whenever your shredding do your absolute best to consciously create confidence in your riding. You know those days you just kill it and everything goes right? Think about those days and deliberately attempt to put yourself into that type of mindset. Once you are experiencing that mindset completely you'll have tapped into your own mental force and tricks will come easily and naturally.
BONUS TIP
"Stretch"
Stretching helps a great deal (increase balance on rails, decrease chances of injury, jump easier, feel better the next day, generally good for health)
size is everything
So you have decided to take the plunge and buy a new board. You know what company and graphic you want, you're done right? Far from it my friend. You have just made the most common mistake in picking a board: branding-blinded ignorance. Graphics are only important to your ego, nothing else. The company is important as far as board design and quality assurance goes, but the trick to finding that perfect laminated friend is size. Your average boardshop crony will tell you your board should come to the bottom of your chin, plus or minus a few inches. This is the lazy man's board calculator and is not entirely accurate depending on a variety of variables.
The first thing you have to consider is terrain. Where do you mostly ride? If it on Midwest hardpack, you can go with the lazy man's calculator. If you are a seek and destroy park rider you may want to go a little smaller in length for ease of spinning and flipping. If you are a "Riders on the Storm" powder junkie, you are going to want to add at least a foot of length to your board, or else the powder will eat you up. For your average all-terrain shredder, I suggest selecting a board that when standing upright in front of your body (stand up nice and straight now!) hits somewhere between your mouth and the top of your head.
Another thing to consider is that for every ten pounds overweight you are, you should add a couple inches to board length. It is important to properly distribute the weight to your nose, tail, and edges. If you have clown feet, you may have to find a wider board for less toe/heel drag. On the other hand, if you have the feet of a porcelain china doll; look for a board that offers a narrow design in the length that you are comfortable with. If you are a little weak in the physical strength department, dial down the board length a few inches for a more comfortable ride.
These are the essential questions to ask yourself prior to investing hundreds of dollars in your new ride. Check out the companies' websites for complete board offerings and sizes. Make a list of the available boards in the size range you want with a graphics you like and call local shops for prices and availability. This way you can eliminate any ridiculously expensive boards and narrow down the pack to a few select choices.
The first thing you have to consider is terrain. Where do you mostly ride? If it on Midwest hardpack, you can go with the lazy man's calculator. If you are a seek and destroy park rider you may want to go a little smaller in length for ease of spinning and flipping. If you are a "Riders on the Storm" powder junkie, you are going to want to add at least a foot of length to your board, or else the powder will eat you up. For your average all-terrain shredder, I suggest selecting a board that when standing upright in front of your body (stand up nice and straight now!) hits somewhere between your mouth and the top of your head.
Another thing to consider is that for every ten pounds overweight you are, you should add a couple inches to board length. It is important to properly distribute the weight to your nose, tail, and edges. If you have clown feet, you may have to find a wider board for less toe/heel drag. On the other hand, if you have the feet of a porcelain china doll; look for a board that offers a narrow design in the length that you are comfortable with. If you are a little weak in the physical strength department, dial down the board length a few inches for a more comfortable ride.
These are the essential questions to ask yourself prior to investing hundreds of dollars in your new ride. Check out the companies' websites for complete board offerings and sizes. Make a list of the available boards in the size range you want with a graphics you like and call local shops for prices and availability. This way you can eliminate any ridiculously expensive boards and narrow down the pack to a few select choices.
snowboarding for exercise
Snowboarding was has been around for years, but only recently have people really started to appreciate the sport. Snowboards were being created in some form over 100 of years before the first company ever started manufacturing them in the early 1970s. Snowboarding has boomed in recent years in popularity and profitability.
With the upswing in public notice of snowboarding more people want to get involved in it. Most people who are trying to get involved in snowboarding don't really know where to start. Let me break down what you need to get started. You will need the clothes, various equipment like snowboard, bindings, boots, and goggles.
Once you have the gear you need to learn how to put it to use. Before you go to book reservations at ski resorts you need to get some instructional information. Lucky for you there is free instructional information. Lessons are available from professionals like the ones at the ones at snowboardaddiction.com.
After you get your free instructional information its time for you to go out and find a ski resort to test your skills. skiresorts.org is a great site with all the ski resorts around the world listed. When you are looking for a ski resort you need to look at booth price a park quality. Park quality and price always go together the more you pay the more you get. If you spend a little more money than usual you get better cabins, mountain and all around better service.
Snowboarding gives riders a full body workout. You have to use almost all your muscles when doing riding on the mountains. With America have a severe weight problem you should be proactive in your health. The only way to stay fit is to get out there and be active. People can't lose weight while sitting on the couch.
The sport of snowboarding is something the whole family can do. You can never be too young or too old to snowboard, you heath permitting of course. There is nothing better that you can do for your family than just getting them outside. Have your children go outdoors and experience this amazing earth we live on. Maybe they'll become fanatics about it and will stop watching so much MTV.
With the upswing in public notice of snowboarding more people want to get involved in it. Most people who are trying to get involved in snowboarding don't really know where to start. Let me break down what you need to get started. You will need the clothes, various equipment like snowboard, bindings, boots, and goggles.
Once you have the gear you need to learn how to put it to use. Before you go to book reservations at ski resorts you need to get some instructional information. Lucky for you there is free instructional information. Lessons are available from professionals like the ones at the ones at snowboardaddiction.com.
After you get your free instructional information its time for you to go out and find a ski resort to test your skills. skiresorts.org is a great site with all the ski resorts around the world listed. When you are looking for a ski resort you need to look at booth price a park quality. Park quality and price always go together the more you pay the more you get. If you spend a little more money than usual you get better cabins, mountain and all around better service.
Snowboarding gives riders a full body workout. You have to use almost all your muscles when doing riding on the mountains. With America have a severe weight problem you should be proactive in your health. The only way to stay fit is to get out there and be active. People can't lose weight while sitting on the couch.
The sport of snowboarding is something the whole family can do. You can never be too young or too old to snowboard, you heath permitting of course. There is nothing better that you can do for your family than just getting them outside. Have your children go outdoors and experience this amazing earth we live on. Maybe they'll become fanatics about it and will stop watching so much MTV.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
snow conditions
If you're new to snowboarding, you need a heads up on how to play it safe out there on the slopes. Here's a quick overview of conditions, and what you should know about snowboarding safely. It just might save your life!
Crud
In the Spring, you see a lot of loose, clumpy snow. Snowboarders call this Crud. Crud is killer on the knees. In fact, it can bang up your entire body. Beginners should pass on trying to snowboard on Crud. Wait until Winter.
Bumps
You've got to have real control of your board when it comes to Bumps. Bumps are caused by skiers flying down the slope over and over again. High traffic skiers equal some serious bumps. This means that if you snowboarded on a Thursday, and didn't encounter any bumps, it's smart to check out your favorite run on Monday before you start, especially if it's been a busy weekend for skiers.
Crust
Snow is a lot like a piece of toast; hard on the top, and soft in the middle. This happens when powder hasn't been groomed, or hasn't been exposed to some melting and a refreeze. Crust breaks up and turns into Crud. Crust is a precursor to avalanches; soft snow under the crust collapses when you put any weight on the crust.
Corn
When you're just beginning, you want the best conditions possible. Remember this if it's Spring and the snow has been melting during the day, and refreezes overnight. Two things are usually present for Corn snow conditions; the time of year (Spring), large, and loose granular snow. Wait for Winter.
Grooming
Similar to combing your hair, Grooming happens at night when ski resorts hire Snowcats to comb the snow into even layers. This is known as corduroy. We like Grooming. Grooming is good because it is the best surface on which to learn to snowboard.
Hard Pack
Just like it says, Hard Pack conditions are snow that is firmly packed because it hasn't melted and refroze. Another term for Hard Pack is Packed Powder. Hard Pack conditions are also good to learn to snowboard, but remember that it's a little more difficult to execute your turns. So be aware of this if you're learning on Hard Pack conditions.
Ice
There's no getting around it; Ice is dangerous! Be aware that thin layers of blowing snow can hide Ice, so you don't know it's there until you hit it! One tip is to listen to other skiers and snowboarders as they come down the slope and you'll quickly find out the condition of the snow. In Icy conditions, snowboarders have a difficult time holding an edge and maintaining control. Be smart and don't try learning on Icy snow.
Crud
In the Spring, you see a lot of loose, clumpy snow. Snowboarders call this Crud. Crud is killer on the knees. In fact, it can bang up your entire body. Beginners should pass on trying to snowboard on Crud. Wait until Winter.
Bumps
You've got to have real control of your board when it comes to Bumps. Bumps are caused by skiers flying down the slope over and over again. High traffic skiers equal some serious bumps. This means that if you snowboarded on a Thursday, and didn't encounter any bumps, it's smart to check out your favorite run on Monday before you start, especially if it's been a busy weekend for skiers.
Crust
Snow is a lot like a piece of toast; hard on the top, and soft in the middle. This happens when powder hasn't been groomed, or hasn't been exposed to some melting and a refreeze. Crust breaks up and turns into Crud. Crust is a precursor to avalanches; soft snow under the crust collapses when you put any weight on the crust.
Corn
When you're just beginning, you want the best conditions possible. Remember this if it's Spring and the snow has been melting during the day, and refreezes overnight. Two things are usually present for Corn snow conditions; the time of year (Spring), large, and loose granular snow. Wait for Winter.
Grooming
Similar to combing your hair, Grooming happens at night when ski resorts hire Snowcats to comb the snow into even layers. This is known as corduroy. We like Grooming. Grooming is good because it is the best surface on which to learn to snowboard.
Hard Pack
Just like it says, Hard Pack conditions are snow that is firmly packed because it hasn't melted and refroze. Another term for Hard Pack is Packed Powder. Hard Pack conditions are also good to learn to snowboard, but remember that it's a little more difficult to execute your turns. So be aware of this if you're learning on Hard Pack conditions.
Ice
There's no getting around it; Ice is dangerous! Be aware that thin layers of blowing snow can hide Ice, so you don't know it's there until you hit it! One tip is to listen to other skiers and snowboarders as they come down the slope and you'll quickly find out the condition of the snow. In Icy conditions, snowboarders have a difficult time holding an edge and maintaining control. Be smart and don't try learning on Icy snow.
need a mag?
Snowboarding magazines are located pretty much anywhere that you would expect. They don't necessarily have to be an actual magazine, as there are many online snowboarding magazines located across the internet. These magazines can be useful in many ways. They can help to keep you updated on the latest news and trends in the sport of snowboarding, help to answer some of the questions that you may have about snowboarding, and help you keep track of the upcoming events and competitions.
Boarding magazines contain some very useful information for all boarders out there. They are not just for entertainment purposes, even though some consumers may use them in this way. They can be informative, can keep you up to date, and can help you to step up your game while on the mountain or in the park. You can find useful tips that you can use to make your game more advanced.
Some of the top boarding magazines will also give you reviews of the latest boarding products on the market. Whether it is the new model of the Burton boards or maybe new technology with snow boots, products will be reviewed and you will be informed by reading boarding magazines. It really does help step up your game even if it's for marketing purposes only. This can help to save you some time and money when it comes to purchasing the necessary equipment for the sport of boarding.
Boarding magazines will also help to give you a rundown of the coolest and most popular resorts across the country and across the globe, depending upon which magazine that you view. If you are planning a big boarding adventure and are looking for the perfect destination or destinations that you want to visit, then a boarding magazine is there to help and to guide you. View reviews of the resorts and see what other boarders have to say about their time on those mountains or in that park. You will really see if visiting that particular resort is in your best interest and worth your time and money. If not, check out the many other locations that are listed and find the right one for you.
Perform a search for sport magazines, particularly snowboarding magazines, on the internet and, no surprise, there will be numerous online magazine websites that will pop up. Some are based on their location, such as Canada. You can find and view some of the most popular online snowboarding magazines that are available today. Learn valuable information that you can take on your next trip, which you have planned through the snowboarding magazines, and learn pointers that will help you take your abilities to the next level. One of the best things about online snowboarding magazines is that you can also view videos. This is another great feature that will allow you to learn great things about the sport of snowboarding, whether it is to help you with your game or just to see what other snowboarders are doing out there today.
Boarding magazines contain some very useful information for all boarders out there. They are not just for entertainment purposes, even though some consumers may use them in this way. They can be informative, can keep you up to date, and can help you to step up your game while on the mountain or in the park. You can find useful tips that you can use to make your game more advanced.
Some of the top boarding magazines will also give you reviews of the latest boarding products on the market. Whether it is the new model of the Burton boards or maybe new technology with snow boots, products will be reviewed and you will be informed by reading boarding magazines. It really does help step up your game even if it's for marketing purposes only. This can help to save you some time and money when it comes to purchasing the necessary equipment for the sport of boarding.
Boarding magazines will also help to give you a rundown of the coolest and most popular resorts across the country and across the globe, depending upon which magazine that you view. If you are planning a big boarding adventure and are looking for the perfect destination or destinations that you want to visit, then a boarding magazine is there to help and to guide you. View reviews of the resorts and see what other boarders have to say about their time on those mountains or in that park. You will really see if visiting that particular resort is in your best interest and worth your time and money. If not, check out the many other locations that are listed and find the right one for you.
Perform a search for sport magazines, particularly snowboarding magazines, on the internet and, no surprise, there will be numerous online magazine websites that will pop up. Some are based on their location, such as Canada. You can find and view some of the most popular online snowboarding magazines that are available today. Learn valuable information that you can take on your next trip, which you have planned through the snowboarding magazines, and learn pointers that will help you take your abilities to the next level. One of the best things about online snowboarding magazines is that you can also view videos. This is another great feature that will allow you to learn great things about the sport of snowboarding, whether it is to help you with your game or just to see what other snowboarders are doing out there today.
Rail time
Snowboard rails can make your snowboarding experience a heck of a lot more fun, if you can get the hang of it. They add excitement and a level of difficulty that makes this sport, just that, a sport. Now, you can see why many people are opting for the sport of snowboarding. It's not just sliding down the side of a mountain anymore; it can be a whole lot more than that.
Snowboard rails are found in snowboarding parks. These parks have been created with the snowboarder in mind. Just like with skateboarding and skateboarding parks, a snowboarder has to have something to keep them entertained and to help them perform the tricks and stunts that they want. That's where the board rails come into play. There are different types of board rails. There are the beginner rails up to the advanced rails. It's perfectly fine for one to begin on the beginner rails until they get used to the idea of sliding down metal that is higher than the ground.
Because elements such as the rails can be dangerous when trying to perform tricks or stunts on or off of them, it is always recommended that you wear a helmet before attempting to slide down the rails. Watch others who are doing their tricks on the rails and take note. Look at how they come off of them and how they land. You must learn how to land in a safe way so that you can avoid an injury in the event of an accident while you are on the rails.
Start off with the beginner rails, until you can get the hang of keeping your balance and dismounting in a correct manner. Once you have mastered the beginner rails, and then take your chances at the next level of rails. Always work your way up to the tougher more elaborate tricks and rails; don't start out on the toughest ones because you will end up giving up if you do.
A good way to practice is at home. Use a piece of wood like a 4x4 and practice jumping up on the wood and maintaining your balance and then practice dismounting. You'll have to imagine that this is a rail; however, practicing with a 4x4 can be much safer in the beginning because it is only four inches off of the ground.
You can also purchase residential rails for your home if you would like. The cost is actually pretty expensive for a basic rail to play and practice with. You can expect to spend around two thousand dollars on a really simple set up; however, they are available for purchase from different companies if this sounds like something that you are interested in.
Snowboard rails are a great asset that can help you to perform your tricks and stunts. Beginner rails are lower to the ground and less complicated, so they are always good to start out with until you can get the hang of playing on the rails. Just remember to always wear a helmet and practice your safety techniques.
Snowboard rails are found in snowboarding parks. These parks have been created with the snowboarder in mind. Just like with skateboarding and skateboarding parks, a snowboarder has to have something to keep them entertained and to help them perform the tricks and stunts that they want. That's where the board rails come into play. There are different types of board rails. There are the beginner rails up to the advanced rails. It's perfectly fine for one to begin on the beginner rails until they get used to the idea of sliding down metal that is higher than the ground.
Because elements such as the rails can be dangerous when trying to perform tricks or stunts on or off of them, it is always recommended that you wear a helmet before attempting to slide down the rails. Watch others who are doing their tricks on the rails and take note. Look at how they come off of them and how they land. You must learn how to land in a safe way so that you can avoid an injury in the event of an accident while you are on the rails.
Start off with the beginner rails, until you can get the hang of keeping your balance and dismounting in a correct manner. Once you have mastered the beginner rails, and then take your chances at the next level of rails. Always work your way up to the tougher more elaborate tricks and rails; don't start out on the toughest ones because you will end up giving up if you do.
A good way to practice is at home. Use a piece of wood like a 4x4 and practice jumping up on the wood and maintaining your balance and then practice dismounting. You'll have to imagine that this is a rail; however, practicing with a 4x4 can be much safer in the beginning because it is only four inches off of the ground.
You can also purchase residential rails for your home if you would like. The cost is actually pretty expensive for a basic rail to play and practice with. You can expect to spend around two thousand dollars on a really simple set up; however, they are available for purchase from different companies if this sounds like something that you are interested in.
Snowboard rails are a great asset that can help you to perform your tricks and stunts. Beginner rails are lower to the ground and less complicated, so they are always good to start out with until you can get the hang of playing on the rails. Just remember to always wear a helmet and practice your safety techniques.
considering a helmet cam?
If you are like most hard core snowboarders, having a helmet camera that is easy to use will insure you are focused on shredding it up on the slopes and not wasting time on playing with your camera equipment. With such rough diverse terrain, having a durable helmet cam is a must for most snowboarders who like to take it to the edge.
Choosing a snowboarding helmet camera with a single camera cable is most widely used by the pros because the camera is so easy to use. Having a single camera cable that connects the DVR and LCD screen to the camera head will allow you to move and shred freely without a mess of wires getting in the way or becoming disconnected when falling down or moving around.
Having a durable weatherproof, and shockproof helmet cam when you go from powder to slush is highly important when purchasing a camera for your snowboarding experiences. When you are out there on the mountain tops shredding it up, you often will encounter heavy powder when snowboarding on the slopes. Choosing a helmet camera that is shockproof and weatherproof will ensure the most lifetime out of your camera after using it in these wet and cold conditions. You want a camera that will last for many years, rather than many hours.
Having many mounting options is important for the right positioning of your camera. Some of the mounts available with most helmet cams are for applications such as your goggles or helmet. Being able to know you can mount your camera securely will give your mind ease when shredding the slopes, instead of wondering if your camera will fall off in the snow banks and get lost. A really awesome feature most helmet cameras on the market today, provide software that allows you to share, edit, and tag your videos with your friends and family on a video host. Having this editing software makes it easy to edit, share, and upload to your favorite video host such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and MySpace.
For most hard core snowboarders and skiers durability in a camera is a high priority when purchasing a camera . Features like these will insure durability and a long lasting life of your camera. The VIO POV1.5 is highly recommended by pro snowboarders around the world. The POV even comes with a tutorial CD to explain all the features this helmet cam system provides.
Helmet cameras that are designed to fit the needs of most hard core snowboarders are going to be highly durable and easy to use. Making sure the camera you choose has all the features you will need and use is important. From doing your research before purchasing a helmet camera you will find each camera provides different features than another. Comparing the pros and cons of each camera will help choose which options and features are best for your adrenaline pumping boarding moments.
Choosing a snowboarding helmet camera with a single camera cable is most widely used by the pros because the camera is so easy to use. Having a single camera cable that connects the DVR and LCD screen to the camera head will allow you to move and shred freely without a mess of wires getting in the way or becoming disconnected when falling down or moving around.
Having a durable weatherproof, and shockproof helmet cam when you go from powder to slush is highly important when purchasing a camera for your snowboarding experiences. When you are out there on the mountain tops shredding it up, you often will encounter heavy powder when snowboarding on the slopes. Choosing a helmet camera that is shockproof and weatherproof will ensure the most lifetime out of your camera after using it in these wet and cold conditions. You want a camera that will last for many years, rather than many hours.
Having many mounting options is important for the right positioning of your camera. Some of the mounts available with most helmet cams are for applications such as your goggles or helmet. Being able to know you can mount your camera securely will give your mind ease when shredding the slopes, instead of wondering if your camera will fall off in the snow banks and get lost. A really awesome feature most helmet cameras on the market today, provide software that allows you to share, edit, and tag your videos with your friends and family on a video host. Having this editing software makes it easy to edit, share, and upload to your favorite video host such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and MySpace.
For most hard core snowboarders and skiers durability in a camera is a high priority when purchasing a camera . Features like these will insure durability and a long lasting life of your camera. The VIO POV1.5 is highly recommended by pro snowboarders around the world. The POV even comes with a tutorial CD to explain all the features this helmet cam system provides.
Helmet cameras that are designed to fit the needs of most hard core snowboarders are going to be highly durable and easy to use. Making sure the camera you choose has all the features you will need and use is important. From doing your research before purchasing a helmet camera you will find each camera provides different features than another. Comparing the pros and cons of each camera will help choose which options and features are best for your adrenaline pumping boarding moments.
basic maintainence
A major factor around the quality of any snowboard ride is the quality of the snowboard. Even great snowboards need to be maintained to remain great. Some basic maintenance can be done at home; other tasks are best done at your favorite snowboard shop.
Snowboards need to have sharp edges and smooth, even surfaces. If your board has any deep scratches or gouges, it's a good idea to let the professionals repair it. Snowboards also need to be flat. If your edges are rounded or the middle looks indented it needs to be fixed. It's a tough home repair because it's easy to make it uneven. Take it to the shop. There is basic maintenance you can do, but whether you choose to send it out or do it yourself you need to keep your snowboard clean, waxed and repaired.
1. Cleaning the base - Use a cloth to wipe off the surface dirt then apply a special snowboard base cleaner. It will dissolve the wax and dirt. You need to let the base cleaner dry for about 15 or 20 minutes, then wipe dry.
2. Minor snowboard base repair - If you have any small chips you can fix them with a P-Tex candle. Light a P-Tex candle and drip a couple drops drip into the chip. After it cools down, use a scraper to smooth out the surface. (Send the major gouges and chips into the shop.)
3. Waxing snowboards - All boards need to be waxed, both new and old. You can send it in or do it yourself. Use an old iron to melt wax onto the surface of the snowboard. Then use the iron to spread the wax evenly. If the wax starts smoking, your iron is too hot. Once the wax cools, use a plastic scraper to scrape off the excess wax. Use a scotch pad to polish the board.
Snowboards need to have sharp edges and smooth, even surfaces. If your board has any deep scratches or gouges, it's a good idea to let the professionals repair it. Snowboards also need to be flat. If your edges are rounded or the middle looks indented it needs to be fixed. It's a tough home repair because it's easy to make it uneven. Take it to the shop. There is basic maintenance you can do, but whether you choose to send it out or do it yourself you need to keep your snowboard clean, waxed and repaired.
1. Cleaning the base - Use a cloth to wipe off the surface dirt then apply a special snowboard base cleaner. It will dissolve the wax and dirt. You need to let the base cleaner dry for about 15 or 20 minutes, then wipe dry.
2. Minor snowboard base repair - If you have any small chips you can fix them with a P-Tex candle. Light a P-Tex candle and drip a couple drops drip into the chip. After it cools down, use a scraper to smooth out the surface. (Send the major gouges and chips into the shop.)
3. Waxing snowboards - All boards need to be waxed, both new and old. You can send it in or do it yourself. Use an old iron to melt wax onto the surface of the snowboard. Then use the iron to spread the wax evenly. If the wax starts smoking, your iron is too hot. Once the wax cools, use a plastic scraper to scrape off the excess wax. Use a scotch pad to polish the board.
changing teams
If you know how to ski and now you want to snowboard, then first of all, you need to understand what the difference between the two sports is. The basic dissimilarity is that while skiing, you stand on two skis but while snowboarding, you stand on a single snowboard. You are already aware of the feeling of sliding across the white snow with your feet attached to some equipment, now you have to learn to make adjustments so that you can do that on a single board in place of two separate skis.
In skiing, the weight of your body is spread across your feet which stand apart with a distance, but in snowboarding, you have to learn how to keep your balance while you are standing on a single snowboard with your body weight emphasized on the board's edge. Because there are no poles to hold onto in snowboarding, you may find a little difficulty in the beginning but with time, you will get used to it. To cope up with this, first of all you need to learn how to fall. When we are learning snowboarding, we may fall many times on the snow and get several injuries, but you can only learn snowboarding if you learn from your own falls and get to know how we can fall safely so that we do not get any injuries or bruises.
Bindings used in both the sports are also different from each other. There are standard bindings for skiing but when it comes to bindings for snowboarding, they are of two kinds: one that are used with boots in the form of simple straps that go over the top of your boots to fasten your feet to the snowboard and others are the step-in bindings that are a better choice for high performance snowboarding. These types of bindings are also available with a quick release lever. If you have decided to purchase step-in bindings for your snowboarding experience, then you must know that you will also need to purchase step-in boots from the same company.
If you want to become a snowboarder from a skier, then you will also have to adjust with the stance. The main difference is that a snowboarder stands with his feet sideways on the snowboard in the surf position. You should also know that there are no standard stances in snowboarding and you have to choose what should be the difference between your feet and what should be the degree of angle of your feet.
A skier can very easily and quickly learn snowboarding because he will only need to make a few simple adjustments. You can also choose to take snowboarding lessons so that you can quickly gain self-confidence and you will be sliding through the mountain trails very soon without falling.
In skiing, the weight of your body is spread across your feet which stand apart with a distance, but in snowboarding, you have to learn how to keep your balance while you are standing on a single snowboard with your body weight emphasized on the board's edge. Because there are no poles to hold onto in snowboarding, you may find a little difficulty in the beginning but with time, you will get used to it. To cope up with this, first of all you need to learn how to fall. When we are learning snowboarding, we may fall many times on the snow and get several injuries, but you can only learn snowboarding if you learn from your own falls and get to know how we can fall safely so that we do not get any injuries or bruises.
Bindings used in both the sports are also different from each other. There are standard bindings for skiing but when it comes to bindings for snowboarding, they are of two kinds: one that are used with boots in the form of simple straps that go over the top of your boots to fasten your feet to the snowboard and others are the step-in bindings that are a better choice for high performance snowboarding. These types of bindings are also available with a quick release lever. If you have decided to purchase step-in bindings for your snowboarding experience, then you must know that you will also need to purchase step-in boots from the same company.
If you want to become a snowboarder from a skier, then you will also have to adjust with the stance. The main difference is that a snowboarder stands with his feet sideways on the snowboard in the surf position. You should also know that there are no standard stances in snowboarding and you have to choose what should be the difference between your feet and what should be the degree of angle of your feet.
A skier can very easily and quickly learn snowboarding because he will only need to make a few simple adjustments. You can also choose to take snowboarding lessons so that you can quickly gain self-confidence and you will be sliding through the mountain trails very soon without falling.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
keeping the flow
There are a number of basic rules that you should adhere to while snowboarding that will make things a lot easier. One of them is something that may not occur quickly to mind. You should always try to keep your snowboard moving.
This isn't a tip to maximize your time at the snow, although you definitely should make the most of every minute, but rather some basic advice of how you can avoid falling over. You will find that, no matter how experienced you are with the snowboard on your feet, whenever the board stops moving your stability will diminish at a rapid rate. The reason is simple: your feet are placed close together and joined to a plank of wood. They are unable to shift about to keep your balance.
We humans are bipeds and use both of our legs to shift independently of one another as they strive to stop us from falling over. It's a constant balancing act, all day every day. That ability is removed when we tie our legs together. The momentum of the snowboard compensates for that lack of balance and, as long as we are in motion, we find it easy to remain upright.
You have a couple of options ahead of you after you have stopped moving. The first is to try to become mobile again - get your board in motion. The second, in short, is to sit down. Just try to do it with as much dignity as you can muster...and make it look like you meant it.
You may be an experienced freestyle snowboarder or a beginner who just has fun sliding down the groomed trails. It doesn't make any difference to the fact that to maximize your enjoyment of snowboarding you should follow the basic rules.
This isn't a tip to maximize your time at the snow, although you definitely should make the most of every minute, but rather some basic advice of how you can avoid falling over. You will find that, no matter how experienced you are with the snowboard on your feet, whenever the board stops moving your stability will diminish at a rapid rate. The reason is simple: your feet are placed close together and joined to a plank of wood. They are unable to shift about to keep your balance.
We humans are bipeds and use both of our legs to shift independently of one another as they strive to stop us from falling over. It's a constant balancing act, all day every day. That ability is removed when we tie our legs together. The momentum of the snowboard compensates for that lack of balance and, as long as we are in motion, we find it easy to remain upright.
You have a couple of options ahead of you after you have stopped moving. The first is to try to become mobile again - get your board in motion. The second, in short, is to sit down. Just try to do it with as much dignity as you can muster...and make it look like you meant it.
You may be an experienced freestyle snowboarder or a beginner who just has fun sliding down the groomed trails. It doesn't make any difference to the fact that to maximize your enjoyment of snowboarding you should follow the basic rules.
no fear?
Every snowboarder has that moment where a trick or a feature pops into our mind, but we are just too gripped with fear to try it out; even the greatest pros encounter things they feel unprepared to handle, and with a career/paycheck on the line maybe doubly so.
One of the most common questions you will come across in any extreme sport is "How to hit ___" or "If there are any tips for doing ____". It can seem as though these are rookies looking for a magical solution to get better at snowboarding, but 9/10 times the rider is usually only looking for reasons not to fear attempting to learn a new skill.
A little bit of the fear is never a bad thing, it is nothing more than a natural reality check... but if we always gave in to our fears than there would be no progression in anything, so when is it appropriate to push through your fears and how can you go about managing that?
We fall so we can get back up
For your average snowboarder, let's say that fear can manifest itself in three different ways: as a familiar encounter that went badly, an acknowledgment of something new and unknown, and in response to something completely beyond our control.
When injured trying a new skill or feature, many are met with great hesitation when they step up for a second try. This is reasonable, since getting hurt sucks; but the key to overcoming this fear is to understand that even though it was negative, what happened was an experience. Remember after the fall when you asked yourself, "what happened?"
You probably realized your weight was wrong, or you didn't pop high enough, etc. Since you know what caused your injury, use your mistakes to adapt a new approach and you have no reason to fear repeating the past.
Build a safe progression
Sometimes "the next step" means moving on to a feature or a trick you have never tried before. The brain, unable to calculate the sensation of what you are attempting, tells you to immediately back down...fear of the unknown.
And it's only logical to be at least a little scared. If a feature is much bigger or a trick much more technical than anything you've tried before there is certainly a risk factor: you can't compensate for everything because, as previously stated, you don't really know how a new feature will pop/slide or what a new trick necessarily feels like.
Make it so that some aspect of the progression is under your control. When trying a new feature or bigger kicker, your stock tricks are your friends--a trick you can land 10/10 times will be your flashlight into dark and unfamiliar territory. As for new tricks, they are always best saved for low consequence features, the things you've fallen trying hundreds of times but never been seriously hurt on.
Also keep in mind that every new trick/feature should be just slightly harder, and ideally should build off a previously learned skill. Building your riding up piece by piece versus giant leaps will not only build a more complete repertoire of skills but will likely keep you injury free.
Patience is worth it, as a slow but steady progression also allows you to get comfortable with your new skills to a point where you can convey style.
Know when to back down
So far we've covered fears that usually can and should be overcome in order to progress. On the other hand, there are times when you should never regret going with your gut instincts. The majority of snowboard injuries and deaths occur when people ignore a very logical signal from their brains telling them not to do something.
An obvious example would be many of the snowboarders who are caught in avalanches each season. Backcountry riding is an incredibly thrilling and rewarding experience, so it's easy to get overanxious and neglect minor details that later become vital. Avalanche training, equipment, and the company of experienced local riders are necessities before thinking about backcountry riding; and even all of those don't offer any guarantees of a safe return.
Bottom line: If there is any hesitation or question about the conditions or outcome of a backountry excursion, this is a fear you should give in to and back down. All of the epic backcountry footage that makes it to your screens is the result of weeks of observation, research and waiting on perfect conditions... and not without reason.
What about those days when things just aren't coming together?
Snowboarding comes with it's share of off days, and when you feel like a stranger to your snowboard it's usually best to just go with it; anything that you aren't confident about, it is best to back off. This doesn't mean the day is anywhere near over, since thankfully cruising the resort and exploring new spots is never boring.
A good point to stress in closing is that fear is always relative to the person. If it comes down to wholeheartedly not wanting to go for something, then always back down. Sometimes confidence alone can make something impossible possible.
One of the most common questions you will come across in any extreme sport is "How to hit ___" or "If there are any tips for doing ____". It can seem as though these are rookies looking for a magical solution to get better at snowboarding, but 9/10 times the rider is usually only looking for reasons not to fear attempting to learn a new skill.
A little bit of the fear is never a bad thing, it is nothing more than a natural reality check... but if we always gave in to our fears than there would be no progression in anything, so when is it appropriate to push through your fears and how can you go about managing that?
We fall so we can get back up
For your average snowboarder, let's say that fear can manifest itself in three different ways: as a familiar encounter that went badly, an acknowledgment of something new and unknown, and in response to something completely beyond our control.
When injured trying a new skill or feature, many are met with great hesitation when they step up for a second try. This is reasonable, since getting hurt sucks; but the key to overcoming this fear is to understand that even though it was negative, what happened was an experience. Remember after the fall when you asked yourself, "what happened?"
You probably realized your weight was wrong, or you didn't pop high enough, etc. Since you know what caused your injury, use your mistakes to adapt a new approach and you have no reason to fear repeating the past.
Build a safe progression
Sometimes "the next step" means moving on to a feature or a trick you have never tried before. The brain, unable to calculate the sensation of what you are attempting, tells you to immediately back down...fear of the unknown.
And it's only logical to be at least a little scared. If a feature is much bigger or a trick much more technical than anything you've tried before there is certainly a risk factor: you can't compensate for everything because, as previously stated, you don't really know how a new feature will pop/slide or what a new trick necessarily feels like.
Make it so that some aspect of the progression is under your control. When trying a new feature or bigger kicker, your stock tricks are your friends--a trick you can land 10/10 times will be your flashlight into dark and unfamiliar territory. As for new tricks, they are always best saved for low consequence features, the things you've fallen trying hundreds of times but never been seriously hurt on.
Also keep in mind that every new trick/feature should be just slightly harder, and ideally should build off a previously learned skill. Building your riding up piece by piece versus giant leaps will not only build a more complete repertoire of skills but will likely keep you injury free.
Patience is worth it, as a slow but steady progression also allows you to get comfortable with your new skills to a point where you can convey style.
Know when to back down
So far we've covered fears that usually can and should be overcome in order to progress. On the other hand, there are times when you should never regret going with your gut instincts. The majority of snowboard injuries and deaths occur when people ignore a very logical signal from their brains telling them not to do something.
An obvious example would be many of the snowboarders who are caught in avalanches each season. Backcountry riding is an incredibly thrilling and rewarding experience, so it's easy to get overanxious and neglect minor details that later become vital. Avalanche training, equipment, and the company of experienced local riders are necessities before thinking about backcountry riding; and even all of those don't offer any guarantees of a safe return.
Bottom line: If there is any hesitation or question about the conditions or outcome of a backountry excursion, this is a fear you should give in to and back down. All of the epic backcountry footage that makes it to your screens is the result of weeks of observation, research and waiting on perfect conditions... and not without reason.
What about those days when things just aren't coming together?
Snowboarding comes with it's share of off days, and when you feel like a stranger to your snowboard it's usually best to just go with it; anything that you aren't confident about, it is best to back off. This doesn't mean the day is anywhere near over, since thankfully cruising the resort and exploring new spots is never boring.
A good point to stress in closing is that fear is always relative to the person. If it comes down to wholeheartedly not wanting to go for something, then always back down. Sometimes confidence alone can make something impossible possible.
I am a slacker, therefor I suck... this could help
Advanced Snowboard Exercises and Strength Programs for Pro Snowboarders
Snowboarding is a sport that requires a balance of physical strength, technical skill, and mental focus. Naturally, for a pro athlete, all of 3 of these skill sets must be optimized, along with nutrition, flexibility, and rest/recovery. A properly designed strength and conditioning program will provide any pro athlete with a major advantage in physical strength, AMPLITUDE, and STYLE over his/her competitors, while decreasing the risk of injury and increasing the judges' score cards.
Physical strength is broken down into different qualities of strength: power, power endurance, absolute strength, speed strength, and strength endurance. What kind of strength is required varies depending on the kind event. Be warned, these are advanced programs, even a pro athlete must build up to them, especially if they have not done workouts like this before or haven't been training hard in a gym for at least 2 years. Working with a partner or trainer is always advised to maintain safety when performing heavy lifts.
Half-Pipe/Snow Park
For a pro freestyle snowboarder in the half-pipe, power endurance is going to be very important; in particular, the ability to accelerate off the lip explosively, and decelerate rapidly when landing back into the pipe, over and over again. To train for power endurance, you should use heavy weights for low reps (2-5) doing compound movements like a barbell back squat and a slow temp (4 seconds down, no pause at the bottom, 2 seconds up, no pause at the top) coupled with incomplete rest. By managing, tracking, and gradually tweaking these acute training variables (rest, tempo, sets, reps), a pro-snowboarder can be assured that the program will allow them to keep pushing their limits on the snow and getting higher and higher out of the pipe. This workout should be coupled with an explosive/polymeric workout that emphasizes Olympic lifts (snatch & clean& jerk), depth jumps and other plyometrics that require the body to decelerate its mass at a rapid rate.
There will be very similar strength requirement for the snow park. Increasing power endurance will help greatly in preventing injury and bumping amplitude. While the park/pipe is the best place to practice technical skills, like grabs, putting trick combos together, etc, the gym is by far the best place to intelligently push the limits of your strength and power.
Quarter-Pipe
For the quarter pipe, the most important strength quality is power. The PRO needs to be able to explode 2x's; once to get up, once to land, and then gets to rest for awhile in between attempts. Their program needs to include a pure power workout: heavy loads of 1-3 reps, 6-8 sets, only 1 or 2 exercises, including at least 1 Olympic lift. The athlete should rest at least 3 minutes in between sets to ensure maximal neurological recovery, which is necessary for maximum power development.
Grabs
While grabs are obviously technical and are not going to be practiced in a gym (unless you have a huge trampoline set up), you can still push the boundaries and take your grabs to the next level with a balanced strength training program. Optimal strength can only be developed when the athlete has an optimal range of motion i.e. flexibility. Lack of flexibility is mainly due to WEAKNESS, which the body responds to by developing tightness. So to get flexible, you have to get strong in a larger range of motion. A stretching program will help if you use gentle contraction while stretched to increase your strength in tight ranges. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, then release deeper into the stretch, and repeat 3 or 4 times. Developing strength in new ranges will allow the athlete more flexibility to TWEAK THEIR GRABS! You know the judges love it, a little extra tweak can make a big difference on their score card.
Program Design
It is important to keep in mind that while there are a lot of cool exercises and workouts that will transfer to your abilities on the slopes, the only way to consistently make progress is to track your workouts and gradually manipulate the training variables (exercise selection, tempo, rest, sets, reps). With the industries explosive growth, athlete with the most talent, most commitment, and best programming are the once that are going to excel both on and off the slopes.
Snowboarding is a sport that requires a balance of physical strength, technical skill, and mental focus. Naturally, for a pro athlete, all of 3 of these skill sets must be optimized, along with nutrition, flexibility, and rest/recovery. A properly designed strength and conditioning program will provide any pro athlete with a major advantage in physical strength, AMPLITUDE, and STYLE over his/her competitors, while decreasing the risk of injury and increasing the judges' score cards.
Physical strength is broken down into different qualities of strength: power, power endurance, absolute strength, speed strength, and strength endurance. What kind of strength is required varies depending on the kind event. Be warned, these are advanced programs, even a pro athlete must build up to them, especially if they have not done workouts like this before or haven't been training hard in a gym for at least 2 years. Working with a partner or trainer is always advised to maintain safety when performing heavy lifts.
Half-Pipe/Snow Park
For a pro freestyle snowboarder in the half-pipe, power endurance is going to be very important; in particular, the ability to accelerate off the lip explosively, and decelerate rapidly when landing back into the pipe, over and over again. To train for power endurance, you should use heavy weights for low reps (2-5) doing compound movements like a barbell back squat and a slow temp (4 seconds down, no pause at the bottom, 2 seconds up, no pause at the top) coupled with incomplete rest. By managing, tracking, and gradually tweaking these acute training variables (rest, tempo, sets, reps), a pro-snowboarder can be assured that the program will allow them to keep pushing their limits on the snow and getting higher and higher out of the pipe. This workout should be coupled with an explosive/polymeric workout that emphasizes Olympic lifts (snatch & clean& jerk), depth jumps and other plyometrics that require the body to decelerate its mass at a rapid rate.
There will be very similar strength requirement for the snow park. Increasing power endurance will help greatly in preventing injury and bumping amplitude. While the park/pipe is the best place to practice technical skills, like grabs, putting trick combos together, etc, the gym is by far the best place to intelligently push the limits of your strength and power.
Quarter-Pipe
For the quarter pipe, the most important strength quality is power. The PRO needs to be able to explode 2x's; once to get up, once to land, and then gets to rest for awhile in between attempts. Their program needs to include a pure power workout: heavy loads of 1-3 reps, 6-8 sets, only 1 or 2 exercises, including at least 1 Olympic lift. The athlete should rest at least 3 minutes in between sets to ensure maximal neurological recovery, which is necessary for maximum power development.
Grabs
While grabs are obviously technical and are not going to be practiced in a gym (unless you have a huge trampoline set up), you can still push the boundaries and take your grabs to the next level with a balanced strength training program. Optimal strength can only be developed when the athlete has an optimal range of motion i.e. flexibility. Lack of flexibility is mainly due to WEAKNESS, which the body responds to by developing tightness. So to get flexible, you have to get strong in a larger range of motion. A stretching program will help if you use gentle contraction while stretched to increase your strength in tight ranges. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, then release deeper into the stretch, and repeat 3 or 4 times. Developing strength in new ranges will allow the athlete more flexibility to TWEAK THEIR GRABS! You know the judges love it, a little extra tweak can make a big difference on their score card.
Program Design
It is important to keep in mind that while there are a lot of cool exercises and workouts that will transfer to your abilities on the slopes, the only way to consistently make progress is to track your workouts and gradually manipulate the training variables (exercise selection, tempo, rest, sets, reps). With the industries explosive growth, athlete with the most talent, most commitment, and best programming are the once that are going to excel both on and off the slopes.
Buying a new setup
Smelly boots, chintzy bindings, and rock-beaten decks; this is the common snowboard rental experience. How long do you have to use this second-hand crap anyway?
Plus, renting equipment is generally a hassle and can get expensive fast. Wouldn't it just be cheaper and easier to invest in your own gear and pay a one-time fee?
Keep these tips in mind as you consider whether or not owning your own snowboard equipment would be worth it...
1. For first-timers
If you've never been snowboarding before, you should always rent--in fact, you may want to rent the first few times you head to the hill.
Rental boards are tailor-made to help a new rider through the learning process. Plus, with a rental board you don't have to worry about damage when you ride off of the trail and into the dirt.
Even if you are planning a longer vacation and the price of renting seems greater than buying, you are better off sticking with the rental equipment. You might find that after the first few full days of snowboarding, you need a few days off to recuperate; you won't be needing a board the entire vacation after all.
2. Don't rent, demo
If you can shape turns down a green slope, it might be time to start thinking about customized gear as you start to further advance your skills.
But if you don't get that many days on the hill, maybe you don't need to spend all of that money just yet?
A renter who is looking for an upgrade without making a commitment should consider demoing. Demos are legit, name-brand board, boot and binding models available for rent from most rental shops.
Demos usually cost a bit more than average rentals, but they are a great way to start shopping for your first setup by testing several available-for-purchase models. Demos are like sticking your toe in the pool, instead of just jumping in.
3. Go feet first
If you are really itching to get out of your rental gear, but you are unsure how much you will ride or you simply don't have the cash for a decent full setup, consider spending some dough on your first pair of snowboard boots.
Boots are the single worst part of the rental experience. Most rental books reek something fierce; they are all packed out from having so many pairs of feet in them and usually the liners are so beat that the boot offers virtually no support.
Probably 80% of the difficulties people experience when using rentals come from poor boot fit.
One thing in snowboarding you will hear over and over, "Boots are the most important piece of your equipment". Since boots are the first step in relaying your movements into snowboarding, they should be the first piece of equipment you invest in.
I guarantee that owning your own pair of custom-fit boots will make more of difference on snow than any board or binding will. This article from the Angry Snowboarder features excellent tips on getting a boot that's practically made for you.
One final tip: you will know when you need to buy your own snowboard gear. You will feel like your rental gear doesn't turn hard enough, or go fast enough, or pop high enough; and depending on which of those it is, you will also have a good idea of what to look for in your first setup.
Plus, renting equipment is generally a hassle and can get expensive fast. Wouldn't it just be cheaper and easier to invest in your own gear and pay a one-time fee?
Keep these tips in mind as you consider whether or not owning your own snowboard equipment would be worth it...
1. For first-timers
If you've never been snowboarding before, you should always rent--in fact, you may want to rent the first few times you head to the hill.
Rental boards are tailor-made to help a new rider through the learning process. Plus, with a rental board you don't have to worry about damage when you ride off of the trail and into the dirt.
Even if you are planning a longer vacation and the price of renting seems greater than buying, you are better off sticking with the rental equipment. You might find that after the first few full days of snowboarding, you need a few days off to recuperate; you won't be needing a board the entire vacation after all.
2. Don't rent, demo
If you can shape turns down a green slope, it might be time to start thinking about customized gear as you start to further advance your skills.
But if you don't get that many days on the hill, maybe you don't need to spend all of that money just yet?
A renter who is looking for an upgrade without making a commitment should consider demoing. Demos are legit, name-brand board, boot and binding models available for rent from most rental shops.
Demos usually cost a bit more than average rentals, but they are a great way to start shopping for your first setup by testing several available-for-purchase models. Demos are like sticking your toe in the pool, instead of just jumping in.
3. Go feet first
If you are really itching to get out of your rental gear, but you are unsure how much you will ride or you simply don't have the cash for a decent full setup, consider spending some dough on your first pair of snowboard boots.
Boots are the single worst part of the rental experience. Most rental books reek something fierce; they are all packed out from having so many pairs of feet in them and usually the liners are so beat that the boot offers virtually no support.
Probably 80% of the difficulties people experience when using rentals come from poor boot fit.
One thing in snowboarding you will hear over and over, "Boots are the most important piece of your equipment". Since boots are the first step in relaying your movements into snowboarding, they should be the first piece of equipment you invest in.
I guarantee that owning your own pair of custom-fit boots will make more of difference on snow than any board or binding will. This article from the Angry Snowboarder features excellent tips on getting a boot that's practically made for you.
One final tip: you will know when you need to buy your own snowboard gear. You will feel like your rental gear doesn't turn hard enough, or go fast enough, or pop high enough; and depending on which of those it is, you will also have a good idea of what to look for in your first setup.
Before you head out this winter consider this
Adventure lovers and lovers of snow fields are great fans of the sports of skiing and snowboarding. No matter you are a novice or a pro in any of the two sports, you have to get yourself mentally and physically prepared appropriately to experience that ultimate adventure. If you want to do extremely well in any of these sports, you have to be consistent in improving your skill and performance level and get a hard training. Apart from that, you also need to follow the safety requirements strictly.
More than 100,000 people get injured every year during their skiing or snowboarding trips and for this reason, you should know all the hows and what's to be safe on the snow. First of all, you should wear proper clothes which should be water resistant and also wind resistant. Wide collar to protect the face and adjustable zippers or strings are also expected features.
You should also mind the weather conditions before going out on your skiing or snowboarding expedition. Chilly temperatures at the top of the hills can make a change in your heart beat and if the temperature is too cold there, it may become intolerable for you and you may loose your consciousness. Therefore, you should always keep your head covered with a helmet or a headband and also remember to wear the gloves too.
Since both the sports of skiing and snowboarding are done on snow, you will be exposed to chilly weathers and therefore, you have to get dressed very carefully. It would be wise to wear many layers of clothes and also wear absorbent and comfortable fabric inside so that your body sweat gets absorbed and you are left dry.
In addition to all that, do not forget to provide adequate protection to your eyes for which, you should not miss to wear your goggles or sunglasses. If your eyes are left unprotected, you are likely to close them against the cold wind while on your way down the slope, which will prove to be unsafe for you. Therefore, it is very important to wear protective eye gear during your snowboarding or skiing trip.
Finally, you should make sure that you had a good night's sleep before the day you are going on your snowboard or ski trip. This is important because you will need to be continuously alert when on the slopes and if you are tired, then you may probably make some mistakes that can be responsible for some unwanted accidents.
More than 100,000 people get injured every year during their skiing or snowboarding trips and for this reason, you should know all the hows and what's to be safe on the snow. First of all, you should wear proper clothes which should be water resistant and also wind resistant. Wide collar to protect the face and adjustable zippers or strings are also expected features.
You should also mind the weather conditions before going out on your skiing or snowboarding expedition. Chilly temperatures at the top of the hills can make a change in your heart beat and if the temperature is too cold there, it may become intolerable for you and you may loose your consciousness. Therefore, you should always keep your head covered with a helmet or a headband and also remember to wear the gloves too.
Since both the sports of skiing and snowboarding are done on snow, you will be exposed to chilly weathers and therefore, you have to get dressed very carefully. It would be wise to wear many layers of clothes and also wear absorbent and comfortable fabric inside so that your body sweat gets absorbed and you are left dry.
In addition to all that, do not forget to provide adequate protection to your eyes for which, you should not miss to wear your goggles or sunglasses. If your eyes are left unprotected, you are likely to close them against the cold wind while on your way down the slope, which will prove to be unsafe for you. Therefore, it is very important to wear protective eye gear during your snowboarding or skiing trip.
Finally, you should make sure that you had a good night's sleep before the day you are going on your snowboard or ski trip. This is important because you will need to be continuously alert when on the slopes and if you are tired, then you may probably make some mistakes that can be responsible for some unwanted accidents.
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