| Snowboarding is one of those sports that can | | | | |
| get expensive very quickly, so you want to | | | | Freestyle boards have a soft boot and are |
| make sure to choose the right gear for your | | | | comparatively shorter. This helps the |
| style. By careful searching, you can save | | | | maneuverability for doing tricks, jumps and |
| yourself from spending $500 on the wrong type | | | | getting airborne. Some freestyle boards are |
| of snowboard... and still enjoy the riding | | | | designed for a speciality, such as the |
| that you like to do. | | | | halfpipe. If you can afford a board for every |
| | | | occasion, these specialty boards will ride |
| A great place to find good deals on | | | | extremely well in the condition for which |
| snowboards is at your local snowboard shop | | | | they were designed -- but are not likely to |
| (if you have one in your area). You can also | | | | perform well outside of that specific |
| check shops near your favorite snowboard | | | | terrain. |
| locations. It is also good to look on the | | | | |
| internet to research prices and manufacturers | | | | Freeride Style |
| and ratings of the various snowboards. | | | | |
| | | | Of all the styles of snowboarding, Freeriding |
| After snow season, mainly during the spring | | | | is the most general. Freeride equipment also |
| and summer, you can find good deals on | | | | uses a soft boot. Boards in this category are |
| snowboards (since they are not being used | | | | relatively longer and more directional in |
| much). Oftentimes, during the off season, | | | | their shape. If you don't know what kind of |
| rental shops ugrade their equipment and you | | | | surface terrain you like, or you like |
| can find good deals on their used stuff. | | | | everything, this would be for you. |
| Also, you might be able to find a good deal | | | | |
| on a snowboard by checking the classifieds at | | | | This is where you get to experience all of |
| the local college or university school | | | | the mountain for yourself. You can snowboard |
| newspaper. | | | | through open terrain, hit backcountry chutes, |
| | | | get the fresh powder, and manuever through |
| In snowboarding, there are three main styles. | | | | trees. This is where the rider and the |
| Freestyle, Freeride and Freecarve-Race. | | | | mountain can come together, with no one else |
| Snowboarders are fairly divided between | | | | to interrupt. |
| Freestyle and Freeride, and Race boards are | | | | |
| fewer, as you'd probably already know if this | | | | Freecarve - Race |
| is your style. The manufacturers design these | | | | |
| boards for an intended style of riding, so | | | | Freecarving is done on hard pack or groomed |
| once you know what style you like, you can | | | | runs and focuses on hitting the ultimate |
| narrow you choices to that style of | | | | carving turn. Usually here, there's not much |
| snowboard. Knowing this in advance can save | | | | jumping. In contrast with the other two |
| you a lot of money. | | | | styles, Freecarve equipment has a hard boot |
| | | | and the boards are narrow, long and stiff. |
| One of the things to do is to try different | | | | This style can have competitions that are |
| styles by renting the various equipment for a | | | | similar to skiing events, with the |
| day and try riding. See what you like... and | | | | snowboarders going around poles. |
| if you want to invest in your own | | | | |
| equipment... go for it! | | | | So what type of snowboard should you get? In |
| | | | making a choice for the right equipment for |
| Here's a brief description of each style. | | | | you, if you are just starting out, get a |
| | | | general all-around design snowboard, setup |
| Freestyle | | | | for freeride or freestyle. |
| | | | |
| Freestyle riding is whatever you feel free to | | | | Try renting some equipment that is not highly |
| do at the time. It focuses on tricks, jumps, | | | | specific to any one style. This will give you |
| rail slides, halfpipes and switch riding. | | | | the chance to try out a variety of your |
| Snowboard videos usually show freestyle | | | | skills, so you can see what you like before |
| riding; since it is easier to film, it's | | | | spending the money on any specific board (or |
| entertaining to watch and gives the | | | | if you like a couple different styles, and |
| snowboarder the chance to really showcase | | | | can afford it... get a couple different |
| their skills. Also... the most popular | | | | boards). |
| snowboarding events are freestyle | | | | |
| competitions. And... many places will have a | | | | Just be sure to understand riding styles |
| snowboard park for the freestyle riders, with | | | | before you buy, then look for equipment that |
| halfpipes, rails and some jumps. | | | | meets your needs. |