I want to start snowboarding since i’m <1hr. away from the poconos now. Any good brand recommendations, the only one i recognized was K2, what’s a good board length for a beginner? I know nothing about them, teach me all you know.
yup, height and weight really determine the board size. Personally I just started last year and the first time I rented for $25 just to make sure it was something I was going to enjoy before I started spending some serious $$ for equipment. Renting will give you a good starting point before you go buy, sizing, binding style, normal/goofy (which foot is forward), etc.
I’d also look for a used board/bindings setup to start, I’m riding an older board that was barely used. It came with bindings that got me through the season, but I’ve since upgraded for this year. The only piece that I would suggest buying new would be boots.
i went once when i was still in buffalo and it was fun i just never had the time or $ to head to ellicotville. i was talking to a friend here thats been skiing for awhile and wants to start snowboarding, we’re probably going to get season passes and try to go once a week so buying would be cheaper for me than renting once a week.
at 5’8 155, id say probably a 152-154ish would be good. Im 5 11 and use a 156.
For that weight you would want a board with some flex.
Renting to start out is good idea too
im probably going to head to some of the local ski shops around me this weekend, i know of at least 2 right up the road. Are there any brand recommendations you guys think i should check out? I was looking at boards on ebay, whats the pros/cons between the different types of bindings?
K2 or Ride would be the cheaper options, If you think you’re really going to like it look at Burton, Neversummer or O-sin. Dont get sucked into buying and M3 or a Forum, its a waste on a beginner.
I’ve always love Burton bindings, they’re new ones are fantastic. But every person has a preference. I would say dont go buying bindings/board/boots without renting and trying different equipment. That way when you go the the shop you can say, “I like a tight feel in the boots but a looser binding” Just to have something to say about how you want the setup to feel, so the shop guy has somewhere to lead you.
My boardshop back home used to let you lease boots, which was great cause every year I got to try something new, and if the boots really sucked I could swap them out for somethign else.
i guess i’ll rent the 1st few times and try different setups until i find one i like.
very smart idea. who knows you might not even like it (very doubtful though)
Enjoy! and when you fall (which you will) just get back up!
Rent at least once to make sure it’s what you want to do. You are looking at a minimum investment of $500 on new equipment. When you do buy, the boots are VERY important. They must fit well, have minimum heel lift when strapped in, and provide warmth with a nice, single pair of quality socks. (No cotton).
Be sure to find a board that will not be over your ability, i.e. too stiff.
If you find something your considering, shoot me a PM, and I’ll give you my thoughts on it.
Good luck!
why are stiffer boards more difficult to use? I would think a more flexible board would cut into the snow easier and make me fall more
the learning curve is very steep. at first, youll bust your ass ALOT. but after you start linking turns, youll start to be able to make it all the way down the mountain.
if your feet are bigger than an 11 you need a “wide” board. otherwise you’re fine.
as jaeger said don’t go to stiff. it will control you. If you’re 5’8" i’d say more like 149~151cm. again i agree, rent first to make sure you like it. thats what i tell everyone before buying a board (although I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like it, besides that one token girl who bought everything brand new, all white snowsuit, and didn’t like snowboarding cause it made her gear dirty when she fell).
then try and buy used. i work at a shop and get new shit every year, and unfortunately the past few years I’ve hurt myself either skateboarding or playing hockey, so I barely ride my shit. and sell it dirt cheap
there are many like me.
find one.
My senior year of HS I had to stop wrestling because of a car accident so I took up snowboarding. Lasted like 3 weeks before I busted my thumb in 3 places and dislocated it slap boxing a kid lol but when I was in it I rented a nice board with Sketcher boots and step in Switch bindings. I really liked the step in bindings…just step in the board and away you go…only downside I found was they get icy sometimes and you have to scrape it off. but overall I liked em, fast and easy. But it was rather pricey, I think I spent like $500 renting it for the season. Obviously I didn’t plan on a busted hand which required an awkward thermoplastic splint, and if I fell on it I would permanently lose the use of my left thumb so I took the monetary hit (broke the thumb in 3 places, one of which was where the radial ligament attaches to the bone, actually chipped off the bone so the ligament was attached to bone, but the bone wasn’t completely attached to the bone lol. Evidently you can break a bone in a way that it is like a flap of skin that’s just barely held on by a thread :gotme:. The worst part was putting the busted bone back in the socket a few times.
Anywho yeah it was fun lol.
“Stiffness” is something you’ll develop, most everything you do on a board is concerned with shifting your weight. So a stiff board is better for freeriding, no good in the park, where you’ll want a lot of flex so you get a nice pop when in the pipe or jumping in general.
I personally have big feet (12) so I had to buy a wide board, chose an all-mountain type, enough flex for basic park stuff, but still a great freeride board.
Dont get frustrated when you suck at first. Everyone does, and its part of learning. Take some lessons, just a few to begin with,then a few more when you’ve “leveled up” they’ll be huge boosts to your productivity.
wtf does that have to do with this thread?
i used to require a wide board, moved down to a smaller boot and my life has been hell ever since.
do urself a favor, get some beginner equipment that fits well and just have fun
he was talking about snowboarding…ok so I got off topic in my story but yeah long story short. I had Sketcher Boots which I loved, very comfotable w/ Switch step in bindings.
I’d stay away from step in bindings. you severely sacrafice performance. you need a binding with a full baseplate, heelcup, and highback. i think rossi has step ins with all that, but still have metal engagements :tdown:
moisture adheres to metal. shit freezes. then you’re stuck at the top of the hill and cant get down
Burton had the only step in system worth riding. full baseplate, heelcup and highback, teflon coated engagements with 1-2 degrees movement, gas pedals, etc.
they discontinued them though, last year was their last year.
get good boots and bindings, you’ll thank yourself. Burton customs are cheap, and use the burton capstrap, which is a ton more comfortable (toe strap cradles your foot rather than clamping over it). more cumfy, holds you in the binding by pushing you into the heelcup, which is also nice cause then you can ride the ankle strap more loose.
as for boots, dont get anything to stiff. def get something 2 piece (seperate liner and outter). i like burton boots, but dc and northwave are good too. as far as bindings go, ive been riding burton with the exception of a few bindings here and there.