We can hardly wait any longer for the snowboarding season to start off! Just a few more weeks, even days before we can finally strap up and hit the snow. To start the season on the right foot and hit your first track like a pro, here’s 4 essential things to remember before hitting the slopes of your local resort.
Check out our checklist below and make sure to scratch the following 4 steps as soon as possible so you are ready to appreciate your first visit to the mountain to the fullest!
BE AWARE OF THE MOUNTAIN ETIQUETTE
Before getting into technical details, let’s go over the mountain etiquette for a second. It may sound obvious, but if you’re a vet, you know there’s always some cases of riders who seem to have no idea of what’s happening around them while bombing the slopes at high speed.
For those who are new to the pleasures of snowboarding, please make sure to follow this set of simple guidelines. It won’t just help keep yourself and other riders safe, but it will greatly increase your chances of coming back home in one piece after your first day at the local mountain. Here’s a few things to remember when hitting the slopes
Don’t stop abruptly or sit at spots where other people can’t see you from above.
Always stay aware of the people riding in front of you
At intersections, priority is given to people located higher up
Never leave an injured rider behind if the person is alone
Ride with a partner as much as possible
familiarize yourself with the mountain and know your skill limit
Don’t ride close to another snowboarder’s dead angle
Don’t ride under the influence
Going snowboarding with an detuned board is the best way to have a bad first day on the slopes. Think about it, you didn’t ride your board since last April, you probably also didn’t tune it at the end of the season and it got a few months to dry in the basement or the garage. Don’t wait to be on the slope to notice that your board is dry and sticky, please tune your board properly before getting to your local mountain.
We have a bunch of snowboard wax kits so you can wax your board at home whenever you please, but if you prefer to have an experienced rider do it for you, we strongly encourage you to come see us in store. We have the best snowboard waxers and tuners out there and they will be happy to get your board nice and crispy so you can hit the slopes at maximum power.
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This one also seems obvious, but we must repeat it as we know there’s still a lot of people out there who don’t own a helmet. Think about it, your brain is on the line. You’re going to go fast and even if you are the best in the world, falling happens to everybody and hitting your head on the ice while bombing at high speed can be seriously deadly.
Stop procrastinating and just get a helmet. There are so many models, fits and style to choose from these days, it won’t just protect you from impacts, it will enhance your style and confidence on the slopes.
BRING YOUR LAYERS TO GO THROUGH WEATHER VARIATIONS
As we repeated a few times already, layering is THE best and easiest way to make sure to always be comfortable while you ride on the mountain. If you are not aware of what layering is yet, here’s a simple explanation: Layering means having 3 layers of clothing that will allow you to stay warm and dry through weather variations or through the intensity of the physical effort you are doing.
Here’s a quick break down of the different layers you will need and why you will need them.
The base layer
The base layer of a good layering kit should be light, close to the skin and made of synthetic materials like Polyester or Merino Wool (Avoid cotton!). This first layer is used for maximum heat retention and moisture management.
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The mid layer
The second layer has a very important role. It provides adequate insulation. This means that it’s the part that will keep you warm when it’s cold. It also represents the part of your kit that is easy to remove if the heat sets in mid day. Warm polar fleece or thin insulated puffy jackets are the best options in this category.
The Shell
The outer layer’s purpose is to protect yourself from the elements and complete the other two layer’s job. You absolutely need a shell that’s waterproof windproof to allow your other layers to be functional. Gore-Tex and other substitutes are ideal in this category.
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