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The snowboard market has become quite big and confusing, and that’s why you
should get clear in your mind what you mainly want to do with your board
before you
enter the shops. Roughly said, there are three directions: freestyle,
freeride, and
carving.
Freestyle
A freestyle equipment is needed by those who mainly want to do tricks and
jumps
and who like to hang around in the halfpipe. First, you need a freestyle
board.
Freestyle boards look the same tip or tail, their ends are rounded and bend
up so you
can ride backwards and forwards. Freeride boards are shorter than other
snowboards because it makes it easier to do tricks. For boots, you need
softboots
because they are more movable. The equipment is completed by a softboot
binding
with two straps. There are also reliable step-in or clicker systems which
make it
easier to get in. But then you have to buy shoes and bindings by the same
company
as the systems normally are not compatible with each other.
Freeriding
For freeriding, i.e. riding off-piste, you need a longer board which is
formed similar to
a freestyle board but ensures a better lift. Normally, you use freeride
boards with
softboots and corresponding bindings. A freeride board somehow is like an
allround
board as you can be very fast on the pistes and also do a stylish jump at a
kicker. For
beginners, it’s the best choice. Before you ride an unprepared slope you
should
make inquiries about the avalanche situation. Even if the slope looks
completely
innocent you should only risk the powder ride if there is no danger of
avalanches. It’s
not only your life, it’s also the life of others that’s endangered if you
trigger an
avalanche. In deep snow, you should always carry an avalanche transceiver so
helpers can find you faster in case of entrappment.
Carving
For carving on the pistes you need an alpine or race board which is more
narrow
than a freeride board and has a cut tail. It offers a perfect edge grip so
you can ride
cut turns on the piste. You need hardboots which look like ski boots but are
softer
and more flexible. Together with the matching plate binding, they give
optimal
support at high speeds.
Clothing
No matter what discipline, waterproof clothing and tough gloves to protect
your hands
are very important. Jackets and trousers in waterproof material are offered
by many
companies. Tried and tested is the three layer system: You need a warm and
breathactive vest, a fleece pullover and a waterproof jacket. So you feel
warm but
you can also vary with different temperatures.
 www.powderhausen.com
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