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Thinking about picking up snowboarding again, any advice NS snowboarders?

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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
When i was younger and easily influenced by the media i saw shaun white in the 2002 x-games and i thought snowboarding was the coolest thing ever. The next season i found a ride snowboard for $100 at a swap meet and i spent the next two seasons switching back and forth between skiing and snowboarding.

I quit snowboarding simply because i couldn't afford to buy both a pair of skis and a snowboard (rightfully so, i was like 13 and had no money).

Now that I am moving out to Colorado (San Juan Range) I am seriously looking into getting a investing into a new set of gear for next year. I am very much interested in giving snowboarding another try and I am looking into renting a snowboard for the remainder of this season.

I am not asking for any particular boards to buy, but rather a place to start my research on what type of board i should get. What are the new technologies i should be looking into? Board shape? Board flex? Bindings? Boots? and most importantly functionality?

I am going to be riding wolf creek (the snowiest resort in Colorado!!) so i want something that will be able to handle the powder better than my current skis (85mm all mountain skis) which i am going to keep handy.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and i hope NS is more accepting of snowboarders than we once were.

TL;DR Where do should i start my research for getting a snowboard.
Jan 8 2012 10:55AM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
Nooooo
Jan 8 2012 10:56AM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Forgot to mention that I was fairly comfortable on a snowboard when i had stopped. I was riding everywhere on the mountain before i stopped (steeps, trees, and doing a little park). I would imagine that it will just take half a day or so to get back in the groove of things. I longboard everyday to and from school so my balance is on par with when i stopped snowboarding if not better. (balance was what i struggled with when i started snowboarding)
Jan 8 2012 10:58AM
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xoxxooxo
Posts: 462 - Karma: 31
Uhh oHHHHH!
Jan 8 2012 10:58AM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Come on chill out, snowboarding is much more accepted than it once was. It is just childish to bring out Ski vs Snowboarder rivalry.

That battle is so old that no one knows why it started. It's like the crips and bloods.

Now that i think about it some of my favorite figures in the snowsports industry snowboard. I know Eric Pollard snowboards occasionally, jeremey jones has always been a legend. Travis Rice is pretty sick and no one can ever forget Terje Håkonsen

Sorry for my stream of consciousness writing style
Jan 8 2012 11:06AM
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B_K
Posts: 723 - Karma: 1,291
Dont go to the Darkside!!
Jan 8 2012 11:07AM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Just out of curiosity where do the darksiders conjugate? What is the primary snowboarding web community?

Jan 8 2012 11:19AM
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skifoo
Posts: 1396 - Karma: 45
Snowboarding, No..























I think its just cool for you to snowboard, really. im not mad.
Jan 8 2012 11:20AM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
TECHNINE
Jan 8 2012 11:21AM
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funtimes
Posts: 263 - Karma: 93
I like the forum destroyer it's tight. My roommate has a lib tech and I love that too. It's super buttery. If you have cash to spend then get a lib tech
Jan 8 2012 11:23AM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
Class Five snowboards, handmade in my city. Check em out. But seriously, I dare you to get all Technine shit and long collective and a Sandbox helmet.
Jan 8 2012 11:26AM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
I like to do both.

IMO, the best quality snowboards you can buy are libtech. they are all mountain killers and have some of the best craftsmanship, materials and design out there.

you should definatly look past traditional camber snowboarders if you are going to be riding lots of pow. look for reverse camber, or flat shape snowboards. they are amazing for butters, jibbing and pow.


if you want to do some research on good quality snowboards google: best of test and good wood



Jan 8 2012 11:28AM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Im not looking into getting my set up this year but just doing a seasonal rental. That is also a month away. Since i have had a few recommendations to get lib tech i will try demoing a lib tech board or even renting for the season.

My goal is to find out if i want to stick with snowboarding by the end of the season and if i am going to stick with it, pick up a good pair of boots that fit with the end of season sales.
Jan 8 2012 11:34AM
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fitzcarraldo
Posts: 218 - Karma: 63
Click for larger image
Jan 8 2012 11:35AM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6382 - Karma: 946
Hey man. I used to ride both during the same season and loved it. When I shopped around a bit I found Ride to be the best combination of quality and price point. They make nice boards and bindings for the price. Also, check some of the gear on geartrade that is in good shape at a reasonable price and some what new. (e.g. http://www.geartrade.com/item/219961) As for boots, I have no idea. But they do make some great rockered boards that are decent on hardpack too. Good luck. Just read around a bit.
Jan 8 2012 11:59AM
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SpaghettiWizard
Posts: 2825 - Karma: 166
hell
Jan 8 2012 12:22PM
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Drail
Posts: 14011 - Karma: 10,001
this made me laugh.

seriously though, get something with some rocker, you won't regret it.
Jan 8 2012 12:56PM
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@tlas
Posts: 1625 - Karma: 68

easyloungin.com

but i have some rome bindings i can sell... welll they are my brothers

Jan 8 2012 1:02PM
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iggs
Posts: 827 - Karma: 39

ask around with people on the lift which boards they think are the best. I usually find a company i really like or a board that looks really sick and then i just go to a couple different websites to see the reviews and specs and if i find that the board has some of the qualities i want, then ill buy it.  Evo gear has good specs on their products and people write a lot of reviews from dogfunk. don't just buy from the site that gives you good reatings though. i search my ass off for the cheapest possible site. department of goods is good and evogear has a decent outlet

Jan 8 2012 1:03PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51260 - Karma: 157,382
Everything is by feel man. There are some thing that I wont ride anything else at this point but thats just because I like them better than others.


32 boots, you can't go wrong with 32. Are there some other decent boots out there sure prolly, but 32 is the shit.


Ride bindings, they just change the models around so i'm gonna try to snag an old model off the outlets. The ride mvmt series especially the betas/alphas. Only binding I want to ride again. But rome 390s, union force, and some others are real good too I just really like the rides.


Boards, pretty much everyone has good boards these days. I'm riding a last years capita stairmaster and a ride dh.2


The stairmaster is a nice soft boards for jibs, mines cambered so I can still hit jumps on it. The dh is more of a bomb proof board. They make them in reverse and flat camber now which I'm interested to see. Good board for bigger jumps.


Just pay attention to tranworld good woods, and what you see people riding in the parks.
Jan 8 2012 1:05PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,100
union bindings. halldor helgason is sponsored by switchback bindings and he still rides union atlases, they're great.
Jan 8 2012 2:06PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,658
a snowboard in deep deep pow seems like it would be so much fun
Jan 8 2012 2:32PM
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LeoSpaceman
Posts: 569 - Karma: 44
not to threadjack but does anyone have any thoughts on atomic snowboards? might be able to get one for cheap and haven't heard anything about the snowboard side of things at atomic
Jan 8 2012 2:41PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
snowboard community is a bunch of haters
Jan 8 2012 2:56PM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,658
that's the large "mainstream shaun white do a backflip" group of snowboarders. the people who are at the mountain everyday, hiking, logging sick shots, those snowboarders are awesome, nice people. same with skiing in some ways, snowboarding is just a larger sport so there's more 12 year olds that are douches.
Jan 8 2012 4:08PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51260 - Karma: 157,382
obvious 12 year old is obvious
Jan 8 2012 5:15PM
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Its_Greg
Posts: 262 - Karma: 80
I traded with my snowboarder friend for a run last week and I'm surprised I made it down without getting injured. I kept catching my front edge and tomahawking lmao
Jan 8 2012 6:27PM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,535
OP honestly, I'm a snowboarder and I love it. But the only reason I don't switch to skiing is because I've never skiied before and I don't want to have to relearn how to get tricks in the park. Even though it would be fun I'm already pretty good at boarding at this point it'd just be silly to switch. Again I love snowboarding but I have so much respect for skiiers, I think it looks cooler and I'm jealous that they don't have to strap in every time the get off the lift. I'd say stick to skiing but that's my opinion.
Jan 8 2012 6:31PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
^I've weighed out the pros and cons to both and i decided that i want the option to do both.

I enjoy skiing very much, but i don't want to limit myself. Snowboarding is a lot of fun and i want to get back into it. I have very little interest in park these days (for skiing and snowboarding). I am gonna be getting into backcountry heavily next year once I invest in the avy gear and take a few courses.

Thanks to everyone who pointed me to Transworld. I got a lot of really good info when i was there.

@abortionator: I was looking into Thirty-two boots they look pretty sick. My first priority though is a boot that fits my foot well. I have a rigid high heel so finding boots that fit can be tricky
Jan 8 2012 7:34PM
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Bi-ShredinalGuy
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 321
Snowboards have changed a lot since 2002.. Traditionally boards were cambered, then about 4 years ago rocker started becoming a big trend. Now, snowboards are either cambered, flat, rockered, flat under bindings rockered on the tips, or some have camber underfoot rocker on the tips. If you are looking for a jib board, rocker on the tips is super nice, but as far as carving, you can't beat a cambered or flat board. Not a Whole lot of boards are flat but the K2 slayblade for example, s.

Now, for bindings.. yeah they have changed a lot since 2002 as well! Anew focus on bindings is the contact thaat they make with the snowboard and their ability to let the snowboard flex naturally without interfering at all. Park bindings tend to have a lower contact pecentage with the snowboard and allow for great flex. Park bindings are also softer and allow for more mobility making it easier to tweak things out a bit. All mountain bindings are a little beafier in construction and offer a more stable feel and solid contact with the board, also allow less movement of your foot and ankle so you can really power into your turns.

Boots... Yep, drastic improvements have been made as well! I prefer boots boots with an (articulated cuff) meaning that the boot is sort of made in two pieces so it doesn't bunch of by your ankles when flexing forward. Also, new lacing systems have been incorporated! There are still traditional laces which I actually prefer. There is also the BOA design which is a small metal wire taking the place of the lace. It is tightened by turning a knob on the boot. The other desing is the easy lace system. This sytem has a string that you pull on, then they lock into place and stay tight throughout the day. Kind of idiot proof but yes I have seen many people screw it up.

Hope that helped you out a bit. Let me know if theres anything else you want clarified I'm a profesionally certified snowboard instructor so I know a bit about all the new snowboard technologies. You may also want to pick up a transworld snowboarding buyers guide, in the past they have done a really nice job explaining snowboard technology concepts and such, also give nice side shots of tested snowboard so you can clearly see cameb/rocker/flat/rockercamber/camberrocker

Excuse my lack of proper punctuation
Sorry NS I snowboard also

Jan 8 2012 8:31PM
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 313
Thank you very much! ^^

Exactly what i was looking for. I am super pumped to start demoing these new techs at the end of the season. It sounds like i want a board with reverse camper, aka rocker. It will provide for floating as well as just be fun to play around with. Bindings i will need to look into more and it sounds like boots are a preference thing (from what you have described).

I will pick up the transworld buyers guide whenever i see it on a mag rack, i think i saw it this morning in grand central. Is transworld the better of the magazines? what about snowboard mag?
Jan 8 2012 10:00PM
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Bi-ShredinalGuy
Posts: 1075 - Karma: 321
I have personally never had a subscription to snowboard mag so I'm not completely sure.. I know you don't wan someone to direct you to certain brands or anything but definitely check out union bindings! The force binding is great all purpose and is basically bomb-proof. Also, union offers lifetime warranty on baseplates which is dope

Jan 8 2012 10:07PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,100
this rome board
Click for larger image

or these lib techs
2013 travis rice
Click for larger image
hammock
Click for larger image

Jan 8 2012 10:30PM
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RyanP
Posts: 11 - Karma: 15
Hey, I'm doing the exact opposite. I've always been a snowboarder, and I've even taught snowboarding at Breck and other smaller places. I'm just picking up skiing which is why I'm here on NS.

You've gotten some good advice in this thread but I'll add I really like Never Summer boards. I ride their Evo park board and it's a really playful thing that does really well all over resort mountains. When I go back country I like something like their Heritage or Raptor. They have a 3 year warranty which is pretty unique.

I've also always had good luck with Burton's bindings. The company may be hated by a lot of people but some of their stuff is just really good.

Just like with skiing, boots are more important than the stick itself. I've got DC Judge boots with a dual boa system that I really like although the BOAs are starting to loosen up every 2nd or 3rd run. I've heard good things about Burton and Nike boots as well. I've had 32 boots before and they just don't seem to last very well or stay comfortable.

I love teaching people to snowboard, if you need any advice or help ask away. I'm sure I'll need help with my skiing soon. I just got my first ski boots so I must be getting serious.
Jan 9 2012 12:22AM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Easyloungin and transworld are the best snowboard forums, but neither compare to ns. Stick to ns IMO, plenty of snowboarders here and the hate is mostly gone
Jan 9 2012 3:23PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564

My snowboard friends check out transworld ...  i think? :/

Jan 9 2012 3:42PM
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thelizards
Posts: 4042 - Karma: 43
go to easyloungin.com a lot

get 32 boots

get union bindings

get a capita or dinosaurs will die snowboard.

/thread and my ignorance to other companies
Jan 9 2012 3:43PM
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funtimes
Posts: 263 - Karma: 93
yeah dude totally try a lib tech. they are way rad and super fun. it will take you a couple runs to get used to it, but after that you will be so happy you tried it. have fun bro!
Jan 10 2012 10:16PM
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Dr.Gonzo
Posts: 2552 - Karma: 87
>newschoolers snowboarders

they have those?
Jan 10 2012 10:37PM
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Clark_Griswold
Posts: 1283 - Karma: 48
stepchild snowboards? i wouldn't know since i know nothing about snowboards or snowboading at all but i've heard good things about them.
Jan 10 2012 10:46PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51260 - Karma: 157,382
I lol'd hard
Jan 11 2012 1:34PM
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