FireStarter451

REI didn't work out since they had nothing available in stores. I went to a place in New Jersey called Ski Barn. Tried on a few boots, and the best fitting were DC and Salomon. Ultimately the Salomon Savage boots were the best combination of tight (to allow for this "packing out") and comfortable. The guy at the store was very patient, helpful, and informative on what makes a good choice for boots (which I had read on the boot forum sticky, thanks!).

Went with Union Force bindings. I like how they're made of aluminium. Got those from dogfunk.com.

Can't wait to get my gear! Hope all the snow doesn't melt by then (went with free shipping on the board and the bindings lol)

kev711

For gear check out whiskeymilitia.com, eBay and wait for end of season sales. All gear goes 50% off or better.
I ride at least once a week(Sundays but mainly Mondays). I live in ct but my main spots are mt.snow in vt, mountain creek, camelback and big boulder. Give me a shout when u go out riding...I'm always looking for cool people to ride with

FireStarter451

oh man, another fun day snowboarding!

I ALMOST have linked turns down. I have a hard time attempting to link turns if I feel I'm going "too" fast. For the most part I would chicken out and do some heelside braking to slow down to an almost stop. Sometimes, after slowing down, I would go for the linked turn. Sometimes I would just punk out and do a falling leaf (this is starting to get real lame). I'm also not 100% comfortable toeside, which makes it difficult to link to a turn that will require me to go toeside. I noticed I punk out more often when I'm about to go toeside and turn to the right. Slowly enough I can somewhat do both types of toeside turns, but going toeside while turning left was a little more comfortable... which I think means I'm more of a goofy rider than regular. Right?

I'm almost snowboarding... I'm so close I can taste it!

lots of falls, lots of fun!

Bart

try
www.snowprofessor.com

good, easy video instruction....not bs.

I found it helpful a few years ago when my friends' "tips" weren't working out. They'll even get u started on some park stuff!

enjoy!

FireStarter451

yeah I found snowprofessor videos on youtube and they were very helpful. In fact, they were a lot more helpful than the lesson I got yesterday. I keep watching their videos after I go since after learning something new the old videos take on a little more meaning, so I watch them again.

Oh, and the-day-after report: not too sore, but I could probably use a chiropractic adjustment lol.

wrathfuldeity

hi, Backcountry.com is legit place for equip...great return policy and knowledgeable sales chat folks and they have Gear Trade where they sell used and retrun's

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kpla0388

I'm from south jersey but living out in socal for the time being. I grew up riding the poconos and the adirondacks.

FireStarter451

I'll probably check those out next season. So far I've been riding the Catskills.

FireStarter451

OOOOOOOOOO MMMMMMMMMM GGGGGGGGGGaaaaaawwwwwwddddd!

I took the free shipping on my boots and bindings (I'm cheap and getting these was already a splurge)...

and they are taking F O U R E V U R to arrive!

The snow is going to have melted by the time I get them

kpla0388

Don't waste your time in the poconos. My home mountain is Gore, I worked there for 4 years, which biased or not is my #1 spot to ride on the east coast. They've expanded a ton over the years and there really isn't anywhere else like it so close a drive from where I grew up in south jersey. Otherwise definitely hit up whiteface, killington, or okemo, if you ever get a chance.