there have been some pretty big changes. Doesn't mean you will be at a big disadvantage riding your old board though.
Unless you have cash to blow, there's nothing wrong with taking out the old gear to get your sea legs back. If you find yourself addicted to the sport again, a new setup definitely changes things up and can make snowboarding a lot more fun. I have a 5-yo traditional camber/shape board which I loved, but as soon as I got on some new more forgiving technology I was hooked.
Skills make the snowboarder though, the gear just accentuates your style.
Very well put Hobo. I was in the same situation as the OP last year. I bought new boots (mine were rode hard and put away wet), then got my trusty late 90's K2 Fatbob (with old ass Simms bindings) tuned-up, and rode the shit out of it for one last season and had a blast!
I picked up a K2 Slayblade 1/2 off at the end of the season and got 4 or 5 days on it and couldn't believe the difference (no shit right!?). Faster, bigger, landing everything (almost), more confident. The first real progression in my riding since high-school.
During the season, you couldn't have convinced me that I could be riding any better, or having any more fun than I was just by getting a new board. Ignorance is bliss. But knowing what I do now, I would've loved to have had the Slayblade all season!
But I had fun with ole bessie regardless and picked up new gear way cheap at the end of the season and now have a ton to look forward to this season. :cheeky4:
Good luck man, hope you have a great season!