New to everything snow!

1368 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by MikeCL, Nov 6, 2013

FrootStick

Discussion Starter · Oct 30, 2013

Hi all
Im new to this forum so i would like to say g'day to everyone.
This forum came up on my searches a few time about getting prepared for my first serious trip to the snow.
I have been before, although it was just in Melbourne, but was pretty much just a party trip with mates.
Myself and my partner are hoping to and have been meaning to get into snowboarding for a long time. But it was always a case of money and time.
We are now over those hurdles and am very serious about getting out there and travelling and learning to board.

I have a few questions as I'm sure a lot of people do. I have read a lot of info before posting on this forum, but you get a lot of mixed information.

We are looking at heading to Japan in Feb. We have no gear what so ever and am looking at buying it all soon.
Pretty much wanting to find out
1. What boots and bindings should we be looking at getting for beginners? And do all binding fit all boots? or are they matched?
2. Should we buy our own boards, and if so how do we work out what size we need.
3. What are the better brands of clothing to buy? e.g Pants, jackets, thermals and so on.

All information would be very helpful
and i look forward to the chats and fun having now joined the forum

Thanks all

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

sheepstealer

· #2 · Oct 30, 2013

1. Buy boots that are the most comfortable for you. I don't think there are boots targeted for "beginners" specifically. It's really just finding the boot that fits your foot best. If you're feet aren't comfy = miserable day of riding. Most boots will fit all bindings.

2. How tall are you? If you're learning, most will tell you to pick up a board that reaches just to your chin. For instance, I'm 5'10" and I ride a 156 - 159. If you're just getting into riding, buying a board is an expense. And if you're traveling to Japan from Australia, you're going to have to get a decent board bag too, which is another expense.

3. Brands? Oh gosh. If you want quality, stick with the name brands. Patagonia. Arcter'yx. North Face. If you don't want to drop the coin on super, top of the line stuff, look at the snowboard-specific brands. Bonfire. Sessions. Volcom. 686. 32. Even so, these brands can get pretty pricey too.

Conservatively, if you're buying all decent gear, you're looking at +/- $1,000 all-in. More if you want nice stuff.

See less See more

wrathfuldeity

· #3 · Oct 30, 2013

start working out...like learning to fall, lunges, jump rope, pylo, core and cardio, do any balance stuff, indo board, slack line, bosu and even yoga

get a mechanical conception of how the board works and the body works the board

then when you get to the hill take some private lessons for you and the wife...imho well worth the coin

also book a place with a hot tub

all this before buying a bunch of high end gear...get used board/bindings and don't get sucked in to the whole jap pow board thing...got to learn before hitting the deep fluff...

except spare no expense of getting good fitting boots...study boot fit. Look at the boot faq sticky in the boot section.

Deacon

· #4 · Oct 30, 2013

sheepstealer said:
1. Buy boots that are the most comfortable for you. I don't think there are boots targeted for "beginners" specifically. It's really just finding the boot that fits your foot best. If you're feet aren't comfy = miserable day of riding. Most boots will fit all bindings.

2. How tall are you? If you're learning, most will tell you to pick up a board that reaches just to your chin. For instance, I'm 5'10" and I ride a 156 - 159. If you're just getting into riding, buying a board is an expense. And if you're traveling to Japan from Australia, you're going to have to get a decent board bag too, which is another expense.

/QUOTE]

1: good advice
2: outdated, terrible advice. Can't believe people HERE are still throwing this out. Weight = Size.

KansasNoob

· #5 · Oct 30, 2013

If you pick a board based on height, you're gonna have a bad time. Coming from someone who weighs 150 and got thrown on a 160 my first time out. :dizzy:

jml22

· #6 · Oct 30, 2013

Buy used
Geartrade is your friend
Or buy from backcountry and return stuff you dont like

Flee21

· #7 · Oct 30, 2013

The Deacon said:
sheepstealer said:

1. Buy boots that are the most comfortable for you. I don't think there are boots targeted for "beginners" specifically. It's really just finding the boot that fits your foot best. If you're feet aren't comfy = miserable day of riding. Most boots will fit all bindings.

2. How tall are you? If you're learning, most will tell you to pick up a board that reaches just to your chin. For instance, I'm 5'10" and I ride a 156 - 159. If you're just getting into riding, buying a board is an expense. And if you're traveling to Japan from Australia, you're going to have to get a decent board bag too, which is another expense.

/QUOTE]

1: good advice
2: outdated, terrible advice. Can't believe people HERE are still throwing this out. Weight = Size.

Click to expand...

+1

10char

sheepstealer

· #8 · Oct 30, 2013

Ok, ok...reading up on it now. Weight > height when it comes to choosing a board.

Doesn't mean the board's height is completely discounted in his choice though right? I suppose I was trying to go with the "chin" method so he could get rough, ballpark idea what he might be looking for in board size.

Backdoor

· #9 · Oct 31, 2013

Hey Frootstick,
I'm from Perth too, although currently located in BC. There's pretty slim pickings there in terms of stores that will have enough boots in stock for you to find a good pair. You should try on as MANY AS YOU CAN. Not just the half dozen that mountain designs might have on hand. Could be worth waiting until you're in a resort town to pic up a pair.

Most of the other gear you can get before leaving. Not sure what postage from backcountry etc would be like to WA. There's likely some stuff they won't send to Oz for distro reasons. So Torpedo7 might be worth a look, for local (yeah other side of the country kinda local) postage. They'll be moving a bit of this seasons gear out now winter is wrapped up.

As someone else said, get lessons. And prepare to be a full kook for a few days.
make sure you get a hot tub, the body will need the therapy at the end of the day.

neni

· #10 · Nov 1, 2013

The Deacon said:
2: outdated, terrible advice. Can't believe people HERE are still throwing this out. Weight = Size.

Some misbeliefs are hard to eradicate. I'm sure that kids still get pressed to eat spinach cos it's so awfully healthy due to its putative high iron contain...

SinkHole

· #11 · Nov 1, 2013

I was guilty of this a long time ago. I remember reading that you should base board length on weight and it all made sense. I remember feeling liked I wronged all these people giving them bad advice basing it on height.

Sent from Verticalsports.com Free App

FrootStick

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 1, 2013 (Edited)

Thanks for the help guys.
So fro what it looks like boots are the most important bit of kit.

I went into mainpeak in Perth the other day. They had no boots and very little other gear. So I'm looking at clothing online. But not to sure about sizing either. eBay has a lot of good brand pants and jackets for really good prices.

Is sessions a good brand for pants and jackets. Big sale at torpedo7 at the moment.

I will look in the USA also. I signed up and got a myus.com postage address for the companies that won't send to Aus. They will forward it on from that USA postal address to me in Perth.

So there is a lot of info here about how to pick a board. What about width and things? Any good places for second hand boards?

There also different stiffness bindings. Which are for beginners here? There is also a lot of mixed feedback on this!

As for Japan. What places are recommended to stay at? And where to go? I know it's great snow, Japan has always been a holiday place of choice, snow or not. But as for the snow, where is the great places to go and stay for a good friendly environment.

Cheers for all the info

See less See more

FrootStick

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 5, 2013

As i live in a place where there is very limited and next to no snowboard shops, how can i choose the right boots as i can't really try to many on. The store we have in Perth ( main peak ) have very limited gear when i went in last week.

Its a problem i think as from what i understand is the most important piece of the puzzle.

thanks

Backdoor

· #14 · Nov 6, 2013

Heading to Melbourne or Sydney any time soon? There's more that carry decent stock over there from what I remember

FrootStick

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 6, 2013

nah mate
saving all me cash for this trip haha

MikeCL

· #16 · Nov 6, 2013

jml22 said:
Buy used
Geartrade is your friend
Or buy from backcountry and return stuff you dont like

never heard of this site until now, thanks.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.