tez162003 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Right I have a few questions if you have a minute. Firstly, I want to get into snowboarding some more, I did a trip to Switzerland for a couple of days in January, Loved it! Well the snowboarding anyway. I did a few hours of lessons before that too. Anyway, I am 6ft, a goofy rider, so firstly what length board do I need? I did know but seem to have completely forgot. I live near Milton Keynes (Snow slope there) and i work in Kings Langley (snow slope there) so seems ideal. What I want to ask is advise on the gear, I am thinking of buying my own board and boots while its off season and the sales are happening, I don't care if I don't have this seasons colours etc. So what brand boards, boots and bindings would you recommend for someone like me? I cant afford the best of the best, as much as I'd love too. But what deals do you guys know of? Also does anyone on here ever go to the indoor snow slopes? Or go away in the winter anywhere, stories, advice anything really. Just thought I'd get some boarding chat going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Hey tez As a beginner pretty much myself, the general advise is a board that is just upto chin level, mine is a little shorter in length as I preferred it to be. I have K2 boots, lime green and bright blue forum bindings and a forum chillidog board. Myself and a few mates are heading out to Andorra early next year to sample as It's meant to be a fairly low-key place compared to the larger resorts. I've been to Tignes and Val d'isere and found the snow to be sweet, but it was quite boring for nightlife and the slopes were....packed How did you find Switz? Which resort did you go to? I had a friend who taught me the basics and everything else I pretty much picked up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watshot Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Should be between chin and nose, depending on your preferred style, freestyle, freeride etc. For a beginner assuming general mountain use, at six foot you should be looking around the 164cm mark. I wouldn't waste your money on indoor slopes, save up for a week or two away and try to forget about it in the summer! They are incredibly limited and get boring within half an hour. If you've done time in real snow you've already out grown an indoor slope. Kit wise, your best bet is to read up on reviews etc for your style and preferences, then go to the SBA (Ellis Brigham) in MK and check out the gear, they may have some older stock to shift. Boots should be tried for as long as possible before buying, different makes have different fit so won't suit everyone. Just because your mate says his Burtons are fantastic, doesn't mean you won't be crippled after half an hour in them. Try to buy the best you can afford. I know that may be easier said than done, but remember, it should last you for a few seasons so becomes better value the more you use it. The bonus of not being in the rush at the hire shops on day one is worth the cash alone, straight up that first lift! Don't forget a helmet, at very least it saves you from getting smacked in the ear by all the dicks swinging their ski poles around..... Resort wise, depends what you want from your holiday. Reviews will tell you all that. None of them can guarantee snow (although they try), we are all at the mercy of the weather. Stateside can be better in that respect, but not always, and the cost soars. Above all, avoid holiday periods, check all countries. French half term doesn't necessarily coincide with UK for example, (unless you like crowds or have kids.....). I ride race bikes and found boarding is the closest thing to giving you that buzz, you've made a wise choice my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 It's all about the boots buddy.. Had a few different pairs, I go to a specialist guy in Ripley Derbyshire. The guy who owns it is skater and boarder so knows his stuff. Last time I was there I tried pretty much every boot for sale, I was there 3 hours. Personally, although I do like Burton boards and bindings I couldn't find Burton boots that felt right. I've got 32s(brand name). They were the most comfty and are still perfect after 4 seasons. That's the best advice I can give. Get the right boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 It's all about the boots buddy.. ........ That's the best advice I can give. Get the right boots. Second that!!! Boots, boots, boots! You can always hire a decent board when you get there and also play with different lengths, see what you like. You can easily take boots with you, at no extra cost (unlike a board) GOOD boots are gold and hard to find in hire shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Nothing like being at the top of a fresh powder covered mountain with a hip flask of JD and prodigy on the Ipod... Zooming down the mountain singing smack my bitch up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I'm soooo jealous of you youngsters I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Nothing like being at the top of a fresh powder covered mountain with a hip flask of JD and prodigy on the Ipod... Zooming down the mountain singing smack my bitch up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I'm soooo jealous of you youngsters I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Nothing like being at the top of a fresh powder covered mountain with a hip flask of JD and prodigy on the Ipod... Zooming down the mountain singing smack my bitch up We took my mates old man a few years ago '62' and he was faster than most of us.... Dont discount yourself yet Grezza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickledSushi Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I started boarding last year using my mates old Ride Timeless and hated it! not really a beginners board so I was catching an edge left, right and centre! It wasn't until I got my own board that I started to pick it up and enjoy it a lot more - my current setup is K2 Anagram board, Burton Mission bindings and Salomon Synapse boots. The Anagram is slightly rockered at the tips which means I don't catch an edge as much and is a great beginners all-mountain/freestyle board - defo recommend it! Went to La Plagne in January this year which was epic - although it didn't snow a single flake while I was there, the snow was still good as it is relative high altitude Indoor slopes are ok to learn on but do get a bit boring once you're able to link your turns. Better to get your ass up to the highlands when it starts snowing - we had some pretty good snow last season! I'm quite lucky as I can just drive up when the weather is right! Which reminds me - anyone tried fitting their snowboard gear in the zed before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I started boarding last year using my mates old Ride Timeless and hated it! not really a beginners board so I was catching an edge left, right and centre! It wasn't until I got my own board that I started to pick it up and enjoy it a lot more - my current setup is K2 Anagram board, Burton Mission bindings and Salomon Synapse boots. The Anagram is slightly rockered at the tips which means I don't catch an edge as much and is a great beginners all-mountain/freestyle board - defo recommend it! Went to La Plagne in January this year which was epic - although it didn't snow a single flake while I was there, the snow was still good as it is relative high altitude Indoor slopes are ok to learn on but do get a bit boring once you're able to link your turns. Better to get your ass up to the highlands when it starts snowing - we had some pretty good snow last season! I'm quite lucky as I can just drive up when the weather is right! Which reminds me - anyone tried fitting their snowboard gear in the zed before? Yup Piece of p... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 There's hope yet then I'm soooo jealous of you youngsters I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Nothing like being at the top of a fresh powder covered mountain with a hip flask of JD and prodigy on the Ipod... Zooming down the mountain singing smack my bitch up We took my mates old man a few years ago '62' and he was faster than most of us.... Dont discount yourself yet Grezza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I will book you a space in Feb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I will book you a space in Feb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I will book you a space in Feb No backing out Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I'll do it if you do I will book you a space in Feb No backing out Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 He backed out of wakeboarding Graham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 He backed out of wakeboarding Graham. He's backing out of snowboarding too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 TFFT, now I only have to do it if I want to He backed out of wakeboarding Graham. He's backing out of snowboarding too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez162003 Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Hey tez As a beginner pretty much myself, the general advise is a board that is just upto chin level, mine is a little shorter in length as I preferred it to be. I have K2 boots, lime green and bright blue forum bindings and a forum chillidog board. Myself and a few mates are heading out to Andorra early next year to sample as It's meant to be a fairly low-key place compared to the larger resorts. I've been to Tignes and Val d'isere and found the snow to be sweet, but it was quite boring for nightlife and the slopes were....packed How did you find Switz? Which resort did you go to? I had a friend who taught me the basics and everything else I pretty much picked up Considering I had 3 hours of lessons the day before I went to Les Crosets in Switzerland and rode the whole time thinking I was a regular when I now know I'm a goofy rider, I really liked it, I would much rather go somewhere with more nightlife, we stay in a mega posh place, as my boss who took us knew the owner. There was literally one bar in the whole area. Snow when we went was shocking, more like ice most the time but I still really enjoyed it and want to go again, problem for me is no one to go with, no one I know does it, and i dont know anyone nowadays who isnt a scrooge, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez162003 Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 It's all about the boots buddy.. Had a few different pairs, I go to a specialist guy in Ripley Derbyshire. The guy who owns it is skater and boarder so knows his stuff. Last time I was there I tried pretty much every boot for sale, I was there 3 hours. Personally, although I do like Burton boards and bindings I couldn't find Burton boots that felt right. I've got 32s(brand name). They were the most comfty and are still perfect after 4 seasons. That's the best advice I can give. Get the right boots. You say get the right boots, but what should you look out for with boots? What makes a pair of boots good or bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 They need to be comfty.. Don't worry about what they look like on the outside, no one admires the look of your boots when your bindings are on and they have snow on them. Go to a specialist shop, wear your thermal snow socks and try on as many different pairs as you can. Keep them on for ages and walk up and down the shop as much as you can. You will get what I mean when you start trying them on. 32s are a good shout in my experience, they mould to your feet when they warm up. In a nutshell: Don't worry what they look like and make sure they are very very comfty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watshot Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 You need to clarify what type of riding you do and go from there. It's all a matter of personal preference but as a beginner you need comfy boots. If your going to be hitting the park (freestyle, jumps, rails etc) you would tend towards a soft flex boot. Hard and fast downhill would be a stiff boot. Think of it like a car suspension, high speed bends you need stiffer set up to maintain control. The boots will have a flex and stiffness rating which will give an indication of what they are aimed at. Realistically as a beginner I would suggest you aim somewhere in the middle (assuming general recreational riding). Ultra stiff boots can take some getting used to, and will be a bit aggressive for a newbie (and uncomfortable, like ski boots). Too soft, and whilst they may feel like slippers, changing direction at speed may be sloppy and unpredictable. When trying boots, your toes should 'just' scrape the end of the boot, when you 'assume the position' they will naturally pull back a little. Make sure that your heel is kept securely in place, there is a lot of manufacturers bumpf about heel restraint systems etc, it makes no odds if it doesn't keep your heel planted. Nothing worse than overcooking that toe side turn and everything is lifting and your toes are screaming, and you run off into the trees 'cause your boots were sloppy. Did I mention, buy a helmet? Check out the different lacing systems as well. It can be hard work getting boots tight using conventional laces, but they are easier to repair and generally cheaper. There are other options using wire cables that you just pull on and they tighten evenly and have a non return system so lacing in the morning is a doddle, saves some of the sweat before you even get outside. As I said before, your best bet is to get into Ellis Brigham in MK as you live there, they have a good range of the latest stuff and will let you try on as much as you need. It's completely pointless recommending makes, as what works for one may be uncomfortable for another. Most new boots these days come with heat reactive inners that will shape to your foot to a degree. Check out the online reviews to narrow down your choice to your particular needs, then go try a few. Don't be rushed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfman Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 So who's planning the Zed snowboarding trip out then? As people have said, boots is number 1, wear them for as long as possible to make sure they're good. also as said, board depends on what riding your doing, i started last year and got some Union Force bindings, (one yellow one blue, because i'm down with the kids) and a DC Tone 154 board, which i can't fault at all so far You'll get some good bargains around this time of year, i know TSA(the snowboard asylum) aka ellis billing let to ride test boards at the indoor slopes for free, that how i got the hang and feel of different boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I'm soooo jealous of you youngsters I started learning last winter at Chill Factore in Manchester. Loved it but none of my mates go so it's not much fun going on your own! Loads of people I work with board but they've been doing it for years. Can't wait to go away one winter but need to drag one of my mates along! Nothing like being at the top of a fresh powder covered mountain with a hip flask of JD and prodigy on the Ipod... Zooming down the mountain singing smack my bitch up We took my mates old man a few years ago '62' and he was faster than most of us.... Dont discount yourself yet Grezza My dad is 70 and he still Ski's!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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