Get Snowboarding

Whistler

2008-08-05T23:15:00.000Z

Whistler

Whistler/Blackcomb

Blackcomb rises 5280 vertical feet on one side of Fitzsimmons Creek and Whistler rises 5020 vertical feet on the other side of the creek. Both fields are found 70 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. They offer more than 7000 acres of terrain plus backcountry runs when combined.

Whistler is located 70 miles north of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The field covers 3600 acres with a vertical rise of 5020 feet. The season runs from November to July and they experience great spring snow conditions.

The Whistler region receives an average 360 inches of snow each year. In the 1998 to 1999 season, it snowed 644 inches. Whistler has seven-mile-long runs and is as big as it gets in the lift-serviced fields of North America.

The Whistler village is more like a small city. Plenty of partying goes on through the night.

Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. The fields are located 70 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada...

Aspen

2008-08-05T06:51:00.000Z

Aspen

Aspen, Colorado, United States of America

On the surface Aspen can appear to be a ritzy place just for the rich to play up. When you get past this and get into the mountains there is plenty of amazing steep and gnarly terrain. This is a home for the true snowboarder, not just a place to wear the gear with the rich pseudo-snowboarders/skiiers. If you want to feel the thrill of some real terrain and the crisp air to match it - you will find the runs here!

Aspen is a favourite Colorado ski resort. It is world-renowned for its downhill skiing. Aspen Mountain rises imposingly from the township and is one of four ski areas surrounding Aspen. Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk all lie within 12 miles of Aspen town.

These mountains are cut by beautiful alpine valleys. The Maroon Creek, Castle Creek and Hunter Creek Valleys are all easily accessible from Aspen township. Much of the high mountain area surrounding Aspen lies within designated wilderness areas in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Hunter-Fryingpan, and Collegiate Peaks wildernesses.

Aspen sits at the upper end of the Roaring Fork Valley, with the Roaring Fork River, a superb trout stream, running through the town. Aspen offers an interesting history, outdoor challenging recreation opportunities, abundant cultural activities, pleasant climate and beautiful natural scenery.

Most of the area around Aspen is public land within the White River National Forest. The spectacular Elk Mountains rise to the south and west of Aspen, with the Williams Mountains and the Sawatch Range to the east. These mountains are cut by beautiful alpine valleys.

The Maroon Creek, Castle Creek and Hunter Creek Valleys are all easily accessible from Aspen township. Much of the high mountain area surrounding Aspen lies within designated wilderness areas in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Hunter-Fryingpan, and Collegiate Peaks wildernesses.

The four ski mountains are the most popular attractions within Colorado ski resorts but are far from the only ones. The Maroon Bells are some of the most photographed mountains in North America and are a very popular destination.

In addition to the restored historic buildings within the town of Aspen, Ashcroft and Independence are well preserved ghost towns which offer a scenic outing and a glimpse into the region's rich mining history.

The Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers provide anglers with some of the best trout fishing in the state. Independence Pass (a main summer route into town), Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft, and Maroon Creek Road are all paved roads offering spectacular scenery.

More information on the mountains to come...

Snowboard

2008-08-04T03:40:00.000Z

Snowboard

Buying a Snowboard

To start you need to sort out two things: Your preferred style of snowboard riding and your ideal board length. Styles of snowboard riding have names and you can start with the main ones - freeride, freecarve, racing or freestyle. Each will require a different edge. The amount of edge in contact with the snow is called the effective edge. Snowboards are also available for the kids market. Kid’s snowboards are usually cheaper.

Freeriding Snowboards – A combination snowboard built for a mix of riding styles. The freerider may be doing freestyle tricks one minute, carving groomed trails the next minute and then venturing onto untracked powder. These snowboards are a medium board between the freestyle and racing snowboards and as such combine characteristics of each. There tends to be some difference in these snowboards, some tending to be more like a freestyling snowboard and others more like a racing snowboard.

Racing Snowboards – Racing or Alpine snowboards tend to be a stiffer board than the freeriding or freestyle boards. They edge better and carve out high speed turns with less chattering. Racing snowboards are narrow and fast, they are built to hold an edge at high speed. Alpine snowboards are similar, though a little sturdier to survive tough mountain skiing.

Freestyle Snowboards – Freestyle snowboarders spend most of their time in halfpipes, on rails, spinning and bonking off anything in the snowboard park. Their snowboards are wide and flexible with little camber or swing weight.

If you are unsure as to which riding style you fit into, then select the middle range freeriding snowboard, you can always move to a more suitable snowboard later. As a general rule beginners may find a snowboard that touches between their chin and nose, when they stand next to it, will work best for them. Freestyle snowboards are usually shorter and alpine and powder riding snowboards are longer.

Professional riders have snowboards built to their own specifications…they have snowboards that combine just the right amount of sidecut, flex, camber and length for their body weight and riding style…

Snowboard Bindings

2008-08-03T07:29:00.000Z

Snowboard Bindings

Snowboard Bindings

The selection of a suitable binding is easier than the choice of the board. The Plate Binding is adjustable in size. They are best used with hard shoes. The plate bindings are usually entered from a front binding. With this binding, an optimal transfer of energy onto the board is achieved. Plate bindings are used mainly in alpine snowboarding.

The shell or soft binding is used for freestyle and the half-pipe mainly. A soft boot is worn with the binding allowing a high degree of flexibility on the board. Adjustable buckles guarantee an even distribution of pressure and attach the boots to the board.

As regards the safety aspect, injuries when using ski boots are most frequently of the knee, including ligaments and cartilage. When soft boots are worn, the injuries tend to be more around the ankle. The ankle injuries are easier to treat and generally heal faster. Beginner’s injuries tend to be more in the knee and ankle areas, while experienced snowboarders are more prone to injuries in the hands, arms or shoulders.

Snowboards

2008-08-02T03:01:00.000Z

Snowboards

Snowboards

Manufacturers have developed to the stage where manufacturers offer the right board to suit each snowboarding discipline. Now a snowboarder is confronted with a large diversity of product. The choice can confuse the beginner.

There are three main groups of snowboards: All-around board; Alpine race board (asymmetrical) and the Freestyle board. There are also three methods of construction: Foam method (injection method); Compound method and the Sandwich method with wooden core. The laminated sandwich method is the most expensive to produce. The quality is unsurpassed and they have longevity.

There are two different procedures for mounting bindings onto the boards offered by manufacturers. The binding can be screwed into brass inserts or the binding is screwed into the snowboard in the binding area with special screws.

Ski New Zealand

2008-08-01T13:37:00.000Z

Ski New Zealand

Ski New Zealand – Snow Park

Snow Park, New Zealand opened to the public four years ago and is the first dedicated freestyle terrain park in the world. The Snow Park has now developed into the premier Southern Hemisphere freestyle resort destination. The park features three half-pipes, a quarter pipe, a fixed quad chairlift, over 40 boxes, rails and hits and music playing on a 5000-watt system while you ride.

This field is one to watch! The scenery up there is amazing. In years gone by I can remember the farm where Snow Park is, was used for filming television commercials. Filming of 'feature cars' took place up there. The cars were trailered down there in locked up trucks. Some of the cars were brought to New Zealand from Europe for filming in this spectacular scenery.

From the little research that I have done on this resort so far, I will definitely be checking this resort out further - it looks awesome...

Ski New Zealand

2008-07-31T05:52:00.000Z

Ski New Zealand

Snowboard - New Zealand

New Zealand has a range of skifields across the country. The North Island of New Zealand fields can be found centrally on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand and there is one field located in the North Island on Mount Egmont in Taranaki, New Zealand. In the South Island, New Zealand the fields are located all along the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs downwards along the centre of the island. The Rainbow skifield is the northern most field. The next field is Mount Lyford and then Amuri is located not far from the popular resort of Hanmer Springs where you can relax after your skiing/snowboarding in the hot pools.

From there we go to the more intense areas with a number of skifields through the Arthurs Pass region in the centre of the South Island on the main route from Christchurch through to the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. In this area there are a series of club fields where clubs run the operation of the field as opposed to businesses. Close to Christchurch is the field that is renowned for some of the most reliable snow conditions in the country, the commercial Mount Hutt skifield with a season running from May through to late October in the average year. This field hosts a number of International events. From there all the way down there are skifields scattered through the mountains, too many fields to list here offering a range of different terrain and facilities.

Around Lake Tekapo is the Round Hill skifield an excellent field for beginners. Lake Ohau hosts the Ohau skifield popular with snowboarders.

Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand offers ski flights taking you up to ski the Tasman Glacier for something a little different and you will find heli-skiing and riding all along the Southern Alps.

Around Wanaka the two well known fields are Treble Cone and Cardrona. Opposite Cardrona you will find Snow Park, especially equipped for the snowboarder and not to be missed while boarding in New Zealand.

Queenstown has the Remarkables field and the more established Coronet Peak skifield is close nearby the Queenstown township.

In New Zealand you will find plenty of alpine snowboarding...

Zermatt

2008-07-30T12:36:00.000Z

Zermatt

Zermatt

On the Zermatt field in Switzerland you will find superb scenery, alpine charm, luxury accommodation and an excellent ski school. Zermatt is at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn.

Zermatt has developed into both a summer and winter resort. There are no motorised vehicles in Zermatt. Besides electrically-powered cars and bicycles, the only form of transport allowed is horse-drawn sleighs and carriages. A promenade down the main street in the evening is always popular. At any time, it is delightful to explore some of the tiny (and romantic) cobbled alleyways just off the main street, where you will find ancient sun browned barns and traditional chalets. It is very much like stepping back in time.

Zermatt offers plenty of superb open terrain for boarders. There are also two snowboard parks and two man-made half pipes - one at Blauherd, the other between Trockener Steg and Furgg. Snowboards are also welcome on all lifts and 99% of the pistes. There is also a dedicated snowboarding school.

Snowboarding Protective Gear

2008-07-29T06:22:00.000Z

Snowboarding Protective Gear

Safety Tips for Skiing Snowboarding

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Toby_Russell]Toby Russell
Good Preparation pays dividends

If you are interested in skiing snowboarding it is important to learn some safety tips before you hit the slopes or the hills. Like any other physical activity, this type of snow sport makes you susceptible to injury. The good news is that with the right precautions and correct gear you can significantly reduce that chance of injury and be sure you have a pleasurable day on the slopes.

Prevention Techniques

Many skiing snowboarding injuries commonly occur in the upper extremities of the body as well as the ankle. By and large, sprains are the most common type of injury followed closely by fractures and contusions. Due to the fact that snowboarders tend to fall forwards or backwards upper body injuries are also common. Instead of throwing your arms outward as many snowboarders are prone to do, try to keep them tucked in and then roll with the fall. Throwing your arms outward to try to stop your fall will ultimately result in fractures to the wrists, elbow and shoulders. Tucking and rolling with distribute the impact of the overall fall over a larger portion of the body.

When lower body injuries occur it is primarily due to the snowboarder’s feet being strapped into the board. This localizes knee movement. If you do a lot of aerial movements the chance of spine, chest, and abdominal and head injuries greatly increase. Be aware that ankle injuries are also quite common. It is also possible to attain head and spinal injuries if you lose control of the board at a high speed.

Get to the Doctors Fast!

If you do become injured while skiing snowboarding it may be difficult at first to determine the extent of the injury. First, be aware that anytime there is swelling this is a good indication there is a serious injury and it needs to be addressed promptly. Always make sure you visit a physician immediately to obtain a correct diagnosis of the injury. Anytime you sustain a sprain it is advisable to rest your body and stay off the hills for at least 24 hours and possibly up to 48 hours.

Protect yourself!

You can also protect yourself while skiing snowboarding by insuring that your body is in good condition. Following a fitness routine on a regular basis can help to ensure your body has the flexibility it needs for snowboarding. Wearing the right equipment is also a good way to protect yourself. At a minimum, you should always make sure you are wearing a helmet to protect you from head injury, quality boots to provide your feet and ankles with good support and stability, wrist and elbow guards, knee and tailbone pads as well as a padded jacket and pants and of course, goggles to protect your eyes from wind and snow.

Toby Russell owns & operates the information site [http://www.snowboardinglatest.com]http://www.snowboardinglatest.com, which aims to offer useful & practical advice for all snowboarders.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toby_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?Safety-Tips-for-Skiing-Snowboarding&id=424873

Snowboarding

2008-07-28T09:57:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Top Choices For Snowboarding Holidays Around The World

By Robin S
The snowboarding fever among the younger generation worldwide just shows no sign of stopping. This extreme sports activity has become a big hit among the young ones that it has achieved much the same level of popularity as the conventional snow sport of skiing. In fact, skiing resorts have also become ideal venues for snowboarding these days and players of this sport or just the hobbyists have a lot to choose from when it comes to where to spend a great snowboarding holiday.

North America

A foremost requirement for this extreme winter sport is, naturally, lots of snow. Excellent terrain with all those slopes comes next. The U.S. and Canada in North America definitely have all these features the reason they have become popular venues for international snowboarding events. And with the number of professional snowboarders on the upswing, ski resorts are providing fantastic terrain parks suited for the freeriders.

The U.S. West Coast offers so many snowboarding destinations that allow riders to enjoy great adventures. Among the top choices are ski resorts found in California.

Mammoth Mountain in California's Mammoth Lakes is a top spot for snowboarders because of its excellent parks and pipes. Snow falls here are in large supply and the superpipe in the area is a popular place where professional riders are seen shredding.
June Mountain enjoys continuous snow during the winter season with the terrain open to riders. The USASA slopestyle events normally take place here.
Squaw Valley is about 42 miles from Reno, Nevada and offers three terrain parks. These are Ford Freestyle Superpipe and Park, Mainline Park and Belmont Park. Snowboarding and freeriding can be enjoyed in all venues.
Sierra at Tahoe is in the Twin Bridges area and has lots of great places to snowboard. Among its numerous attractions are the Superpipe, The Alley, Burton Progression Park, Wagon Trail Boardercross, the Upper Main Halfpipe and the Aspen Rail Park.

Australia

The land down under's unique terrain and runs have also attracted its own share of snowboarders. And with a big following for this ultimate winter sport, a rider just needs to pick one among the highly recommended resorts.

Mt. Buller Alpine Resort is situated 250 kilometers northeast of Melbourne with an area of 2,300 hectares. With an altitude of 1,805 meters above sea level, the resort features some of the most excellent alpine and sub-alpine terrain. Ski trails here cover 180 hectares with lots of wide, open space above the tree line.
Jindabyne is known for its wide range of ski and snowboarding areas, inexpensive accommodation, vibrant nightlife, numerous restaurants and hotel clubs and pubs.
Hotham Fact File in Victoria not only boasts of spectacular terrain for all levels but also first class accommodation as well as fantastic and breathtaking scenery. It enjoys higher natural snowfalls compared to other ski resorts in the state.
The Perisher Blue is ideal for riders looking for a much wider terrain. With 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain, snowboarders here can have the time of their life engaging in their favorite extreme winter sport.

Austria

Austria is home to the beautiful Alps mountain range making it a top snowboarding destination. Here, you will find fantastic terrain, villages and resorts, quality board parks not to mention scrumptious cuisine.

Whether you're a rider who goes for vibrant resorts or the more peaceful places, there's always destination waiting for you in Austria. For glaciers and a lively atmosphere, there's St. Anton, Maryhofen, Kaprun, Solden and Saalbach while family resorts like Katschberg, Niederau and Galtur are best for those looking for a quieter area. Other resorts ideal for the family are Rauris and Oberau.

Riders in search of steeper and world-class terrain should go to Obergurgl, Hochgurgl, St. Anton and St. Christoph. These places are best for off piste and powder snowboarding. For first timers, recommended resorts are Galtur, Katschberg, Niederau, Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, Rauris and Soll.

Visit our site for [http://www.powder-zone.co.uk/store.html]Snowboarding equipment, snowboard bindings, burton snowboard boots and K2 boards, [http://www.powder-zone.co.uk/members]snowboarding profiles, snowboarding pictures, snowboarding videos, snowboarding PODcasts, [http://www.powder-zone.co.uk]snowboarding holidays, Learn to snowboard, Free snowboarding lessons, second hand snowboards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_S http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Choices-For-Snowboarding-Holidays-Around-The-World&id=1173057

Austrian Alps

2008-07-28T06:08:00.000Z

Austrian Alps

Austrian Alps - Information

The Austrian Alps are Europe's major range of mountains, spanning from the Mediterranean coast of France via Switzerland, N Italy and Austria to Slovenia. A considerable area of Austria is part of this mountain range, accordingly hiking, skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing rate highly among Austrian's favourite pastimes.

The clean air, spectacular sights, lakes and glaciers and well-tended trails and hikes contribute to the Alps allure and attract numerous tourists and visitors. The Alps flora and fauna is unique as well: the Edelweiss, Austria's national flower, and Gentian ('Enzian') may be rare, but they have shaped the world’s image of Austria and the Alps. Local animals such as chamois, marmots and ibexes are well adapted to the alpine habitat.

Would you fancy a Snowboarding trip to Austria? The Arlberg region has an interconnected lift system linking the four major resorts of Lech, St. Christoph, Zurs and St. Anton. The trails of the Arlberg region are mostly big, rolling slopes above the tree line. St Anton is the largest of the four with 260 kilometers of variable terrain and is particularly satisfying for snowboarders.

Snowboarding Tips

2008-07-23T23:00:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tips

Don't Let the Lack of Snow Stop Your Boarding Practice

By Tom Lenton
The summer months are the hardest for snowboarders to keep up their skills for the slopes. But there are a number of alternatives to help you practice and hone your boarding abilities once the snow has melted.

We don't all have the luxury of jetting off to New Zealand and Chile to indulge in the alternate snow season, some of us are stuck in the UK and stranded on dry land. So, here are four alternatives which promise to give you skills and thrills of snowboarding, without a trip to the rockies.

Snowboard Simulator

Snowboard simulators are a piece of apparatus designed to allow the user to simulate the action of a snowboard, often used during dry land training.

Often found in amusement arcades or available for hire from many outdoor entertainment retailers, snowboard simulators are a fun way to get on a board and enjoy the feeling of riding the slopes without covering any ground.

The simulator tests your balance and coordination skills and challenges you to ride downhill and off piste as it tests your agility. Riders stand on the electronic snowboard and are challenged to move in unison with the board, requiring good coordination and first class core stability.

This is not the easiest piece of equipment to master and it certainly doesn't come cheap. If you were to buy a snowboard simulator it would set you back several thousand pounds and to hire the equipment you are looking at a rate ranging from £300 to £600 for just a few hours.

Freeline Skates

Freeline Skates utilise the same movements as snowboarding and can be used on normal slopes, not just ones of the dry or artificial snow variety.

The skates are dual independent skates that combine elements of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding.

Freeline Skates offer a new experience for snowboarders, which requires them to utilise existing skills and transfer them to a new manner of riding. These provide a challenging and innovative way to carve big turns and invent new tricks, all on dry land.

Freeline Skates are ridden in a similar manner to a snowboard with riders shifting their weight from heel to toe to change direction allowing them to carve smooth 'S' turns while riding downhill.

The skates are independent, but unlike skates and blades they are not strapped to the rider's feet, this offers an added bonus to riders by allowing them to achieve high levels of traction on the flats and uphill providing a wide range of locations that are suitable for the skates.

Freeline Skates cost £85 a pair and spare wheels are priced at £25.

Mountain Boards

Mountain Boards are often described as offroad skateboards. They carve like snowboards and can be ridden on grass, dirt and tarmac.

While mountain boards can be pushed up a hill they are intended for downhill use mostly. Mountain Boards are viewed as an alternative to snowboarding, the dry land alternative to surfing and wakeboarding, and the off road alternative to skateboarding.

From carving to freestyle to boardercross, this exciting piece of equipment really does offer a dry land riding experience. It replaces snow with dirt and builds on the premise of skateboarding with its four wheels and snowboarding with its foot bindings and riding stance.

All terrain boards (ATB) costs more than a skateboard but are far less expensive than a high quality bike. Most mountain boards are £200 or less. After-market parts are on the cheap-side too. Mountain boards are fairly simple with few maintenance needs. http://www.atbshop.co.uk.

Xscape

With some of the country's biggest real snow slopes, boarders may want to take a trip to one of the three UK based Xscape centres. Xscape Milton Keynes, Braehead and Castleford offer the ideal place to brush up your boarding skills out of season.

It may seem a little far fetched, but these slopes come complete with real, fresh snow. It's the nearest thing you'll get to the white stuff indoors, short of shipping back a mountain on your next boarding holiday.

The centres offer lessons, a beginners' area and dedicated Freestyle nights for you to hit some rails, jibb the slide box and get some air off the jumps and pipes.

Freestyle sessions are every Thursday and Friday from 7pm to11pm. A two hour Freestlye session will set you back £25 if you're an adult and £20 for children, add £10 for an extra two hours.

Off peak rates apply on weekdays from 9am - 5pm, excluding school and bank holidays. Peak rates apply at all other times. Prices start at just £13 per hour off peak and £21 on peak.

Tom Lenton manages http://www.freeline-sport.co.uk the sole UK distributor for Freeline Skates. Freeline Skates are designed to provide the same thrills and excitement experienced by snowboarders, surfers on dry land as well as giving skateboarders a new skating sensation. For more information visit http://www.freeline-sport.co.uk or email [mailto:info@freeline-sport.co.uk]info@freeline-sport.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Lenton http://EzineArticles.com/?Dont-Let-the-Lack-of-Snow-Stop-Your-Boarding-Practice&id=1291979

Ruapehu

2008-07-23T08:42:00.000Z

Ruapehu

Ruapehu New Zealand

In the centre of the North Island of New Zealand you will find three volcanoes that rise up out of the centre of the island plateau. Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand is the southern most of these three volcanos. Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand has three ski areas. The two main areas Whakapapa on the north-western side and Turoa on the southern side of the volcano join together for marketing purposes as 'Ruapehu'. These fields are found in New Zealand's Tongariro National Park.

Whakapapa is New Zealand's largest and busiest ski area. On Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand you will find unpredictable and rapidly-changing weather conditions. The field has an array of bluffs and drop offs which can be tricky in the white out conditions experienced at times on the mountain. Higher parts of the mountain have easier areas to ski on than lower level parts of the mountain.

Turoa on the south western side of the mountain shares the same lift pass as Whakapapa and has Australasia's biggest vertical drop (720m) when all parts of the field are open. Turoa can be an extremely cold place to ski. I have done most of my New Zealand skiing in the South Island and could not believe how cold it was skiing at Turoa when I went there. We had to stop at one of the chair stations going down the field to warm up going down.

There is no easy skiable access between the two fields.

Steamboat Springs Skiing

2008-07-20T22:50:00.000Z

Steamboat Springs Skiing

Steamboat

Steamboat hosts a modern lift system, a wide range of restaurants and receives good snow cover. It also has extensive snowmaking equipment. The field is great for beginners, snowboarders and families. Steamboat is one of the Colorado fields, located at the foot of Rabbit Ears Pass in Routt County in the North West. There is a three and a half hour drive from Denver.

The top of the field is 10568ft (3221m) and the base of the field is at 6900ft (2103m). The skiable, rideable terrain at Steamboat covers 2939 acres. This is a very popular field with snowboarders and great to build up your skills. The field covers 2939 acres over five mountains. At Steamboat you will also find extensive snowmaking.

Steamboat Springs is four miles from the base area of the Steamboat Ski Area...

Snowboarding

2008-06-15T11:07:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Snowboard Code - Smart Style

By Lou G
It wasn't that long ago that the little orange ovals posted over snowboard parks worldwide did not exist. When freestyle snowboarding starting to move further and further mainstream the resorts and the snowboarders decided to create a method for approaching the features in a park and they called it Smart Style. But what does it mean? I know that the orange oval means there's going to be some fun stuff to hit, but what is this 'snowboarder's code' all about?

There are four parts to Smart Style:

Make a Plan

Pretty much common sense, this section is about knowing what you want hit in the terrain park before you drop. This means not only knowing what features you are going for and where they are, but also the trick you want to do and the mechanics (speed, approach, take off, execution, and landing) involved. This must be why they call it Smart 'Style', because if you took that approach to your runs I don't think you would ever fall.

This implies a reserved style of riding, a 'stick to what you know' mentality. On the weekends or when snowboarding a packed run this would be a pretty good approach to avoid hitting or being hit by others.

But what about progression?

Look Before You Leap

Ties right in with the last point, just know everything about what you hit before you are hitting it. Also pay attention to conditions. If it gets cloudy then the temperature can drop drastically, colder snow moves faster so never assume that the feature will be the same.

Another really important idea brought up is the spotter. Especially for bigger kickers, you don't want to be mid 1080 looking down at the skier that climbing up the landing for his pole. Every snowboarder throwing down at the park probably has someone spotting him. They not only make sure the only thing you have to worry about is doing your trick, but they make sure that the new kid behind you doesn't just assume you landed and then land on you.

Snowboarding is inherently dangerous, it is definitely worth it to take the time to check off all the things within your control that could go wrong so you only have to worry about landing... right? Well said Smart Style.

Easy Style It

This is where they talk about progression. The first rule is to know your limits, which is of course necessary if you want to push them. It's all about working way up, taking tricks from flat, to small jump, to the kickers. Don't assume that just because you've got one trick then you have the others... make sure you really know the tricks.

People spend hours a day doing hundreds of laps, lifting thousands of reps and snowboarding is a lot like that... except you are going to need to do hundreds of backside 360s to know you can do a backside 360. That's the essence of being good at any sport, repetition and easy yet constant progression.

Did you know that inverted aerials (rodeos, backflips, etc.) were not even allowed for a while? If you did one you would be greeted by ski patrol at the bottom of the run. Crazy! Things finally changed and parks use the term 'not recommended'. Inverted aerials put you in a position where you may not land on your feet, so you need to know exactly what you are doing in the air. Get a trampoline first and work your way from there. Don't just try a backflip on the first medium kicker of the day.

Respect Gets Respect

Like being in kindergarten all over again. Just understand that terrain parks are risky business regardless of skill. Also note that other people are around you and anything can happen (like being cut off on the freeway you know?).

Calling your start is just a really awesome way of letting everyone know who's next. Ever been caught up at the pipe and you drop but then another guy drops and everything just gets screwed up? Always call you start on a busy feature to ensure that you and only you are going for it. If you fall and you aren't hurt get the heck out of the way spotter or not. You'll have plenty of time to laugh about it later. I have seen people blow right past the spotter (who at this point is screaming and flailing his arms) only to land on the guy who already is having hard time, what with the fall and everything.

So now that I've been through it again I think Smart Style is a pretty good approach to snowboarding in general, not just freestyle terrain. The good thing is that after reviewing it I can say that for the most part we all follow it, whether we knew it existed or not. We are all snowboarders and snowboarders abide by the snowboarder's code: Know the code! Smart Style!

You can get the full scoop from http://www.terrainparksafety.org

It's a pretty cool site anyway, check it out.

To view the original article with photos and videos click here: http://www.desertsdontsnow.com/snowboardlog/smart-style-the-snowboarder-code.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_G http://EzineArticles.com/?Snowboard-Code---Smart-Style&id=1222790

Ski New Zealand

2008-05-15T12:13:00.000Z

Snowboarding Jumps

2008-05-05T22:34:00.000Z

Snowboarding Jumps

Why Everyone Loves The Sport Of Freestyle Snowboarding

By Gregg Hall
Freestyle snowboarding has grown in popularity over the last several years. Those that enjoy the sport enjoy many sports, and not just winter sports but sports of many seasons. Freestyle may be so popular because it combines skateboarding, surfing, and windsurfing. In this way it combines fans of all those sports as well. Many thrill seekers love to defy gravity and moving at top speeds and both of these things make this sport a huge success.

There are different freestyle categories:

Half pipe: this looks like a very large tube with the top cut off. It must be built on a hill and the snowboarder sails down through the half pipe. The athlete sails from one side to the other and from one end down to the other. As the athlete sails from side to side they jump at each side performing various tricks at the end of each side. They are scored based on difficulty of the jump, turns, flips, spins, etc.

Jump Contest: The athlete starts at the top of the hill, speeds down, and at the end there is a slope where the snowboarder jumps off the end and does a variety of spins, flips, and rotations being graded on difficulty etc. yet again.

Power Snow Driving: This may well be the favorite of those that enjoy freestyle because they start at the top of the steep hill that is covered in powdered snow and speed down carving your way down as fast as you can. This includes all the possible little jumps, curves, and turns along the way. The path, in essence is yours to choose.

Boarder Cross: Four or five snowboarders start at the top of this steep hill and there are a variety of ramps, jumps, turns, and other obstacles set up across the way for them to maneuver along the way. The first one across the finish line wins.

There are glaciers in France that freestyle snowboarders love to tackle with vertical drops and trails. The trails extend over three slopes with vertical drops. The 3,300 meter altitude help make it quite a buzz for these thrill seekers. They will spend from sun up until sun down on the glacier.

When watching the freestyle snowboarding on the Olympics have you ever been confused by what the announcer has been saying? The next time you watch maybe the following list of terms will help you understand:

Air: This happens when the snowboarder leaves the ground; usually it is combined with a trick or two as well.

Carve: When the snowboarders uses the edge of the snowboard to make a turn.

Bonk: Usually when the snowboarder rides over an object and they will usually slap the object when doing so as well.

Duck Stance: Describes the position of the snowboarder's feet on the board.

Edges: The metal strips on the sides of the snowboard. These cut into the snow and control the board to do turns, carve, or to a stop.

Fakie: This person can lead with either their left foot or their right foot.

Lip: Normally where a trick can begin to be formed, like at the top of the half pipe.

Fall Line: This refers to the direct route down the mountain, here they generate the most speed.

Garland: When the snowboarder goes across the slope. This is accomplished by aiming the board directly down the slope and then back across the slope without going in the other direction.

Half pipe: Manmade trench that the boarder uses to do tricks similar to those at skateparks.

Moguls are the bumps that have been formed in the snow by the other riders

Kicker: a small jump used to get more air and perform tricks

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as snowboarding gear at http://www.gearforboarding.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Everyone-Loves-The-Sport-Of-Freestyle-Snowboarding&id=300369

Ski New Zealand

2008-05-05T00:10:00.000Z

Zermatt

2008-05-02T03:40:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tricks

2008-04-27T08:45:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tricks

Snowboarding Tricks - Basic Steps Before Learning Tricks

By Bobby Wilson
Snowboarding by itself is a fun and safe sport that is basically a cross between skiing and skateboarding. Like most adventurous sports, snowboarding is most definitely not for the weak or frail hearted. But for those who are up to the challenge, it promises one of the most exciting blood rushes around.

Here are few basic Snowboarding tricks for a new learner:

1) You have to keep in mind that snowboarding is somehow similar to snow skiing. Body movements for snowboarding are similar to skiing as you control and stabilize your snowboard the same way. So if you are skilled skier you will find it easy to learn snowboarding tricks.

2) A very basic tip is that don't get boots that are very tight. Boots you wear should be comfortable.

3) Don't get long snowboards in the beginning of learning snowboarding tricks.

4) When you are starting to learn snowboarding don't start riding down the snowy slope. You can start with snowboarding across a small patch of snow. Start feeling comfortable about equipments and your movement before starting snowboarding.

5) While snowboarding be in a relaxed position. Similar to any other sports snowboarding requires a calm mindset. Most of the accidents and injuries happen among snowboarders while they are performing snowboarding tricks in tensed position.

6) Before starting snowboarding you should find a flat area or gentle incline. Keep away from high-traffic areas.

7) When you are starting to learn tricks don't practice alone. Always practice with friends so in case you hurt yourself you will have someone to look after you.

8) One of most important things in snowboarding is dress. You should dress comfortable and loose fitting snow clothing. You should wear goggles, glove and hat or helmet. You should also try to get wrist guards and helmet specially in the beginning.

9) You should practice skating around for 10-12 minutes before you go near the chairlift and start snowboarding.

To find out other crucial things you need to do to start learning snowboarding tricks , you should visit this site: http://unique-review.com/snowboarding-tricks-and-tips/

Bobby Wilson writes articles on different topics that interest him.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Wilson http://EzineArticles.com/?Snowboarding-Tricks---Basic-Steps-Before-Learning-Tricks&id=870683

Snowboarding Gear

2008-04-25T20:22:00.000Z

Snowboarding Gear

Essential Snowboarding Gear For The Beginning Snowboarder

By Lydia Quinn
Interested in snowboarding but haven't got a clue where to start or what gear you need? Have no fear, here are the essential items you need to begin your snowboarding adventure.

Snowboard

There are three basic types of snowboards, each varying in width and the shape of their tip and tail. Each type is geared for a different type of snowboarding. For most beginners, a freestyle board will be what you want to choose. A freestyle board offers an ease of use, handling and is generally easier to turn, all essential requirements for beginners.

Boots and Bindings

When trying on boots for snowboarding, make sure you select a pair that fits your feet as well as possible. Choose boots that are too loose and you won't get the control you need, choose boots that are too tight and you won't be comfortable. Don't skip this consideration. Also, your boots should keep your feet warm, so the cheapest option might not be the best option. Check the boots for a good amount of lining and cushioning. Next, you'll want to check the flexibility and control the boots will give you. Your boots need to flex properly to allow you to control the board speed and direction. If the boots are too stiff, you may not get the amount of control you need. According to the boot you choose, there will be a type of binding that goes with it. Be sure to try on and test the boots and bindings in the store before you make a purchase. Making your purchase at a store that has a generous return policy is also a good idea. That way you can return or exchange the boots if you find they aren't working for you.

Apparel

Obviously, it's going to be freezing out there in the snow. You'll want to choose apparel that keeps your body warm and dry but also allows you enough freedom of movement to enjoy yourself. In general, you'll want several layers including some long underwear or undershirt, then a cotton shirt above that, then a fleece pullover, then a thicker jacket over that for warmth and finally a waterproof jacket over that. Layering allows you to adjust for your own comfort and warmth as needed. You'll also want to choose some headwear, such as a helmet or beanie to prevent heat loss through your head.

Accessories

One of the most important accessories you'll want to have is a pair of snowboarding goggles. A good pair of goggles will protect your eyes from snow glare, the sun, snow and if you should veer off course, your eyes will be protected from that stray branch that hits you in the face. Other accessories that are also important include gloves, socks, sunblock, ear warmers, scarf and any safety accessories you may need, like wrist and knee guards.

Lydia Quinn writes for PhatSportShades, a leading performance eyewear provider, offering [http://www.phatsportshades.com/ski_goggles.php]snowboarding goggles Visit us at: http://www.phatsportshades.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Quinn http://EzineArticles.com/?Essential-Snowboarding-Gear-For-The-Beginning-Snowboarder&id=1001512

Snowboarding Tips

2008-04-20T14:33:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tips

Learn to Snowboard - Online Lessons by a Professional Coach

By Chris R Cathcart
Snowboarding has increased in population worldwide for the past several years. Every year thousands of people try snowboarding for the time. Many of these first timers decide to stick with and continue their passion for the board.

I started out snowboarding a couple of years ago after being an avid skier for 24 years. There was something about the sport that intrigued me about it. I would constantly see these young kids taking the slope on these boards wondering what the thrill was all about. So I decided to give it a go. I have to say that the first few outing I spent 99% of the time with my bottom on the snow. It was really tough to get the hang of even with skateboarding experience under my belt.

After the first few tries I decided to get lessons from a local trainer. I have to say that these lessons although extremely expensive do build the basic foundation to allow you to grow within the sport. Lessons are essential for those who are first starting or for even those who want to improve their game. After the first couple of personal lessons I decided to search around the internet to find tips as these personal lessons were getting to be a bit expensive and at that point I wanted to elevate my skills to point of doing some basic tricks.

After a few websites provided some good information I came across a website that claimed they would provide secrets and formulas to increasing your skill level and learning the tricks that the professionals use. At that same time they offered a money back guarantee so at least I had that to fall back on in case it was a scam. The founder and owner of the website is a professional trainer in Canada (Matt Belair) so I at least felt I would be getting something with some quality to it.

Anyway, moving on, I have to say that at first I was disappointed. There was a lot of information and a lot of direction that I had to put forth on the slopes and off the slopes. I almost gave up after using the system for a short period of time. Instead of fighting to get my money back I decided to really give it a go. I soon realized that if I wanted to gain the knowledge and the skills needed to elevate myself to the next level I really did need to follow the formula and commit myself to the training program. This is where it all had changed for me. The system is truly amazing if you stick to it and commit yourself. Matt provides very easy techniques to learn all the top tricks. As a result of his formulas you really do learn them fast and correct the first time instead of constant trial and error.

Matt has 3 basic rules to his training:

Focused Training:

This is really meant to represent the fundamentals of the tricks. This is where he provides written and verbal communication on the trick, having the rider practice on dry land and on snow.

Physical Training:

This is really what deterred me originally, having to physically prepare myself and my body for the tricks. Like I said above you have to commit yourself if you really want to become a good snowboarder. This physical training is really a key aspect of the overall program.

Mental Training:

Matt really focuses on the mental aspect of training. If you ever get lessons privately or through other sources there really is not much focus on preparing yourself mentally. For those who have become good at anything you know that a large part of the skill comes from mental preparation. The formulas and lessons learned in this program focus a lot on the mental aspect, which I believe is what got me so good so quickly.

Again, if you are not willing to follow the training and commit yourself I would not bother looking into this as you do need to have some dedication. If you do want to improve yourself and learn the tricks and skills that you see so many folks on the hill have this is the best place by far that I have seen provide the training.

For more information please visit http://www.thesnowboardingacademy.com
The Snowboarding Academy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_R_Cathcart http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-to-Snowboard---Online-Lessons-by-a-Professional-Coach&id=1011080

Austrian Alps

2008-04-16T05:07:00.000Z

Snowboarding

2008-04-13T10:01:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Ruapehu New Zealand

In the centre of the North Island of New Zealand you will find three volcanoes that rise up out of the centre of the island plateau. Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand is the southern most of these three volcanos. Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand has three ski areas. The two main areas Whakapapa on the north-western side and Turoa on the southern side of the volcano join together for marketing purposes as 'Ruapehu'. These fields are found in New Zealand's Tongariro National Park.

Whakapapa is New Zealand's largest and busiest ski area. On Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand you will find unpredictable and rapidly-changing weather conditions. The field has an array of bluffs and drop offs which can be tricky in the white out conditions experienced at times on the mountain. Higher parts of the mountain have easier areas to ski on than lower level parts of the mountain.

Turoa on the south western side of the mountain shares the same lift pass as Whakapapa and has Australasia's biggest vertical drop (720m) when all parts of the field are open. Turoa can be an extremely cold place to ski. I have done most of my New Zealand skiing in the South Island and could not believe how cold it was skiing at Turoa when I went there. We had to stop at one of the chair stations going down the field to warm up going down.

There is no easy skiable access between the two fields.

French Alps

2008-04-09T00:17:00.000Z

French Alps

FRENCH ALPS - Mègeve

Mègeve is a large linked ski area with a resort atmosphere, fancy restaurants and designer hotels. You will find a sophisticated nightlife there. Mègeve is generally not a destination for the younger crowd due to the cost. This is a furs resort!

The field is best for beginners, families, intermediate cruisers, ski-to-lunchers, non-skiers, cross country skiers and night owls. Mègeve is large with smooth and well-groomed slopes.

There are two snow parks: One on Mont Joux and the other is on the Combloux section. The better of the two parks is on Mont Joux, which has a manmade pipe and an on-duty pro lending shovels to the kids constantly modifying and doctoring the jumps. Advanced riders can find enough to keep busy in the two terrain parks or off piste on the Cote 2000 chairlift.

The base of the field is 850m (2788ft) and the top is 2350m (7780ft). The season is usually a short one. Mègeve is a serious contender for the most stylish resort in the French Alps...

Steamboat Springs Skiing

2008-04-06T22:55:00.000Z

Breckenridge Ski Resort

2008-04-02T10:19:00.000Z

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Radical Mystery Bus Tour Hits Breckenridge, CO

By Press Release
Posted 12.05.2007
Friday, November 30th will likely be a day that 45 shop kids in Colorado remember for the rest of their lives. Not really sure of what to expect, handpicked employees were told to show up at John Damiano’s Burton showroom in Denver at 7:00 am for some breakfast prior to boarding a bus bound for Breckenridge.

The guests, ranging from ages 18 – 38 and working at various snowboard shops across the Front Range mixed and mingled over coffee and breakfast burritos that morning. The last thing they expected was to be greeted by Burton riders Jeremy Jones, Dave Downing, Elena Hight and Jussi Oksanen. Before the surprise could even fully register, everyone was loaded on to the bus and was on their way for a full day of fun and riding with the Burton crew. To pass the time various snowboard videos played on the bus’ TV monitors during the 90 minute ride to Breck.

Once the bus pulled up to the Beaver Run base area at the resort everyone was directed to the Burton Demo tent that Damiano’s crew had set up and stocked with 08 product for the occasion. Jake Burton, Kelly Clark, Gabi Viteri and Madison Ellsworth were already there, waiting for the group to arrive and pick up their lift tickets and lunch passes. The temperature was 36 with a light snow falling throughout the day; perfect conditions for a super fun day.

In the words of Liam Griffin, Events Director for Burton the “level of stoke was at an all time high” and the Radical Mystery Bus Tour was well underway.

Shop kids, pros and Burton employees all took laps together, hitting the newly opened back-to-back 30’ tables, popping in and out of the woods, floating rollers, hitting the jib park and having a blast. Principal Burton photographer Jeff Curtes and filmer Aaron Hooper were on hand shooting the days’ events so the kids could have professional shots and footage of them after the day was done. Dave Downing and Jeremy Jones hammed it up for the cameras, taking turns laying down on their backs and sticking their boards in the air for the other to slide.

Everyone broke from the fun for lunch at the Peak 9 restaurant at the top of Beaver Run. The tickets that were issued that morning were good for anything and everything at the restaurant- and kids were taking full advantage, piling up their trays with as much food as they would hold. Some of our snowboard media friends stopped by in addition to snowboarding legends Janna Meyen and Todd Richards.

Once everyone was sufficiently full, all were ushered outside for a group shot. Then, back to work- more jibbing, slashing, thrashing, schralping and shredding was to be had.
As the day wound down everyone ended up back at the Burton Demo tent to meet up and head down to dinner at Mi Casa in Breck. Over Mexican food and margaritas everyone traded their stories from the day.

“It was a blast. I have never been to a party that compared to this. The Playboy Mansion couldn’t top it!” said Sean Galway of BC Surf and Sport. Jakob Hosmer of North Shore in Colorado Springs told us “I met my heroes today, getting to ride with these guys that I’ve looked up to and based my life around definitely got me amped for snowboarding. Today was epic.”

Jake Burton couldn’t agree more, “Today was definitely the best day of my winter so far, it was great to meet so many good people and have lots of fun out there with them.” Final hugs and handshakes were doled out as the bus filled back up and headed home. This unique opportunity may not be the last- where and when the Radical Mystery Bus Tour shows up next is anyone’s guess. Stay tuned!

Snowboard Packages

2008-04-01T08:30:00.000Z

Snowboard Packages

Time for a Snowboarding Vacation

by Sally Rutherford
We as a society have come to be conditioned to think that a thin body image is "perfect". This type of image is portrayed in the media day in and day out. A recent survey found that models in the media are actually thinner then ninety-eight percent of the young girls and women in the United States.This is very ironic considering that our society is also one in which food is made to be delivered fast and in large quantities. It is no wonder that so many young women and girls in their early teens are confused about how their body should look.

If you turn on the TV you will notice all the incredibly thin females who are made out to be the perfect female on commercials touting everything from make up to automobiles. Then you'll see another commercial, which is for some type of fast food, urging you to double the size of your order, even though the kid's meal will fill the stomachs of most adults.

Parents have a larger role then they think they do in how their children view their own bodies. Parents can influence a teen by using not only words, but also through body language. Your glances and gestures can influence a child negatively whether or not you mean for them to be negative. It is therefore advised that when you speak to a teen about eating or about weight issues in general be careful in the type of body language that you use. Each action or gesture, including facial expressions that we make, carries a message of its own. When talking to your teen about healthy eating or possible weight issues, be certain that you are conscious of the facial expressions and gestures that you are using.

How you discuss your own body in front of your children will influence how they feel about their own bodies. By speaking of your body in a negative way it is possible for your child to view their own body in a negative way, especially if you have certain traits in common with your child. Rather than saying how fat you feel, just say that you think you would feel better and have more energy if you began an exercise program. Talking about your body in this manner puts a positive spin that outweighs the negative aspect that you are speaking of.

If there's something about your body that bothers you do not try to hide it under baggy clothes and say that it is taken care of. It is far better for you to admit that you have a problem area with your body and take the proper action to get it under control rather than to teach your young teen to hide a particular part of their body. Hiding a part of their body will teach a teen to be ashamed of that part of their body, and could cause the child to have self image issues which can follow them into adulthood.

It is no secret how we perceive our bodies, as by our body language and casual conversation we let those around us know exactly how we feel about our body image. It is for this reason that while we are around our children we should try to maintain a level of positive words and actions about our bodies.Although teens pretend to tune parents out, they actually tune into our actions and mimic our good and bad habits. We can often give teens their best advise by not saying anything but by acting as role models. The way you eat, exercise and spend your free time will influence your teen. By having them grow up in an atmosphere of healthy eating, good body image and regular fitness will be the best lesson of all.

I recently did a review of a product you may be interested in. It explains how to save 50 to 75% on hotels and flights using travel agent only special rates! Check it out here.Time for a snowboarding vacation
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Snowboarding Tricks

2008-03-31T10:52:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tricks

New eBook Reveals Snowboarding Tips & Tricks

By Peter Vandenberg
First some history, snowboarding originated in the U.S. in the 1960's. Early boards were very rudimentary in design compared to the models available today. More recent designs reflect the variety of riding styles that have emerged within the sport.

The growing recognition of snowboarding around the world is evidenced by its establishment as a sports discipline in 1995. Snowboarding competitions have been taking place for approximately 20 years, and include events such as the halfpipe, boardercross, slopestyle and parallel giant slalom. As such, snowboarding has been included in events in Winter Olympics and Winter X-games. It even has a US Open tournament of its own. The growth of snowboarding as a sport is undeniable as more and more people get hooked on it.

Now that you are among the countless ones who want to try out the fun and excitement that only snowboarding can give, it is high time that you learn the basics of making your very first downhill ride on a snowboard. So how do you begin?

First, you need to procure the necessary snowboarding equipment. If you already have the necessary equipment, you can start learning the basics of riding your snowboard. Here are a few important things to remember as you start to find your destiny in snowboarding.

Keep in mind that snowboarding is similar to snow skiing. The body movements that enable you to control and stabilize your snowboard are the same as the movements in skiing. Therefore, if you are already a skilled skier, there will be fewer problems for you ahead. A skier will have easier time than a skateboard thrasher to learn snowboarding.

Always be in a relaxed position. Like any sport, snowboarding requires a calm and hang-loose mindset. Most accidents and injuries in snowboarding happen when one is in tensed position. As you mount your snowboard, keep your knees bent; a stiff stance will only make you absorb impacts between your snowboard and snow.

Try steering the snowboard over the small area you are in. Practice making turns, learn the finer points of toe-side turns, which means turning by lifting your heels up while pressing your toes to the snowboard; or heel-side turns, which make use of your heels for your turning. Once you have mastered the basics of balancing and steering your snowboard, you can move to a bigger patch of snow, but do not try a long and steep slope just yet.

Now that you have actually moved on your snowboard, you have to learn how to stop your snowboard. Stopping a snowboard basically requires making more turns until you find your self going for an uphill position. An uphill direction will certainly slow your snowboard down until you are in a complete stop.

After learning all the basic riding movements, you are ready for the next level. This is where Matt Belair's Snowboard Academy comes in!
Matt Belair is a certified Level 2 snowboard instructor who set up an online snowboard camp. The Snowboard Academy provides an ebook manual and three audio's in which you will learn an integrated system of snowboarding that includes: Mental Training, Physical Training and Focused Training. By integrating these 3 key parts in his training program, Matt Belair is able to teach you how to ride the snowboard park, how to make, the snowboard backflips, freestyle from spinning 720's over 55ft table tops to slaying city hand rails with ease and other snowboard tips and tricks.

For more information about the Online Snowboard Academy visit their website.

Article written by Peter Vandenberg for ebook-scene.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Vandenberg http://EzineArticles.com/?New-eBook-Reveals-Snowboarding-Tips-and-Tricks&id=603686

Snowboarding Tips

2008-03-26T11:42:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tips

Starting An Online Snowboarding Business

by Ivan Harnes
Are you tired of working for the boss man, and getting no recognition for the efforts you put in? Are you sick of working harder than your colleagues, but getting paid exactly the same, derisory amount? Well you dont have to suffer it any longer. If you are passionate about snowboarding, why not consider starting a snowboarding business? By working with your passion, you can create a product or service that youll will enjoy, and that will make you money.

There are loads of different types of business you can do in keeping with your snowboarding hobby. You could begin by retailing snow boarding equipment online, or alternatively by customising boards if you are artistic. Either way, youre going to need a website. Make sure you shop around for a good deal on web design, and take the time to think about all the functionality you are going to require. Will you need a contact form, or a shopping cart? What domain name would be ideally suited to your business? How much should you spend on online marketing? These are all concerns which must be addressed before launching your website in addition to the normal hassles of running a business. Having said that, it can be a highly rewarding pursuit, particularly financially if you get it right!

Alternatively, you might like to consider setting up a snowboarding holiday company in your local town or city. By running trips out to the slopes, you can benefit financially as well as from a greater number of boarding trips. All you would need to ensure would be some form of marketing or sales channel, such as a website, or a shop front in your local shopping mall, and links with a snowboard resort and a coach company. You might even find that youd be able to negotiate discounts for large groups, which could lead to increased profit margins for your business. As long as you take care to market your business, you should be able to drive sales, and if you can do that at a profit, and you enjoy doing it, then that is really all that matters. Imagine waking up on a dark Monday morning to go into your own shop - youll be surprised how much easier it is to get out of bed!

Whatever you decide to do, it is important to make sure you have thoroughly planned your business, weighing up pros and cons from every angle. That way, you will be sure to have covered all the eventualities in your budgeting, and you wont be left high and dry. Another good tip is to use a business plan template for your business. This way, youll think about all the necessary elements, which will again help with your planning, and be an invaluable aid if you are seeking investment.

Before starting any business, it is important to understand there is an element of risk involved. Do not invest any more money than you can afford to lose, and remember not to quit your job until you are actually experiencing the income you need to support yourself from the business. Faith is a good thing in business, but so is common sense, and it pays not to be too headstrong and exercise caution at every stage.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. You may reprint this article, as long as the article is unedited and this author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.

Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com

Snow Facts

2008-03-24T13:09:00.000Z

Snow Facts

Let’s Toast the Snow
There is a certain feel about the time of year when the last autumn leaves fall: the ski season is about to begin.

As the seasons change, so do the drinks we yearn for. The first snow is falling, the romantic picture of a chalet with a deep fur rug, an open fire hearth and a glass of mulled wine or aged port come to your mind.

Cocktail list, like restaurant menus, are seasonal. The fresh and fruity summer cocktails are replaced by heart-warming, satisfying cocktails. Instead of using the base spirits of gin and vodka, blends with scotch, cognac or brandies are used. You sip them as you sit and warm your toes after a hard day on the slopes.

One of the favourite classic cocktails is the Brandy Alexander. The smooth, creamy cocktail warms you as you sip it and the aroma and flavour of the spicy nutmeg brings to mind the thoughts of the log cabin.

Whether you are snowboarding or skiing imagine relaxing by the fire and sipping on your Brandy Alexander while the snow falls on the mountains for another day on the slopes tomorrow…

Brandy Alexander

30ml Brandy – may be replaced with a fine cognac
30 ml Crème de Cacao
30 ml Cream
Freshly ground nutmeg

Method:
Shake and strain all the ingredients into a frosted martini glass.
Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg.
Kick off your boots and warm your toes by the fire.
Enjoy…

Snowboarding History

2008-03-20T12:06:00.000Z

Snowboarding History

History of Snowboarding

In 1974, Milovich started making snowboards for his buddies and people who contacted him. In 1976, he founded Winterstick brand boards. They only had two types of boards, and they produced 100 of them. They were featured in some articles in Newsweek, Playboy, and Powder. They also took their boards to the SIA (Snowsports Industries America) and the NSGA (National Sporting Goods Association) tradeshows. Not many people were interested. The company still exists today, but Milovich got out of the business to start an engineering business.

1977 was a big year for snowboarding. Mike Olson built his first snowboard in high school as a shop project. In an amazing coincidence, Tom Sims had also built a snowboard in his junior high woodshop class. He was a skater who wanted to make a skateboard (without the wheels, of course) for the snow. Sims along with his friend and employee, Chuck Barfoot, started making snowboards out of Sims’ garage in 1977. Apparently Barfoot was the one who actually made the snowboards at that point, and he also worked with Bob Webber. Bob Webber came up with something called "The Yellow Banana". Barfoot apparently tweaked it a bit and came up with "The Flying Yellow Banana". It’s sold under the Sims name as the "Skiboard".
This same year, Jake Burton Carpenter finished up school in New York and moved to Vermont to start making snowboards out of his garage. When he was a kid, he had been a big fan of the Snurfer, which he said he had been modifying since high school. In 1977, he founded Burton Boards, his own snowboarding company which is still successful today. Snowboarding continues to grow in popularity.

In 1979, Paul Graves went insane on a snurfer at the Annual Snurfer Contest in Michigan. He did flips, bent down on the board halfway through, and did four sliding 360s. Jake Burton Carpenter entered too, but wanted to compete on one of his boards. There was a huge controversy, but Graves and others fought for his right to compete on his board. That’s the last year Poppen sold Snurfers.

Also in 1979, Graves appeared riding a Snurfer in a LaBatt’s beer commercial. The history of snowboarding has finally begun to include more than just a handful of people. People all over Canada and the northern U.S. saw Graves in the commercial and wanted to try it out for themselves.

In 1980, Burton came out with boards that used ski technology for the first time. That’s disputed, however. Many people believe that Milovich used that technology back in 1974. In 1980, Sims got a big deal with a big mainstream company for his skateboards and snowboards. Barfoot wasn’t included in the deal, so he started his own snowboarding company in 1981, the same year that the first snowboarding contest (a fairly small one) took place in Leadville, Colorado.

In 1982, a very important part of the history of snowboarding took place. Paul Graves organized the very first National Snowsurfing Championships. They were held at Suicide Six Ski Area in Woodstock, Vermont. Sports Illustrated, Good Morning America, and The Today Show all covered some aspect of the contest. The contestants were clocked at more than 60 miles per hour in the downhill contest. People competed on Snurfers, Burton boards, and Sims boards. Burton and Sims actually competed, too. Doug Bouton, a guy from the Burton team, won first overall on a Burton board.

The same year, Avalanche Snowboards was created in Salt Lake Tahoe. They only made three boards the first year and used a formica base.

In 1983, rivals Burton and Sims each held their own competition. Burton held the National Snowboarder Championship (Snurfers and Snowboarders didn’t race together again after 1982), and Sims held the first World Snowboarding Championship. Burton’s event was in Vermont, where he lived, and Sims’ event was in the Lake Tahoe area, where he lived. Sims tried to outdo the Burton event by including a halfpipe event. Several competitors (including the Burton team) threatened to boycott the contest because the halfpipe event would be considered in the total scores. Those members didn’t think it had anything to do with snowboarding. This dispute created the two different types of snowboarders.

Snowboarding

2008-03-18T11:36:00.000Z

Snowboarding News

Visit http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/ and hear more about...

The US Open Snowboarding Championships at Stratton Mountain, Vt., promise big air, a "flying tomato" and a lot of medieval garb.

The 26th annual competition, which starts today, bills itself as “The Most Righteous Snowboarding Battle of the Ages.” It includes under-the-tent jousting demonstrations and features halfpipe, slopestyle and big air events.

All eyes will be on Carlsbad's Shaun White, the red-haired Olympic gold medalist and “Flying Tomato” who won his second straight U.S. Open halfpipe last year.

But the event is not limited to the big names. Anyone can enter, and contestants are chosen by lottery.

Last year, the theme was 1980s retro. This year, in keeping with the medieval theme, event-goers are being encouraged to dress as serfs, maidens, knights, wizards and dragons. Five jousting events are scheduled daily in its sponsor tent.

Snowboarding History

2008-03-17T11:42:00.000Z

Snowboarding History

The History of Snowboarding

Snowboarding is the world’s fastest-growing alpine sport. It has grown through the tough initial stage. When we look back in history there are a number of events that started snowboarding as we know it today.

Most people think snowboarding is a new concept, first invented in the last couple of decades. The first snowboards may be traced back to the 1920s.

Men and older boys took plywood or boards from the sides of barrels tied them together with clothesline as their base. They would then use horse reins or some more clothesline to try to keep their feet tied into place on the boards.

They would then slide down snow-covered hills standing up on boards that would make up the first stories of the history of snowboarding 80 years later.

It wasn’t until 1965 when there are pictures of Sherman Poppen with his “Snurfer.” Poppen was a chemical engineer in Muskegon, Michigan. He tied together two skis and put a rope at the front to make it easier to steer.

He made this contraption for his daughter, Wendy. Poppen’s wife gave it the name “Snurfer” because it was a Snow Surfboard. When all of Wendy’s friends wanted Snurfers, Sherman Poppen got a manufacturer to make them, and they were sold for $15 each.

The Snurfer was incredibly successful – over half a million were sold in one year. Poppen organized competitions where people could “snurf.”

A man from Vermont named Jake Burton Carpenter got to see one of these Snurfers as a child. He was an avid skier, but he always wanted to surf, so he was excited to see this new contraption that would end up playing an important role in snowboarding history.

While Carpenter was experimenting with Snurfers, an East Coast Surfer named Dimitrije Milovich was coming up with his own inventions. In 1970, inspired by sliding on trays in upstate New York, Milovich started developing snowboards based on surfboard design.

He got together with a surfboard maker, Wayne Stovekin. (Milovich actually gives Stovekin credit as the first snowboarder and snowboard maker.) They started making a type of snowboard based on a surfboard design with metal edges.

Apparently, he patented the design in 1971 with plans on selling the idea to ski companies.

And there was progression after progression from there with snowboarding. From 1969 Bob Webber kept trying to get a patent for his early 'skiboard' design. He finally got it in 1972.

This is the same year that Dimitrije Milovich dropped out of college and moved to Utah where he could experiment with his boards in the deepest powdery snow. He patented the “Swallowtail” design that year.

Snowbird

2008-03-10T11:08:00.000Z

Snowbird

Snowbird

Snowbird and Alta have been named the No. 1 Ski Resort in the United States by Skiing Magazine for four years running. They are located up the Little Cottonwood Canyon in the centre of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Snowbird is one mile down the Little Cottonwood Canyon from Alta. They share a lift link and a lift pass for skiers only. This combination has created the most challenging European-style ski circuit for advanced riders and skiers in the whole of North America. Snowbird has one of Americas few cable cars. Another term for these cable cars is aerial trams. Please note that Snowboarders are banned from Alta.

The field has an average annual snowfall of 500 inches of “dry” Utah powder. The base is at 7760 feet and the top elevation is at Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet, giving a vertical rise of 3240 feet. There are 2500 skiable acres with 27% suitable for beginners, 38% for intermediates and 35% suited for advanced riders and skiers. There are 89 runs with a 125-person tram and various quads and double chair lifts. In the summer of 2006 the Peruvian lift was replaced with a new high-speed quad and a 600 feet tunnel housing a conveyor life making intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and riders.

At the Blue Bell Run there is a terrain park serviced by the Baby Thunder lift. A Superpipe is located on the Big Emma run accessed by the Mid Gad or Gadzoom lifts.

Snowbird is 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport and is a 45 minute scenic drive from the airport, making same day skiing and flying a reality.

Thredbo

2008-03-07T00:51:00.000Z

Thredbo

Thredbo, Australia

Thredbo is found in the Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia. The field opened in the early 1950’s by Austrian and Czech immigrants who were involved in building the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme. Tony Sponar, a Czechoslovakian hydrographer saw the potential for a mountain resort. He had been a ski instructor at the renowned St Anton Resort in Austria from 1941 to 1948.

Thredbo boasts the largest snowmaking system in the Southern Hemisphere that now covers 63 hectares of the snow riding area. The Thredbo base is at 1365 metres and the summit is at 2037 metres giving a vertical rise of 672 metres. The field covers 480 hectares with 16% suitable for beginners, 67% suitable for intermediates and 17% where the advanced will be contented. The longest winter run is 5.9km. Thredbo has an average snowfall of 204cm.

On the night of 30 July 1997 the Alpine Way, the road above Thredbo collapsed under pressure from heavy rain, melting snow and transported material. Carinya Lodge was pushed by the road collapse into the lodge below and both it and Bimbadeen Staff Lodge were completely destroyed. The collapse occurred late at night when most residents were in bed. Eighteen people perished in the collapse.

In the aftermath all aspects of the physical geography of the site were examined by engineers, geologists, and civil contractors, technical experts such as the geomorphologists, climatologists, geotechnical advisors and landscaping specialists. Reconstruction has since taken place and full precautionary measures have been covered to make sure nothing like the disaster happens again.

It will take you approximately 5-6.5hrs drive to get to Thredbo from Sydney (500km), 5.5-7hrs drive from Melbourne (500km) or 2.5 hrs from Canberra (180km).

French Alps

2008-03-01T07:51:00.000Z

French Alps

French Ski Resorts

France has over 180 ski resorts with hundreds of kilometres of ski slopes in some of the most spectacular mountains in the world. It is possible to ski all year round in France and you will find ski terrain to suit everyone.

In France you will find some of the best and most extreme ski areas in the world, also some of the biggest. There are ski resorts scattered around both of the two main mountain ranges in France, the Pyrenees and the Alps.

The French Resorts vary in style from huge purpose built monstrosities like Flaine to pretty old farming villages like Megève or Chatel. Lift systems vary enormously as well, from antiquated to modern high tech. Lift passes aren’t cheap so be careful not to lose yours.

The most popular resorts are: Chamonix; Courchevel; Les Arcs/Bourg Saint Marice Ski Resort; Megeve; Meribel; Morzine; Societe des Trois Vallees; Tignes; Val d’lsere; Val Thorens; Les Deux Alpes; Serre Chevalier; La Plagne; Alpe d’Huez; La Tania and Les Gets.

Vermont Ski Resorts

2008-02-27T21:23:00.000Z

Vermont Ski Resorts

Vermont Ski Resorts

The United States first ski lift, a rope tow was installed in Woodstock, Vermont in 1934. The site of the tow is on Woodstock’s Gilbert Hill, just north of the village on Route 12.

Vermont is on the eastern side of the United States and today has 19 Alpine Resorts. The terrain parks vary in size and features yet more super pipes, parks, half pipes and rails are popping up every year.

The largest ski and snowboard area in the east is Killington with the East’s highest capacity lift system. There are six interconnected mountains and with nearby Pico Mountain they offer unparalleled diversity with the greatest vertical in New England.

Other popular resorts include Smugglers’ Notch, Sugarbush, Stowe Mountain, Stratton Mountain and Jay Peak. You will also find Pico Mountain, Mount Snow, Bromley Mountain, Ascutney Mountain, Okemo Mountain, Burke Mountain, Suicide Six, Middlebury College Snow Bowl (rich in tradition), Bolton Valley and Magic Mountain resorts.

Mad River Glen in Vermont is the last hold-out in the East to continue to ban snowboards.

Cochran Ski Area is Vermont’s Ski Area for Kids. It is run as a non-profit enterprise and home to a junior race team.

Chamonix

2008-02-26T02:57:00.000Z

Chamonix

Chamonix

Chamonix is best for expert skiers and snowboarders, non-skiers and night-owls. The area is not recommended for beginners to lower intermediates, families, fair-weather skiers, nervous skiers or those wanting skiing convenience.

Chamonix is not so much a single resort as a chain of unconnected ski areas set along both sides of the valley dominated by Mont Blanc. The Chamonix town itself is based around a core of hotels and villas that were built near the end of the nineteenth century.

The top of the area is the Aiguille du Midi, a 3842m (12605ft) peak serviced by a cable-car. The base altitude is 1035m (3396ft). Chamonix is different from other ski resorts. It is thought of as the climbing and extreme skiing capital of the world...

Austrian Alps

2008-02-24T21:18:00.000Z

Austrian Alps

Austrian Alps - Ischgl
Ischgl and the neighbouring Galtur are in the Austrian Tirol within a mountain range known as 'The Silvrettas'. There is one ski pass linking the villages of Ischgl, Galtur and the village of Samnaun on the Swiss side of the mountain. People often ski/snowboard over to Samnaun to buy duty-free product and then return back to the Austrian side of the mountains. Ischgl is the first of the resorts that you see as you come into the Paznaun valley. It is the biggest of the resorts in the region. There is a great traditional Austrian feeling about the whole valley. The town of Ischgl is positioned on a small hill in a deep valley and you can walk from one end to the other via a network of elevators and short-cut tunnels.

The base of the field is at 1400 metres and the top is at 2872 metres giving a vertical rise of 1472 metres. The longest run is 9 km. The field has 48km of cross country trails and 80km of testing off-piste trails. Ischgl is recommended for intermediate level and upwards. The nearby resort of Galtur offers better facilities for the beginner skier. The resort has other attractions as well including a seven-kilometre toboggan run, a bowling alley, paragliding amenities, an indoor swimming pool, historical monuments, zoological gardens and a national park.

The Rennstrecke Funpark at Idjoch on Ischgl is claimed to be the largest dedicated snowboard park in Europe. Rennstrecke has 5 jumps ranging from beginner to professional; 4 straight jumps ranging from advanced to professional; 3 high jumps ranging from advanced to professional; 1 fun box for the advanced; 1 quarter-pipe; 1 world cup half-pipe 'The Tube'; 4 rails ranging from beginner to professional; 2 wave rides ranging from advanced to professional; a Boardercross including snakes, waves and jumps; 1 children's cross including snakes, waves and a jump; 1 giant slalom including timekeeping. The field also hosts a ski giant slalom and a high speed course.

To summarise Ischgl it has the biggest terrain park in Europe, reliable snow, beautiful scenery, a large ski area and lively après-ski - sounds great to me!

Heavenly Ski Resort

2008-02-18T22:20:00.000Z

Heavenly Ski Resort

Heavenly Ski Resort

Heavenly Ski Resort is one of fifteen alpine resorts on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. From the top of the mountain you can choose to snowboard in Nevada, with views of the Nevada Desert or the Californian side overlooking the lush beauty of Lake Tahoe.

The base elevation for the field is 6540 feet. The top of the field is 10067 feet giving a vertical rise of around 3500 feet. There is snowmaking over 70% of the mountain trails. The average annual snowfall is 360 inches and for the 20004-2005 season the snowfall was 480 inches.

Heavenly Ski Resort offers 4,800 acres of skiable terrain making it California's largest resort. There are 91 trails, the longest mountain run is 5.5 miles. The field has 35% suited to expert/advanced ski ability; 45% is suited to intermediate ability and 20% suited to the beginner.

For 2005/06, Heavenly built South Lake Tahoe's only terrain park that's open for night riding and made improvements to existing parks.

Squaw Valley

2008-02-15T07:53:00.000Z

Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley, California

Squaw Valley opened in 1949 with one chair lift, a rope tow, and a lodge. It is located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada. Today, Squaw Valley USA is one of the world's premier destination resorts with year-round recreation and first-class accommodation. High Camp is located at the top of Squaw Valley’s aerial Cable Car. This facility is available year-round and is complete with a mountain top Olympic sized Ice Skating Pavilion, Swimming Lagoon & Spa, Olympic Museum, restaurants and snowtubing.

Squaw Valley base is located at 6200 feet (1890m) and the top of the field is at 9050 feet (2758m) giving a vertical rise of 2850 feet. The field has good intermediate terrain and covers 4000 acres. The main mountain access is via the Gold Coast Funitel, the first of its kind in North America. The season runs from November to May with February being the biggest snow month. Squaw Valley has an average annual snowfall of 400 inches.

The field boasts a range of terrain parks.
For smaller kids and those new to pipes and parks, the Belmont park features: 3 small jumps; 2 small flat bar rails; 1 small table bar rail; 1 small rainbow rail; 2 small rainbow boxes; 2 small flat boxes.

The mainstay of Squaw's evolving pipe and park areas, the Riviera Park is built for more intermediate riders, complete with a full size halfpipe, tables, jumps, rails, boxes, and more, all accessed via a dedicated lift. Riviera Halfpipe- 225’ – 250’ long- 9’ – 10’ walls- 12 degree pitch- Riviera Pipe open for night riding (until 9pm) 4-5 rail set-ups in the park (rotated every 2-3 weeks) including:- 20’ single bar rail- 20’ double bar rail- 20’ table top rail- 20’ C rail- 20’ rainbow box- 20’ flat box.
Central Park is located just below the top terminal of the Funitel.

Ford Freestyle Superpipe & Terrain Park
The Ford Freestyle/Mainline area is the home of Squaw's Superpipe placed in a location overlooking Lake Tahoe. Just below the pipe are a selection of rails and an expansive wide open area of tables and jumps. Mainline Superpipe- 550’ long- 17’ walls- 18 degree pitch
Jumps & Rails: You will find a selection of jumps and rails, including a squirley rail.

Vail Colorado

2008-02-12T12:28:00.000Z

Vail Colorado

The base of Vail Ski Area is at 8120feet (2745m) and the top of the field is 11,570feet (3526m). Vail has a reliable snow record with a large ski area. The ski/snowboard school, known as Flight School, is one of the largest in the world and offers over 150 snowboard instructors. Vail has big mogul fields and substantial off-piste terrain.

This field is best suited for children, those seeking the creature comforts, skiers and riders of all levels of experience. Blue Sky Basin, one of Vail's newer areas offers some steeper skiing.

Vail is seen as the showcase of American skiing/snowboarding. It shares a lift pass with Beaver creek, Aropahoe Basin, Breckenridge and Keystone. The field is not recommended for the budget conscious snowboarder.

The Golden Peak terrain park, known as Fly Zone, at Vail has a super-pipe that is 450ft long with 18ft walls. There are another two pipes, 24 tabletops and 30 rails plus 12 unique hand-carved rails.

At Bwana you will find Aviator, a terrain park for beginners with a beginner half-pipe, jumps and rails. So for those snowboarders wanting to improve their skills, everything is there...

Halfpipe

2008-02-08T10:57:00.000Z

Halfpipe

Halfpipe

The 'Halfpipe' originates in Skateboarding. The whole idea is now used in Snowboarding in a snow covered structure. The Halfpipe is a U-shaped bowl where Snowboard riders can move back and forth from one wall to the other while moving down the fall line. The opposing walls are of the same height and size. The Snowboarder uses the halfpipe to make jumps and perform Snowboarding Tricks.

You will need to have excellent edge and turning control in your snowboarding before you will experience success in the halfpipe. The beginner snowboarder need not be discouraged by initial failure in the halfpipe. Begin with simple tricks and slowly enhance the degree of difficulty.

The Halfpipe is a competitive Snowboarding event. Judges score according to the precise way that you land the Snowboard, balance, height, spins, flips, speed and the level of attempts at a wide variety of manoeuvres and tricks. The challenge is to jump higher and higher, getting as much air as possible, performing tricky manoeuvres and then trying to land the board as smoothly as possible.

The superpipe is a recent advancement in snowboarding. Still referred to as a "halfpipe," the superpipe took a once standard halfpipe dimension and super-sized it to a new standard. The superpipe standard was used in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Gliding in the halfpipe is the most spectacular form of snowboarding. The thrill and the play with gravity are fascinating in this variation. Everyone who is addicted to adrenaline will enjoy the halfpipe immensely...

Snowboarding Tricks

2008-01-31T12:14:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tricks

When you spend some time in the half-pipe you will really start to get a feel for your snowboarding and this is the place for 'Snowboarding Tricks'. There are loads of combinations of tricks to be mastered either in the half-pipe or using rails and ramps.

One of the first tricks to learn when snowboarding is going Backwards/Fakie (switch-stance). This term comes from skateboarding and applies to the idea of doing tricks while riding your board the opposite way to your normal stance.

Every trick that you do becomes twice as hard when you are riding your snowboard in the opposite position to what is comfortable for you...

The most commonly known tricks are:
The 180, 360, 540 and 720,
the Fakie,
the Tail Grab,
the Nose Grab,
Air to Fakie,
Wheelies,
Butters,
the Ollie,
the Backflip,
the Alley-oop,
the Miller Flip,
the Mosquito air,
the Misty flip,
the Stalefish,
the Grind,
Frontside Air,
Backside Air,
the Method Air,
the Handplant,
the Rodeo Flip and
the Roast Beef.

Snowboarding Gear

2008-01-28T10:50:00.000Z

Snowboarding Gear

When Snowboarding you need to be prepared and have the correct Snowboard Gear. Conditions in the mountains can change rapidly. If you are well prepared with the appropriate gear you will have lots more fun. It is best to layer your clothing. This gives added warmth and you can take layers of clothing off if you are hot.

The essential clothing that you need is waterproof mittens or gloves, thermal underwear (long pants and long-sleeved top), waterproof/windproof breathable snowboard pants, warm, medium socks that are a snug fit, a waterproof/windproof breathable jacket and underneath a polar fleece or jersey or layers of tops to suit you personally. Have with you a warm hat, goggles or sunglasses, a water bottle or hydration pack, sunblock (and use it!) and lip protection.

You will also need healthy snack food like banana, dried fruit or nuts. As well you may like to carry some sandwiches or something for a lunch break. Now you are set for a day on the slopes...

Whistler Blackcomb

2008-01-21T07:02:00.000Z

Whistler Blackcomb

Blackcomb rises 5280 vertical feet on one side of Fitzsimmons Creek and Whistler rises 5020 vertical feet on the other side of the creek. Both fields are found 70 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. They offer more than 7000 acres of terrain plus backcountry runs when combined.

Whistler is located 70 miles north of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The field covers 3600 acres with a vertical rise of 5020 feet. The season runs from November to July and they experience great spring snow conditions.

The Whistler region receives an average 360 inches of snow each year. In the 1998 to 1999 season, it snowed 644 inches. Whistler has seven-mile-long runs and is as big as it gets in the lift-serviced fields of North America.

The Whistler village is more like a small city. Plenty of partying goes on through the night.

Whistler Blackcomb will be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. The fields are located 70 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada...

Aspen

2008-01-09T05:06:00.000Z

Aspen

Aspen, Colorado, United States of America

On the surface Aspen can appear to be a ritzy place just for the rich to play up. When you get past this and get into the mountains there is plenty of amazing steep and gnarly terrain. This is a home for the true snowboarder, not just a place to wear the gear with the rich pseudo-snowboarders/skiiers. If you want to feel the thrill of some real terrain and the crisp air to match it - you will find the runs here!

Aspen is a favourite Colorado ski resort. It is world-renowned for its downhill skiing. Aspen Mountain rises imposingly from the township and is one of four ski areas surrounding Aspen. Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk all lie within 12 miles of Aspen town.

These mountains are cut by beautiful alpine valleys. The Maroon Creek, Castle Creek and Hunter Creek Valleys are all easily accessible from Aspen township. Much of the high mountain area surrounding Aspen lies within designated wilderness areas in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Hunter-Fryingpan, and Collegiate Peaks wildernesses.

Aspen sits at the upper end of the Roaring Fork Valley, with the Roaring Fork River, a superb trout stream, running through the town. Aspen offers an interesting history, outdoor challenging recreation opportunities, abundant cultural activities, pleasant climate and beautiful natural scenery. Most of the area around Aspen is public land within the White River National Forest.

The spectacular Elk Mountains rise to the south and west of Aspen, with the Williams Mountains and the Sawatch Range to the east. These mountains are cut by beautiful alpine valleys. The Maroon Creek, Castle Creek and Hunter Creek Valleys are all easily accessible from Aspen township. Much of the high mountain area surrounding Aspen lies within designated wilderness areas in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Hunter-Fryingpan, and Collegiate Peaks wildernesses.

The four ski mountains are the most popular attractions within Colorado ski resorts but are far from the only ones. The Maroon Bells are some of the most photographed mountains in North America and are a very popular destination. In addition to the restored historic buildings within the town of Aspen, Ashcroft and Independence are well preserved ghost towns which offer a scenic outing and a glimpse into the region's rich mining history.

The Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers provide anglers with some of the best trout fishing in the state. Independence Pass (a main summer route into town), Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft, and Maroon Creek Road are all paved roads offering spectacular scenery.

Snowboard

2008-01-04T11:10:00.000Z

Snowboard

Buying a Snowboard

To start you need to sort out two things: Your preferred style of snowboard riding and your ideal board length. Styles of snowboard riding have names and you can start with the main ones - freeride, freecarve, racing or freestyle. Each will require a different edge. The amount of edge in contact with the snow is called the effective edge. Snowboards are also available for the kids market. Kid’s snowboards are usually cheaper.

Freeriding Snowboards – A combination snowboard built for a mix of riding styles. The freerider may be doing freestyle tricks one minute, carving groomed trails the next minute and then venturing onto untracked powder. These snowboards are a medium board between the freestyle and racing snowboards and as such combine characteristics of each. There tends to be some difference in these snowboards, some tending to be more like a freestyling snowboard and others more like a racing snowboard.

Racing Snowboards – Racing or Alpine snowboards tend to be a stiffer board than the freeriding or freestyle boards. They edge better and carve out high speed turns with less chattering. Racing snowboards are narrow and fast, they are built to hold an edge at high speed. Alpine snowboards are similar, though a little sturdier to survive tough mountain skiing.

Freestyle Snowboards – Freestyle snowboarders spend most of their time in halfpipes, on rails, spinning and bonking off anything in the snowboard park. Their snowboards are wide and flexible with little camber or swing weight.

If you are unsure as to which riding style you fit into, then select the middle range freeriding snowboard, you can always move to a more suitable snowboard later. As a general rule beginners may find a snowboard that touches between their chin and nose, when they stand next to it, will work best for them. Freestyle snowboards are usually shorter and alpine and powder riding snowboards are longer.

Professional riders have snowboards built to their own specifications…they have snowboards that combine just the right amount of sidecut, flex, camber and length for their body weight and riding style…

Snowboard Bindings

2008-01-01T18:31:00.000Z

Snowboard Bindings

The selection of a suitable binding is easier than the choice of the board. The Plate Binding is adjustable in size. They are best used with hard shoes. The plate bindings are usually entered from a front binding. With this binding, an optimal transfer of energy onto the board is achieved. Plate bindings are used mainly in alpine snowboarding.

The shell or soft binding is used for freestyle and the half-pipe mainly. A soft boot is worn with the binding allowing a high degree of flexibility on the board. Adjustable buckles guarantee an even distribution of pressure and attach the boots to the board.

As regards the safety aspect, injuries when using ski boots are most frequently of the knee, including ligaments and cartilage. When soft boots are worn, the injuries tend to be more around the ankle. The ankle injuries are easier to treat and generally heal faster. Beginner’s injuries tend to be more in the knee and ankle areas, while experienced snowboarders are more prone to injuries in the hands, arms or shoulders.

Snowboards

2007-12-28T02:42:00.000Z

Snowboards

Manufacturers have developed to the stage where manufacturers offer the right board to suit each snowboarding discipline. Now a snowboarder is confronted with a large diversity of product. The choice can confuse the beginner.

There are three main groups of snowboards: All-around board; Alpine race board (asymmetrical) and the Freestyle board. There are also three methods of construction: Foam method (injection method); Compound method and the Sandwich method with wooden core. The laminated sandwich method is the most expensive to produce. The quality is unsurpassed and they have longevity.

There are two different procedures for mounting bindings onto the boards offered by manufacturers. The binding can be screwed into brass inserts or the binding is screwed into the snowboard in the binding area with special screws.

Ski New Zealand

2007-12-20T13:01:00.000Z

Ski New Zealand

2007-12-16T06:51:00.000Z

Ski New Zealand

Snowboard - New Zealand New Zealand has a range of skifields across the country. The North Island of New Zealand fields can be found centrally on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand and there is one field located in the North Island on Mount Egmont in Taranaki, New Zealand. In the South Island, New Zealand the fields are located all along the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs downwards along the centre of the island. The Rainbow skifield is the northern most field. The next field is Mount Lyford and then Amuri is located not far from the popular resort of Hanmer Springs where you can relax after your skiing/snowboarding in the hot pools.

From there we go to the more intense areas with a number of skifields through the Arthurs Pass region in the centre of the South Island on the main route from Christchurch through to the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. In this area there are a series of club fields where clubs run the operation of the field as opposed to businesses. Close to Christchurch is the field that is renowned for some of the most reliable snow conditions in the country, the commercial Mount Hutt skifield with a season running from May through to late October in the average year. This field hosts a number of International events. From there all the way down there are skifields scattered through the mountains, too many fields to list here offering a range of different terrain and facilities.

Around Lake Tekapo is the Round Hill skifield an excellent field for beginners. Lake Ohau hosts the Ohau skifield popular with snowboarders.

Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand offers ski flights taking you up to ski the Tasman Glacier for something a little different and you will find heli-skiing and riding all along the Southern Alps.

Around Wanaka the two well known fields are Treble Cone and Cardrona. Opposite Cardrona you will find Snow Park, especially equipped for the snowboarder and not to be missed while boarding in New Zealand.

Queenstown has the Remarkables field and the more established Coronet Peak skifield is close nearby the Queenstown township.

In New Zealand you will find plenty of alpine snowboarding...

Breckenridge Ski Resort

2007-12-06T21:02:00.000Z

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Radical Mystery Bus Tour Hits Breckenridge, CO

By Press Release
Posted 12.05.2007
Friday, November 30th will likely be a day that 45 shop kids in Colorado remember for the rest of their lives. Not really sure of what to expect, handpicked employees were told to show up at John Damiano’s Burton showroom in Denver at 7:00 am for some breakfast prior to boarding a bus bound for Breckenridge.

The guests, ranging from ages 18 – 38 and working at various snowboard shops across the Front Range mixed and mingled over coffee and breakfast burritos that morning. The last thing they expected was to be greeted by Burton riders Jeremy Jones, Dave Downing, Elena Hight and Jussi Oksanen. Before the surprise could even fully register, everyone was loaded on to the bus and was on their way for a full day of fun and riding with the Burton crew. To pass the time various snowboard videos played on the bus’ TV monitors during the 90 minute ride to Breck.

Once the bus pulled up to the Beaver Run base area at the resort everyone was directed to the Burton Demo tent that Damiano’s crew had set up and stocked with 08 product for the occasion. Jake Burton, Kelly Clark, Gabi Viteri and Madison Ellsworth were already there, waiting for the group to arrive and pick up their lift tickets and lunch passes. The temperature was 36 with a light snow falling throughout the day; perfect conditions for a super fun day.

In the words of Liam Griffin, Events Director for Burton the “level of stoke was at an all time high” and the Radical Mystery Bus Tour was well underway.

Shop kids, pros and Burton employees all took laps together, hitting the newly opened back-to-back 30’ tables, popping in and out of the woods, floating rollers, hitting the jib park and having a blast. Principal Burton photographer Jeff Curtes and filmer Aaron Hooper were on hand shooting the days’ events so the kids could have professional shots and footage of them after the day was done. Dave Downing and Jeremy Jones hammed it up for the cameras, taking turns laying down on their backs and sticking their boards in the air for the other to slide.

Everyone broke from the fun for lunch at the Peak 9 restaurant at the top of Beaver Run. The tickets that were issued that morning were good for anything and everything at the restaurant- and kids were taking full advantage, piling up their trays with as much food as they would hold. Some of our snowboard media friends stopped by in addition to snowboarding legends Janna Meyen and Todd Richards.

Once everyone was sufficiently full, all were ushered outside for a group shot. Then, back to work- more jibbing, slashing, thrashing, schralping and shredding was to be had.

As the day wound down everyone ended up back at the Burton Demo tent to meet up and head down to dinner at Mi Casa in Breck. Over Mexican food and margaritas everyone traded their stories from the day.

“It was a blast. I have never been to a party that compared to this. The Playboy Mansion couldn’t top it!” said Sean Galway of BC Surf and Sport. Jakob Hosmer of North Shore in Colorado Springs told us “I met my heroes today, getting to ride with these guys that I’ve looked up to and based my life around definitely got me amped for snowboarding. Today was epic.”

Jake Burton couldn’t agree more, “Today was definitely the best day of my winter so far, it was great to meet so many good people and have lots of fun out there with them.” Final hugs and handshakes were doled out as the bus filled back up and headed home. This unique opportunity may not be the last- where and when the Radical Mystery Bus Tour shows up next is anyone’s guess. Stay tuned!

Zermatt

2007-12-02T20:01:00.000Z

Zermatt

On the Zermatt field in Switzerland you will find superb scenery, alpine charm, luxury accommodation and an excellent ski school. Zermatt is at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn.

Zermatt has developed into both a summer and winter resort. There are no motorised vehicles in Zermatt. Besides electrically-powered cars and bicycles, the only form of transport allowed is horse-drawn sleighs and carriages. A promenade down the main street in the evening is always popular. At any time, it is delightful to explore some of the tiny (and romantic) cobbled alleyways just off the main street, where you will find ancient sun browned barns and traditional chalets. It is very much like stepping back in time.

Zermatt offers plenty of superb open terrain for boarders. There are also two snowboard parks and two man-made half pipes - one at Blauherd, the other between Trockener Steg and Furgg. Snowboards are also welcome on all lifts and 99% of the pistes. There is also a dedicated snowboarding school.

Austrian Alps

2007-11-28T03:37:00.000Z

Austrian Alps

The Austrian Alps are Europe's major range of mountains, spanning from the Mediterranean coast of France via Switzerland, N Italy and Austria to Slovenia. A considerable area of Austria is part of this mountain range, accordingly hiking, skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing rate highly among Austrian's favourite pastimes.

The clean air, spectacular sights, lakes and glaciers and well-tended trails and hikes contribute to the Alps allure and attract numerous tourists and visitors. The Alps flora and fauna is unique as well: the Edelweiss, Austria's national flower, and Gentian ('Enzian') may be rare, but they have shaped the world’s image of Austria and the Alps. Local animals such as chamois, marmots and ibexes are well adapted to the alpine habitat.

Would you fancy a Snowboarding trip to Austria? The Arlberg region has an interconnected lift system linking the four major resorts of Lech, St. Christoph, Zurs and St. Anton. The trails of the Arlberg region are mostly big, rolling slopes above the tree line. St Anton is the largest of the four with 260 kilometers of variable terrain and is particularly satisfying for snowboarders.

Ruapehu

2007-11-25T03:50:00.000Z

French Alps

2007-11-17T06:33:00.001Z

French Alps

FRENCH ALPS - Mègeve

Mègeve is a large linked ski area with a resort atmosphere, fancy restaurants and designer hotels. You will find a sophisticated nightlife there. Mègeve is generally not a destination for the younger crowd due to the cost. This is a furs resort!

The field is best for beginners, families, intermediate cruisers, ski-to-lunchers, non-skiers, cross country skiers and night owls. Mègeve is large with smooth and well-groomed slopes.

There are two snow parks: One on Mont Joux and the other is on the Combloux section. The better of the two parks is on Mont Joux, which has a manmade pipe and an on-duty pro lending shovels to the kids constantly modifying and doctoring the jumps. Advanced riders can find enough to keep busy in the two terrain parks or off piste on the Cote 2000 chairlift.

The base of the field is 850m (2788ft) and the top is 2350m (7780ft). The season is usually a short one. Mègeve is a serious contender for the most stylish resort in the French Alps...

French Alps

2007-11-17T06:33:00.000Z

Steamboat Springs Ski Vacations

2007-11-13T07:01:00.000Z

Steamboat Springs Ski Vacations

Steamboat

Steamboat hosts a moder lift system, a wide range of restaurants and receives good snow cover. The field is great for beginners, snowboarders and families. Steamboat is one of the Colorado fields, located at the foot of Rabbit Ears Pass in Routt county in the North West. There is a three and a half hour drive from Denver.

The top of the field is 10568ft (3221m) and the base of the field is at 6900ft (2103m). This is a very popular field with snowboarders and great to build up your skills. The field covers 2939 acres over five mountains. At Steamboat you will also find extensive snowmaking.

Steamboat Springs is four miles from teh base area of the Steamboat Ski Area...

Buy Cheep Snowboard Equipment New

2007-09-08T08:46:00.000Z

Starting An Online Snowboarding Business

by Ivan Harnes
Are you tired of working for the boss man, and getting no recognition for the efforts you put in? Are you sick of working harder than your colleagues, but getting paid exactly the same, derisory amount? Well you dont have to suffer it any longer. If you are passionate about snowboarding, why not consider starting a snowboarding business? By working with your passion, you can create a product or service that youll will enjoy, and that will make you money.

There are loads of different types of business you can do in keeping with your snowboarding hobby. You could begin by retailing snow boarding equipment online, or alternatively by customising boards if you are artistic. Either way, youre going to need a website. Make sure you shop around for a good deal on web design, and take the time to think about all the functionality you are going to require. Will you need a contact form, or a shopping cart? What domain name would be ideally suited to your business? How much should you spend on online marketing? These are all concerns which must be addressed before launching your website in addition to the normal hassles of running a business. Having said that, it can be a highly rewarding pursuit, particularly financially if you get it right!

Alternatively, you might like to consider setting up a snowboarding holiday company in your local town or city. By running trips out to the slopes, you can benefit financially as well as from a greater number of boarding trips. All you would need to ensure would be some form of marketing or sales channel, such as a website, or a shop front in your local shopping mall, and links with a snowboard resort and a coach company. You might even find that youd be able to negotiate discounts for large groups, which could lead to increased profit margins for your business. As long as you take care to market your business, you should be able to drive sales, and if you can do that at a profit, and you enjoy doing it, then that is really all that matters. Imagine waking up on a dark Monday morning to go into your own shop - youll be surprised how much easier it is to get out of bed!

Whatever you decide to do, it is important to make sure you have thoroughly planned your business, weighing up pros and cons from every angle. That way, you will be sure to have covered all the eventualities in your budgeting, and you wont be left high and dry. Another good tip is to use a business plan template for your business. This way, youll think about all the necessary elements, which will again help with your planning, and be an invaluable aid if you are seeking investment.

Before starting any business, it is important to understand there is an element of risk involved. Do not invest any more money than you can afford to lose, and remember not to quit your job until you are actually experiencing the income you need to support yourself from the business. Faith is a good thing in business, but so is common sense, and it pays not to be too headstrong and exercise caution at every stage.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. You may reprint this article, as long as the article is unedited and this author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.

Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com

Snowboarding

2007-08-08T22:59:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Let’s Toast the Snow

There is a certain feel about the time of year when the last autumn leaves fall: the ski season is about to begin.

As the seasons change, so do the drinks we yearn for. The first snow is falling, the romantic picture of a chalet with a deep fur rug, an open fire hearth and a glass of mulled wine or aged port come to your mind.

Cocktail list, like restaurant menus, are seasonal. The fresh and fruity summer cocktails are replaced by heart-warming, satisfying cocktails. Instead of using the base spirits of gin and vodka, blends with scotch, cognac or brandies are used. You sip them as you sit and warm your toes after a hard day on the slopes.

One of the favourite classic cocktails is the Brandy Alexander. The smooth, creamy cocktail warms you as you sip it and the aroma and flavour of the spicy nutmeg brings to mind the thoughts of the log cabin.

Whether you are snowboarding or skiing imagine relaxing by the fire and sipping on your Brandy Alexander while the snow falls on the mountains for another day on the slopes tomorrow…

Brandy Alexander

30ml Brandy – may be replaced with a fine cognac
30 ml Crème de Cacao
30 ml Cream
Freshly ground nutmeg

Method:
Shake and strain all the ingredients into a frosted martini glass.
Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg.
Kick off your boots and warm your toes by the fire.
Enjoy…

Snowboarding History

2007-08-07T05:07:00.000Z

Snowboarding History

The History of Snowboarding Part 1

Snowboarding is the world’s fastest-growing alpine sport. It has grown through the tough initial stage. When we look back in history there are a number of events that started snowboarding as we know it today.

Most people think snowboarding is a new concept, first invented in the last couple of decades. The first snowboards may be traced back to the 1920s. Men and older boys took plywood or boards from the sides of barrels tied them together with clothesline as their base. They would then use horse reins or some more clothesline to try to keep their feet tied into place on the boards. They would then slide down snow-covered hills standing up on boards that would make up the first stories of the history of snowboarding 80 years later.

It wasn’t until 1965 when there are pictures of Sherman Poppen with his “Snurfer.” Poppen was a chemical engineer in Muskegon, Michigan. He tied together two skis and put a rope at the front to make it easier to steer. He made this contraption for his daughter, Wendy. Poppen’s wife gave it the name “Snurfer” because it was a Snow Surfboard. When all of Wendy’s friends wanted Snurfers, Sherman Poppen got a manufacturer to make them, and they were sold for $15 each. The Snurfer was incredibly successful – over half a million were sold in one year. Poppen organized competitions where people could “snurf.”
A man from Vermont named Jake Burton Carpenter got to see one of these Snurfers as a child. He was an avid skier, but he always wanted to surf, so he was excited to see this new contraption that would end up playing an important role in snowboarding history.
While Carpenter was experimenting with Snurfers, an East Coast Surfer named Dimitrije Milovich was coming up with his own inventions. In 1970, inspired by sliding on trays in upstate New York, Milovich started developing snowboards based on surfboard design. . He got together with a surfboard maker, Wayne Stovekin. (Milovich actually gives Stovekin credit as the first snowboarder and snowboard maker.) They started making a type of snowboard based on a surfboard design with metal edges. Apparently, he patented the design in 1971 with plans on selling the idea to ski companies.

And there was progression after progression from there with snowboarding. From 1969 Bob Webber kept trying to get a patent for his early 'skiboard' design. He finally got it in 1972. This is the same year that Dimitrije Milovich dropped out of college and moved to Utah where he could experiment with his boards in the deepest powdery snow. He patented the “Swallowtail” design that year.

Snowbird

2007-08-06T01:42:00.000Z

Snowbird

Snowbird and Alta have been named the No. 1 Ski Resort in the United States by Skiing Magazine for four years running. They are located up the Little Cottonwood Canyon in the centre of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Snowbird is one mile down the Little Cottonwood Canyon from Alta. They share a lift link and a lift pass for skiers only. This combination has created the most challenging European-style ski circuit for advanced riders and skiers in the whole of North America. Snowbird has one of Americas few cable cars. Another term for these cable cars is aerial trams. Please note that Snowboarders are banned from Alta.

The field has an average annual snowfall of 500 inches of “dry” Utah powder. The base is at 7760 feet and the top elevation is at Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet, giving a vertical rise of 3240 feet. There are 2500 skiable acres with 27% suitable for beginners, 38% for intermediates and 35% suited for advanced riders and skiers. There are 89 runs with a 125-person tram and various quads and double chair lifts. In the summer of 2006 the Peruvian lift was replaced with a new high-speed quad and a 600 feet tunnel housing a conveyor life making intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and riders.

At the Blue Bell Run there is a terrain park serviced by the Baby Thunder lift. A Superpipe is located on the Big Emma run accessed by the Mid Gad or Gadzoom lifts.

Snowbird is 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport and is a 45 minute scenic drive from the airport, making same day skiing and flying a reality.

Thredbo

2007-08-03T21:16:00.000Z

French Alps

2007-08-02T02:00:00.000Z

Vermont Ski Resorts

2007-07-29T07:38:00.000Z

Vermont Ski Resorts

The United States first ski lift, a rope tow was installed in Woodstock, Vermont in 1934. The site of the tow is on Woodstock’s Gilbert Hill, just north of the village on Route 12.

Vermont is on the eastern side of the United States and today has 19 Alpine Resorts. The terrain parks vary in size and features yet more super pipes, parks, half pipes and rails are popping up every year.

The largest ski and snowboard area in the east is Killington with the East’s highest capacity lift system. There are six interconnected mountains and with nearby Pico Mountain they offer unparalleled diversity with the greatest vertical in New England.

Other popular resorts include Smugglers’ Notch, Sugarbush, Stowe Mountain, Stratton Mountain and Jay Peak. You will also find Pico Mountain, Mount Snow, Bromley Mountain, Ascutney Mountain, Okemo Mountain, Burke Mountain, Suicide Six, Middlebury College Snow Bowl (rich in tradition), Bolton Valley and Magic Mountain resorts.

Mad River Glen in Vermont is the last hold-out in the East to continue to ban snowboards.

Cochran Ski Area is Vermont’s Ski Area for Kids. It is run as a non-profit enterprise and home to a junior race team.

Snowboard Packages

2007-07-28T04:23:00.000Z

Chamonix

2007-07-27T04:03:00.000Z

Chamonix

Chamonix is best for expert skiers and snowboarders, non-skiers and night-owls. The area is not recommended for beginners to lower intermediates, families, fair-weather skiers, nervous skiers or those wanting skiing convenience.

Chamonix is not so much a single resort as a chain of unconnected ski areas set along both sides of the valley dominated by Mont Blanc. The Chamonix town itself is based around a core of hotels and villas that were built near the end of the nineteenth century.

The top of the area is the Aiguille du Midi, a 3842m (12605ft) peak serviced by a cable-car. The base altitude is 1035m (3396ft). Chamonix is different from other ski resorts. It is thought of as the climbing and extreme skiing capital of the world...

Austrian Alps

2007-07-24T23:25:00.000Z

Austrian Alps

Austrian Alps - Ischgl

Ischgl and the neighbouring Galtur are in the Austrian Tirol within a mountain range known as 'The Silvrettas'. There is one ski pass linking the villages of Ischgl, Galtur and the village of Samnaun on the Swiss side of the mountain. People often ski/snowboard over to Samnaun to buy duty-free product and then return back to the Austrian side of the mountains. Ischgl is the first of the resorts that you see as you come into the Paznaun valley. It is the biggest of the resorts in the region. There is a great traditional Austrian feeling about the whole valley. The town of Ischgl is positioned on a small hill in a deep valley and you can walk from one end to the other via a network of elevators and short-cut tunnels.

The base of the field is at 1400 metres and the top is at 2872 metres giving a vertical rise of 1472 metres. The longest run is 9 km. The field has 48km of cross country trails and 80km of testing off-piste trails. Ischgl is recommended for intermediate level and upwards. The nearby resort of Galtur offers better facilities for the beginner skier. The resort has other attractions as well including a seven-kilometre toboggan run, a bowling alley, paragliding amenities, an indoor swimming pool, historical monuments, zoological gardens and a national park.

The Rennstrecke Funpark at Idjoch on Ischgl is claimed to be the largest dedicated snowboard park in Europe. Rennstrecke has 5 jumps ranging from beginner to professional; 4 straight jumps ranging from advanced to professional; 3 high jumps ranging from advanced to professional; 1 fun box for the advanced; 1 quarter-pipe; 1 world cup half-pipe 'The Tube'; 4 rails ranging from beginner to professional; 2 wave rides ranging from advanced to professional; a Boardercross including snakes, waves and jumps; 1 children's cross including snakes, waves and a jump; 1 giant slalom including timekeeping. The field also hosts a ski giant slalom and a high speed course.

To summarise Ischgl it has the biggest terrain park in Europe, reliable snow, beautiful scenery, a large ski area and lively après-ski - sounds great to me!

Heavenly Ski Resort

2007-07-24T03:59:00.000Z

Heavenly Ski Resort

Heavenly Ski Resort is one of fifteen alpine resorts on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. From the top of the mountain you can choose to snowboard in Nevada, with views of the Nevada Desert or the Californian side overlooking the lush beauty of Lake Tahoe.

The base elevation for the field is 6540 feet. The top of the field is 10067 feet giving a vertical rise of around 3500 feet. There is snowmaking over 70% of the mountain trails. The average annual snowfall is 360 inches and for the 20004-2005 season the snowfall was 480 inches.

Heavenly Ski Resort offers 4,800 acres of skiable terrain making it California's largest resort. There are 91 trails, the longest mountain run is 5.5 miles. The field has 35% suited to expert/advanced ski ability; 45% is suited to intermediate ability and 20% suited to the beginner.

For 2005/06, Heavenly built South Lake Tahoe's only terrain park that's open for night riding and made improvements to existing parks.

Squaw Valley

2007-07-22T08:48:00.000Z

Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley, California

Squaw Valley opened in 1949 with one chair lift, a rope tow, and a lodge. It is located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada. Today, Squaw Valley USA is one of the world's premier destination resorts with year-round recreation and first-class accommodation. High Camp is located at the top of Squaw Valley’s aerial Cable Car. This facility is available year-round and is complete with a mountain top Olympic sized Ice Skating Pavilion, Swimming Lagoon & Spa, Olympic Museum, restaurants and snowtubing.

Squaw Valley base is located at 6200 feet (1890m) and the top of the field is at 9050 feet (2758m) giving a vertical rise of 2850 feet. The field has good intermediate terrain and covers 4000 acres. The main mountain access is via the Gold Coast Funitel, the first of its kind in North America. The season runs from November to May with February being the biggest snow month. Squaw Valley has an average annual snowfall of 400 inches.

The field boasts a range of terrain parks.
For smaller kids and those new to pipes and parks, the Belmont park features: 3 small jumps; 2 small flat bar rails; 1 small table bar rail; 1 small rainbow rail; 2 small rainbow boxes; 2 small flat boxes.

The mainstay of Squaw's evolving pipe and park areas, the Riviera Park is built for more intermediate riders, complete with a full size halfpipe, tables, jumps, rails, boxes, and more, all accessed via a dedicated lift. Riviera Halfpipe- 225’ – 250’ long- 9’ – 10’ walls- 12 degree pitch- Riviera Pipe open for night riding (until 9pm) 4-5 rail set-ups in the park (rotated every 2-3 weeks) including:- 20’ single bar rail- 20’ double bar rail- 20’ table top rail- 20’ C rail- 20’ rainbow box- 20’ flat box.Central Park is located just below the top terminal of the Funitel.

Ford Freestyle Superpipe & Terrain Park The Ford Freestyle/Mainline area is the home of Squaw's Superpipe placed in a location overlooking Lake Tahoe. Just below the pipe are a selection of rails and an expansive wide open area of tables and jumps. Mainline Superpipe- 550’ long- 17’ walls- 18 degree pitch
Jumps & Rails: You will find a selection of jumps and rails, including a squirley rail.

Ski Vacation

2007-07-18T04:25:00.000Z

Ski Vacation

Hemsedal Ski Resort - Norway

Hemsedal ski area is a beautiful, quiet resort. It has a base at 675m (2214ft); the top of the field is 1497m (4911ft). The field has a fast modern lift system with good off-piste skiing. The field is best suited for snowboarders, families, intermediate cruisers and those seeking a lively nightlife. Hemsedal offers the highest lift served slopes in Scandinavia. There are 41km of groomed runs. There is plenty of terrain to entertain snowboarders for a week.

The field has a large terrain park, which is floodlit at night and features two half-pipes and two quarter-pipes. Children under 7 ski for free and are provided with a free helmet for their adventure.

The slopes are good for family although if you get too far from the slopes to find powder snow, be careful. I have heard of people caught on mountains with huge drops everywhere. Ask the ski patrol before going off pisting! The mountains are majestic and can be dangerous. Ski Patrol will advise you on areas off piste in danger of avalanche. Overall a fantastic place to snowboard though...

Portillo

2007-07-14T07:01:00.000Z

Portillo

Portillo – Chile 1

Portillo is the oldest ski area in South America and the history of the field holds an important place in the history of snow sports. The base of the ski area is at 8241 feet (2512m). The top of the area is at 10905 feet with a vertical drop of 2664 feet. The longest run is a two mile run. The average annual snowfall is 24.7 feet.

What a fantastic place to snowboard, this field boasts 80% sunny days. They have a hotel at 9350 feet with ski-in, ski-out access from the hotel to the ski slopes. Portillo is 102 miles (2 hours) from Santiago.

Portillo began with the railroads in the late 19th Century. English engineers were contracted to study the feasibility of a railway through the Andes, through Mendoza and on to Buenos Aires. The English engineers then contracted two Norwegian engineers, Elmar Rosenquist and Michel Hermundsen, to conduct winter studies of the proposed line. The Norwegians spent two winters in 1887 and 1888 traversing the region on skis. They were surely the first skiers to cross the slopes of the Portillo ski area. During the construction of the railroad, skiing was common among the engineers in charge. Following the inauguration of the international railroad in 1910, these pioneers were followed by recreational skiers who used the train to get to the top of the mountain at Caracoles so they could ski down to the Juncal crossing - an area that is now within the Portillo ski resort. The Transandean Railway became the first ski lift in Chile...

Lake Louise

2007-07-13T05:05:00.000Z

Lake Louise

Lake Louise – Canada

Lake Louise is the largest single ski area in Canada. The field hosts stunning scenery and has reliable snow. You will find few queues at Lake Louise. Located in the heart of historic Banff National Park, Lake Louise is a world class ski-area in a World Heritage site.

The base of Lake Louise is at 5350 feet (1631m) and has a vertical rise of 3250 feet (991m). The top of the field is at 8650 feet (2637m) and the field hosts 1700 hectares of skiable terrain, more than enough for a week. The longest run is 8 kilometres (5 miles) and the field has 139 marked runs plus the back bowls.

The field is suited for a variety of capabilities with 25% suitable for beginners, 45% suited to intermediates and 30% of the terrain more suited for advanced riders/skiers. Activities are organised for the whole family including dog sledding, skating and torchlight parades. Lake Louise offers complete on-hill facilities including daycare and Kinderski.

Ski New Zealand

2007-07-12T06:34:00.000Z

Ski New Zealand

Flying high as a kite

By Anika Forsman 12 Jul 2007
'ADRENALINE junkies have yet another sport to get high on this winter – snowkiting is taking snowboarding and skiing to new heights, literally.

Daniel Joblin and Amanda Weldy have set up Queenstown Kite School and want to make snowkiting the new craze. It combines the pull of a specially designed snow-kite with skiing and snowboarding. “This sports suits anyone who’s into air sports like paragliding or who likes hiking into the backcountry [to ski or snowboard],” Joblin says. “This lets people be the first to get to the real powder.”

Snowkiting has been around since 2004 and stemmed from the summer version of kitesurfing. Queenstown Kite School isn’t the first to set up a kite school in town – in 2005 a British company, Kite Addicts, tried unsuccessfully to establish a school at the Snow Farm in Cardrona. Poor conditions and lack of snow caused their demise after one season. Is Joblin concerned his business could have the same fate? No. “The kites have changed a lot over the last few years,” he says. “People started off using ones made for water – the specially designed snowkites mean that as long as there’s some wind, we can get people up. “We’ve come to Queenstown because it gives us access to backcountry areas that the North Island doesn’t have. “I know as soon as spring hits, then it’s over, but as long as we get just a handful of people doing it then it’ll be viable for us to come back next winter.

“When people start seeing the kites up in action, it will generate more interest.” Instructor Amanda Weldy has moved to Queenstown to teach novices how to snowkite safely and to sell kites. Getting set up with a kite costs about the same as a season ski pass – about $1000 – and requires a couple of lessons before people are let loose on the mountains. Joblin says Queenstown has a number of locations suitable for snowkiting that can be accessed without ski passes. For those with passes at The Remarkables skifield, riders can take the Alta chair and then it’s only a short hike before the landscape opens up to ideal conditions, he says. Snowkites can reach up to 100kmh and can allow experienced users to fly through the air for huge distances, says Joblin. “It opens up a whole new area of possibilities,” he says. “The paragliders think we’re crazy – some of the stuff they do I think is crazy.” Queenstown Kite School is holding a demonstration day this Saturday at the Frankton Reserve from 10am–4pm. ';

Snowboard Boots

2007-07-10T23:55:00.000Z

Snowboard Boots

When buying a pair of Snowboard Boots it can be wise to satisfy your desire as well designed and fitting boots can make a large difference to the quality of your day snowboarding. A good pair of boots will help protect your feet and ankles from the stresses of snowboarding. They will also keep your feet warm on the coldest day and help with the overall extension from your body through to your snowboard making for a better ride.

When going to buy your Snowboard Boots, choose a pair that is a snug fit at first without affecting your circulation. The lining in the boot will compress and eventually fit you comfortably. Your heels need to fix firmly into the bottom of the boot. If the heel lifts you will find it harder to snowboard and have less control over your snowboard. You can buy a heel anchor (a 3-way strap that pulls the boot in tight around your foot) to keep your heel down in the boot.

Soft boots are used by freestylers, freeriders and those looking for increased flexibility and comfort. The hard boot is more like skiing or mountaineering boots and used by racers, alpine riders and crossover skiers. A third option is hybrid boots. These give riders the stiff sole and some of the control that comes from hard boots. The main users of the hybrid boot are some alpine riders.

Utah Ski Resorts

2007-07-10T04:48:00.000Z

Utah Ski Resorts

The two main Utah Ski Resorts are Alta and Snowbird. You will find them 12 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The season runs from November to April. The Alta field covers 2200 acres and Snowbird covers 2500 acres. The vertical rise of Alta is 2100 feet and Snowbird is 3240 feet. They receive an average annual snowfall of 500 to 550 inches.

These Utah Ski Resorts are situation in the Little Cottonwood Canyon. The first lift in Utah was installed at Brighton in 1936. The first lift in Alta went up in 1939. The region is well known for receiving plenty of snow and was a base for the development of powder skiing.

Utah boasts the finest, driest powder in the world. The Ski Utah Passport covers the Alta, The Canyons, Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbird, Solitute and Sundance. It can be purchsed through UK tour operators or Ski Utah.

Innsbruck Austria

2007-07-09T07:58:00.000Z

Innsbruck Austria

Axamer Lizum is located in Austria. It offers the best range of skiing and boarding within immediate reach of Innsbruck. Axamer are one of the top snowboarding resorts in Austria, with riders sometimes outnumbering the skiers. The resort has a world known terrain park and a half-pipe. The base of the ski area is at 874m (2867ft) and the top is 2343m (7687ft). The snow cover is generally reliable. The longest run is 6.5km. There is a skiable area of 41 hectares.

Axamer Lizum is less than two hours flight time from the United Kingdom plus a transfer from Innsbruck. The ski resort is good for expert skiers, intermediate skiers, beginners and a fun park and boardercross are available for snowboarding. The resort gives you direct access to 40km of downhill skiing and is served by ten ski lifts and is one of the smaller Austrian ski resorts.

Axamer Lizum was the site of the women's downhill run in the two Innsbruck Olympics in 1964 and 1976.

Halfpipe

2007-07-07T13:36:00.000Z

Halfpipe

Halfpipe - USSA Snowboarding Rules

USSA Snowboarding uses five judging criteria in its halfpipe competitions:

1. Amplitude - This represents the volume of execution, and is measured by the competitor's used energy. It is the degree of power and energy the competitor shows in their ride. This category deals with the height of manoeuvres, the speed of the run and the energy the competitor exhibits in an efficient manner.

2. Difficulty - The difficulty of the manoeuvres as well as the way that different maneouvres are put together to form the competitor's unique run. Many variables affect the difficulty, including conditions of the pipe, the angle of the pipe and the height the trick is performed at. The manoeuvres are evaluated as a part of the overall run.

3. Landings - The landings in a run are determined by analysing the competitor's balance, precision, stability and rhythm. Points are deducted from your score for such things as stopping in the halfpipe, falling, dragging hands or flailing arms. Falls that occur are a 25% deduction for each fall. They are only assessed the landing judge though.

4. Style - Style is increased by emphasizing the manoeuvre. This is shown by smooth, powerful riding, by holding the grabs, boning and tweaking. It is decreased by falling, flailing or not enhancing the manoeuvre.

5. Variety - Use a variety of different manoeuvres and the more manoeuvres the better. This includes hand plants, riding fakie, aerials, etc. Show a high degree of variety for the judges.

Each competitor is responsible for knowing the rules used by each organisation. So go and get your hands on an entry form, rulebook and competition guide, read them and start competing!

European Ski Holidays

2007-07-06T07:25:00.000Z

European Ski Holidays

Jul 02, 2007 - 10:47 AM
Summer, Sun, Skiing and Snowboarding on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier
Kaprun, Austria -
Over the weekend, nearly 50 freeskiers and snowboarders were fighting their snow and winter withdrawal at the Snowpark Tour Summer Jam at the Kitzsteinhorn in Kaprun. Their cure was a slopestyle session on the kickers and rails of the ski resort's Glacier Park, and some of the riders will be returning to the Kitzsteinhorn next winter as they qualified for the finals of the Snowpark Tour 2008 which will take place at Europasportregion Zell am See/Kaprun.

Skiers and snowboarders went big over the weekend as the Snowpark Tour 2008 landed on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Kaprun, Austria.

After Saturday's cloudy weather limited the on-snow action to a laid-back “Expression Session”, the real Snowpark Tour contest took place on Sunday under bluebird skies. Matthias Leitner from Kaprun (AUT) liked the conditions so much that he took the victory at the freeskiers’ contest. Together with runner-up Thomas Foelsner from Lend (AUT), he qualified for the finals of the Snowpark Tour 2008. Florian Ehgartner from Salzburg (AUT) claimed third. At the kicker and the quarter-pipe, the freeskiers showed tricks like Switch Cork 720, Switch 540, 900 Mute, Underflip or Rodeo 540. One of the highlights at the Curved Box was a Switch 270 on/ Switch-up 270 off.

Kilian Wiget from Cham (SUI) topped the strong field of snowboarders ahead of Matthias Gober from Neuhaus (AUT) and Simon Holzknecht from Pettneu am Arlberg (AUT). Sixteen-year-old Dave Remesperger from Kaprun (AUT) claimed fourth and also joined the Kitzsteinhorn snowpark team for the finals. The snowboarders showed tricks including the Cab 540, Backside Rodeo or Frontside 720 at the kickers as well as 270 on/270 off, Frontside and Backside Boardslides and Nosepress at the rail.

Bavarians dominated the women's snowboarding competition: Andrea Sanktjohanser from Gilching (GER) won, Miriam Hofmann from Munich (GER) took home second and Veronika Rajcsanyi from Geretsried (GER) third.

Bernd Gutwenger of event organizer Mellow Constructions was pleased with the Jam. “The Session was very good and the snow kept up," Gutwenger concluded. "The Summer Jam Team could be one of the leading teams at the finals."

Snowboard

2007-07-05T11:50:00.000Z

Snowboard

The Parts of a Snowboard

The nose of the snowboard is the front tip of the snowboard. The waist is the narrowest part of the snowboard. The tail is the back tip of the snowboard. The camber is the arch of your snowboard. This provides an energy release which enables the rider to get the best response from the snowboard. You will find that the newer the board is, the better the camber. The edges are the metal edges of the snowboard that allow you to steer your snowboard and control your speed.

The bindings clip you and your boots to the snowboard. The better the boot and binding work together the more control you have over your snowboard. There are options in bindings, the clip-in bindings, the step-in bindings and the plate bindings (for hard boots only).

The leash is a safety strap that attaches to the front binding and secures to your leg when you are riding. It stops your snowboard from running away when you fall. Fields will not allow you to ride the lifts without a leash.

The stomp pad is a resting place for your rear boot when it is out of it’s bindings.

Halfpipe

2007-07-04T05:55:00.000Z

Halfpipe

Halfpipe - Judging Criteria International Snowboard Federation

The International Snowboard Federation rulebook outlines three criteria for scoring competitors. These are the definitions:
1. Amplitude: The distance between the platform and the closest part of the racer and his equipment to the platform.
2. Execution: The fluent style of the jumps executed from the racer during his run without fault.
3. Variety: The total number of different manoeuvres from the start to the finish of the run. Four different categories of manoeuvres shall be presented in order to achieve the maximum points of variety. Those manoeuvres consist of vertical rotation (i.e. inverted aerials), horizontal rotation (i.e. 180's and 540's), upright jumps (with hand grabs) and lip tricks (including handplants). To push your score even higher, you must complete those manoeuvres both frontside and backside.

Snowboarding

2007-07-03T05:18:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Starting An Online Snowboarding Business

by Ivan Harnes
Are you tired of working for the boss man, and getting no recognition for the efforts you put in? Are you sick of working harder than your colleagues, but getting paid exactly the same, derisory amount? Well you dont have to suffer it any longer. If you are passionate about snowboarding, why not consider starting a snowboarding business? By working with your passion, you can create a product or service that youll will enjoy, and that will make you money.

There are loads of different types of business you can do in keeping with your snowboarding hobby. You could begin by retailing snow boarding equipment online, or alternatively by customising boards if you are artistic. Either way, youre going to need a website. Make sure you shop around for a good deal on web design, and take the time to think about all the functionality you are going to require. Will you need a contact form, or a shopping cart? What domain name would be ideally suited to your business? How much should you spend on online marketing? These are all concerns which must be addressed before launching your website in addition to the normal hassles of running a business. Having said that, it can be a highly rewarding pursuit, particularly financially if you get it right!

Alternatively, you might like to consider setting up a snowboarding holiday company in your local town or city. By running trips out to the slopes, you can benefit financially as well as from a greater number of boarding trips. All you would need to ensure would be some form of marketing or sales channel, such as a website, or a shop front in your local shopping mall, and links with a snowboard resort and a coach company. You might even find that youd be able to negotiate discounts for large groups, which could lead to increased profit margins for your business. As long as you take care to market your business, you should be able to drive sales, and if you can do that at a profit, and you enjoy doing it, then that is really all that matters. Imagine waking up on a dark Monday morning to go into your own shop - youll be surprised how much easier it is to get out of bed!

Whatever you decide to do, it is important to make sure you have thoroughly planned your business, weighing up pros and cons from every angle. That way, you will be sure to have covered all the eventualities in your budgeting, and you wont be left high and dry. Another good tip is to use a business plan template for your business. This way, youll think about all the necessary elements, which will again help with your planning, and be an invaluable aid if you are seeking investment.

Before starting any business, it is important to understand there is an element of risk involved. Do not invest any more money than you can afford to lose, and remember not to quit your job until you are actually experiencing the income you need to support yourself from the business. Faith is a good thing in business, but so is common sense, and it pays not to be too headstrong and exercise caution at every stage.

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. You may reprint this article, as long as the article is unedited and this author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.
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Backcountry Snowboarding

2007-07-01T08:29:00.000Z

Backcountry Snowboarding

Back Country Snowboarding is referred to as the Freerider style of Snowboarding. The Back Country Snowboarder enjoys the freedom of riding any terrain in almost any snow conditions. Another way I have heard it explained is that Freeriding is taking off on any old trail and doing what feels good.

It is an amazing feeling to be at the top of a cliff unable to see what is below and trusting your skills to be able to handle the terrain, no matter what! It is facing your fear and doing it anyway. An experienced freerider will walk with their board in search of good off-trail terrain and unmarked powder. Making the most of natural terrain, this rider will find gullies, bumps and rockdrops to ride on, in and over. A key for the Snowboarder and in particular the Freerider, is to stay relaxed. Try a few deep breathes before each run.

When you first start Freeriding it is best to go with someone more experienced than you. I always enjoy it more to share the experience with others. Remember to treat nature with respect in all regards and please take your rubbish back down the mountain with you.

Freeriding gives the Snowboarder the opportunity to reflect on nature. It is an amazing feeling to be on the top of a mountain range with the views, you feel akin to being on top of the world. The freshness, the serenity and the feeling of freedom abound. Then face your fears and go for it!

Snowboarding

2007-06-30T06:30:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Inland action-sports retailer expands to ride skating boom

10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 28, 2007
By RODD CAYTONThe Press-Enterprise
Bracing for what it calls a coming explosion in the popularity of snowboarding and skateboarding, Active Wallace Group has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan that will result in three times the current number of stores and a new headquarters in Mira Loma.

Active Wallace owns Active Ride Shop, which bills itself as the largest action-sports retailer in Southern California and the largest e-commerce and mail-order action-sports retailer. The company has signed a 10-year lease for 103,061 square feet at 12087 Landon Drive in Mira Loma.

Chief Executive John Wallace said the company expects to move into the headquarters, which will also be its distribution center, in January. Active Wallace's 100 employees are working out of 65,000 square feet spread out over three buildings in Ontario.
Story continues below

John Gonzales / The Press-Enterprise
Ontario-based Active Wallace, which owns action-sports retailer Active Ride Shop, is moving to a larger headquarters in Mira Loma.
"We need to get everything underneath one roof, to make it much more cost-effective to run our business," Wallace said. "It'll also accommodate our growth plan for the next two years."

He said the company, which plans to open its 20th store next week, wants to add 40 stores over the next two to three years. Active Wallace also anticipates growing its online and mail-order business, based on the growing popularity of snowboarding and skateboarding, Wallace said.

"The sports-board market is a $13 billion industry," he said. "Within the blink of an eye, you'll see that grow to a $20 billion industry."
Wallace said that youths are gravitating away from team sports toward action sports. He said skateboarding in particular could gain a boost, as it could be added to the list of competitions for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The Mira Loma site was chosen because of its size and location, Wallace said. He hopes the proximity to Interstate 15 will raise the company's profile.
"The visibility from the freeway is almost priceless," he said. "People who drive by and see the building will take pride in it."
Wallace said the new building will have space for additional employees, but he's not yet sure how many the company will hire. He and his son Shane, now the company's president, started the company in 1989.

It now has stores from San Luis Obispo to the Mexican border. Inventory includes boards, helmets, apparel and backpacks.
Grubb & Ellis represented Active Wallace in the Mira Loma transaction. Lee & Associates represented the lessor, Vogel Properties Inc.
Reach Rodd Cayton at 951-368-9412 or rcayton@PE.com

Snowboarding

2007-06-29T03:52:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Snow gear commerce hauls Utah to sales top

By Mike Gorrell The Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:06/28/2007 09:58:34 AM MDT
A new set of statistics shows Utah's ski industry flourished during the 2005-2006 season - in part thanks to consumers who opened their wallets to purchase $83 million worth of snowboarding equipment, apparel and accessories.

SnowSports Industries of America (SIA) reported Tuesday that Utah was the sixth highest sales state in the country, behind Colorado and population centers California, New York, Texas and New Jersey. Utah ranked ahead of all of those states, except Colorado, in terms of sales totals per capita. At $32.65 per person, the Beehive State came in fourth nationally in that ranking by the SIA, a nonprofit industry trade group representing manufacturers and distributors of snow sports goods.

Vermont finished No. 1 in per capita sales. Purchases of snow-related gear reached $75.83 for each of that Northeastern state's 624,000 residents. Only Colorado ($52.54) and Idaho ($33.39) also finished ahead of Utah. "This is a good state to be in," observed Scott Cahoon, operations manager at Cole Sport in Park City, after being advised of the annual SIA numbers. "We've seen steady increases since the [2002] Olympics," he added. "We're riding the wave of the whole Park City area. We're having success, but the whole area is having success with all the second homeowners moving into the area. . . .

The people who are moving here and buying homes are bringing their money, too." Tourists are coming as well, many on return trips, and that also has boosted sales, Cahoon said. "The majority of our business is done with tourists. We target the higher end of what's available out there," he added. "Even with the lack of snow last winter, we rode the big snow seasons after the drought, and I'm sure that helped a lot. We're getting people into the area to try [skiing and snowboarding], and they're coming back." The SIA figures suggest the interest in skiing is much higher in Utah than snowboarding. More than $31 million worth of Alpine skiing equipment and apparel were sold in Utah last winter, compared to $12.3 million worth of snowboarding equipment. Utah also ranked sixth among all states in sales of Nordic skiing equipment, at $1.85 million. Minnesota was first with $6.9 million in Nordic sales, followed by Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont.

Retailers in the eight Rocky Mountain states sold $502 million worth of snow sports goods last winter, the second best regional total behind the five-state Pacific Region. California, with its 36 million people, alone accounted for $410 million of that region's $542 million total. Sales in New England, which suffered from a lack of snow until late in the season, were down about 20 percent to $225 million. Most of those losses were offset by the healthy sales totals in the West, resulting in national sales totals that were down about 1.8 percent, the SIA said. Kelly Davis, SIA's research manager, looked at the totals and noted: "Don't tell Texans there isn't enough snow in their state to hit the mountains. Texans outspent 46 other states with more than $106 million in retail sales."
mikeg@sltrib.com

Snowboarding

2007-06-28T10:11:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Well now, what is this thing they call snowboarding? People strapping themselves to a board and hurling themselves off down
the snow slopes...

Well when you look at skiing that must be even harder you have two planks that can even get tangled and sometimes hit one on the head - speaking from experience here - so really the person who thought of snowboarding was probably just a frustrated skiier who thought of a better way!!

And now look at it - one fast growing sport with an ardent following (even though some fields ban snowboarders).

Now, I have looked at why there has been some reluctance on the part of the skiing fraternity to accept snowboarders. Is it their dress, the long baggy trousers? Or the learners boarding over the field and out of control - but then skiiers can do that too?
I would love to hear some feedback from anyone and an opinion or two as to why the fields restrict access to boarders....

Ride Snowboards

2007-06-27T00:51:00.000Z

Ride Snowboards

July 2007 Caught On TapePosted 06.25.2007
Chuck Mason is a longtime fixture on the management side of snowboard sales. For the past eight years he’s been the national director of sales for Ride Snowboards, but in May he accepted a new position in Vermont with Burton. As the VP of Sales for Burton, Mason will be charged with developing the strategic sales plans for Burton, R.E.D., and Anon in North America as well as overseeing the management staff and independent sales organizations for the three brands.
Though he was busy in all-day meetings his first week on the job, we were able to coerce him into answering a few questions for us about how he’s coping with the transition.
You’re a week into your new life there at Burton, how does it feel?
The Burton crew has been warm and welcoming and the environment at Burton is amazing. When you walk into this place, you have no choice but to be in awe of the snowboarding history that is in this building. Combine that with the passion for snowboarding running through this organization, and I feel right at home.
What excited you most about this job opportunity?
No other company in the world does more for snowboarding than Burton. I am excited about joining a company whose mission so highly prioritizes further growth and success of every aspect of snowboarding.
Aside from having to learn a whole new product line and meeting an entirely new staff, how different do you expect this job to be from your previous position at Ride?
There is no doubt it will be different. I will have more exposure to other global regions in this position, a team of sales managers to work with in managing the North American business, and access to deep resources that run throughout the company. Burton retains strong sales in many categories that have developed into multiple season or year round businesses—that will be a bit of a shift from my prior responsibilities.
When you were at Ride, the brand was in the top five and always scratching for the top few positions. Do you think working for a company that’s in the number-one position in the market will change your perspective on sales/the industry? Why or why not?
It’s a little bit of a different mind-set. You know that being number one, everyone else out there has you in their sights. Beyond that, much remains the same: work hard toward the goals of helping the company develop the right products that riders want, deliver product on time, and strongly support the retail sell through effort.
Do you have any immediate challenges or goals for Burton, R.E.D, and/or Anon?
The beauty of working in sales is that there are always challenges and always goals—nothing out of the ordinary. My plan is to make sure our inventory and delivery are on point for retail delivery this year in addition to getting service and sell through strategies in place. Development of 2009 product is also a priority, as is selling more product between now and the end of 2007.
West Coast to East Coast, Mt. Baker and Steven’s Pass versus Stratton and Stowe—are you making the life transition okay? What are you going to miss the most? What are you anticipating most about East Coast life?
I’ve been fortunate in my career to be able to live and work around some of the greatest mountains on Earth. I spent almost ten years around Summit County and the Vail Valley, another eight in the Northwest. I am now looking forward to exploring the great mountains and parks of the East. I’ve ridden out here a fair amount over the years and I’m stoked to check it out further.
Transworld: FREEZE SKATEBOARDING SNOWBOARDING SURF BMX MOTOCROSS privacy policy - © 2004 Transworld Media

Freestyle Snowboarding

2007-06-25T04:16:00.000Z

Freestyle Snowboarding

One style of Snowboarding is Freestyle Snowboarding. The Freestyle Snowboarder wants hard snow to do flips, spins, tricks and jumps on ramps, rails or pipes. The Freestyle Snowboarder rides forward, fakie (backwards), in the air and on the ground and variations of all of these.

In Freestyle Snowboarding it is the new tricks and the risks that come with them that challenge the Snowboarder. The Freestyler creates their own tricks and practices them with other Freestylers. The Freestyler uses every opportunity to play with his Snowboard. Complete control of the Snowboard is essential.

The development of the Freestyle field was determined by the surf and skateboard pros from America. Many of them switched and became Snowboard Freestylers. They transferred the sequence of movements from their former sport to Snowboarding. Only a few tricks were developed solely by Snowboarders.

Snowboarding Tips

2007-06-24T08:01:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tips

Want To Snowboard Find Out Where To Start

by Robert Marcus
Back in 1998 The Burton snowboarding company and a team of expert snowboarding instructors joined forces to create the Burton learn to ride Program. This program is geared to make learning snowboarding easy and fun. There are a lot of people that come to the slopes, try learning to snowboard and then never return, this could be due to the lack of fun they had during their lesson. The 'Learn to Ride' program has been designed in a way that will make the learning of snowboarding an enjoyable experience so that they will come back to the slopes again and again.

So what the difference between the learn to ride program and just hiring a instructor. Well the main difference is that they have a proven learning method which has been improved over time. Another difference is that you are also given equipment that is tailored for beginners by age and gender. This will help you get to the next level a lot sooner.

Through the work that Burton has done with the instructors they have created tailored solution that promotes an enjoyable experience for the rider. The program is now in its seventh year of operation, even though the program has expanded to many resorts across the world, They have maintained the initial goal of providing an enjoyable experience using the specialized equipment. Burton has also taken the program to another level by providing classes for kids, adults ladies and freestyle.

Adults
As the Name suggests the program provides customized classes for adults.

Kids
The Kids Learn to ride centres provide children under the age of 12 with lessons such as balance board and activities like finger board parks. The participating resorts create an unmatched atmosphere for the children which will allow children as young as three to start snowboarding.

Women's
The Learn to ride program also provides an encouraging environment for ladies. The classes tend to be smaller with more one on one time with the instructors.

Freestyle
Now lets say that you got the basics down but your still no satisfied with just turning and stopping. Well the Learn to ride program has something for you. They will help you to reach that next level of Freestyling, where you'll be juming off those half pipes in no time.

Robert Is A Freelance Writer For Snowboardhype.com. They Specialize In Information About Snowboarding. No Matter What Kind Of Snowboard Gear You Are Looking For You can Find Information About Here.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Snowboarding

2007-06-23T08:30:00.000Z

Snowboarding

Time for a Snowboarding Vacation

by Sally Rutherford
We as a society have come to be conditioned to think that a thin body image is "perfect". This type of image is portrayed in the media day in and day out. A recent survey found that models in the media are actually thinner then ninety-eight percent of the young girls and women in the United States.This is very ironic considering that our society is also one in which food is made to be delivered fast and in large quantities. It is no wonder that so many young women and girls in their early teens are confused about how their body should look.

If you turn on the TV you will notice all the incredibly thin females who are made out to be the perfect female on commercials touting everything from make up to automobiles. Then you'll see another commercial, which is for some type of fast food, urging you to double the size of your order, even though the kid's meal will fill the stomachs of most adults.

Parents have a larger role then they think they do in how their children view their own bodies. Parents can influence a teen by using not only words, but also through body language. Your glances and gestures can influence a child negatively whether or not you mean for them to be negative. It is therefore advised that when you speak to a teen about eating or about weight issues in general be careful in the type of body language that you use. Each action or gesture, including facial expressions that we make, carries a message of its own. When talking to your teen about healthy eating or possible weight issues, be certain that you are conscious of the facial expressions and gestures that you are using.

How you discuss your own body in front of your children will influence how they feel about their own bodies. By speaking of your body in a negative way it is possible for your child to view their own body in a negative way, especially if you have certain traits in common with your child. Rather than saying how fat you feel, just say that you think you would feel better and have more energy if you began an exercise program. Talking about your body in this manner puts a positive spin that outweighs the negative aspect that you are speaking of.

If there's something about your body that bothers you do not try to hide it under baggy clothes and say that it is taken care of. It is far better for you to admit that you have a problem area with your body and take the proper action to get it under control rather than to teach your young teen to hide a particular part of their body. Hiding a part of their body will teach a teen to be ashamed of that part of their body, and could cause the child to have self image issues which can follow them into adulthood.
It is no secret how we perceive our bodies, as by our body language and casual conversation we let those around us know exactly how we feel about our body image. It is for this reason that while we are around our children we should try to maintain a level of positive words and actions about our bodies.Although teens pretend to tune parents out, they actually tune into our actions and mimic our good and bad habits. We can often give teens their best advise by not saying anything but by acting as role models. The way you eat, exercise and spend your free time will influence your teen. By having them grow up in an atmosphere of healthy eating, good body image and regular fitness will be the best lesson of all.

I recently did a review of a product you may be interested in. It explains how to save 50 to 75% on hotels and flights using travel agent only special rates! Check it out here.Time for a snowboarding vacation
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Snow Facts

2007-06-22T03:41:00.000Z

Snow Facts

Snow is atmospheric vapor frozen in crystalline form. Snow occurs when the temperature of the atmosphere at cloud level is below freezing; it falls either as individual ice crystals (always with six sides) or as snowflakes composed of several crystals joined together. No two snowflakes are alike.

Most snowflakes are less than one-half inch across. The largest snowflake recorded was fifteen inches in diameter. Scientists think that there are six main snow crystal shapes - plate, stellar, column, needle, spatial dendrite, capped column - and each snowflake is made up of two of more of these snowflake building blocks.

Some snowflakes are wet and sticky while others are light, dry, and fluffy. It is never too cold to snow. When the temperature goes down, there is less water vapor in the air so it is harder for snowflakes to form. Scientists have been studying snowflakes for more than 400 years. Snow is good for all living things.

Snowboard Store

2007-06-21T06:25:00.000Z

Snowboard Store

Youth Shelter under new ownership By Amy Trang atrang@stcloudtimes.com
Published: June 21. 2007 12:30AM

WAITE PARK — A skateboarding and snowboarding supply business has a new location and new owners.
Youth Shelter Supply moved this month to 71 Third St. NE in Waite Park.
Mike Thienes and Mike Pettit bought the store in June from Emmet Klocker. Klocker had owned the business since it opened in 1998.
The new 4,500-square-foot location is about 2,000 square feet larger than the old location and is closer to the Crossroads Center, Pettit said.
Pettit said the new owners plan to expand the store’s clothing and footwear lines with the additional retail space.
The new location also has storage space and offices.
The store has eight employees.
The business can be reached at 656-7773.

Snowboarding

2007-06-20T05:38:00.000Z

Snowboarding

World Cup Snowboarding Returns to NY

Whiteface Resort will host snowboardcross, giant slalom in 2008.
by U.S. Snowboard TeamJune 14th, 2007

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- The Olympic Village will turn up the volume on the U.S. Snowboarding calendar March 1 and 3, 2008 as Whiteface will host World Cup snowboarding for the fourth consecutive season. Located in nearby Wilmington, the 1980 Olympic mountain will open the weekend with snowboardcross for the third straight year, while parallel giant slalom returns after a one-year hiatus.
Historically, U.S. riders have produced 16 podiums at Whiteface, including eight wins. Back-to-back SBX world champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) remains undefeated in Lake Placid and clinched the 2007 World Cup SBX title with two straight wins at Whiteface last winter. U.S. women have landed on the PGS podium three times in the last two trips to the Olympic region.
Home to the largest vertical east of the Rockies with 3,430 feet and managed by New York's Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the terrain at Whiteface is a perfect fit for the speed and features of SBX and PGS.
Over $5 million in improvements have been pumped into the mountain in the last two years and a trail expansion on Lookout Mountain (Tree Island Pod) is expected to begin construction this summer. Whiteface will add three expert runs and one long intermediate trail to open in time for the 2008-09 season. It will total 4.5 miles and will increase the current 18 available miles of skiing and riding to 22.5 miles.
"ORDA has proven its commitment to elite snowboarding competitions by running outstanding events," said Vice President of Events Calum Clark. "Each year its professional team has gone above and beyond to surpass the impressive benchmark set the year before."
As part of pushing snowboarding progression, Lake Placid has hosted an annual downtown exhibition featuring a quarterpipe jam session complete with music and plenty of opportunities for fans to interact with the riders. In the first two seasons, the massive quarterpipe was built at the Olympic Speedskating Oval with riders propelled by snowmobile tow-in. In 2007, the event moved to the Olympic Jumping complex and the quarterpipe was built at the base of the ski jumps.
At the event, U.S. Snowboarding Rookie Ellery Hollingsworth (Stratton, VT) stoked out the crowd by stomping the first backside 900 on a quarterpipe in women's snowboarding history. Another exhibition event is planned for '08.
"ORDA is very excited to, once again, host World Cup snowboarding at Whiteface," said Jim Goff, ORDA's director of events. "We enjoy our partnership with the U.S. Snowboarding and appreciate the fact that they bring not only world-class events and athletes to our venue, but staff members that work seamlessly with their ORDA counterparts. We will continue to provide the best in competition sites and services, and look forward to another joint venture that will make both organizations very proud."
Lake Placid World Cup Schedule:
Saturday, March 1 - Snowboardcross Finals
Monday, March 3 - Parallel Giant Slalom Finals

Queenstown

2007-06-19T06:17:00.000Z

Queenstown

ONCE UPON A TIME there was alpine skiing, a sport reserved for the entitled who used their silver spoon to eat snow each winter. Those with private ski lodges, goggle tans and family trusts were at the front of the lift queue, those in rental gear and borrowed parkas at the back.
Then along came snowboarding in the stealth of night, entering the mountain through the back door. The battle had begun and all the elite had to protect them was that same well worn family set of silver spoons...
You gotta feel sorry for snowboarders. They've increased their numbers four hundred percent since 1990, single handedly saving a dying ski industry but they still cop abuse, even fisticuffs as this video shows (language warning), from the ungrateful with piste envy.
It was snow apartheid for boarders much of the late eighties and early nineties.First they were banned from the hill like a pedophile from a childrens party so they snuck in for their beloved turns after dark, trekking under the same chairlifts that their saggy butts were banned from.
You'd think they would have been grateful when the ski fraternity finally allowed them to share their corduroy. Instead they refused to snowboard with their legs together and came up from behind with a snow scraping sound that still incites fear in skiers before beating them down the hill. One nil to them.
Snowboarding made the Olympics in 1998 and gold medalist Ross Rebagliati lived the rider clichÃ© by testing positive for ganja while old school skiers tutted into their twelfth brandy over a late night game of poker. One all.
Ten years on we mix in the same circles, as men in mid life crisis trade in their retro matchstick skis for a snowboard with hot-as-hell-sexy-mamma graphics more suited to a riding teenage hormone than an ageing executive with knee pads. It's hard to grow up.
Truth is I envy snowboarders. Sure, I've been cut off by them. While heli skiing on a mountain with a boarder and two skiers the boarder still managed to steal my line despite having an entire untracked mountain in which to play. She just didn't get it but after a strategically placed pole plant on my behalf she didn't do it, or walk, again. Two one to the skiers.
I understand a boarder's pain when the mountain goes flat and they have to hop along like a mutant with a board for a foot before I offer them a tow. I envy their ability to take on powder and make it look so easy, simply because for them it is. The old joke goes "what's the difference between a snow boarder and a snow board instructor?" The answer? "Five days."
I truly envy their urban cool fashion brands (though I'm quite happy to keep my arse in my pants). Brands that have thankfully influenced ski fashion and allow me to carv it up in gangster bling shouting 'sup! to my posse as I ski by on my Miss Demeanour terrain park twin tips. Trouble is I "cheat from the feet up", dressing the part in my Burton, Sessions and DC but the most I can shred is a carrot in my kitchen.
I bow down before snowboarders and say thank you for making skiing hot again, for letting us onto the rails, not complaining when we steal the indy grab from your style which you stole from skateboarders who stole it from the surfers in the first place. Two all.
Either way, we're even now, right? After all some of my best mates are snowboarders, just not Catholic.
Which team do you bat for - Knuckle dragger or double planker? Ever been cut off by a boarder, abused by a skier? Is it a modern day love in with past ills forgotten or does the war still exist?
WINNER OF THE NZ SKI TRIPSheep jokes aside, there were some belly laughs to be had from the entries for the Lindauer Queenstown Winterfestival giveaway.
I was especially taken by Tom's description in SMH of his father dressed in snow gear and strapped to his board in the living room. But the winning entry goes to Skye who said in The Age "You know it's winter in New Zealand when when you can only type ^^^^^^^^^^^ cos they look like snowy peaks!!!! Witty and visual. Check your email Skye, you're off to ski in Queenstown!
Watch this space for the next seriously hot competition giveaway from Little Miss Snow It All and check out what's going down this season at The Sydney Morning Herald ski page.
Photography credit: Mt Buller
Posted by Rachael Oakes-Ash June 18, 2007 9:25 AM

Vail Colorado

2007-06-18T03:00:00.000Z

Vail Colorado

The base of Vail Ski Area is at 8120feet (2745m) and the top of the field is 11,570feet (3526m). Vail has a reliable snow record with a large ski area. The ski/snowboard school, known as Flight School, is one of the largest in the world and offers over 150 snowboard instructors. Vail has big mogul fields and substantial off-piste terrain.

This field is best suited for children, those seeking the creature comforts, skiers and riders of all levels of experience. Blue Sky Basin, one of Vail's newer areas offers some steeper skiing.

Vail is seen as the showcase of American skiing/snowboarding. It shares a lift pass with Beaver creek, Aropahoe Basin, Breckenridge and Keystone. The field is not recommended for the budget conscious snowboarder.

The Golden Peak terrain park, known as Fly Zone, at Vail has a super-pipe that is 450ft long with 18ft walls. There are another two pipes, 24 tabletops and 30 rails plus 12 unique hand-carved rails. At Bwana you will find Aviator, a terrain park for beginners with a beginner half-pipe, jumps and rails. So for those snowboarders wanting to improve their skills, everything is there...

Halfpipe

2007-06-17T00:13:00.000Z

Halfpipe

The 'Halfpipe' originates in Skateboarding. The whole idea is now used in Snowboarding in a snow covered structure. The Halfpipe is a U-shaped bowl where Snowboard riders can move back and forth from one wall to the other while moving down the fall line. The opposing walls are of the same height and size. The Snowboarder uses the halfpipe to make jumps and perform Snowboarding Tricks.

You will need to have excellent edge and turning control in your snowboarding before you will experience success in the halfpipe. The beginner snowboarder need not be discouraged by initial failure in the halfpipe. Begin with simple tricks and slowly enhance the degree of difficulty.

The Halfpipe is a competitive Snowboarding event. Judges score according to the precise way that you land the Snowboard, balance, height, spins, flips, speed and the level of attempts at a wide variety of manoeuvres and tricks. The challenge is to jump higher and higher, getting as much air as possible, performing tricky manoeuvres and then trying to land the board as smoothly as possible.

The superpipe is a recent advancement in snowboarding. Still referred to as a "halfpipe," the superpipe took a once standard halfpipe dimension and super-sized it to a new standard. The superpipe standard was used in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Gliding in the halfpipe is the most spectacular form of snowboarding. The thrill and the play with gravity are fascinating in this variation. Everyone who is addicted to adrenaline will enjoy the halfpipe immensely...

Snowboarding Tricks

2007-06-15T01:39:00.000Z

Snowboarding Tricks

When you spend some time in the half-pipe you will really start to get a feel for your snowboarding and this is the place for 'Snowboarding Tricks'. There are loads of combinations of tricks to be mastered either in the half-pipe or using rails and ramps.

One of the first tricks to learn when snowboarding is going Backwards/Fakie (switch-stance). This term comes from skateboarding and applies to the idea of doing tricks while riding your board the opposite way to your normal stance. Every trick that you do becomes twice as hard when you are riding your snowboard in the opposite position to what is comfortable for you...

The most commonly known tricks are:

The 180, 360, 540 and 720, the Fakie, the Tail Grab, the Nose Grab, Air to Fakie, Wheelies, Butters, the Ollie, the Backflip, the Alley-oop, the Miller Flip, the Mosquito air, the Misty flip, the Stalefish, the Grind, Frontside Air, Backside Air, the Method Air, the Handplant, the Rodeo Flip and the Roast Beef.

Snowboarding Gear

2007-06-14T06:52:00.000Z