Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Snowboard gloves aren't necessarily going to fit the way a regular pair of gloves would. Find out how a snowboard glove should fit with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
If your snowboard needs waxing it will exhibit a few clear signs that you can check for at any time. Check if a snowboard needs waxing with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
Fogged up goggles are a real problem for people out on the slopes. Learn about the best way to un-fog goggles for snowboarding with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
There are many different kinds of snowboard settings for you to choose from based on your preferences and needs. Find out more about the various types of snowboard settings available with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
Snowboard jackets aren't necessarily supposed to fit like a jacket you would wear on a cold day. Learn about how a snowboard jacket is supposed to fit with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
The size of a snowboard's bindings play an important role in how that snowboard handles later on. Find out the differences between small and large snowboard bindings with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
Sharpening a snowboard requires little more than a pocket edger and the right technique. Find out how to sharpen a snowboard with a pocket edger with help from a snowboarding professional in this free video clip.
Controlling your speed on a snowboard is one of the most important things to learn before you can have a safe and enjoyable run. Learn how to read your surroundings and position the board to either maintain as much speed as possible on a flat area or prevent a buildup of speed while going downhill, and you will quickly be able to make the most of any type of terrain and snow cover.
Snowboard bindings play an important role in the sport of snowboarding, at both the professional and amateur levels. Bindings hold the snowboarder's boots to the board, but they also play an important role in helping the snowboarder transfer potential energy into kinetic energy to accomplish stunts. Snowboard binding design begins with a design, such as a 3D rendering made in a software program like SolidWorks 3D CAD.
Your choice of snowboard should be governed by several factors in addition to where you'll use it, including your level of skill, frequency of use and the type of snow. The best boards for hilly neighborhood terrain are freeride or all-mountain snowboards. These boards are the most adaptable to several types of conditions and skill levels. Freeride boards are designed to be ridden in one direction. The tail of this board is narrower, flatter and shorter than the tip. All-mountain snowboards may be one- or two-directional. Those with twin tips can be ridden in either direction.
Traction studs, commonly known as stomp pads, are glued onto snowboards to provide traction, as the name suggests. These pads are made of foam or rubber and allow the snowboarder to put his back leg on them when it is not in the binding. These pads may sometimes be replaced, and removing them is a simple process.
A snowboard inevitably takes damage from errant rocks and branches while carving down the mountainside. Although the bottom of the board sees the majority of damage, the top of the board is not immune from scrapes. Or, maybe you have grown tired of the design on your snowboard. In either case, there is no need to throw out an old board. Instead, resurface the top of your board to make it look as good as new.
There are a variety of structures in board parks that make for hours of endless entertainment for snowboarders and brave skiers. One of the easier-to-ride structures is a flat box, which is sometimes called a fun box or jib box. Fun boxes are nothing more than a wooden frame with a slippery surface on top to facilitate sliding across the surface on a snowboard. The simplicity of these boxes makes them an ideal board park device to construct on your own.
Freestyle snowboarding differs from freeride snowboarding in that freestyle snowboards are constructed for speed and quick maneuverability. In contrast, freeride snowboards are constructed for a slower more scenic mountain range type of snowboarding. While you can freestyle with a freeride type of snowboard, you will have to account for some of the mechanical differences between the boards while snowboarding and performing tricks.
When the heels and toes of your snowboard boots extend over the edge of your snowboard, it's called overhang. Too much overhang causes drag in the snow, affecting how you turn. When your snowboarding boot heels and toes are too far from the snowboard's edge, you'll have less control over the board because you'll lack leverage. For the best snowboarding experience, learn how to determine how much overhang, if any, is beneficial before you purchase a snowboard.
Technological advances in digital filming equipment make it possible to film snowboarding without the aid of an assistant or production crew. Helmet cameras attach to your ski helmet and record the action from your point of view. You also can hold the camera and film snowboarders while standing near a run. Learning the basics of filming snowboarding by yourself allows you to record a variety of shots and sequences that might be compiled into a film for home or online viewing.
In the 1960s and 1970s, snowboards weren't designed as much as adapted from other sports equipment. Early designers modified skis or mimicked surfboard shapes to create their snowboard models, but the 21st century snowboarding industry is more technologically complex. Computers play a role in design, manufacturing and in scientific research on snowboards.
Waxing is an essential part of maintaining your snowboard. Waxing a snowboard helps to ensure that you can glide and manipulate it with ease. While there is no exact timetable for when you should wax your snowboard, a few reliable indicators give you an idea of when you need to consider putting your board on a bench, heating up your iron, getting out the wax and giving your board a fresh wax job.
The market offers an array of snowboard shoe brands and designs. Whatever your individual preference or need, purchasing a pair of snowboard shoes begins with ensuring a proper fit. A good fit provides a comfortable cushion for the foot and a stable platform to help control your snowboard. Attaining a correct snowboard shoe size measurement proves vital for making a satisfying purchase.
Snowboarding is an outdoor recreational activity that many participate in every winter. The bindings on a snowboard are the metal and plastic clamps that hold the snowboarder's boots to the board. The factory snowboard binding is the binding that the snowboard is equipped with when it's sold by retailers. The bindings must be installed and secured firmly for both the safety of the snowboarder and for the snowboarder to move and shift weight easily.
Snowboarders who take their boards out consistently in the winter season will likely experience wear and tear on the paint job. The paint on a snowboard is not only for aesthetics, but it acts as a protective coating to prevent water or abrasive damage to the board's foundation. If you want to change or update the paint on your snowboard, consider using acrylic paints, which add shine and a smooth texture. Acrylics also dry more quickly than other types of paints, so that you can take your snowboard back on the slopes.
Used specifically for strap-in bindings, ratchet straps allow you to fasten your feet onto the board. You feed a serrated plastic strap through the ratchet on the ratchet strap and lock it in place. Unfortunately, ratchet straps are vulnerable to basic wear and tear. As a result, the the strap can fall off or snap completely, making it impossible for you to use your snowboard. Depending on the situation, you can fix the strap by reattaching it or replacing it entirely. While you may feel inclined to have your strap repaired at a shop, you can save money and remedy…
The top sheet of a snowboard is the very top layer of the board located just above the fiberglass layer. The top sheet is often painted or laminated with various colors and graphics, which distinguish one board from another and can be changed to customize the board. In order to add a new graphic layer or image, you need to replace the old top sheet, design a new graphic layer, then cut out the image and stick it to the board.
A snowboard box is a type of ramp, generally constructed from wood or metal, used by snowboarders to perform various moves and tricks. These boxes can range anywhere from 8 to 16 feet long, depending on your personal preference. Instead of putting your money into purchasing an expensive store-bought snowboard box, design your own box and save your money for a lift pass during the winter. One place to look for cheap materials is at ice skating rinks. Many times these rinks throw away their old materials which are ideal for turning into snowboard boxes. Purchase some spray paint supplies…
As with most competitions, the judging in snowboarding events is very subjective. The criteria that one judge uses to make her scoring decisions may be different than what another judge uses the base his score on. This is why sanctioned snowboard competitions have up to six judges reviewing the riders. Certain judges review the tricks attempted by the snowboarders while other focus on the runs themselves. All judges either are or have been snowboarders themselves and know what to look for in good freestyle snowboard runs.
Snowboarding is a sport where an athlete rides on a board while traveling down a snow-covered slope. The snowboarder can control the direction of the snowboard by using her feet, knees and ankles to change the pressure placed on the board, shifting the positioning of the tip – the front part of the snowboard – and the back. Much of this involves leaning on the toes or heels.
Snowboarding straps take just as much strain as the snowboard itself. The straps are used to secure you to the snowboard. Your feet must be securely attached to the board so that you have control over direction and speed. The wear and tear that you put your straps through often causes them to break. When this happens, you can fashion your own in a pinch with a few supplies available at the hardware store.
The binding is an essential snowboard component that holds your boots in place during high-velocity maneuvers. Modern bindings feature ratcheted straps that fit into lightweight metal buckles. These high-tech models are virtually impossible to make at home, as they require the use of industrial equipment. According to Visual News, old-school snowboard bindings featured a simpler design that consisted of cloth or leather straps. Re-create an old-school snowboard binding at home with a few simple tools.
Mounting a GoPro camera on a snowboard can be accomplished using a mount that is sold by GoPro for your application. Flat and curved adhesive mounts work best because they mount securely to the board and the violent movement of the board does not affect its position. While suction cup mounts are not recommended for snowboards, they can be used with an adhesive pad similar to what holds the flat or curved adhesive mount in place. Suction cup mounts do not come with adhesive pads, but they can be purchased elsewhere and attached to the bottom of the suction cup…
The sidewall refers to the stiff plastic material that surrounds the wooden core of your snowboard. Many avid snowboarders prefer to experiment with numerous sidewall shapes to find the design that best fits their riding specifications. You can reshape your snowboard by cutting the sidewalls. Practice on an old snowboard until you get comfortable with the technique. According to REI, some sidewalls feature a symmetrical shape while others are shifted toward the tail of the snowboard for increased turning efficiency.
Snowboarding pants provide a way for snowboarders to show off their style in addition to keeping them warm. Pro snowboarder and Olympian Shaun White has also distinguished his own look by appearing in leather pants. Snowboard pants can consist of nylon or polyester. Whichever you wear, you can add some style by attaching patches, decals or logos, or simply choosing the right color to go with your boots and jacket.
Between you and your snowboard are the bindings, the hard plastic mechanisms connecting rider to vehicle. The sureness in your board's response hinges upon the fit of your boots into the bindings. If the fit is compromised by a poor choice — either too loose or too tight — the communication between you and your board will suffer and, consequently, so will your performance on the slopes. When bindings match both the board and boots, commands are transferred cleanly. The board responds crisply and smoothly, and your feet won't be aching unnecessarily at the end of the day.
While more marketing is put into technologies like bamboo cores, rocker/camber and topsheet graphics, size is still one of the most important characteristics of your snowboard equipment. When it comes to binding size, you need to ensure that the bindings fit your boots, thereby ensuring a snug fit and proper ride.
For many people, snowboarding is a fun and leisurely pastime. For others, it is an extreme sport and an opportunity to perform tricks. When you add half-pipes and jumps to a snow-covered hill, you are officially in "extreme sport" territory. However, creating the right snowboarding terrain can be tricky. If you want to put up a half-pipe with walls, for example, you need to pack the snow properly.
Store your snowboards where they are easily accessible and viewable by building your own snowboard rack. The simple pipe design of the rack allows you to line a wall with fittings that leave the rack largely unseen while highlighting the boards themselves. With the majority of the parts readily available in pre-cut lengths, the mounting of each rack level is quickly done. You will be able to complete a multi-layer rack in under an hour, using inexpensive building material that costs a fraction of the price of retail racks.
Buffing your snowboard will smooth its surface, while removing excess wax. A smooth, waxed snowboard bottom improves performance. Waxing and buffing serve to prevent dry drag in very cold, dry snowboarding conditions, and it will prevent sticking and suction that's associated with wet friction during warmer conditions. A waxing cork buffer is most commonly used with wax that comes in paste, crayon or liquid form, though it can also be used to smooth hot wax. A snowboard brush is an alternative to waxing cork. Brushes are typically used with hot wax.
Snowboards are strong, light and flexible. They are able to possess these three seemingly opposing characteristics by being constructed from a sandwich of different layers. A wood core gives the required strength, while layers of foam and fiberglass keep everything light and flexible. While some professional equipment is used to press the board layers together during manufacturing, it is possible to repair a worn or damaged board by replacing the bottom layer with another one of fiberglass.
Waxing your snowboard will provide you with a smoother ride by reducing friction, preventing snow from sticking to your board, and increasing the longevity of your board. Although the usual mode of applying heated wax is still prevalent, it isn't entirely practical when you are on the slopes. Urethane sticks provide boarders with a way to wax their snowboards without forcing them to give up valuable riding time. That said, urethane sticks are designed for touch-ups only. You should still hot-wax your board every week or so to maximize your board's performance.
Snowboard boots are the only footwear you should wear while snowboarding. The two main functions of the snowboard boot are performance and comfort. The boots protect the wearer's feet from the elements while being flexible enough for the snowboarder to comfortably carve down slopes or maneuver through a snowboard park.
A snowboard is designed with an aerodynamic shape so that snow flows over it instead of collecting on the surface. A minor crack in the snowboard's wood layer disrupts the board's ability to function correctly and can lead to further deterioration of the materials that are bonded together. Fix the crack in the snowboard's wood so that it can function as intended. You can find the supplies and tools for this project at a hardware or home improvement store.
Snowboards came about as a natural evolution of a number of other board sports such as surfing and skateboarding. The design and dimensions of a snowboard depend on a number of things, including the size of the rider and the kind of snow the rider will primarily be on. It will also help determine things such as speed.
Your snowboard stance is vital because it determines your balance and thus your ability to turn, carve, etc. If you don't feel comfortable on your board, tire easily or can't seem to maintain your balance, you may need to correct your footing. To do this you will need to unscrew your bindings and readjust them. While there are a few guidelines to go by, your snowboarding stance really depends on what is comfortable for you.
Not all snowboards are created equal, but instead they are specially designed by manufacturers to fit people of different sizes, shapes and abilities. You should always make sure that you have the proper equipment for any outdoor activity. Using the appropriate sized snowboard is important for ensuring that you get the most out of your snowboarding experience. Having a snowboard that is too big, too small, too heavy or too light might cause you to lose control while riding, which can lead to injuring yourself or others.
GoPro cameras are small digital-video recorders designed for sport use. The GoPro camera mounts into a water- and shock-resistant clear-plastic case that enables the user to take it into extreme conditions like those in snowboarding. In order to get good angles or a point-of-view shot, mount the GoPro to an old ski-pole, preferably a pole that telescopes to give a higher range of angle and shots. A mount is quick to make, and can be done on-the-cheap.
The half-pipe, made from a mix of terrain and snow, provides snowboarders with an area to practice and perform various tricks of the trade. If you're a truly dedicated snowboarder, you may have a desire to build a half-pipe for practice and fun. Though building a half-pipe (or even a quarter-pipe) is no easy task, it is feasible if you have access to proper materials and terrain.
Waxing your snowboard regularly makes it glide down the hill better, easier to control and faster. It also has the added benefit protecting the board and making the base more resistant. After several waxes, a film can build up on its surface and on the bindings where you over-applied the wax. Remove it with a wax-removing product that breaks down the oil so it can be wiped away.
Snowboard bindings' position is adjustable. A rider can move her bindings forward and back in relation to the ends of the board and lengthen or reduce the distance between the bindings. The factors a boarder considers when positioning the bindings' width apart are her shoulder width, leg length, the terrain and the style she prefers. Big mountain riding, for example, requires a different distance between the bindings than tube and park riding do.
Freestyle snowboarding has evolved to include many of the the street tricks seen in skateboarding. Grabs, spins, grinds and slides are now a part of the snowboard trick dictionary. If you don't have access to a snowpark, building your own flat bar can be a good way to start practicing grinds and slides. It can be assembled from readily available materials with basic skills.
The bevel on a snowboard or a ski is the angle at which the edges of your snowboard are cut. There is the base edge bevel to consider, which is the degree to which your edges are rounded up, and affect how much you need to tip the board to engage the edge. The other bevel to consider is the side bevel, which is the vertical angle at which your snowboard edge is cut. Most snowboards come from the factory with a flat, or zero bevel, on both edges.
Snowboarding is a popular cold-weather sport with many riders due to the board's ability to be used in a variety of jumping and sliding tricks. A snowboarding box consists of a long flat surface topped with a board-safe material to avoid damaging the underside of your board, which allows for long slides.
