Snowboard Hut

Many people ask me from time to time why I choose snowboarding as the sport that I wanted to do. Why I choose to work so hard at it, and why I managed to achieve a degree of success in doing so. The answer is simple, and it is the reason why many people do well at different sports. The answer is desire and love for the sport and that is what I had in abundance for snowboarding, before my accident.

When it came to choosing a sport, I thought long and hard when I came to a cross-road in my life. What should I do? Should I do snowboarding or skateboarding? This was really hard for me as I loved both sports, but I was having to train for both of them, and therefore wasn’t dedicating enough time to either. That is why when it came down to it, I decided that skateboarding was only going to be a hobby and that snowboarding was what I wanted to do with my life. The reasons that I preferred snowboarding were not clear cut, and to say I had anything less than love for skateboarding is also not true. But I think I loved the way that snowboarding was a whole different world. Do you know what I mean? When you choose to go skateboarding you can just jump out of bed, and skateboard down to the shop, Ollie over a step and grind down a pole. Is that fun? Yes, of course it is. But when it comes to snowboarding you are entering a completely alien environment. Let me explain. When you live in Atlanta you hardly get snow every day of the week, nor do you get hills and slaloms caked in it! That is why, whether I am boarding on snow or synthetic snow the feeling is the same. It is like, boy I am on snow!

When I choose snowboarding there was also another reason that really helped to make my mind up for me, and that was my friends! My friends who done skateboarding were not as close friends as my friends that done snowboarding and as you can imagine this had an impact. The thought of getting to spend more time with Collin, Justin and the lads was just to much to miss out on! We had such a good laugh, and had so much in common. We would always feel the same about snowboarding, and we were able to really help each other out on issues. When we noticed a flaw in each others technique we would always point it out to each other so that we could all improve together. This worked great, and was one of the reasons that I chose snowboarding over skateboarding when it came down to it!

Now I suppose I should tell you the sad part - the reason why I am no longer able to pursue a career in either, snowboarding or skateboarding. The reason for this is a terrible accident that ruptured my leg muscle, and has resulted in a six month time-out at such a crucial time. You see others will improve in fitness whilst I deteriorate and that is why my sponsor has now dropped me as well. What I am hoping to do is try my best to get back into the sport, because my love for it and my ability at it should be enough to make me come through. Collin and Justin are doing really well, but it is hard for me to spend as much time with them when they are always down the slope or working out. One of my friends called Blair, has also recently won the Junior USA championship, and although I am happy for him it makes me sad to think that I could have been their competing for that trophy. All I can do is try my best, and hopefully luck will fall on my side.

Ski Planner asked:


Many people have different opinions about the relationship between skiing and snowboarding. Some hardcore enthusiasts in these sports maintain that these two are distinct and different from each other. Nonetheless, skiing and snowboarding share the same platforms and manner of execution, namely snowy slopes and downward acceleration. This results to almost the same approach in the preparation and equipment perspectives of the two.

Whether you are a first timer or a veteran at skiing and snowboarding, you must learn how to prepare physically and mentally before subjecting yourself to the unforgettable adrenaline rush that these two sports offer. And that includes protecting yourself against possible injuries that can happen while you are speeding down the slope.

Besides training hard to improve performance level and overall skills, you must completely comply with the safety requirements to become a confident participant in these two sports. As over one hundred thousand people are unnecessarily injured in skiing and skateboarding every year, a serious effort to prepare against injury in these two sports is imperative.

In skiing and snowboarding, the key to an accident-free slide is in the preparation. Before you even take the wild ride down a snowy mountain cap, be sure to do all necessary preparations. The following tips could spell the difference between an enjoyable skiing or snowboarding vacation and a visit to the hospital.

Take skiing and snowboarding lessons. There is no such thing as a born skier or snowboarder. You need guidance from experts who have been into these sports for years so that you will improve your performance and safety in skiing and snowboarding.

With regard to your skiing or snowboarding outfit, wear clothing that is dependable against water and wind. Make sure that your apparel has enough protective features like wide collars that can be enfolded to cover your face against wind and zippers and strings that enable you to adjust your outfit easily and comfortably.

Acquire the proper equipment for skiing and for snowboarding. If you own the equipment, like skis and snowboards, have them custom-fitted to your preferences. If you are renting them, be sure to choose the ones that you will most likely be comfortable in. Having the right equipment will drastically improve your performance and lessen the chances of accidents.

Also, the temperature in the snowy caps rapidly changes. Sometimes the coldness in the slopes can be unbearable and you may find yourself losing much needed heat which could lead to other complication like loss of consciousness and tiredness. To prevent this wear head covering like helmet or headbands and gloves.

The snowy slopes in which you slide down your skis and snowboards have very low temperatures. Dress up in layers of clothing to keep the chill out. But also make sure that the fabric you are wearing on the inside is comfortable on your skin and absorbent of the sweat that is sure to come out of you because of the excitement skiing or snowboarding offers.

Do not forget to wear eye protection devices like goggles and sunglasses. Without eye protection, you are most likely to close your eyes due to cold winds as you speed down on your ski or snowboard. Sliding in closed eyes, you will certainly bump on anything and could even wake up in the infirmary the next day.

Get enough sleep the night before the big day. You need to be alert and sportive on the skiing or snowboarding slopes. A tired mind and body can cause accidents and injuries.

Jasmine Stone asked:


Let me tell you all about the time that I went to snowboarding classes and why I absolutely think that you should go out there and do the same. When you learn something new it provides and excellent sense of well being and can result in many hours of fun and enjoyment that can come as a result of the new skill that you have attained.

When I was only 16 I really liked watching winter sports on television and although it may sound stupid, it was actually sledging that drove me to want to learn a winter sport. I always liked sledging and I even went sledging when it wasn’t snowing. You see, where I live it is absolutely impossible to go sledging 11 months of the year, and if we are lucky enough to have as much as a month of snow then I am always sure to take advantage of it and go out their and sledge away! That is why, coupled with my love for watching snowboarding and sledging on television, that I decided that I would go out their and learn how to snowboard.

So you are probably wondering why I made the choice of snowboarding over skiing as my choice for the winter sport that I would try. The main reason for this was because I have a lot of friends that do snowboarding but absolutely none that do skiing done at the local ski slope. Although they do snowboarding the slope caters for both and I suppose the decision really did come down to me. Anyway, in the end I decided to go out their and choose snowboarding and I would be lying if I said my friends were my only influence in my decision to choose the board over the ski’s. You see I do not know if everyone will know what I am talking about but I feel that a snowboard just appears to be so much more responsive than ski’s. Do you know what I mean?

At our local ski slope there is only 100M of run that is around 300 feet if you convert it. In that period on ski’s what can you actually do? If it was some kind of complicated slalom then that would be different, but just going down a hill on ski’s to me seems slightly boring compared to on a snowboard. A snowboard appears to be more of a white knuckle ride. That is why I decided to choose snowboarding, but don’t get me wrong I still think that skiing looks fun, and as I now go down to the skiing slope every week or so I have actually started to do skiing some times for a bit of a change. You see, once I learned how to snow board I had some transferable skills, such as an ability to use the lift, how to handle speed, when to slow down etc. That is why I am glad that I learned how to snowboard first. If I had skied first, then I would probably have found it a lot more difficult to pick up snowboarding second. Anyway I went to snowboarding lessons and really enjoyed myself, I am not as good, nor as dedicated as some of my friends but I still really enjoy myself and that is what it is all about.

Timothy Ryan asked:


Before going out into the hills and slopes with your snowboard in tow, it will be a great advantage if you learned all the different snowboarding tips to help you manage your board better. This is particularly true if you are a beginner, and falling down quite a few times may hurt your ego more than your behind. This is why arming yourself with enough rudimentary knowledge will usher you down the slopes with more confidence compared to going it blind.

While it may sound unnecessary, do try to assimilate the different snowboarding terms involved in the sport. Snowboarding lingo is unique, and it may take a bit of time for you to be totally familiar with it. This way, when you get together with other snowboarding enthusiasts, you won’t be so clueless about what they’re saying.

Dress yourself appropriately and have the right equipment. Your clothing should be loose enough to be comfortable, but not so loose as to snag itself on any bushes, branches, or other snowboarders’ limbs. Protective gear in the form of goggles, a helmet and wristbands are essential for your safety. Some snowboarders even go so far as to wear special padded pants to ensure they don’t break their tailbones.

Finding the right board is the ultimate in snowboarding tips. If you are a beginner, make sure you get a shorter board. The rule of thumb is, the board tip should reach the area between your chin and collarbone if the other end is resting on the ground.

Jasmine Stone asked:


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 don’t 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 you’ll 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, you’re 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 you’d 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 - you’ll 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 won’t be left high and dry. Another good tip is to use a business plan template for your business. This way, you’ll 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.

Jasmine Stone asked:


Snowboarding is not for those who have a faint heart. This is an extreme sport and a very risky one that needs proper training and precaution.

Before attempting to engage yourself in snowboarding, do some research first. Try to assess, if this sport is really intended for you. Can you be a snowboarder who slides on steep mountain slopes or would you rather stay at home and watch others do it for you? The bottom line is you have to be fit and not just healthy to be in this sport. It would help if you consult your health provider first to know whether you are ready for this feat.

After doing some assessment, you still can’t just hop on your snowboard right away. Engaging in snowboarding also requires having the right gadgets and proper apparel not only to look sheik on ice but also to ensure your safety. Once you have all you need. you may now begin taking lessons. At least, this time you get to do actual snowboarding even under the eye of a pro.

As a beginner, you first need to undergo a series of lessons before heading to the mountains. Usually, the first things you need to master are about basic safety, proper stretching, injury prevention, and maybe rules and policies of the resort. To learn the basic skills you need to master, you can take private lessons with an instructor but it will be more expensive. A better alternative is to learn with a group. Aside from it’s practical, you can also interact from other snowboarders and also learn from them too.

As you advance your skills, you need to immerse yourself more in the sport. You have to learn new skills and continuously practice what you have already acquired especially if you are planning to compete in a tournament. Through time you will also need better and more challenging courses so that you’ll learn how to adjust to a variety of settings while performing at the top of your game. Learning how to adapt to any weather condition and knowing what strategy to employ to such will also help you to be more competitive and unaffected by things beyond your control.

But practicing on the snow with your board is not the only way to make yourself more adept in snowboarding. You may also learn about snowboarding from Transworld Snowboarding magazine. By doing this, you don’t need to wear your thermal gears or leave the comfort of your home. Subscribing to this will surely qualify you as a true-blooded snowboarder.

Transworld Snowboarding was a significant catalyst for the recognition of snowboarding as a sport. When snowboarding was still a young sport and skiing dominated the snow, many resorts were initially closed to snowboarders. To counteract this, Transworld Snowboarding hyped the sport by popularizing t-shirts called “Answers,” which contains answers to numerous inquiries of curious skiers. Eventually, snowboarding was recognized as an official sport. In 1985, the first World Cup was organized for snowboarding. Then, in 1995, the International Snowboarding Association was founded.

This magazine owned by Time Warner, showcases everything you need to know about snowboarding and snowboarding culture. Whether you are interested about the latest gadgets or has news about your favorite snowboarder, Transworld Snowboarding has it. If you are interested to learn about events or to read just about any article on snowboarding, you’ll find it here. It also contains tricks and features great resorts that snowboarding enthusiasts will love to consider as part of his itinerary.

nlwest21 asked:


Snowboarding is an extreme sport that should not be avoided. It is exhilarating and adventurous and when mastered is so much fun! I know that just thinking about it is daunting - but it might just be easier then you think - but it can still be tricky for many people to learn. Before you take your board out there on the slopes you need to know what you need and the basics of how to do it.

The first thing we want to talk about is how you need to dress when you go snowboarding. Make sure that you were a helmet that is specifically for snowboarders. Make sure it fits well and does not move around on your head or sit too low on your forehead. At the same time it shouldn’t be too tight.

Wearing the right type of boots is also important. Make sure that this too fit your feet well - but are not too tight. You want to be able to move around easily - but not have them fall off.

Underneath those shoes you should wear high socks. Tuck your pants into your boots. You’ll find that when your boots rub against your skin all day it will rub them raw. I don’t care what people say - you should never wear more then one pair of socks. It will make your boots tighter and decrease the circulation of blood that travels to your feet. This can increase your risks of frosty toes.

Snowboarding For Beginners

The first thing you need to do is figure out which foot will be your lead foot. It is common that people who are right handed will lead with their left foot or the other way around. Of course this does not always apply to everyone. If you are not quite sure which one you should lead with then you should just do what is comfortable for you.

Once you have figured it out place your lead foot into the front binding and fasten it tightly in. If you are using the step in type of board then you want to make sure that it fits in perfectly and tightly. Once the lead foot is secure place your other foot in the right position. Try to get a feel for the board by bouncing around and moving a little. Try not to fall over!

Obviously you should have someone with you who knows what they are doing so that if anything happens to you or you need any help then can assist you. Have them make sure that you put your board on right and let them lead you to the proper ski lift. Remember to get on and off the ski lift with your snowboard.

Once you have left the chairlift you will not start to go very fast down the mountain. You will be starting off on a small hill where you will be able to turn and board your way to a much larger hill. These small hills are called bunny hills or practice hills. Go to the edge of this hill. Sit down and make sure that your board is perpendicular to the hill and place your foot in the binding. Make sure that the binding is secure. You shouldn’t be able to move your foot around.

Stand up and then apply pressure to your lead foot - the one in front - and bend your knees and keep your back straight. You need to feel well balanced. When you apply pressure make sure that you and not leaning your body. Just pressing your feet firmly to the ground. Now you are ready to take off. Just remember that you are a beginner and you are going to fall down a few times before you get it right.

Reminders For Snowboarders

Please remember to follow any safety instructions that your trainer has told you. You also need to make sure that you have the proper snowboarding equipment before you hit the slopes. To make sure you have done this ask a clerk at the store which one would be best for you (a beginner) to use.

 

Jasmine Stone asked:


Kevin Ryan’s The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding offers one of the most useful guides to snowboarding for people from any level, whether beginners wanting to learn more about the sport and get their techniques sharpened, up to instructors and professionals seeking to further hone their skills on the slope.

Reader reviews and feedback on this book showed that it has a lot of useful drills featured that helped them improve their game immensely after repeated practise. The drills are written in a step by step fashion that seems ambiguous at first, but makes complete sense once you actually try them out. Furthermore, the book’s coverage is all-encompassing, including tips for beginning, to intermediate, to advanced skill levels.

The approach taken by the author is both humorous and scientific, employing small drawn illustrations to show drills and techniques. While there are few actual pictures involved, these hand drawn illustrations are funny to look at and yet maintain a good degree of accuracy in portraying the skills and techniques being demonstrated. The author uses a lot of jokes and quips interspersed with facts and the illustrations are likewise a mix of serious, factual ones and cute, cartoony renderings of snowboarding stuff.

Most professional instructors in snowboarding who read this book found new drills and skills they could teach their classes inside the beginner sections, so this book’s coverage is quite extensive. Furthermore, the author knows that certain skills can ONLY be conveyed though actual practice and demonstration, so he goes out of his way to state when certain skills are best acquired through a snowboarding instructor.

One of the sections that a lot of readers will probably find useful is the chapter on snowboard care and maintenance. Where most how-to books devote footnotes or at best, a few pages to the care and maintenance of equipment, Kevin Ryan actually goes out of his way to write an in depth full chapter on tips for taking proper care of your snowboard.

There is even a section on the ergonomics of skateboarding, covering the proper way to carry and ride a board to minimize the physical strain on the snowboarder. This also includes explanations on the physics and mechanics of snowboarding. While not exactly necessary for most people, this chapter is useful for people who are more technically inclined, like say, industrial designers who might be out to design a new type of snowboard.

Unlike some instructional books, this book does not seek to replace the need for an instructor, but instead seeks to augment and expand on the knowledge gained from working with a good qualified snowboarding instructor. For those who insist on learning everything from a book and doing it themselves, however, the book’s attention to detail and exhaustive explanations of the mechanics of snowboarding are actually enough to let them get by and teach themselves through practice and repetition.

This book is 336 pages long, and it’s first edition was published by the renowned book company McGraw-Hill back in 1998. Despite being published 8 years ago, to this day it remains one of the most popular and sought after instructional books for snowboarders. No matter what your skill level, it’s guaranteed that you will benefit from reading this book that is already considered a classic “encyclopedia” in the sport by avid snowboarding enthusiasts.

Jason Stepp asked:


Snowboarding is meant to be a pleasurable hobby, in result, a lot of participants regretfully forget about safety. It Doesnt matter how much time that you have on the board, if you do not continuously keep safety in mind, one of these times, you are going to get hurt

I have researched a few snowboard safety tips that will help impede major injuries while snowboarding.

Inspect Your Board

It is very important that you thoroughly check your board before you jump on it. Check for any cracks or anything that could possibly cause your board to malfunction. It is also important to make sure that you have chosen the right board for you. If you need some help with that, read my resource box for a guide to help you in choosing a board size. Don’t forget to ensure that your boarding shoes are being held securely.

It probably will not take too long to do a short inspection of your board. Keep in mind… the only thing helping you stay on top of the snow is the board! Ensure that it completely passes your check. If you are completely unsure of what to check for, ask someone! The snowboarding community is a very helpful and friendly community!

Choosing the right snowboard clothing and equipment

If there is one thing that really urks me, its when I notice people trading safety for style. I mean…some parts of snowboarding revolve around style and looking good, but do not trade safety for style!

When picking goggles, try not to go by what has the best design, instead, you should go by which ensures the best protection! The sun could literally blind you when you are on the slopes if you do not have good enough eye protection. Ensure the glasses or goggles that you decide on have a sufficient UV ray protection rating.

Another important thing to think about when considering snowboard safety is to remember that THE SNOW IS COLD. I definitely suggest that you wear a few layers. Im sure you have heard this a lot before, but it is highly important. If you are too hot, shed a layer of clothes, that way you slightly cool down, but not too much. When you feel yourself start to get cold again, you can just put that other layer of clothes back on! This really worked great for me while I was in the Army. I never understood the importance of dressing in layers until I spent my my first 7 days in the woods in very cold weather conditions.

When picking out gloves, choose something that is water proof. Again, because I was in the Army, I invested in some very effective gloves. I would recommend that you purchase some seal skin gloves. They were developed with the Navy Seals in mind. They work wonders for poor weather conditions- and they are great for snowboarding. You should be able to buy a pair at Ranger Joes- Use your favorite search engine to find Ranger Joes, they have a lot of nice gloves that will keep your hands warm.

Stay Hydrated and Keep Food In Your Stomach

A lot of people fail to realize that even when it is cold, it is still really important to keep drinking water. I was a witness to someone who dehydrated in freezing weather conditions. It was not a pretty sight. Water is your bodies fuel- along with food- and without it, your body will not be able to operate correctly! When you are snowboarding, remember to take water breaks. You will definitely regret it if you fail to that advise.

I know how difficult it is to pull yourself away from your board, but make sure that you eat a very good breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when you are considering to take part in physical activities. I also recommend eating a tiny. It wouldn’t hurt to bring more food than you need too, because you never know if somebody is going to get injured. You should always prepare for the unexpected!

I hope that you got something out of this article. Snowboarding is expected to be all fun and games, but it wont be much of a good time if someone gets injured! If you follow the proper snowboarding safety procedures, you will really enjoy yourself!

Jasmine Stone asked:


Kevin Ryan’s The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding offers one of the most useful guides to snowboarding for people from any level, whether beginners wanting to learn more about the sport and get their techniques sharpened, up to instructors and professionals seeking to further hone their skills on the slope.

Reader reviews and feedback on this book showed that it has a lot of useful drills featured that helped them improve their game immensely after repeated practise. The drills are written in a step by step fashion that seems ambiguous at first, but makes complete sense once you actually try them out. Furthermore, the book’s coverage is all-encompassing, including tips for beginning, to intermediate, to advanced skill levels.

The approach taken by the author is both humorous and scientific, employing small drawn illustrations to show drills and techniques. While there are few actual pictures involved, these hand drawn illustrations are funny to look at and yet maintain a good degree of accuracy in portraying the skills and techniques being demonstrated. The author uses a lot of jokes and quips interspersed with facts and the illustrations are likewise a mix of serious, factual ones and cute, cartoony renderings of snowboarding stuff.

Most professional instructors in snowboarding who read this book found new drills and skills they could teach their classes inside the beginner sections, so this book’s coverage is quite extensive. Furthermore, the author knows that certain skills can ONLY be conveyed though actual practice and demonstration, so he goes out of his way to state when certain skills are best acquired through a snowboarding instructor.

One of the sections that a lot of readers will probably find useful is the chapter on snowboard care and maintenance. Where most how-to books devote footnotes or at best, a few pages to the care and maintenance of equipment, Kevin Ryan actually goes out of his way to write an in depth full chapter on tips for taking proper care of your snowboard.

There is even a section on the ergonomics of skateboarding, covering the proper way to carry and ride a board to minimize the physical strain on the snowboarder. This also includes explanations on the physics and mechanics of snowboarding. While not exactly necessary for most people, this chapter is useful for people who are more technically inclined, like say, industrial designers who might be out to design a new type of snowboard.

Unlike some instructional books, this book does not seek to replace the need for an instructor, but instead seeks to augment and expand on the knowledge gained from working with a good qualified snowboarding instructor. For those who insist on learning everything from a book and doing it themselves, however, the book’s attention to detail and exhaustive explanations of the mechanics of snowboarding are actually enough to let them get by and teach themselves through practice and repetition.

This book is 336 pages long, and it’s first edition was published by the renowned book company McGraw-Hill back in 1998. Despite being published 8 years ago, to this day it remains one of the most popular and sought after instructional books for snowboarders. No matter what your skill level, it’s guaranteed that you will benefit from reading this book that is already considered a classic “encyclopedia” in the sport by avid snowboarding enthusiasts.