Pack A Lunch!

     I know what you're gonna say. "I don't mind spending $10 on a meal when I go up to snowboard," and although that doesn't seem like that significant an amount, when you factor in the cost of transportation/gas, lift ticket, and (God help you if you're paying) rental fees, you really should make an effort to keep your costs as low as possible. That is, unless you're different from most people and have managed to find a way to still have money to burn despite the our current economic climate, in which case, burn away. But if you're like most people, and don't have money to throw away, take heed, and keep in mind many people will order a beer with their meal in which case you can add an additional $5-$10.
     Yet despite the recession and the fact that these costs are ultimately unnecessary, most people simply do not pack a lunch! It's really strange actually, because when it comes to picnics, or beach visits, people don't seem to have a problem with bringing their own grub. Perhaps there is an unspoken rule amongst slope hitters about bringing food? Well, I for one am not above it and will remain unaffected by snooty and unsubstantiated notions of it being taboo.
     Now although most resorts will have a large dispenser from which you can pour into a cup, I recommend bringing plenty of water because it's very easy to dehydrate up there due to the high altitude. Plus I will usually drink water on the way up the mountain as well as on the way down. In addition, the water they have to offer is freezing cold so if you're like me and like your water at room temperature, all the more reason to bring your own H20. I will usually even carry a regular sized bottle in my pocket simply to avoid returning all the way back down the slopes to rehydrate.
     As for lunches, keep it simple. A sandwich kept in a plastic ziploc bag if kept inside a cooler with ice will await you intact & undiminished despite sitting in your sun-beaten car. Granola bars & fruits make for good sides because you can carry them on your person and they will give you the energy needed for snowboarding, which can be quite a strenuous and calorie-burning activity.

Smart Snowboarding For Beginners

There are just so many people missing out on one of the funnest, most exhilarating activities in existence simply because it is just so damn expensive. But the fact of the matter is, it doesn't have to be. See I started out like everyone else, spending way too much on my deck, boots, & clothes. I spent over $400 on my snowboard deck alone, another $150 on my pants, and another $200 on boots. OK, let's start off with the snowboarding deck. Why the heck did I spend so much? Well, for starters I knew virtually nothing about snowboards at the time and basically picked the deck that I thought had the coolest graphics on it. This is not the way you should pick your board! It was a HUGE mistake. It was a World Industries deck, which ended up splitting at the nose towards the end of my second season. What a waste of hard-earned dough! And considering the fact that in those days, I was 17 or 18 and making $4.35 per hour, the word waste proves to be a tremendous understatement.

I bought a Vision board afterwards for $100, which has lasted me well over 10 years now. And you can easily find a decent board at a sports shop for this amount of money, or you can go on craigslist.com and get a used one. Just make sure you check it out thoroughly for damage. One important thing to keep in mind, the shorter your board, the slower you go & vice versa. Furthermore, a shorter board provides for easier maneuvering especially for tricks. However, the downside is that you will go slower, which may not sound that bad if you're a beginner but there are times when the sun makes the snow so soft & slushy that you'll be praying for a longer board so you can keep moving and just get down the damn mountain! By the way, if you're not sure what constitutes a short board, I use a pretty short board; it's a 144, and I'm 5'8" and 170lbs.

But I digress, the main bullet point of this article is that you don't need to spend a boat-load of cash to snowboard. At the same time, I do NOT recommend renting because it will cost you about $30, which if used wisely can probably pay for a used pair of boots or half the cost of a used snowboard on craigslist. This way, you're covered every time you go. Even if you only go a few times a year, it's a worthwhile investment. As for clothing, the most important item is your snowboarding pants. They should definitely be waterproof unless you don't mind having a freezing cold and wet keister. And if you are indeed a beginner, you will be spending quite a bit of time on your butt. Keep in mind it doesn't take much time at all for snow to seep through clothes that are not waterproof or semi-waterproof.

Finally, make sure you take advantage of all the deals and discounts out there. In addition, I usually wait until after the holiday season, before I go snowboarding because the holiday prices are simply RIDICULOUS! And for all you SoCal residents, Snow Valley may not be the largest ski resort, but it is closer than Bear Mountain & Snow Summit and tends to offer better deals. It also has a terrain park wicked enough keep the pro happy while still feasible for the intermediate. Also, keep your eyes & ears open to your local radio stations and their websites for upcoming deals! Have fun up there & stay safe!