Category Archives: Snowboarding Advice

All things bright and beautiful in Courchevel

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Don’t you just love it when you see a skiing trend in actual real life? We recently blogged about a bright and bold fashion trend in ski and snowboarding clothing and during a ski trip to the fabulous Three Valleys resort of Courchevel it was clear that this All Things Bright and Beautiful fad is being played out on the slopes. Suddenly it seems as though skiers and boarders are not only in competition to swish down the slopes faster and more beautifully, but they are also keen to outshine their peers in brighter-than-bright ski jackets and trousers.

Bright and bold skiing outfits

A top ski clothing combo for men, as seen on both skiers and boarders in the French Alps, is bright orange or yellow matched (?!) with bright blues and greens. Orange ski trousers were being partnered with fabulously blue jackets, while so many more men than ever before seemed happy to don yellow ski trousers and partner this with blue, red, green or orange ski jackets.

For women, the skiing clothes fashion focuses on bright pink, turquoise, lime green and some jackets feature several of these colours at once. The most popular look was either black or white trousers and a very brightly coloured jackets or else a black jacket combined with bright pink or bright green ski trousers.

And there was fur everywhere! Fur edged collars, hoods, cuffs, hems, trousers and hats. Seeing as Courchevel is a destination for the rich and famous in top resort 1850 (as well as the more budget conscious in Courchevel 1300), there appeared to be a fair number of Russians sported actual real-live fur clothing too. We’re not in favour of real fur but the fake fur-edged outfits looked pretty smart… until, presumably, they become drowned by wet snow.

Rainbow coloured lift queues

No longer is it dull to stand in a lift queue. Simply look around and count the number of different colours of jackets and trousers. See if you can match trousers with jackets (even if they are on other people) and count the numbers of shades of rainbow hues on display. We can recall years when ski clothing was black, white, pastel or faded out. These days, the clothing offers fabulous splashes of colour and fun, even when there’s a whiteout.

Top tips for wearing ski clothing colours with style

* Pulling off a combo of bright orange trousers and a bright green jacket isn’t easy for everyone. It seems to suit men, and especially boarders, the best.

* Avoid ski jackets and trousers that are exactly the same colour. So wearing bright yellow jackets and trousers is not going to be a winner … and you’ll most likely end up being called a Banana.

* Play it safe with a bold coloured jacket and black trousers or a black jacket and brightly hued ski pants. For women, bright pink and black look fab. For men, black pants and lime green jackets are swell.

* Accessorise with care. A ski outfit that includes black ski pants and a pink ski jacket only requires a little enhancement. Perhaps choose a white ski helmet with a pink design but try to avoid a full-on pink helmet! You could add a little contrasting colour with a pair of goggles that feature bright green or blue.

* Try not to go overboard with every item in a different colour – unless you want to look like a children’s TV show presenter. Bright is great but only in small amounts.

What to look for in a new snowboard

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If you’re looking to update your snowboard, or it’s your first snowboard purchase, there are several features to look out for. Snowboard designers have been busy coming up with ways to make carving and off-piste riding a whole lot easier, and in many cases, more aggressive.

These days there are snowboards to meet all riding aspirations and in particular many boards now come with new traction and camber technology. Various snowboard brands have their own versions so it will require a little explaining.

Camber is the way that a board is shaped from nose to tail. It also takes into account the weight of a person standing on the board. Basically, more camber at each end offers better float when heading off-piste. You need to take into account the flex of a board, too, because the more flexible it is the greater the degree of lift at the nose and tail. While flex and camber might be ace off-piste, a stiffer board will probably suit on-paste riders much better.

What’s this snowboard traction all about?

Traction comes from “side cuts” on the boards. Rather than a standard-looking side cut that just bends in at the waist and back out at the nose and tail, new side cuts either have an indentation creating a kink or an outward bend creating a bump in the side cut. Some have waves all the way along the sidecut edge to offer more points of contact with the snow when turning on the board. Visually you can notice these waves looking right at the board or by putting it on its edge and looking down the sidecut.

Licensed by Lib tech for use by snowboard manufacturers, such as Roxy and Rossignol, is Magne traction. The most basic description is “edges with wavy lines”. More specifically, this design has serrated edges, rather like a bread knife that offers more grip and control when on the snow. So instead of just one line of an edge for cutting into the snow when carving, the Magne traction offers several points of contact for increased likelihood of contact when turning.

Burtons boards use a similar design with two extra contact points along the sidecut. Salomon call their sidecut the “Equalizer”. Meanwhile, Bataleon, has also brought out boards using their Triple Base Technology (TBT). Here’s how TBT is described: “A TBT snowboard is flat between the bindings with angled side bases that are lifted with gradually increasing angles. The uplift starts from flat in the binding area to a maximum increase at the widest point of the board. With the new updated TBT there is a slight extra uplift happening after the effective edge end to create an even looser feeling without sacrificing control.” The sidecuts of many Bataleon boards also offer extra traction but without over-doing the cut into the snow.

It’s worth taking several boards for a test-ride if you can – perhaps hire a board for a day – before buying because each board is different and will suit a range of rising styles.

* Tell us what you think of the new technology.

With thanks to Nassfeld from Flickr for the header image.

Know your snowboard lingo

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If you’re planning to buy a snowboard it’s a good idea to know your base from your bevel, and you camber from your goofy. Here we bring you a guide to some of the technical snowboarding terms.

Base: This is the underside of the snowboard and the area that is most in contact with the snow, unless you’re giving it some air time, in which case it’s the part that all your fans will see when your riding above their heads. Base graphic designs are popular and very varied.

All-important dimensions of a snowboard

All-important dimensions of a snowboard

Bevel: If someone talks about having their edges sharpened, they will be referring to the bevel, or the degree of angle that the edges have been sharpened.

Camber: If you lay a snowboard flat on the ground you’ll see there is a bit of space between the centre of the board and the ground. This is because the board has a camber and its weight rests on the nose and tail of the board. 

Edges: The length of metal that runs down each side of the snowboard.

Effective edges: The edge area of a snowboard that cuts into the snow when your’re riding and is therefore “effective”.

Flex: This is referring to the flexibility of the board. Flex determines how a board will go into and out of a turn, and according to various snow conditions.

Front Foot: This is straightforward as it’s the foot that is mounted closest to the nose of the board. What makes riders different is whether they are regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward).

Leash: A short strap that can be attached to the snowboard and the rider to prevent the board slipping away if you fall or when you’re jumping off a tricky chairlift.

Nose – The front end of the snowboard.

Rocker: This is  the opposite of camber, so when the snowboard is placed on a flat surface, it rests only on the centre area

Side cut radius: The radius of a circle that makes the hourglass shape of a snowboard. 

Stance: The position of a snowboarder’s feet on their board.

Tail: The rear of the snowboard.

Toe edge: The edge of the snowboard where your toes are positioned.

Twin Tip: This is a board that is deigned with an identical nose and tail so that the board can be ridden the same in both directions.

Waist width: The width of the centre part of the board from one side to the other.

Thanks to Sport Communities on Flickr for the header image.

Chairlift tips for snowboarders

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Continuing our Top Tips for Beginner Snowboarders’ blog series, here we bring you a few essential tips on “Getting off a Chairlift”. Failure to manage this could mean a) failure to ever go higher than the nursery slopes b) abject embarrassment c) injury d) injury of a chairlift friend or partner.

This is not to say that the first time you try to board a chairlift you won’t be a little jittery. Whether you’re on skis or a snowboard, negotiating a chairlift can be a tricky business but it’s especially the case for snowboard riders.

Tips For Snowboarders Using Lifts

Snowboarder guide to tackling a chairlift

Before you reach the chairlift prepare to board by taking your back foot from the snowboard binding. You’ll need to skate along with your front foot still on the board and the other pushing you, like riding a skateboard.  Use the stomp board for your back foot on the board.

Next you’ll push through the barriers to the chairlift. As soon as you’re allowed through, “skate” towards the red line where you should stop. It’s easier to stick to the outside seats if possible.

Once you reach the line, look back to watch for the chair coming towards you and as the chair comes to the back of your legs, sit down.

To ensure that your free leg doesn’t get trapped between the chair and the ground when you sit down, stick your free foot out in front of you.

Reach to pull the handrail guard over your head and make sure that your hand and leg are clear.

Once you’re on the chairlift you can relax, let your foot in the board relax and hang below the chair, while you look around at the scenery.

How a snowboarder gets off a chairlift

Be warned: This is a little trickier. When you see the “Prepare to Get Off” sign, start manoeuvring yourself so that you are sitting sideways in the chair and in the same direction as your would normally ride.

As the chairlift approaches the ramp, point your board forward, but your free foot on your stomp pad and hang one side of your butt off the chair. (This isn’t comfortable but it’s vital for a smooth off-load.)

When you re at the ramp, and you have lifted the chairlift handrail, let your board slide along the snow and then stand up with your weight forward allowing the chair to give you a small push. Be careful not to hold on to the chair but it’s fine to let the chair give you a bit of momentum (although not so much that you lose control and go careering into your fellow passengers).

You should be able to glide smoothly to a safe place before stopping to strap your back foot into your board. Make sure you’re clear of other people coming off the chairlift behind you. This all sounds very simple but it does take concentration and control and a fair bit of confidence!

Top tip for chairlift negotiation for snowboarders

The chances are you’ll be taking lessons, so make sure that your instructor shows you some of the easier chairlifts (for practice) and tells you about the chairlifts to look out for. There will always be chairlifts in each resort that offer their own kind of challenges, such as a fast and ferocious approach, a steep landing or a tight descent.

How to buy a snowboard

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As with all technical snow sports, the number and range of snowboards on the market is massive. There is a snowboard to suit all tastes, budgets and riding desires. So how do you go about choosing the perfect snowboard for you?

If you’re just starting out, it’s a safer bet to rent a snowboard. That way you’ll find out if you really do enjoy this sport, once you have overcome the first hurdles of learning to snowboard.

What's your choice of snowboarding?

What's your choice of snowboarding?

Now you’ve decided to buy a snowboard

What is your chosen snowboarding passion? All mountain or freeride snowboarding; freestyle, powder, back country, boardercross? And who are you? A beginner, intermediate, expert, man, woman or child? And how tall are you and what do you weigh? All these factors need to be taken into account when buying the best board for you. See, nothing is ever straightforward!

So there are: Freeride snowboards, freestyle snowboards, backcountry snowboards, wide snowboards, powder snowboards, children’s snowboards, women’s snowboards and boardercross snowboards.

Consider your riding ability when buying a snowboard

Beginner: Snowboarded one to three times.

Intermediate: Board three to five times a year, turns are no problem, you can ride fakie and catch some air.

Advanced: Oh, you’re looking fab and skilled on and off piste!

What type of snowboarding do you most enjoy?

All mountain or freeride style: You like to carve, ride on and off-piste, do a few tricks and have fun.

Freestyle: You’re a keen trickster, enjoying the half-pipe, jumping, spinning etc.

Carve or Alpine style: This is high speed and includes lots of hard and accurate carving.

Now for the snowboard dimensions

Length: Most experts advise that when standing a board up against you that it should land between your chin and nose.

Width: Ensure you have a board that is wide enough to prevent your heel and toes touching the snow when you turn.

Weight: A heavier snowboarder needs a board with stiffer flex, while lighter riders should go for softer flex.

Once you have made a list of all your likes and dislikes, plus your personal statistics, it’s time to shop around. There are a multitude of brands and designs, as well as prices.

Top tips for beginner snowboarders

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Snowboarding is so cool – but oh-so-tough to learn. When you’re up and flying, snowboarding is the best – it just takes a while to get to grips with technique and you’ll find yourself on your bum a lot of the time. Snowboarders where comfy clothing and even more comfortable boots – but before you can look good on the slopes in your kit you need to be able to turn and carve.

Top tips: Sit down while strapping into a snowboard

Top tips: Sit down while strapping into a snowboard

So, there are advantages and disadvantages of snowboarding, but still many people are keen to learn.

Here’s a guide to the basics of snowboarding

Bindings: These attach your boots to your snowboard. But unlike skis, snowboard bindings are not designed to release when you crash or fall over.

How to get into your snowboard bindings: It’s easiest to do this while sitting on the snow. Place the snowboard perpendicular (across) to your body and flat on the slope. Put your front foot into the base plate first and insert the straps into the buckles of the binding. Now ratchet them tight. Do the same with the back foot. Ensure the boots and baseplates are clear of snow before doing all this.

Many snowboarders have a safety leash so that in the event of a fall while out of the bindings, for example while jumping off a chairlift or being knocked over by someone, the snowboard will not run away from you.

Before you stand up, again check that your board is perpendicular to the slope so that you don’t suddenly go zooming off down the mountain.

How to stand up on a snowboard

Whichever technique you choose, ensure you put the same amount of weight on each foot as you follow the procedure.

The push-off: With your knees bent and your feet close to your bum, lean back then thrust or push your weight forward and over your feet, also pushing off from behind with your hands.

The pull-up: Again, with your knees bent and your feet close to your bum, pull yourself up by the toe edge of your board. If you have trouble, use one hand to push from behind at the same time. Engaging your stomach muscles will help considerably!

The roll-over: From sitting, roll yourself over your body or your head on to your knees, then stand up by pushing your weight backward and over your feet.

How to stop while on a snowboard

Stopping is probably the most important technique to learn! On a snowboard you simply bring both feet – and the board –perpendicular to the slope and perform a scrape on the back edge to stop.

How to save yourself when falling on a snowboard

Learning to snowboard brings with it a high chance of falling over, and often. It’s just part of the learning process and quite soon you’ll be wondering why you did fall over quite as much in the first few days. But falling also brings with it a chance of injury. Here are a few tips to avoid the worst of the injuries:

  • Try to fall forward on to your knees and forearms.
  • Make a fist when you fall instead of splaying out your fingers.
  • Use you forearms, as well as fists, to take the fall.
  • Falling backwards has the potential for ricocheting your head off the ground so try to hold on to your stomach muscles if you fall backwards.

Protection to wear as a beginner snowboarder

You will fall over and so it’s important to wear a helmet and, if you can afford them, wrist, shoulder, butt and hip protection. This protection fits under your clothing so no-one needs to know you’re wearing it, except you, so that when you fall the protection (rather like mountain biking protection) helps to take the brunt of the fall… and not your bones.

Take snowboarding lessons

The basics of snowboarding require a few lessons. Sign up to classes on your local dry ski slope, indoor snow zone or outdoors in Scotland. You’ll be stuck on the nursery slopes for the first day or so, but this is when you learn the methods for good snowboarding. Much of the learning process is about balance, understanding and confidence.  After that it’s practice.

* In a forthcoming blog we’ll guide you through the technique for using a chairlift while snowboarding and some advanced skills.

Have a laugh – and get fit for snowboarding

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You’re dedicated to getting fit for snowboarding… but you’re just a little bored of the same old exercises. Instead, you might want to give the Indo Board a try. The latest – and most fun – way to improve the strength and balance required for snowboarding, this is an inspired fitness gadget.
The Indo Board comprises an oval plank of wood that lies on top of a small cushion of air, thus simulating a snowboard, and also a surfboard, riding the snow, or the waves. Trying to sit, stand or lean on the board engages a wide range of muscles.
Try performing a few exercises such as sit-ups, squats and press-ups on the Indo Board and you’ll see just how difficult it is to do these routine exercises without allowing the board to touch the floor.
The Indo Board is fantastic for your core muscles as you try to maintain your balance, and also targets the legs, arms, abdominals and butt. So, all those muscles that you’ll be engaging while snowboarding on the pistes this winter.
Created by Florida-born surfer, the Indo Board has now become the focus of gym classes across America – and we’re predicting it will reach these shores in the very near future.

Of course, you’re dedicated to getting fit for snowboarding… but you’re just a little bored of the same old exercises. Instead, you might want to give the Indo Board a try. This inspired fitness gadget targets all the muscles that you’ll use for snowboarding and gives participants a real giggle as they try to stay balanced on the board while sitting, standing or simply leaning on it.

Indo Board's the way to better snowboarding fitness

Indo Board's the way to better snowboarding fitness

So what is the Indo Board? The fitness equipment comprises an oval plank of wood that lies on top of a small cushion of air, thus simulating a snowboard riding the snow. (It’s also ideal for practising surfing on “waves”.)

The Indo Board exercises: To start with you’ll want to attempt to stay balanced while standing on the board. Adopting the snowboarding position, see how long you can remain balanced, and check out how much you’re using all your muscles. Now try performing a few exercises on the Indo Board, such as sit-ups, squats and press-ups (rest your arms on the board and your feet on the floor) and you’ll see just how difficult it is to do these routine moves without allowing the board to touch the floor.

What are the benefits?: The Indo Board is fantastic for your abs and back muscles as you try to maintain your balance, and also targets the legs, arms and butt. So, that’s all those muscles that you’ll be engaging while snowboarding on the pistes this winter.

What’s the trend?: Created by Florida-born surfer, the Indo Board has now become the focus of gym classes across America – and we’re predicting it will reach these shores in the very near future.

Where to ski and snowboard in October

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Where to ski in October
No-one would blame you for being keen to kit the European slopes as soon as you can this season. While most of us will look towards November and December before booking a few days or a week away, there are some opportunities for early season skiing and snowboarding adventures. Skiing – which is usually cheaper at this time of year – takes place on glaciers.
Where to ski in Europe in October
France
The Mont de Lan glacier (3600m) in Les Deux Alpe and the Grand Motte Glacier (3456m) in Tigne are the best places to head in france this october. Check out the resots for opening times of the glacier slopes and the snowparks.
Austria
Rettenbach glacier (3000m) in Solden offers some 3km of open pistes, served by two lifts. Meanwhile the Stubai Glacier (3000m) has already opened some of its pistes, and a good rnage of lifts. For snowboarders and freeskiers the season will start with the Snowpark on October 21, followed by the season’s opening of the Moreboards Stubai Zoo, for kids and beginners.
The Kaunertal Glacier (3108m) – the highest glacier in the Tyrol area –  is open year-round and also has lots of snow already.
Switzerland
Zermatt’s Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3883m) is open throughout the year, while the Allain Glacier (3600m) in Saas-Fee is also looking good to go for Ocotber skiers and snowbaorders.

No-one would blame you for being keen to hit the European slopes as soon as you can this season. While most of us will look towards November and December before booking a few days or a week away, there are some opportunities for early season skiing and snowboarding adventures. Skiing – which is usually cheaper at this time of year – takes place on glaciers and many resorts are already reporting a fair dumping of snow.

Matterhorn Glacier, Zermatt

Matterhorn Glacier, Zermatt

Where to ski in Europe in October

France: According to reports, Mont de Lan glacier (3600m) in Les Deux Alpe and the Grand Motte Glacier (3456m) in Tignes are the best places to head in France this October. Check out the websites of the resorts for opening times of the glacier slopes and the snowparks.

Austria: Rettenbach glacier (3000m) in Solden offers some 3km of open pistes, served by two lifts. Meanwhile the Stubai Glacier (3000m) has already opened some of its pistes, and a good range of lifts. For snowboarders and freeskiers the season will start with the Snowpark on October 21, followed by the season’s opening of the Moreboards Stubai Zoo, for kids and beginners.

The Kaunertal Glacier (3108m) – the highest glacier in the Tyrol area –  is open year-round and also has lots of snow already.

Switzerland: Zermatt’s Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (3883m) is open throughout the year, while the Allain Glacier (3600m) in Saas-Fee is also looking good to go for Ocotber skiers and snowboarders.

How to get fit for snowboarding

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Like skiing, it helps to be in good shape before you hit the winter slopes. Stamina and fitness are vital ingredients for making the most of your on-piste trips and holidays. But skiing and snowboarding demand different things from your body.

Check out our blog about Getting Fit For Skiing.

Leg strength is vital for days of snowboarding

Leg strength is vital for days of snowboarding

Snowboarding demands a great deal of legs, back and core muscles. It is also important to have good upper body twist and flexibility.

Novice snowboarders may well  need even better fitness than the expert snowboarders. Learning to snowboard often entails lots of falling over, and then getting back up again.  With both feet tied into snowboard boots and then affixed to the snowboard, standing back up requires strength of core muscles in particular.

But essentially the same physical strengths are required for all levels of snowboarders.

Guide to getting fit for snowboarding

The muscles that you use for snowboarding include thighs, calves, back, abs and, to a lesser extent, shoulders and arms. Flexibility is also a bonus for snowboarders, especially in the ankles, hips and shoulders. The best way to improve strength and flexibility in combination is to sign up to a yoga class. Try Ashtanga yoga for a great strength, cardio and flexibility workout.

Start on these exercises at least a couple of months before your ssnowboarding trip.

Cardiovascular exercise: The best way to get fit for snowboarding is to snowboard. You could head along to a local dry ski slope or an indoor snow slope if you live near one. Other cardio sports include walking, running and cycling.

Strengthening: Spend 20 minutes twice a week doing:

10 to 20 single leg squat reps.

10 to 15 step-ups, add a weight in each hand. Do these on a step-machine at the gym or up and down stairs.

10 to 15 front lunges, each leg.

10 to 15 side lunges, each leg.

20 to 30 ab curls.

10 back raises. Lie flat on your front and lift your straight legs and shoulders from the ground at the same time. Hold for one second and gently drop back down.

15 to 20 shoulder pulls. Use a weight machine for these.

Top tips for snowboarding on fresh snow

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We’ll bet you can’t wait to get out on the slopes this winter. And if the snow is that fresh, fluffy powder stuff, then you’ll be even more eager to get go snowboarding. After all, powder snow is exactly what snowboarding is meant for. But whether the new white stuff lies on the slopes, or you have to go searching off-piste for powder snow, you’ll want to remind yourself of a few basic technique tips.

All the fun of powder snowboarding

All the fun of powder snowboarding

For those who are a bit rusty, or less experienced in the powder, it’s probably worth having a lesson or two from an expert. Powder snow demands good technique, and going off-piste comes with a range of dangers that you need to learn how to deal with.

Here’s our refresher tips for great days of powder surfing

Feel the speed!: Powder snow tends to slow you down but going too slow will also “bog” you down. It’s important to keep your speed up while snowboarding on powder snow, especially if you can see a few flat areas coming up. Maintain your speed on the downs to get you across the flats. We’re not talking crazy, out-of-control speed but an in-control speed that allows you to stop quickly if required.

Softly, softly: Turning in powder should be a gentle and soft affair. Sudden turns are much more likely to bury your board under deep snow and tip you over so use gentle pressure. The aim is to stay on top of the powder and turn with grace.

Feel your weight: Don’t be tempted to lean too far one way or the other when turning in powder. This will cause the nose or tail of your board to go under the snow. The aim is to keep your body weight in the middle of your board, or perhaps a little to the back. The aim is to ride over the snow, and not burrow under it.

Follow your head: When you snowboard, remember that your body follows the direction that you turn your head. So if there are people, trees or other obstacles around look in between these and aim for the gaps.

Do a trial run: There is no harm – or shame – in checking out a route more slowly the first time and then heading back up to give it your all on the second go. This is especially true when snowboarding in areas where there are lots of obstacles. Every snowboarder loves a bit of gladed surfing on powder snow but that means you’ll want to avoid the trees and surf between the gaps. You can only do this safely if you’ve checked out the route first.

On the steep: Steep, powder-covered slopes demand a very different style of snowboarding. You’ll be looking to make short, sharp turns and act pretty aggressive with your technique. Try not to stop or think about the slopes for too long because steep descents are all about momentum and action.

Happy powder surfing!