Boarding gear

Going boarding for the first time.

I am a seasoned skier....but....

How do Boarding boots fasten? How do the bindings work? 8)

In a nutshell. There are two types of snowboard, boots and bindings. 1/ Alpine with plate bindings and hard boots. 2/ Free ride/ freestyle with soft boots. You will most likely be starting with the later; a soft boot set up.
Like ski boots, fit is important for snowboard boots. In fact, more so because any heel lift will prevent you having control. Again like ski boots, the common remedy for this is to over tighten the boots. Much better to get boots that fit well with comfortably tightened laces. Even so, expect to get calluses on your fingers from the laces, unless you get boots with a wire and ratchet type system.
The best thing about regular (soft) snowboard boots is that that you can jump in a car and drive w/o changing boots first.
The two strap binding is most common now. Step in systems (which are great for short runs) are unfashionable. The Flow binding systems offer the best of both worlds, quick to get into, but with adjustable tension.
Alpine snowboarding, on race type boards is becoming popular again. If you don’t intend to hit the half pipe or the terrain park, and you have ski experience, this might be a fun option (it's what I prefer).

Wiki has a very concise outline

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowboard


Trencher

Thanks for that Trencher, puts things clear now. I have seen you people of trays sitting onthe floor using the ratchet bindings - 2 strap.

Do boards come off like skis do when you fall over - I have never seen them so asume they dont....why not?

4 weeks until i go....excited :-o :lol:

Hi Iceman..

I am a seasoned skier and had boarding lessons for a weeek for the first time just a few weeks ago.

YOu will get to grips very quickly with the fastenings but it just a case of doing up and undoing in a routine order to speed up the process and spend less time on your bum.

Try to learn how to do the fastenings whist you are standing up.. it is far more dignified !!

I found that puttino on the ankle fastening first was quicker.

NO !! you do not come out of the board like you would with ski's so dont go to mad to start with as the falls will hurt. Some wrist supports would be advised.

Be prepared to fall of the lifts when you only have one foot strapped in. this is the hardest thing about boarding.

Overall tho, i really liked it and the off piste boarding was fantastic and the snowpark jumps etc will be soo easy wuth a bit more practice.

I'm not fully converted (simply because i am better on ski's) but i will contimue to do both on my next few trips .

have fun

Cool, sounds great....

Am looking forward to it loads.

Other people have mentioned wrist supports too. Esp as my right wrist is a bit weak.

Wrist guards for sure. Snowboarding specific types are best (Dakine) and are worn under the gloves(so might need larger gloves).

Snowboard bindings do not release for reasons of safety. This means that twisting leg injuries are rare on snowboards. The worst thing that can happen on a board is for one binding to release (esp. front). .

Padded shorts are nice, but spendy (worn under ski pants). A few bruises on hips and butt are an unavoidable part of the learning process, but help to make you more aware of your edges than you ever were on skis.

Trencher