Snowboarding is an exciting fast paced sport that can take several forms. You can race down the hills or mountains maneuvering quickly or glide and slide down in a rough free style. Snowboarding itself is loosely based on other similar sports like surfing, skateboarding and skiing. Developed just prior to the 1980′s it became a Winter Olympic Sport in 1998.
Initially, there was a little animosity between skiers and snowboarders, but over time as the popularity of snowboarding has increased this has been resolved. In most resorts where you find skiing you will also have access to snowboarding at least in one form or another.
Free ride snowboarding is the most common style of the sport. This is in part to its versatility since any terrain available will do. You can do tricks where you catch as much ‘air’ as possible in the jump then do tricks. You can jib, which is, in fact a method of sliding or gliding down rails or other terrain obstacles, however this is done far less than in other styles like free style. It is during free ride snowboarding that the sport shows its relationship with surfing the most. Just as you might see a surfer glide down a wave doing tricks on the board this closely resembles the power of free ride snowboarding.
In free style there may or not be a hill or mountain, but there is grace as the participants find ways to utilize man made terrain features to perform jibs and glides. These features can be anything from jumps, boxes, rails, to any object a track designer can dream up. Jibs and glides refer to how the rider will build power and speed then slide across objects for either a short or long duration frequently performing some other physical stunt while doing so.
The boxes used are objects used that have highly polished surface that allows the rider move very easily. Naturally, this also means that while on the box, rail or other object the rider has no traction so the snowboarder will need to be extremely skilled.
Free style can also be done in half pipe, which is a type of man-made trench-link ditch made of snow. Tricks done in the half pipe are customarily done as the rider moves from one side of the pipe to the other. Free style unlike free ride snowboarding has a look that puts most spectators in mind of skateboarding.
Since there is so much need for balance in free style a soft boot with a very flexible board is the one preferred. Free style riders also prefer shorter boarders and sometimes even file down the edges. The shorter length gives them the ability to make quick moves, change direction and rotate the board faster than with a regular board. Free style takes a lot of practice, but participants who love this activity do not complain much.
Both these styles are part of a fast growing intensely popular sport in which the practice necessary to become a better rider is the fun part.
Filed under Recreation And Sports by on Dec 31st, 2010. Comment.
Snowboarding, simply put, is sliding through snow using a board. This fast growing winter sport is already a rage with about 7 million people currently involved or interested in it and its ever growing popularity is only attracting more and more newcomers. Having made it into the Olympic sports in 1998 where snowboarding turned into an enormous success, this sport has never looked back. Considered to be a relatively easy sport to learn the number of snowboarding “beginners” is on the rise.
Snowboarding beginners, as in any other sport, are advised to sign up for a formal training session as this would cut down their learning curve and make them more confident of mastering the sport. The first step associated with the sport is to purchase (or loan) comfortable and correct clothing as it puts the person in the right frame of mind and is protective of safety. On this front it is advised to get into a loose fitting suit with goggles and gloves. Protection gear in the form of wristbands and a helmet is a must.
Picking up the right snowboard is critical and it should of the right length and width. The most popular styles of snowboarding are freestyle and freeride, the category in which the beginner wants to gain hold determines the type of snowboard to be picked and manufactures cater to both types.
Fixing the bindings is next and to do this correctly requires practice. For strap bindings, toe and ankle are to be strapped until they are comfortable and for step-in bindings it is first required to step in and roll the foot around to ensure that the bindings are safe and sound. Binding front foot first and then repeated with the back foot. To cross check if the bindings are in place it is advised to make a few quick jumps and see that they are not disturbed.
Filed under Recreation And Sports by on Dec 30th, 2010. Comment.
Learn about the new GoPro HD HERO® camera at gopro.com. Chris Garside scores a few Austrian face shots and gets to see himself doing it thanks to his GoPro HD HERO. Mounted on the end of a ski pole with the Ride HERO clamp mount.
Filed under Sports by on Dec 25th, 2010. 25 Comments.
One would think that you would wish to have a heavy jacket when snowboarding to help in keeping you warm ; however that’s utterly wrong. A snowboarding jacket should be light weight and offer no restrictions when it comes to having the ability to move freely. Your jacket, if too heavy, could hinder your performance on the snowboard by not allowing you to move the way that you want or the way that you need to.
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Another vital facet of a boarding jacket is that it should be water resistant. As we all know snow liquifies and therefore, can make your clothing and everything else become wet. If this occurs, you will become cold and that too could hinder your performance on the snowboard. Your jacket, whether lightweight or not, will get heavy after time due to the chemicals that are used to make it water resistant. This truly doesn’t matter as long as the jacket is a reasonable weight.
A snowboarding jacket can offer many options to the snowboarder and you may desire that. A jacket that contains lots of pockets will enable you to carry and store your items with you. The jacket should also provide a hood. Ensure that your jacket has a’skirt’ at the bottom.
Yes, you can get a light-weight jacket that’s insulated. Remember, being cold can hinder your performance on the board.
Boarding jackets are available in a multitude of different colors and styles.
The price usually rises thanks to the quantity of ventilation and water proofing in the jackets. Higher end jackets usually provide more ventilation and water proofing. They are designed to keep out moisture and the products that are used in the higher end jackets are mirrored in the price . If you do lots of snowboarding, your best bet is to invest in a higher end jacket. If you only board once in a while, you will potentially be alright with a lower end jacket.
With higher end jackets you can expect to pay upwards of a couple of hundred dollars. Lower end jackets will be cheaper and will help to save you some cash. .
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Filed under Benefits Of Online Sportsbook Betting by on Dec 24th, 2010. Comment.
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.
Filed under Oregon Ski Vacations by on Dec 21st, 2010. Comment.
When the days are short and snow hides the dirt and makes the water of Lake Tahoe WAY to cold for swimming, you do the only thing you can do: Go SKIING!!! There are fourteen ski resorts in and around Lake Tahoe in both California and Nevada. There are thousands of hotel and motel rooms, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a gourmet, or deliciously funky restaurant, and there’s more music, theater, shows, gambling and amenities than you could possibly know what to do with.
But relax. It’s simple. Follow these two steps for the best winter vacation you’ve ever had: 1) go to Lake Tahoe. 2) go skiing! Everything else will come naturally.
Getting to Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is easy to find. If you’re flying (and you don’t have your own helicopter), the closest airport with good service is Reno Tahoe International Airport. All the major carriers fly in there including the beloved Southwest Airlines. From Reno the closest Tahoe ski resort are only 30 minutes away (Mt. Rose and Diamond Peak), and the farthest are barely over an hour. Flying in to Reno also puts you at an advantage as most of the traffic comes in from Sacramento and San Francisco, so tourist congestion is minimal.
From Sacramento or San Francisco take US Hwy 50 East to South Lake Tahoe, California and the casinos at Stateline, Nevada and Heavenly, Kirkwood or Sierra at Tahoe; or take Interstate 80 through Truckee to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Donner Ski Ranch, Sugar bowl, Northstar or Homewood. Good weather info can be found at weather.com (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USCA0584?from=search_city), NOAA.gov (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=rev&smap=1&textField1=39.25139&textField2=-119.97194), and snotel (http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/California/california.html).
Check traffic and snow conditions before you go at CalTrans(http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/), NDOT (http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads/) and Magnifeye(http://www.magnifeye.com/).
Tahoe Terrain and Snow
Lake Tahoe is big: 22 miles long and 12 miles wide. Along its 72 miles of shoreline ski conditions can vary from north (Northstar at Tahoe) to south (Kirkwood), so it helps to keep track of the weather and snowfall rates. If you’re into groomers and perfect corduroy, or neck deep powder in the trees, check the snow reports on each resort’s website and hit the one with the most new snow.
Most of the resorts have terrain parks, and usually more than one. Heavenly has several including beginner, intermediate and advanced jumps, rails and boxes for all skiers and snowboarders.
Which resort should you go to? Well that’s complicated. Since everything at Tahoe is totally awesome, it can be challenging to find the right resort for you. The huge resorts, Heavenly, Squaw, and Kirkwood, offer fancy dining, big vertical relief, and incredible on-mountain amenities. The small ones, Homewood, Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose, offer a more low key experience that might be great for beginners or people who want to experience everything Tahoe. Every mountain has its specialties, secret powder stashes and amazing views of the lake.
Backcountry Skiing
Though there are some of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the world, there are FAR more mountains to be skied around Tahoe than you can reach at the end of a chair lift ride. Any of the peaks around the Tahoe Basin, however, can be reached at the end of a hike.
Whether by snowshoe, crampon and ice axe or ski tour you can reach endless untracked ridges and couloirs from the Pacific Crest in the Desolation Wilderness on the West shore to the Carson Range above Reno on the east. Many resorts also have hikeable backcountry terrain, like the Milkyway Bowl, at Heavenly which gives you a few more feet of vertical for a little bit of extra effort. Always check for up-to-date avalanche, snowfall and weather forecasts for the entire Tahoe back country area from the Sierra Avalanche Center (http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/) before you go out of bounds.
Lifts, Trams and Gondolas
Tahoe is the land of the six-pack high-speed chairlift. We have gondolas, funitels, and trams along with a life time supply of high speed 6 person chairlifts. The resorts here are fully modern with the latest in technology and as rich skiing history, like the old Trams at Heavenly and Squaw Valley. Skiing around Tahoe is a fully modern, fast and fun experience. The astounding uphill capacity at the resorts keeps you skiing with a minimum of down time.
On-mountain Amenities
What’s that? You want a little down time? Understandable. Skiing endless top to bottom mogul or powder runs can be tiring. You need a recharge now and then. No worries, no matter where you are at the resorts here you’re never far from a bite to eat. Mid mountain lodges, top of the mountain lodges abound with gourmet dining, and drinking, right off the runs with stellar views of the ski slopes and the lake and no shortage of wine and beer.
Tahoe Lodging
Sure, you could sleep in your car at the base of the runs after eating a ski-bum-gourmet meal of saltines and ketchup, but why now live a little? You want be good to yourself; that’s why you’re here.
As a year round vacation destination, Lake Tahoe has thousands of hotels and motels to choose from after a big day on the slopes. If you’re hungry there are enough dining establishments to feed tens of thousands! Great lodging rates can be found to keep your budget happy even at a hotel close to the slopes!
In a competitive vacation market such as Tahoe, resorts are always teaming up with hotels to offer ski and lodging packages to get you the best deal for your trip. Whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, you can bundle your lodging, lift tickets and equipment rentals into one great deal, so you spend less money and more time having fun.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, in California and Nevada, is a world class winter destination mentioned in the same breath as Vail, Park City, and Banff. The snow is falling. The lifts are running. Come hit the slopes!!!
Filed under Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts by on Dec 20th, 2010. Comment.
Learn about the new GoPro HD HERO® camera at gopro.com. GoPro invades the Breckenridge Dew Tour. Stunning snowboarding footage captured at 720p at 60 fps and 960p. Shot entirely with the HD HERO camera using GoPro’s helmet, headstrap, chest and handlebar mount clamped onto a ski pole. Music by Finn Riggins
Filed under Sports by on Dec 19th, 2010. 25 Comments.
It is a no-brainer to think that snowboarding is now an ever-growing winter sport across the globe. Skateboarding, surfing and skiing are the early sports that inspired the development of this sport. According to history, this sport was developed around the 1960′s to the 1970′s and thus, became a winter Olympic sport in 1998. Since then, people have started to be interested in the sport until such that it is considered one of the most popular winter sports these days.
It comes in different styles. These are jibbing and rail riding, free riding, freestyle and free carve. Jibbing and rail riding involved riding on a snowboard where in riders have to ride over obstacles which are in this case, the rails. The rails could either be natural or made-made. Free riding is another style which is quite different from jibbing and rail riding. This is considered the easiest style in this sport. In free riding, the rider just ride down a terrain which include aerial tricks and jibs. The next is freestyle. This is most sought-out style in this sport. From beginners to professionals, most people want to pursue freestyle. It’s because it’s more about the style of the person given the fact that snowboarding basically known to be giving the rider the thrill of his life and the total freedom to be up there in the air. Technically, in freestyle there are more tricks and more manmade terrain features. The features could either be a trail, a jib, boxes or other features that make it possible for the rider to perform his tricks. The last style is free carve style which is usually determined by the speed and the ultimate carving turns. When practicing for free carving, riders focus on their speed because this style is focused on the race as the riders descend the mountain. Little or no jumps are even required in this style.
Whatever the style is, it is evident that snowboarding is a very challenging sport but worth it. A growing number of manufacturers focus on this sport producing equipment for this sport from the littlest gear to the most important one because of the increasing demand for such equipment too. In the winter and even up to spring, ski resorts are flocked with snowboarding enthusiasts who might be doing it for the experience, for leisure or for their career.
However, snowboarding is undeniably exciting and fun-filled but riders have to understand the risks that they are going to take when doing this sport. There are already so many cases of injury associated with this sport and the whole community wouldn’t want to add to that number. It is then advisable to observe precautionary measures when doing this sport. Riding your gears that could protect you from injury is imperative. Learn to listen to your instructors and of course, always be on guard. With these things in mind while performing your tricks, it’s pretty sure that you will have the time of your life.
Filed under Recreation And Sports by on Dec 18th, 2010. Comment.
I’m 12 years old. I’ve been snowboarding for about 3 and a half years now. I live in Geneva, Switzerland. I can do rails, grabs and more.
Any advice on which would be a good brand to send a video to. And also please send some advice like filming tips, and how i send the video to the sponsor.
Filed under Snowboarding by on Dec 18th, 2010. 4 Comments.







